Nav/2610, City Navigator V6 voice prompts errors.

[shedracer]

Any body else getting anoyed with incorrect voice prompts at roundabouts?

I have noticed while using my Nav 11 at work, that there seems a lot of errors on the voice prompts when approching roundabouts. The directions on the map are correct, but the voice prompt contradicts it by saying "take the 1st exit" when the map may show either 2nd, 3rd or 4th exit. This is happening alot, so I am always checking the map, rather than just listening to the voice prompt.

I am using City Navigator V6 and Mapsource 6.7 (I think, as I`m not at my PC at the moment).

Is there a fix or do we have to just put up with it? I am holding out buying V7, as I think V8 will be better to upgrade to.

 

[Bryn]

Happened to me on my maiden voyage... "Take second exit".. ended up in an asda car park.... Think you sometimes have to use the voice prompts as a back up to the display, rather than totally following the voice...

Just installed V7.. but havent really been far enough to know if this is cured

Bryn

Any body else getting anoyed with incorrect voice prompts at roundabouts?

I have noticed while using my Nav 11 at work, that there seems a lot of errors on the voice prompts when approching roundabouts. The directions on the map are correct, but the voice prompt contradicts it by saying "take the 1st exit" when the map may show either 2nd, 3rd or 4th exit. This is happening alot, so I am always checking the map, rather than just listening to the voice prompt.

I am using City Navigator V6 and Mapsource 6.7 (I think, as I`m not at my PC at the moment).

Is there a fix or do we have to just put up with it? I am holding out buying V7, as I think V8 will be better to upgrade to.

 

[PanEuropean]

I am using City Navigator V6 and Mapsource 6.7...

Hi:

The route guidance that the GPSR provides is a function of the software within the GPSR itself, not the 'MapSouce' software. MapSource is a stand-alone application that is used on your personal computer to create routes and waypoints, and to transfer map segments to your GPSR. It has nothing to do with the operation of the GPSR itself. The map software (e.g. CityNavigator Version 6) contains the details of the streets - the content of the voice prompts is determined from information on the map software. If the picture shows that you should take the third exit, then the voice should say that as well. So - if there is a difference between what the voice says and what the picture shows, the problem is with the operating software of the GPSR - and that is the only thing you have not mentioned.

What you should do is check and find out what the version number of the operating software within your GPSR is. I'm sorry I can't recall exactly how to do this at the moment, and I don't have a 26xx with me to check. Perhaps someone else can explain how to check the GPSR system software version number. The current version of operating software for the 2610 is 4.30, which was released in April of this year. It is likely your operating software is not up to date. Garmin provides free updates for the system software for the life of the GPSR. You can download them from the Garmin website - just go to this page: Garmin Updates and Downloads.

But, having said that - I participated in the beta-testing of the 26xx software two years ago, before it was first released, and I never encountered any problem with roundabout guidance. I have a personal collection of killer roundabouts here in Switzerland that I run every new GPSR through. The SP III had some roundabout guidance problems back in 2001, but those have long since been ironed out. The 26xx series was perfect (so far as roundabouts are concerned) right out of the box.

What you might notice sometimes is this: A roundabout will have 4 or 5 exits from it, but only 2 or 3 will be 'principal exits' - the other 1 or 2 will be little, minor paths or trails that lead into a road maintenance area or a farmer's field. The cartographic database will contain all of the exits, but the road sign prior to the roundabout will only show the main ones. So, the road sign might suggest you take the second exit, while the GPSR is suggesting you take the third exit. Both will be correct, in context. The GPSR will be 'exactly' correct - if you count all possible exits - and the road sign will be correct if you only count the main exits. However, from the description of your problem, that is not what you are encountering.

Try loading the most up to date operating software, and see if that solves the problem. Again - the voice should always match the picture on the map, because the voice is generated from the same cartographic data that is used to draw the picture on the map.

Michael

 

[shedracer]

Hi Michael,
I have checked the software version and it is Version 4.30. The audio version is 2.10. So it seems I am using the current version. I guess I`ll have to wait until Garmin come out with an updated version.

Does anybody else get the incorrect voice prompt, compared to the picture on the map, on some roundabouts?

 

[PanEuropean]

Hmmmm -

If you can post an example of a roundabout that generates such an error - where the error can be repeated - then I will forward this thread to the Garmin software guys (assuming they are not already watching it). The info needed to reproduce the problem is as follows:

1) Location of the roundabout. A text description is fine, but a very precise lat and long would be even better.

2) What road you enter the roundabout on

3) What road you leave the roundabout on.

The Garmin guys can then create a route through the roundabout, following your description, observe the problem, and get it corrected. They are remarkably quick about fixing this stuff once they can duplicate a problem.

Michael

 

[PanEuropean]

Guess what - I encountered this type of problem today, riding around in the town of Cambridge. See the photos below.

I had a close look at this, and it seems that this is a cartographic problem (a Navteq problem), not a Garmin problem. The bus bay should not be counted as an exit, and one of the roads that the GPSR is counting as an exit is actually an entry point only.

If you encounter such a problem, it should be reported to Navteq. They have a website for reporting such errors, it is at this URL: Navteq Map Feedback

Michael

First look - what the heck is this?

A closer look - really zoomed in tightly - it's a cartographic issue.

 

[birdseye]

Hi Michael,
I have checked the software version and it is Version 4.30. The audio version is 2.10. So it seems I am using the current version. I guess I`ll have to wait until Garmin come out with an updated version.

Does anybody else get the incorrect voice prompt, compared to the picture on the map, on some roundabouts?

Yes, I get it on my Quest which is fully up to date in sofware terms but v6 of the cartography. And contrary to what PanEuro thought above, some times the voice is not counting exits which are real roads (as opposed to Tesco entrance, farmers field etc). Odd really, since the mapping shows the correct direction and the missing turn, but the voice doesnt recognise it.

I think one of the things we have to learn is not to take the gps instructions as absolutely gospel. Dont suspend normal intelligence and blindly follow the machine, which is certainly what I did at first. Instead go through a "now does this make sense" stage once an instruction is received. After all, the gps will not shout at you if you dont follow instructions like your wife will.

What is really irritating me is the Quests ability to switch itself off then re-boot not once but several times in rapid succession. Wouldnt be quite as bad if it werent for the b**y lawyers "dont use whilst driving" exclusion clauses screen - which of course you have to push the OK button for whilst still moving!

Mind you...........the quest has a female voice.........maybe it turns itself off in a sulk when you ignore it

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Had a similar situation in France last week. Came to a roundabout. Take 2nd exit it said (and I'm sure the map showed the same). It was a "standard" roundabout with 3 exits at 90 degrees to each other. I double checked the instructions on screen which also said 2nd exit.

Took 2nd exit: "Off route recalculating". Went around one way system and came back to same roundabout but from a different direction. "Take 2nd exit".

Duly did that and it was correct this time. This would have been the 3rd exit from the first entry direction.

Very odd!

Paul

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Paul:

If the roundabout looked normal on the map (no funny exits), and you did what you were supposed to do when you routed through it, then your 'off route' condition might have been caused just by a small error in the cartography - in other words, the roundabout was not perfectly positioned on the map. What happened was that you followed the path you should have followed, but the GPSR couldn't reconcile your position with the (indicated) position of the roundabout - so, it started a recalculation.

These little things happen from time to time.

Michael

 

[Paul Wakefield]

That would explain it. Presumably by approaching from a different direction, things were close enough to indicate the correct exit the second time.

I realise there can be map errors. The best was an insistence that I turn left onto a D road via someone's front garden and a good 1/2 mile from the nearest junction! And I did have Avoid unmade roads switched on!!!

I'm not complaining; just trying to understand how it works, its limitations and foibles so I can get the best out of it. I'm using it more effectively all the time as I learn to combine the different types of information to form a picture.

Paul