Recent trip things i noticed Zumo 590

[Andy63]

Things i noticed with my Zumo 590

Here are some observations I experienced while on a recent trip to Ibiza from St Malo.

590 is set for fastest time and recalculate when prompted ( I don't want my set auto recalculating all the time because it always changes your set route )

The device frequently prompts off route recalculate when correctly directing you off a motorway onto a slip road.
As you enter the slip road the prompt appears blocking all map and route direction, this is annoying especially if there are further route instructions to negotiate i.e. lane directions or other slip roads immediately after you enter the slip road.
Ok you only have to tap the "no" option on the screen to carry on but not ideal at 70MPH while negotiating the usual tight slip road bend and usually the tap with a gloved finger never ever works first time. An unnecessary distraction.

This must be a software glitch?? my set has the most recent updates.

Another issue which ruined my return trip while leaving Barcelona for La Rochelle, I had a route set with “shaping nodes” to route through the Pyrenees via Andorra. Not sure if its because it struggled to get Satellite signal in Barcelona on power on, because of buildings. But the device totally ignored my route, recalculated and sent me off to Perpignan didn't realise what happened till I got to the French border, totally gutted.

Ok waiting for the try using maps advice, I am fairly savvy with the Zumo and tried and tested route set up in the past.

 

[Wapping]

(1) The positional accuracy of public GPS devices is not much greater than 15 meters and possibly much less if the device does not have a particularly stong sight of several sateleites.

Given that some motorway junctions can be multiple lanes wide and very long, it’s perfectly possible for the device to calculate its position as being ‘off-route’ when its not. Similarly, it assumes that the ‘drawing’ of the junction within the device’s map was itself accurate. Not a problem on Jersey, obviousy.

You know you are on the correct slip road. Relax, ride your bike and remove the erroneous 'Off route' message at leisure..... Which is when you are NOT hooning at 70 mph, you devil, you.......Again, not a problem on Jersey.

(2) No idea why your device ignored its routing shaping nodes. The only logical reasons are:

(i) Operator error

(ii) Device error

It’s not uncommon for bods to alter the settings briefly and then forget that they have done so when it comes to the next day. Similarly, was this a route you yourself created or one that you borrowed from elsewhere?

 

[Andy63]

(1) The positional accuracy of public GPS devices is not much greater than 15 meters and possibly much less if the device does not have a particularly stong sight of several sateleites.

Given that some motorway junctions can be multiple lanes wide and very long, it’s perfectly possible for the device to calculate its position as being ‘off-route’ when its not. Similarly, it assumes that the ‘drawing’ of the junction within the device’s map was itself accurate. Not a problem on Jersey, obviousy.

You know you are on the correct slip road. Relax, ride your bike and remove the erroneous 'Off route' message at leisure..... Which is when you are NOT hooning at 70 mph, you devil, you.......Again, not a problem on Jersey.

(2) No idea why your device ignored its routing shaping nodes. The only logical reasons are:

(i) Operator error

(ii) Device error

It’s not uncommon for bods to alter the settings briefly and then forget that they have done so when it comes to the next day. Similarly, was this a route you yourself created or one that you borrowed from elsewhere?

Hi Wapping,
Thanks for the comments particularly like the hooning , I have had this GPS about 10 months and prior to this I had the 550 I don't recall having similar errors with that.
Its after the junction that is the issue I do ignore the recalculate prompt until safe to amend, its just the frequency it did it, on almost every slip road. Haven't noticed it prior to this trip.

As for the routes I built all the routes for the whole trip. I was fairly confident I had route building sussed (ref previous rants on here), so I am somewhat surprised and dismayed that the device re-routed. Especially on this particular route.

I'd like to assume device error until proven otherwise

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

My 590 does the same ever time I leave a m/way, just onto slip road and off route message every time.
This was in Europe this year.
Not tested it in UK to see if it does the same.
Other than that it worked brilliantly.

 

[Wapping]

Sounds like the devices cannot locate enough satellites at some critical junctions.

That's life.

 

[The Grey One]

Sounds like the devices cannot locate enough satellites at some critical junctions.

That's life.

If that were the case I would expect the message to say no signal not off route.

John

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Enable the recalculate function and let it sort itself out which it will do quickly and just keep you on your designed route.

Or should do !!!

 

[Andy63]

Enable the recalculate function and let it sort itself out which it will do quickly and just keep you on your designed route.

Or should do !!!

Hi Redrick, that's the issue if you let the device recalculate it will change the planned route.

I spend some time planning my trips and precisely what roads I intend to go down. If you leave it to auto recalculate you soon realise it has a mind of its own.

Thinking of changing the calculation to twisty roads rather than fastest time see if that improves things.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Hi Redrick, that's the issue if you let the device recalculate it will change the planned route.

I spend some time planning my trips and precisely what roads I intend to go down. If you leave it to auto recalculate you soon realise it has a mind of its own.

Thinking of changing the calculation to twisty roads rather than fastest time see if that improves things.

That is odd

My NAV 5 does not do that it just gets me back onto my designed route ASAP but then i have never noticed it going off route for slip roads either ?

Have you got the settings on the device and computer exactly the same ?

 

[Andy63]

That is odd

My NAV 5 does not do that it just gets me back onto my designed route ASAP but then i have never noticed it going off route for slip roads either ?

Have you got the settings on the device and computer exactly the same ?

Yes all the settings are the same!

I am coming to the conclusion that I have to accept, although its a great device it will take me away from my routes at any given time and I have to be extra vigilant.

I do use tracks to layer over the route but the line is so thin its not always obvious.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Yes all the settings are the same!

I am coming to the conclusion that I have to accept, although its a great device it will take me away from my routes at any given time and I have to be extra vigilant.

I do use tracks to layer over the route but the line is so thin its not always obvious.

Are you using Basecamp or third party mapping to plan the route ??

 

[Andy63]

Are you using Basecamp or third party mapping to plan the route ??

Yes using Basecamp all with the latest maps and software updates all routing options are set exactly the same.

 

[The Grey One]

Have a look at the activity profile in Basecamp under "Edit activity profiles" and then" transfer to device" there is an option to strip out via points on transfer. Do you by chance have this option ticked?

John

 

[daesimps]

I do use tracks to layer over the route but the line is so thin its not always obvious.

I used the theme editor at the following address to modify the theme on the unit and double the width of the track. Makes it much easier to see.

http://www.javawa.nl/zumocolors.html

 

[Andy63]

Have a look at the activity profile in Basecamp under "Edit activity profiles" and then" transfer to device" there is an option to strip out via points on transfer. Do you by chance have this option ticked?

John

Nice recommendation John but alas the box is not ticked, however the other option "Always match route to map on my device when transferring " was not ticked either but it is now! didn't know about that one!!

Thanks

 

[Andy63]

I used the theme editor at the following address to modify the theme on the unit and double the width of the track. Makes it much easier to see.

http://www.javawa.nl/zumocolors.html

Thanks another top tip just edited track scale seems much clearer will test over the weekend

Thank you daesimps !!

 

[Andy63]

OK after some test routes today (stay with me this shouldn't take long) I have discovered that if you have a built "route" in Apps - Trip planner and you activate it. when you hit the "go" button an option appears of the first shaping point and the last/destination shaping point.

The last/destination shaping point seems to be automatically selected, so if at this stage you press start (regardless of route built and shaping points within that route) the device will take you straight to that destination with its own route (fastest time if that's the opted routing).
All fine and dandy if you want to get there fast but, not so great if you prefer your more leisurely scenic route.

This is more apparent if you are not quite on the route (beginning waypoint) when you start, even perhaps only 20 - 30 meters off.
This would explain my Barcelona route woes.

However if you select the first shaping point offered the GPS will take you to that point then along your desired built route.

There is something to be careful here because if you are halfway along a planned route and for whatever (Garmin) reason you need to stop the route then re-start it (believe me this will happen) you will then need to select the destination point otherwise the device will try to take you back to the beginning.

It's also worth laying a track for reference and whenever the device re-calculates (auto or you click "yes" if prompted) you will see how and where the set changes your route.

You will notice if the device re-calculates off the track, If you ignore the recalculated route and stay on the track (when prompted for off route recalculate tap "no") while you are on the track and not on the Magenta there will be no route directions given until back on the magenta route.

Apologies for any confusion.