Nuvi 500 first impressions

[Cabrito]

Just ordered mine from Amazon as well. Curious as to what the USB cable is for and what are the odds of me already having one that fits? Is this a special cable?

The USB cable is so you can connect to your computer to get screen shots and or upload pics to the unit. You can use any USB of the correct size. I used the one from my camera.

If you are going to use this thing for hiking then get the screen protector - I have already put a small scratch in the screen because it was in the mesh pocket of my pack and I must have set it down on some rocks during a hike.

 

[The BN Guy]

Got mine the other day and am having a blast with it!

Having trouble figuring out which ones have the backup camera capability though. Might upgrade/trade in the 500 for one that has it.

 

[Cabrito]

Got mine the other day and am having a blast with it!

Having trouble figuring out which ones have the backup camera capability though. Might upgrade/trade in the 500 for one that has it.

back up camera? That would be a nice feature for sure.

 

[The BN Guy]

I'm pretty sure the 5000 has it but thought another higher end Nuvi had it as well.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I beleive in mapsource, you open a track file...then convert it to a route then import it to the nuvi 500.....or something like that. It's been awhile, I'll try that out when I get back into town next week.

Have you attempted this?

I have the same needs as Alex described and sold my Nuvi 255w yesterday anticipating a 500 purchase.

 

[Disco0311]

How about the Nuvi 855, Costco has it for 299?

 

[GTABurnout]

So I want to buy a Nuvi 500 but I can't find one localy...

Are they old now? is there a new version that is wide screen?

 

[Photog]

We had one a few months ago. Picked it up at REI. It was not wide screen.

 

[Carlyle]

Well I've been using the 500 now for about two months and happy to say that it runs great. You can download your .gpx files to it, but it takes awhile for the GPS to think through it. Screen size is nice and easy to operate with the touch screen. At this point I see little reason to hook it up to my laptop for route navigation as it does most of the features I need in the unit itself.

 

[Cabrito]

Still love mine.

On sale now at REI $224.99
http://www.rei.com/product/775807

 

[bovw]

I just ordered one of these today. I have seen conflicting info on the Garmin site and with reviews. Does the 500 have spoken street names or not? Garmin site says yes, and the reviews I've read says no.

 

[Cabrito]

I just ordered one of these today. I have seen conflicting info on the Garmin site and with reviews. Does the 500 have spoken street names or not? Garmin site says yes, and the reviews I've read says no.

My 500 does not have spoken street names. It's kind of a pisser sometimes. It just says "turn right here" or "turn right in 50 yards" Something like that anyway. I always have the volume turned off. I did borrow a friends Magellen once and really liked how it called out the street name.

 

[GTABurnout]

Mine is in the mail

 

[bovw]

Found this in my searching last night. Guess I'll try it if need be.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=123851

 

[Cabrito]

Now that looks handy!

Thanks!