Garmin Nuvi 500 Questions

[castmaster]

For those that have hte Nuvi 500 do you like it? Any problems with them? I am looking to get one as a crossover for in the acr and running lakemaps while fishing. Being as it says they are waterproof, can a guy run it in the boat with a lakemaster chip as well? And they will run both the lakemaster chips(for garmin) and the MNTrax chip?

[kerryd15]

I like mine. use it in the truck icefishing, in the boat all summer. The battery doesn't last 8hrs outside in the cold. It is waterproof but it doesnt float. Not sure on MNtrax.

[Ed Carlson]

Love mine, use it on the van, the truck, the boat, and on my Vexilar Ultra Pack on the ice.

I mostly use it while hooked to a 12 V accessory power supply in the field / boat. But I can get several hours from it unleashed, about 5 - 6 tops when warm.

I run LakeMaster, Garmin, and NDTRAX, MNTRAX in it, and also in my Garmin Rhino 530 HCx.

[castmaster]

Ed,

So being "waterproof" you've had no issues running it in he boat during rain or anything? I guess thats the only thing that has me waffling. I like running a stand alone gps in the boat so I can have that screen full size with lake map, and then leave my sonar screen full size. Just a personal preference, dont like looking at the split screens. My Lowrance stand alone GPS(5200c) took a dump on me so looking to replace. Seems hard to find a larger stand alone unit these days, and was thinking this might be a good option as it can be used for more than just in the boat. Like the idea of being able to use the MNTrax while grouse hunting up north etc.

How about the internal antennae? Always have had externals, but figure if it keeps signal and maintains position at highway speeds while driving, it should be fast enough to keep signal and position in the boat. Do you know if its an option to add an external antennae if its a problem?

[Ed Carlson]

I put the 500 in a minnow bucket for 15 min on a bet to prove it was waterproof, it still works flawlessly. The data card in inside and under the battery and has a watertight door, and the data port has a good waterproof plug/gasket system...it's tight and dry.

That was the reason I went with it, it is the only Nuvi that is truly waterproof at the time.

We could see a new model or two completely waterproof in the Nuvi line soon, that is my guess. It has been proven to be a big hit for Garmin.

I have very good accuracy and gps satellite acquisition speed with it, no concerns there at all.

The new Garmin 78 handheld is a marine gps class unit, and it also floats. More money, but it has more dedicated marine use and gps functionality in it too. If I ever part with my Rhino, I will get the 78.

[castmaster]

Thanks for the info Ed! Much appreciated

[castmaster]

Ed,

The guy in teh big brown truck dropped my 500 off today. Instead of having a boating mode it has a scootering mode. Cant find any info on why that is or how to change it. Called Garmin and the lady I spoke to in tech support said she'd never heard of one having a sootering mode and no boating mode.

Ever heard of this or any idea what I can do to get rid of the sootering and get the boating mode?

[Ed Carlson]

A - Register the unit on the Garmin site, start your own account free. You will then get a e-mail response from Garmin with a coupon you can use on-line to buy mapping or any accessories from Garmin you may wish to get.

B - Download the Garmin Updater program free off there site, then run the updater. Then download all latest updates.

C - The Boating Mode will not appear unless you have a lake map chip in like the Garmin or LakeMaster marine lakes. Then it will appear in the modes.

Take some time to read the manual first, and even watch a few You-Tube videos of how the 500 works, it will help.

[castmaster]

Thanks Ed.

DO I need to order a manual from Garmin? The only thing that came with it is a small pamphlet maybe 4 pages long. Seems like a lot of stuff these days that you have to buy a manual separate, or view an online manual. I'm just not to good with trying to read stuff like that off the net, prefer a hard copy manual.

Also it seems to be pretty accurate once I'm out and moving, but when I'm in the driveway it shows me being at an address down the street. When I tell it to go home it says I have to travel 320 feet to get there. Is that also something I may not have set up right?

[Ed Carlson]

You can download the full manual in PDF format from the Garmin site if you wish. There are great user tips there too, and a search function for specific questions. You can get direct e-mail help from tech's once you sign up for your account...that is very helpful.

You will get the free map update once you register at Garmin, and download and install it. Your mapping base will be far more accurate once you do.

If you didn't get the USP Garmin inter-phase cord with your package I highly recommend you order one...they run about $14. This makes up & Downloading quick and easy without the need for the extra card to do so. This cord is useful on all Garmin handheld and Nuvie units to share info to a computer or laptop.

Item #: GD478363 Garmin Cable USB

If you hunt I also recommend you consider the NDTRAX or the MNTRAX CD or chip. You will gain a lot of specific detail in minor roads and even enhanced city street info. Pluss all the other kewl data the TRAXMAPS are known for..PLOTS, and so on.

[castmaster]

Thanks again for all the help Ed! And I do plan on getting the MNTrax chip.

[Smoker]

I had mine out on the 4 wheeler and we got caught in a down pour for about 20 min. and it still works fine.I use it in the truck, boat, 4 wheeler, ice fishing and hiking a couple times.

[castmaster]

Do any of you guys have trouble with the Garmin site when it comes to new updates etc. I registered the nuvi and it said there was a software update and a map update I could download, but I've been trying to do it since the 7th and it says the site is temporarily down for maintenance. 4 days for maintenance seems like a long time.

[Ed Carlson]

I have not had any concerns, always been seamless using the Garmin Updater.

Are you using the Garmin Updater program from your desktop? It should do it automatically for you then. Be sure you do not have your firewall set to not allow the Garmin downloads too. Garmin CS will be helpful there if your having issues.

If it is your free 2011 base map USA Roads update then I would try it again in a couple days and see if they are back on line with the main database. They would send you a authorization code for it prior for this update. You may also get an option there to get it sent to you on disk too, but that option it may cost a few bucks.

[Smoker]

I had problems when they changed something on there end. I could not get it to up date. I gave them a call and they walked me through the system to get it up and running again. I have no problems now and I just finished a new up date again this weekend.