Custom Waypoint Symbol Sets

Most users find out about features like Custom Waypoints and how to use them by word of mouth...

Perhaps but the market has changed.

In the late 90's and 00's Garmin owners tended the learn about the features of whatever model(s) they had and shared what they learned with others (by whatever means). The user base back then were "fans" to some degree. Many were eager to learn about the "advanced" features that the developers had put in.

Nowadays there's a mass market for GPS units especially in automobiles. Most of the user base has no interest in learning about their device(s). They create a few waypoints, um I mean "Favorites", and hit the big GO button when they want to visit them. Garmin is catering to that user base.

My bet is that advanced users contribute little to the sales of new units. The "average user" now rules. Personally I don't expect Garmin to make new models that I'd like to buy. I'll stick with the ones I have until they fail. My Outdoor models support custom symbols and all support routes--real routes not "trips".

IMO Garmin is extending the middle finger to their traditional "advanced user" base. That's ok, I don't mind being a "dinosaur". I know I'm "extinct".

Point made. I have to get my head out of the Motorcycle community for a moment. But, the Moto community are not your "average" GPS user. They want the features that use to be on Garmin GPS devices. I suppose if Garmin standardizes on minimalism for even the high-end On The Road devices, there will come a day when most users won't know any better.

Until then (I won't be around then) I believe I, and a few others, contribute significantly to the purchase of many Garmin GPS devices by the Motorcycling communities. As example, the Garmin Montana thread at ADVrider.com has probably sold more Montana's then any online discussion anywhere. I receive emails daily asking for purchase recommendations based mostly on my contributions to Fora, my Garmin product Reviews and the free Classes I provide to Motorcycle Rally's and even some Overland 4x4 groups.

So, I would agree that based upon numbers of customers the motorcycling communities are a small but not insignificant percentage of all Garmin PND customers. That doesn't mean Garmin should ignore them or insult the custom base by "simplifying" the High-end devices any more than they already have. We are not so insignificant that some company will step up to the challenge of providing features we want.

And, for azdrmn, just to make the point one more time about User Statistical Analysis based upon unit connected feedback, what if the other half of the Non-reporting customers ARE using Custom Waypoints? By ignoring that possibility you alienate almost half of your customer base.

I suppose if Garmin standardizes on minimalism for even the high-end On The Road devices, there will come a day when most users won't know any better.

Personally I believe, for the most part, that it has already happened.

IMO Garmin started off as a technology driven company. That is their products were envisioned and created by engineers. They had a handful of models and although aimed a different markets they shared a lot in common. The developers added "cool" features and users learned about them and came to love them.

Sometime in the mid 2000's Garmin became a market driven company. They expanded their line to include many models which differed only in small respects. Features that used to be present in all models became present only in some.

Now IMO marketing people (the natural enemy of engineers) typically don't give a damn about "cool" features. They care about dominating a market through whatever means. If that means making 1,001 models that's what they'll do. It doesn't matter if the products are great, or even good, as long as they outsell the competition. Companies survive by making money not by having great products.

Many "technology driven" companies transition to "market driven" as they grow. I've worked at enough of them during my career to have seen it firsthand. That happens because once a market (in this case consumer GPS units) "matures", and competitors enter, innovations become incremental. One doesn't differentiate their products by features (everyone copies the other guys) but by marketing. In short you go after "average users" and convince them they need your product. You have to keep it "simple" though as those "average users" don't care about technology and features very much.

As an example take Apple. They've built a successful company based on the idea that their products, although hi-tech, are made for people that have little or no understanding (and don't want to) of that technology. Also their whole marketing strategy is to make them look "cooler" than their competition. Note that they rarely mention functionality in any detail.

Sorry for the OT discussion but IMO one has to recognize reality. Garmin is not going to make products "like they used to". They've moved on. So has the market.

One additional thought is that by restricting user input and providing only monocolored uninteresting icons Garmin ensures maximum visibility for the company branded icons which do appear on the Garmin maps. This probably allows Garmin or Navteq to extract more money from those companies who wish to deploy branded icons on the maps.

Yes, for POI's, that is absolutely the case. HERE (formerly Navteq) definitely charges money to businesses that want their corp-logo displayed. But, POI's I don't have issue with as Garmin still supports [as of this writing] Custom Symbols for Custom POI's.

One additional thought is that by restricting user input and providing only monocolored uninteresting icons Garmin ensures maximum visibility for the company branded icons which do appear on the Garmin maps. This probably allows Garmin or Navteq to extract more money from those companies who wish to deploy branded icons on the maps.

I love a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, but as far as I know, Garmin doesn't receive any monies for displaying business icons on the map, though we are required to display them by our contract. The monochromatic move is simply a style decision to keep up with the current state of modern design, see OSX 10.7+. I can't say that I'm a fan (I miss 10.6), but it's not my call.

The avarage customer does not want to know about custom symbols or custom maps, they are glad they understand the GPS receiver enough not to get lost. The Custom Symbol is too much to technical for them. In the new Oregon 6x0 and GPSmap64 it's even creating extra problems, the GPSr will hang regular if custom symbols are added.

If I make an estimate, then I think that only 1 tot 3 percent of the users using Custom Symbols.

Own loaded POI's is more widely used.

Confusion with terminology again. There really isn't a custom waypoint. There are custom POIs. There are custom maps. There are custom symbols.

OK, I am calling custom symbols icons