Nuvi Products not suitable for complex route planning - agree / disagree ?

Former Member over 11 years ago

First of all, this is not so much a "diss" of Garmin, as much as it is a realization after much experimentation and hope of the limitations of the hardware and software I have..

After working with several Garmin Nuvi devices for several weeks attempting to create a sales route consisting of approximately 160 stops, I must conclude that these devices and the software (Basecamp) that accompanies them are not ready for prime time. At least not for this type of trip / route planning.

There are simply too many "nuances" with both the hardware and software.

For me, the final straw came this evening, before a planned trip. As I tried (in vain) to load the routes into the GPS, I found that it [consistently] dropped waypoints that were clearly in the route.
Valid waypoints with confirmed and verified addresses. Waypoints that would manually enter into the device just fine. But for me in this case, that required several hours of extra tedious work.
That meant I had to go through a laborious process of manually adding each missing waypoint. Garmin (imo) should have resolved issues such as this by now. There are numerous such nuances that will trip you up if trying to use these devices for this purpose. I cannot say that ANY of the other manufacturers devices and software are any better as I have not tried others.

Basecamp, while good, is also a headache to use in many ways. Again, I can't say it's any worse than other software...just my experience with it so far.
Let me say that FOR THE MONEY...it all seems to be a pretty good deal. Expectations have a lot to do with perception.

This is not to say I won't continue to use these devices and for the mentioned purpose. It just has become a realization that it do so is a very very difficult process and has not yet been honed to the point it works for this purpose seamlessly.

If you use your devices primarily just for navigation, they are very good for that. However, once you try to get into complex route navigation,..... like they say in Brooklyn, fuggeddabouditt.

If you've had better luck or have learned secrets to smooth the process, I would really like to hear from you.
If you strongly disagree all the better. Tell me what complex routing you did and how you got it to work for you without a lot of work.
Maybe I'm just still green and haven't learned the "tricks of the trade yet" ? :cool:

I still like Garmin. I just may be asking too much..... for the investment level.

0 SUSSAMB over 11 years ago

There is a limit to the complexity of routes that nuvis can handle, linked with the maximum number of waypoints. From Garmins knowledge base:

Many of Garmin's automotive products allow you to create a multiple-point route. This function allows you to route from point to point without having to enter a new destination after each stop.

All compatible nuvi, LIVE, zumo, Camper/RV, and dezl devices have a limit on the number of waypoints you can enter within each route.

For older devices that use the standard Routes tool, the limit is 200 waypoints.

For newer devices that use the Trip Planner tool or app, the limit is 30 waypoints.

To determine whether your device uses Routes or Trip Planner, touch the Tools, Settings, or Apps button from the main menu. The tool your devices uses should be listed here.

If the number of waypoints you want on your route exceeds that device's limitation, it is recommended that you create a separate route or trip for each leg. For example, if you are traveling across the country over several days, it is recommended that you create a separate route for each day.

Last modified on: 04/08/2014

Full detail is here http://iqc.garmin.com/eCustomer/KODSelfService/request.do?session={dfde2870-cf62-11e3-73b5-000000000000}&event=3&view()=c%7Ba208c0b0-6cb1-11e2-65d0-000000000000%7D&objectId=&eksObjectId=&objectType=Case&isJumpEnabled=false&isContentJumpEnabled=false&vendorKey=&versionId=105&objectScore=97&from=results&categoryIdLvl2 with a FAQ about creating routes/trips here https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={27edcdb0-0c86-11dd-dc9c-000000000000}

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

I became aware of this limitation very early in the process. Believe me.

The number of waypoints aside, the OP was more about the devices and software itself. I learned VERY early in the game to split long trips into segments with no more than 30 waypoints.
It almost sounds as if I would be better searching for one of those older devices that allowed 200 waypoints?
The issues I was referring to was after following the 30 waypoint directive and working with the devices and software with a reasonable amount of knowledge. "Quirky" would best my honest one word assessment for how the devices and software I currently have handle properly applied routes within the parameters set by each.

Again, I am probably pushing the devices and software to their maximums. If traveling sales routes often with large numbers of waypoints was going to be an ongoing occurrence, I would have to find an alternative to a Nuvi 2460 or Nuvi 2595. And maybe that's the key. While I was doing this, and seeing the time spent, my wife said to me at one point that I would have saved a good deal of time just writing the addresses, complete directions and arranging them on paper. Ouch
I had a difficult time with a good counter argument in this case.

By all means, I hope this thread brings out posts by others who have used these devices to plan complex trips and found it easier and drama free.
I would like to learn from those people.

Does anyone know if Garmin (or other manufacturers) have devices and software more suitable to planning complex trips in the sub $400 price range?

0 SUSSAMB over 11 years ago

One thing you may not be aware of ... the 2013 and 2014 nuvis will accept do not alert/shaping points from Basecamp. These points don't count towards the 30 waypoint total.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

I just may be asking too much..... for the investment level.

That'd be my take. Sounds to me like a professional "traveling salesman" solution is required. I've no idea if one exists (but I suspect so given the stuff found in airline magazines).

Not many ordinary consumers want to create routes of 160 points and optimize the path between them.

0 BTLAAKE over 11 years ago

As pointed out, your problem isn’t really a consumer task and it would be worthwhile for your employer to investigate commercial solutions.

As far as you doing it yourself, it is difficult to give advice without a better picture of the data. For example, are there tight clusters of stops or are they roughly evenly distributed? Do the main roads suggest zig-zaging to the final stop with a long journey home or is a loop possible? You have stated that you are breaking the problem down into segments, but I sense this breakdown is meant to minimize the number of routes. This may well be the wrong approach. You should probably break it down into even smaller bits.

BaseCamp provides tools for duplicating, joining and cutting routes. I suggest you play with them to understand how they work. Build and optimize clusters first (this may require more than one route, pay attention to entering and exiting a cluster). Add dispersed points to a cluster in a manner that makes sense for connecting clusters, or group the dispersed points in a way that looks logical on the map and create an optimized route for the grouping. This will result in a set of small master routes.

These master routes would be duplicated and sent to a new list where they can be joined and divided as needed to suite the limitations of your device and/or a time period (e.g. half day or full day). The important thing is to let the data drive your decisions with device limitations as a secondary concern. Name the final routes in way that allows recognition of order.

Look for a better job if you must do this weekly.