Garmin nuvi 1490T issues and performance tuning:
1) I tested the nuvi 1490T with Trip Log enabled and after a day of driving, the GPS trip log rendered the GPS extremely sluggish with calculating routes taking 5+ minutes. After clearing the Trip Log, the GPS became usable again.
A) Trip Log - Clear "Trip Log" via Tools -> My Data -> Clear Trip Log
B) Trip Log - Set to "Hide" via Tools -> Settings -> Map
2) The GPS intermittently goes blank (black screen) and then turns back on which can be distracting when driving.
3) The map details don't display POIs, e.g. gas stations or coffee shops, when driving. Removing POIs without offering a manual override switch to display POIs again kills usability and experiential knowledge.
When do drivers use GPS?
When they're in unfamiliar territory.
I read somewhere that a driver is only concerned with how to get from point A to point B without interest on anything in between. I believe this is only one use case scenario and not the typical especially when on vacation. POIs on a map is extremely valuable and removing it kills value.
3) User Interface - Up and Down buttons with a touch screen kills the purpose of a touch screen where dragging on the screen would be ideal (look to the iPhone as an example of intuitive interface and menu navigation.)