Nuvi 1490T Bluetooth problem

I have been having the same problem with my 1390T since the update.
Garmin support are aware and have sugested that I return the unit for repair.

1490t with same issue

I cannot connect my Nokia E72 to my garmin unit, meaning one of the key features I bought it for is not available. Hopefully there is a fix incoming. :mad:

Bluetooth all screwed up too...

I just flashd to softare version 4.40 on my 1490T:
GPS 4.3
Text 4.4
KB Unknown
Audio 2.60 (Amercian English - Jill)
Bluetooth Unknown

After leaving work today I noticed that the BT had not connected to my phone (a Samsung SPH-530). I too was seeing the BT device name go blank on me and no matter what I did, I couldn't pair the two devices.

After I got home tonight, I tried somethiing crazy and it worked. Rather than set my phone in BT listen mode, I added a new BT connection using the 1234 passkey, then went to the 1490t and let it search for a new device and voila.

I'll test it out tomorow morning and will update this post if it fails again.

Come on Garmin folks, releasing firware updates that cause multiple users to lose important functionality just doesn't wash. I thought Microsoft was the only one who did this... :D

I've gone back and forth with Garmin about this several times. They keep going on about making sure the Bluetooth device is compatible (hello, it happens even if there is no phone within range of the nuvi). They, too, want me to send my nuvi away for service - mere days before I go on the first of several trips to places where not only having a GPS will help, but having a Bluetooth handsfree item for your phone is all but mandatory (or else don't use your phone).

I've updated to the latest version of the nuvi software, tried to reload things with WebUpdater (even though I know that's pointless, since it won't offer to reload existing Bluetooth firmware that way), and so on and so forth. Right now, it seems to have improved to the point where I can get it to boot up properly (by that I mean getting sound and the "Friendly Name" comes up) 50% of the time. I still can't keep a phone paired consistently over a power-down/power-up cycle - sometimes it remembers the phone, sometimes it doesn't. That might have something to do with the auto-power-down cycle when DC power is lost (my car's cigarette lighter plug is shut off when the ignition turns off, and when the nuvi detects that, it counts down for 30 seconds and then shuts off).

I had a thought, if I can't find a download of the BT firmware (and that seems to be the case). If I could find the BT firmware file in the nuvi's "drive", when it connects to my PC, and either delete or corrupt the file somehow, I would imagine that WebUpdater would need to redownload and apply the latest BT firmware, would it not?

All I know at this point is, I have been a faithful Garmin purchaser, user, and recommender since the first early days of the GPS12, and if this is how things are going now, my next GPS will be something else.

1490t Bluetooth

Garmin has real software issues with this 1490t model and I am not convinced yet that they even understand what is wrong, let alone how to fix it.

I am on my second 1490t. The first one had the common lock-up/reboot issues that were reported all over the place, but I did not see them until I paired it with my old iPaq Bluetooth phone. I think that is coincidence, though. I was told I had to return it for service because once the symptoms started, only Garmin could fix it. I cannot believe that their web updater could not wipe/replace the firmware, but whatever. The unit was only 12 days old, though, so I returned it to where I bought it and they replaced it.

On number two I updated maps and firmware before I even let it go outside and find satellites. It seemed to work fine at first, then I paired it to my current Blackberry 8320. I could call out okay, but the Garmin never was able to access my address book info. (No idea if that was due to the phone or the Garmin, though). The first time I received a call the answer/ignore buttons appeared (but no caller ID info) and regardless of what I did, the 1490t did not answer or ignore the call. It was frozen there. I called my home back on the Blackberry, but the handsfree speaker on the Garmin was still active even though the screen was frozen at the answer/ignore buttons. I could power it off and restart it to clear the buttons. But each time I receive a call, the same thing happens. I have deleted the pairing and will re-pair it later to see what happens.

As an FYI to Garmin, I bought the unit because they offer a Bluetooth device to plug into your car's OBD (On Board Diagnostics) port to monitor engine data and such on the Nuvi. I thought that was cool, but its Bluetooth connected and I do NOT trust their implementation of Bluetooth enough to shell out the money for the OBD reader.

I would like to have the handsfree phone functionality, though. But I feel like I have no options, though. I can't return the device for a refund anymore and I do not believe Garmin knows what is wrong or how to fix it if I return it to them. I could be wrong, but if that were the case the problems would not still be so common after the firmware update that was supposed to fix the original buggy software.

Please Garmin, you have a golden opportunity to retain some loyal Garmin users by addressing our concerns (we'll work with you, really) or we can vote with our wallets and start buying some of the many other devices available to us.

As for the comments about "is your phone compatible?" All I can say as a software engineer is that Bluetooth is a STANDARD. I fully understand that a given phone may not have a proper Bluetooth implementation and that your device may not operate or take full advantage of a given phone's Bluetooth. But the is NO excuse for any Bluetooth device to cause your 1490t to fail. The worst case should be an error screen that says "your phone is crap and we won't support it." I could live with that. But I have had 2 1490's and used them with 3 phones and all 3 have caused the 1490 to lock up. Sorry Garmin, but thats YOUR fault. How about fixing it? I am still a Garmin believer and I will work with you, but you must acknowledge that there is a problem and do the investigation to find the cause. If I can help in the process by trying fixes, or supplying additional incident data, just ask. I write software and you cannot possibly anticipate every way a user might use your stuff, so I understand that there will be issues. But we can help with the solution as well if you will just ask...

Same here

I bought my 1490T early in the year. Initially the BT didn't work properly (cut off the call) but then a new release of the BT firmware fixed the problem and all has worked perfectly......until I upgraded to the recent firmware.

Now, the phone will only sync on the odd occasion and when it wont the problem is accompanied by no beeps on pushing selections on the screen, no voice directions will play, and the BT firmware shows as Unknown.

When it does sync the beeps sound, directions play and the firmware is shown as 1.73.

I've worked in the software industry for more than 20 years for companies ranging from small start-ups to multinationals like IBM and Fujitsu and if any of my teams put out new releases which caused these types of problems to existing customers there would be hell to pay.

The only reason I haven't returned my 1490T to Costco to get a refund and buy from a different supplier is that I purchased a lifetime map option. However, if this issue isn't resolved pretty soon, to hell with it.

As the old adage goes, a satisfied customer will tell one other person whilst an unhappy customer will tell 20 other people (or probably 20,000 now in the internet age).

me too

I have had my 1490T for about a month. I am having only one issue with bluetooth and it is inconsistent. I am pairing with an HTC that is compatible, but about 50% or more of the time, when I receive a call when paired, my 1490T suddenly reboots. I then take the call on the phone, but when the 1490T is done rebooting, it suddenly takes over the audio of the call. I then have to explain to the caller what is going on... Very irratating.:(

Why my device is loaded the latest 4.50 firmware and my bluetooth version is 1.71? I usually encounter lock up when there's a incoming call. Besides, it never shows the incoming caller ID. Maybe I need to return the device.

I have the same problem where the 1490 will pair with my phone, Droid 2 (Android) but after a power off, the 1490 will appear to have forgotten the pairing and also presents the same "no audio" problem as seen by Jay911 and others. Checking the “About” page I notice that the Bluetooth software version is displayed as1.73 when the Bluetooth is working and shows ”unknown” when not. Powering on and off several times may be required to return functionality. Pairing needs to be re-done after this problem has occurred. I thought the lack of Audio may be related to the Bluetooth problem but now I am not so sure as Audio will sometimes work but the Bluetooth not.
The Navigation works so well in my Droid that I may get rid of the NUVi altogether if it doesn,t work any better than this!

I think I have a work around for this problem. While the GPS is booting i.e. just after pressing the "on/off" button and the Garmin name is displayed, press and hold the "on/off" button until the screen goes "blank". Now press the “on/off” switch again and once the unit has booted, the Bluetooth should work.
I don’t know about the architecture of the operating system but think this may cause it to boot from fresh when next turned on and reloading the Bluetooth drivers.
Your mileage may vary!