Nuvi 1490T Bluetooth problem

I'm thinking of buying a 1490T and have been trawling the reviews. Whilst the general feedback about the features are good, the number of poor reports about software upgrades, general faults, poor route direction and poor support are seriously making me think twice.
I've yet to find any responses from Garmin to explain or refute these issues.
Should I steer clear of this product (and other Garmin Sat Navs?) or are the problems only occuring on a handful of machines?

:confused:

Mine must be of recent manufacture (bought at Costco two weeks ago) and so far it has been fantastic, and a real bargain. Perhaps the early "issues" have led to an early end to this product's manufacture because the price is dropping like a rock and I believe it a fantastic value.

I've had NO issues with ANY feature EXCEPT the "contacts" list on my Iphone, and the above fix, which I finally found, seems to work about 50% of the time on boot-up, and 80% over 5 minutes or so.

Am I a happy camper: you bet!

The LMT version is now around $200 on Amazon, so go for it!

1490t 12-1-2010

Stumbled onto this forum after I had purchased 1490T. Found the info very useful. I just activated my unit and thought the process and first impressions might be helpful to others.

1. Called Garmin tech (about 30 minute wait) before I received the unit and confirmed that installing latest software BEFORE using it was best action for trouble-free use.

2. When I logged in to My Garmin, the 1470t updated/Installed software to v4.70 and Bluetooth 1.73. I'm using a Mac 10.6.5 with up-to-date Safari. Garmin says that my browser isn't supported, but I encountered no difficulty. FireFox is my alternate browser for such situations.

3. Installed map update, but as previously reported here, there is insufficient space for a complete install; I eliminated Canada and the install proceeded smoothly. (Also mentioned here, is that eliminating foreign languages will provide sufficient storage space, but I don't know how to accomplish that and I chose not to endure another call to Garmin. BTW, I have used Garmin tech support in the past and have been very satisfied with their efforts.)

4. Charged Nuvi (mostly by the update/install process) 4+ hours as recommended.

5. Linked IPhone 3gs per simple instructions. Address book up and phone/nuvi operational. WOW! Overall, the performance blows me away by this pairing. Great volume @ 70%, no distortion. Some distortion at 100% (doesn't diminish communication), but I can't imagine the circumstance that would require such volume. Reports from other end said my voice quality was different than normal phone, but sounded great. I called my landline and left myself a message and I agree. I am very happy (and hope that I won't have problems with Bluetooth as described in this forum and elsewhere).

6. I'm going to do a side-by-side comparison of 670/1490t, but I can report now that the 1490t is substantially better on speaker volume. But we have haven't used 670 Bluetooth option; we will implement that shortly, however.

7. Map display is not as detailed/useful as my Nuvi 670, despite selecting "Most," but it is more than adequate. 1470t Display is very bright, but I am very happy with the 670 display.

6. I bought this primaily for hands-free feature. IPhone volume is inadequate and cumbersome (and illegal) for use in in our pickup or van. Amazon had the best deal on new (not refurbished) for $170. The reported LMT version for $200 is a steal (and not that low when I bought the 1490t). We have lifetime maps for 670 and that has been very useful. BTW, that unit has all NA maps AND Europe installed i.e., it has sufficient storage without having to delete data.

The updates make a difference in our DC Metro area where the freeways have been under construction/changes for the past several years. We also snowbird regularly to Florida, and notice improvements in map data. I'll pick up the lifetime map for the 1490t later, but sorry I missed the deal!

7. Haven't used the Navteq traffic feature enough to determine its usefulness, but my first impression is that it is not as accurate as my IPhone Google map, and both of these are WAY less accurate than my online traffic map.

8. The windshield mounting bracket seems adequate, but I miss the power cord being mounted in the bracket as in the 670; removing the unit is so easy that whenever we leave the vehicle, we automatically remove the 670 from view. The 1490t mount lacks that ease. Moreover, I am concerned that over time, with the power/traffic cord being installed/removed from the 1490t that the nuvi plug will become loose and result in an unstable connection $$; time will tell. I considered buying the 765 because it had the preferred mount and some additional features. But I believed there was sufficient feedback on the 765 regarding microphone/speaker issues with phone/Bluetooth that I wasn't willing to take a chance on it. I didn't find many complaints about those issues with 1490 phone/Bluetooth perfomance when it was operating correctly.

9. FWIW, we have noticed that in the past several months that our 670 sometimes selects egregious routes. We NEVER encountered such poor routing in the first years of using our 670. The routing apparently would have gotten us to the destination (we knew the best route and ignored the instructions after taking a look at the turn-by-turn). The routing problems occurred on known routes, so we immediately recognized the poor routing. We also noticed poor routing on less familiar navigation because of practical sense - leaving a freeway when such directions made no sense at all. I mention this, because such problems have been reported by 1490 users. Unfortunately, what you don't know, when you need it most, could be a real pain.

This forum has been very helpful to me, and I hope my contribution will mirror that.

Stumbled onto this forum after I had purchased 1490T. Found the info very useful. I just activated my unit and thought the process and first impressions might be helpful to others.

1. Called Garmin tech (about 30 minute wait) before I received the unit and confirmed that installing latest software BEFORE using it was best action for trouble-free use.

2. When I logged in to My Garmin, the 1470t updated/Installed software to v4.70 and Bluetooth 1.73. I'm using a Mac 10.6.5 with up-to-date Safari. Garmin says that my browser isn't supported, but I encountered no difficulty. FireFox is my alternate browser for such situations.

3. Installed map update, but as previously reported here, there is insufficient space for a complete install; I eliminated Canada and the install proceeded smoothly. (Also mentioned here, is that eliminating foreign languages will provide sufficient storage space, but I don't know how to accomplish that and I chose not to endure another call to Garmin. BTW, I have used Garmin tech support in the past and have been very satisfied with their efforts.)

4. Charged Nuvi (mostly by the update/install process) 4+ hours as recommended.

5. Linked IPhone 3gs per simple instructions. Address book up and phone/nuvi operational. WOW! Overall, the performance blows me away by this pairing. Great volume @ 70%, no distortion. Some distortion at 100% (doesn't diminish communication), but I can't imagine the circumstance that would require such volume. Reports from other end said my voice quality was different than normal phone, but sounded great. I called my landline and left myself a message and I agree. I am very happy (and hope that I won't have problems with Bluetooth as described in this forum and elsewhere).

6. I'm going to do a side-by-side comparison of 670/1490t, but I can report now that the 1490t is substantially better on speaker volume. But we have haven't used 670 Bluetooth option; we will implement that shortly, however.

7. Map display is not as detailed/useful as my Nuvi 670, despite selecting "Most," but it is more than adequate. 1470t Display is very bright, but I am very happy with the 670 display.

6. I bought this primaily for hands-free feature. IPhone volume is inadequate and cumbersome (and illegal) for use in in our pickup or van. Amazon had the best deal on new (not refurbished) for $170. The reported LMT version for $200 is a steal (and not that low when I bought the 1490t). We have lifetime maps for 670 and that has been very useful. BTW, that unit has all NA maps AND Europe installed i.e., it has sufficient storage without having to delete data.

The updates make a difference in our DC Metro area where the freeways have been under construction/changes for the past several years. We also snowbird regularly to Florida, and notice improvements in map data. I'll pick up the lifetime map for the 1490t later, but sorry I missed the deal!

7. Haven't used the Navteq traffic feature enough to determine its usefulness, but my first impression is that it is not as accurate as my IPhone Google map, and both of these are WAY less accurate than my online traffic map.

8. The windshield mounting bracket seems adequate, but I miss the power cord being mounted in the bracket as in the 670; removing the unit is so easy that whenever we leave the vehicle, we automatically remove the 670 from view. The 1490t mount lacks that ease. Moreover, I am concerned that over time, with the power/traffic cord being installed/removed from the 1490t that the nuvi plug will become loose and result in an unstable connection $$; time will tell. I considered buying the 765 because it had the preferred mount and some additional features. But I believed there was sufficient feedback on the 765 regarding microphone/speaker issues with phone/Bluetooth that I wasn't willing to take a chance on it. I didn't find many complaints about those issues with 1490 phone/Bluetooth perfomance when it was operating correctly.

9. FWIW, we have noticed that in the past several months that our 670 sometimes selects egregious routes. We NEVER encountered such poor routing in the first years of using our 670. The routing apparently would have gotten us to the destination (we knew the best route and ignored the instructions after taking a look at the turn-by-turn). The routing problems occurred on known routes, so we immediately recognized the poor routing. We also noticed poor routing on less familiar navigation because of practical sense - leaving a freeway when such directions made no sense at all. I mention this, because such problems have been reported by 1490 users. Unfortunately, what you don't know, when you need it most, could be a real pain.

This forum has been very helpful to me, and I hope my contribution will mirror that.

Great summary and my experience, as well, except the "contacts" section of my Iphone only shows up about 50% of the time, and "fastest" time rather than "shortest" route seems to provide the same roads I would take, with improvements at times.

9. FWIW, we have noticed that in the past several months that our 670 sometimes selects egregious routes. We NEVER encountered such poor routing in the first years of using our 670. The routing apparently would have gotten us to the destination (we knew the best route and ignored the instructions after taking a look at the turn-by-turn). The routing problems occurred on known routes, so we immediately recognized the poor routing. We also noticed poor routing on less familiar navigation because of practical sense - leaving a freeway when such directions made no sense at all. I mention this, because such problems have been reported by 1490 users. Unfortunately, what you don't know, when you need it most, could be a real pain.

An overall excellent review!

I don't know about the 670, but my 1490T has done this several times. Based on my observations it is related to the traffic information. When traffic is medium or heavy and there are anticipated delays the unit routes or reroutes via an alternate route usually surface streets. The problem is that the traffic information is bogus/unreliable.

I have accepted some of these ridiculous routes or rerouting and refused others. The surface street routing/rerouting invariably has taken more time than via Interstate or Freeways regardless of the traffic indicator. Of course if you're in a strange area there is a real dilemma. I have been in several situations when the traffic display indicated medium or heavy (serious), yet I was traveling about 5 mph *above* the speed limit. As long as the traffic information is unreliable there is little one can do in a strange area but accept the rerouting unless.....

I do a lot of route review and have the best route I want to take memorized. I use other means to judge the traffic delays and that helps resolve whether or not to accept the GPS routing/rerouting.

Connect the USB cable to your 1490T and computer. Open windows explorer.

You should have a Garmin Nuvi drive listed. Select the .System folder (it's hidden), then the sqlite folder. You should see a file called mlg_history.db

Delete mlg_history.db It is almost certainly corrupted/damaged.

Disconnect the USB cable. Power on. The Nuvi should boot fast (like when it was new).

Enjoy your sounds and bluetooth connection. mlg_history.db will be automatically regenerated by the Nuvi.

Wow, somehow the forum did not notify me that there were replies, so I hadn't seen this post. I came to check today because, after the most recent firmware (4.70 I think) push for the nuvi, it's doing a hard reboot when I get an incoming call (if I am successful in getting the pairing in the first place).

I will definitely try this as soon as I get home (I would do it at work but I don't have a standard USB cable with me!).

Thanks very much in advance. I do appreciate the reply - I understand that support techs have a script to work from and can't assume that all of us have the knowledge needed to do "technical" repairs, but I'm glad you were able to come on here to respond.

EDIT: I have removed mlg_history.db and restarted the device. It took about 2 minutes to boot - not as quick as factory new, but not something I haven't witnessed recently anyway (ever since 4.70 was installed, for what it's worth). Bluetooth did connect to my phone, but it does about 50% of the time these days anyway, so I'll monitor the situation and see how things go.

Again, thanks for the help.

So it is working now quite consistently. Every time I have booted it up in range of my phone, the bluetooth connection has been made.

Thanks very much for coming in here and providing the answer. As I said before, I appreciate that not everybody would be comfortable making such an edit to their GPS, and the support line has to support the "regular" user, but it would be nice if there was some way of getting to this kind of support for those of us who don't mind "getting their hands dirty". :)

For some reason I can not find this folder. I know it's hidden but my PC is setup to show hidden files and folders. I've spent hours looking but for some reason I can not seem to find it. Can someone please help?

Works

Connect the USB cable to your 1490T and computer. Open windows explorer.

You should have a Garmin Nuvi drive listed. Select the .System folder (it's hidden), then the sqlite folder. You should see a file called mlg_history.db

Delete mlg_history.db It is almost certainly corrupted/damaged.

Disconnect the USB cable. Power on. The Nuvi should boot fast (like when it was new).

Enjoy your sounds and bluetooth connection. mlg_history.db will be automatically regenerated by the Nuvi.

This seem to have worked for me but too early to tell if the problem will resurface.

So the question is, what does Garmin plan to do about this problem and what causes it?
Will this be fixed or will we have to constantly delete this file every time?

Garmin, please fix it as it will prevent people (who don't know this fix) from having to return the gps and you ending up with a lot of returns. Or at least instruct your tech support team to provide this as a temporary solution when people call in.

Garmin, Talk to us. I love the product, but hate the problems and lack of support!

SVTRIO had a good summary.

I have used a Garmin Nuvi 350, then a 360, and now have a 660, which has MSN capability but the sub ended. a few months ago my 660 lost it's screen touch ability mysteriously. I freaked, seeing how attached I became to it.
I kept turning it on and seeing if the problem was fixed, and next day it worked again, just as mysteriously as it stopped.

Well, that lead me to think about getting ready to replace the nuvi 660. Last week I noticed that the nuvi 1490T was "on sale" at Costco for $169. Buying at Costco has the advantage of basically having a "lifetime return" policy, so even though my 660 is still working, I bought the nuvi 1490T, and decided to try it.
There are some things I like. as SVTRIO mentioned the 600 series has a powered windshield bracket, which is a GREAT feature for a place like NYC where you expect to take your GPS with you whenever you leave the car. I can deal however with plugging and unplugging in the 1490T.
The 1490 T has the qwerty keyboard, multi routing, lane assist, larger screen, lifetime traffic and a few other things that are nice.

the 660 has the option for "Trucks", and allows you to turn off the voice assist for navigation without muting the whole phone. it also has mp3 playing ability, and fm transmitter, but those things aren't very important.

what I don't understand is why the bluetooth works so much better in the 660 older series than in the new 1490 model.

I have a nokia E71 phone that works well with the nuvi 660. it connects 98% of the time, and the phone book works 96% of the time. It has an option to choose your phone type, or be auto selected.

The 1490T bluetooth is mediocre at best. My phone usually connects at start, but the phone book does not show up. The phone book is the best thing about the nuvi 660 bluetooth. the 1490T does OCCASIONALLY show me my call history. If it can get my call history, with their names, why can't it get my phonebook?

the worst thing about it though is the glitch where the voice garbles and the bluetooth does not work. In 3 days that has already happened several times. Sometimes it doesnt show up. Some times it shows up but doesnt answer the call, or when i try to make a call from the nuvi, nothing happens.

I will most likely not keep this device; I had always recommended Nuvi's to people, but I'm not sure anymore.,