QWERTY Keyboard

Hello,

Just got a GPSMAP 66i and am generally pleased with it except text entry is surprisingly difficult for me due to the lack of a QWERTY key layout. There isn't a setting for this somewhere, is there? Feels a bit silly for every keyboard I've ever used to be in QWERTY except on the 66i. Thanks for the help!

Top Replies

Titanfinger over 2 years ago in reply to Garmin-Leslie +1

I didnt find a option to use my phone Keyboard as external input for my gpsmap device.
I woudlike to request Garmin to make a feature to connect my phone by usb cable to my gps so i can use my smartphone…
Garmin-Leslie over 2 years ago +1

phase_locked The 66i does not have the option for a QWERTY keyboard on the device itself. To use it with your phone you can pair it via bluetooth and use the explore mobile app to type. Pairing Instructions…
Titanfinger over 2 years ago in reply to twolpert +1

The advantage of a wired connection is you save battery and its way more reliable.

All Replies

0 2503801 over 3 years ago in reply to skyeye

This is why modular software using the strategy pattern and abstractions exist. Why shouldn't it be that your 66i can use qwertz and mine uses qwerty. After all, we're really only talking about key orientation. It just seems a bit short sighted. I end up using the keyboard on my phone anyway when paired, so meh...

0 atlas_cached over 3 years ago in reply to 2503801

Again, these low resolution displays do not have the necessary pixel count to display full size keyboards, which is why you only find them on larger display devices, such as the Montana 6x0, 7x0, and most nuvi/drive automotive units. The eTrex, Oregon, and GPSMAP series do not have the necessary resolution to do the same. The smaller display units have always been this way.

0 Titanfinger over 2 years ago in reply to Garmin-Leslie

I didnt find a option to use my phone Keyboard as external input for my gpsmap device.
I woudlike to request Garmin to make a feature to connect my phone by usb cable to my gps so i can use my smartphone as external keyboard.

0 skyeye over 2 years ago in reply to Titanfinger

so far all goes now wireless, thought I do not 100% agree with this philosophy.

You can connect your phone via bluetooth and have then your phone with an additional app to be able to compose messages etc.

0 Garmin-Leslie over 2 years ago

phase_locked The 66i does not have the option for a QWERTY keyboard on the device itself. To use it with your phone you can pair it via bluetooth and use the explore mobile app to type. Pairing Instructions for Garmin Explore Compatible Handhelds.

0 twolpert over 2 years ago in reply to Garmin-Leslie

This is absolutely the answer. It also addresses localization. It has the advantage of using BT. I don't see a wired solution as practical or desirable. Just MO.

0 Titanfinger over 2 years ago in reply to twolpert

The advantage of a wired connection is you save battery and its way more reliable.

0 Titanfinger over 2 years ago in reply to skyeye

Yes i know, but i want it not just for messages.
I woudlike it to use my phone keyboard to search for POIs Routes etc. like a remote more comfortable

0 skyeye over 2 years ago in reply to Titanfinger

Somehow I can not understand how this all should be possible. The keybord presures would have to be transmitted in some kind of format over a cable and received again.

Actually do you have a phone which is able to transmit key signals via cable to somewhere? Sorry but I am not supper smartphone user, but so far I did no meet a smartphone which was able to do such things.

What model you have which is supporting this?

0 KLRico over 2 years ago

I would like to vote for additional keyboard layout options on the 66i as well. Sure, writing a lengthy message is easier on the phone, but for creating waypoints, a quick search, and things like that I'd rather use the on-screen keyboard.

The excuse that the screen resolution is too low for a QWERTY layout is just... wrong. The existing layout has the exact same 10-9-7 arrangement, it's just a matter of remapping the positions.