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How do I increase the font size of turn by turn text on the 1030+

Just got a 1030 plus for a good price, after selling a 530 as it was just too small for my eyes to see, and returning an Explore 2 for the very same reason. Surely a 1030 plus will be big enough? It's great on data screens, but on the map... I couldn't read the turn by turn instructions at the top of the screen (turn left at Smith St in 100m etc).

Lots of settings on this thing, so I guess I'll just increase the font size. Except. You can't? I may be missing something obvious, but surely font size selection isn't beyond Garmin's technical abilities? I mean, handheld satellite navigation? No problem. A larger font? Now wait a minute... 

I really can't believe it's not possible to increase the text size of turn by turn notifications. Please let me know if I'm missing something here? 

  • Looks like you will be also returning the 1030 plus since there is no way that I know of to increase the font size for turn by turn. I have a hard time seeing the street names on the map but I'm able to see the turn instructions okay. I would think that Garmin could add a option to increase the size of some of the fonts.

  • Thanks for the reply! It seems like such a simple thing? My old Nokia phone in the late 90's could do it : )  My long distance vision is 20/20, I only need glasses for reading, just a few point sizes bigger would do! The 1030 / 1030+ / 1040 all have plenty of real estate. Come on Garmin, a quick forum search brings up 75 mentions of font size, it's not a new request... 

    forums.garmin.com/search

  • We are all so used to the many options cell phones have that I suppose it is expected that a expensive bike computer would have those same options. It may be that the cpu's in cell phones are so much more powerful than what Garmin has in the Edge that the Edge can't handle font settings. Garmin can't put a cell phone cpu in the Edge due to the power draw.

    Have you tried the stick on lenses for sunglasses? They come in various power levels and work surprisingly well.

  • Well the odd thing is you can change text size for several things - street labels in the map and so on, so it's definitely possible. It's not a hugely demanding task. And the processor in a 1030+ would be way more sophisticated and powerful than a 90's Nokia. Will check out the lenses... 

  • Yes, pretty stupid really, one of the things users have asked for over the last x years but been ignored by Garmin, guess they must know best?

    All I can suggest is either moving the unit a little closer, say if you currently have an out front mount try with the unit on the stem or perhaps get some riding glasses with a magnifying lower section, I use dual eyewear brand , they work well, lots of others. Hope it works out for you.

  • I can't actually imagine why such a simple thing would be a problem. Seems ridiculous that Garmin's solution to user interface visibility is magnifying lenses, not a simple text size change option. Not exactly the cutting edge of UX design. Users should always have some control over font sizes. Very odd. 

  • I just had the same realisation. Also the main road colours are basically the same as the map routing! So despite the bigger screen, most things just got more complex and difficult to see!!

  • It's inexcusable in this day and age that Garmin doesn't take accessibility into account. It should feature foremost in any modern UX design.

  • It seems they've adopted WCAG 2.1 for their website. Come on Garmin, what about your products?

    www.garmin.com/.../

  • Good joke for closed system.