This weekend I was trying to find a theatre on the UCLA campus in Westwood. I knew how to get there in general but I needed help finding the exact location once I got close. I didn't really need the navigation but I wanted the map open.
The Suzuki SX4 has a funny little nav. I often forget it's there because it pops out of the top of the dash.
With such a tiny screen, it takes some getting used to. If you zoom in close enough to see street names, you lose the frame of reference around you because you see such a small area of the map.
It has some really helpful features, however. Across the top is a green bar that lets you know what street is coming up. It posts every little side street, even if it is not a turn-off. I found this most useful when driving around Westwood. I knew if I hit Sunset Boulevard I went too far. As I was looking for the theatre's parking structure, I could see Sunset just ahead. But then the nav pointed out a little driveway on the left, which was the street name I was looking for. It saved me a lot of time.
In the picture above, you can see in the middle left of the frame, the nav tells you the speed limit of the street you are on. And just below, it tells you the speed you are traveling. Nice touch. In Southern california speed limits can change in the middle of a block with no warning, depending on what town you are in. Cross an invisible border and suddenly you're speeding.
Another cute feature: Your position is marked on the screen by a little car icon. I wonder if this image is always blue or if it is blue on our screen because our SX4 is blue. Any SX4 drivers out there know the answer?
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
gharry says:
01:53 PM, 10/19/09
This is the standard Garmin interface, which I like a lot. I have a Garmin 255W (which this looks like) and the standard icon is a blue car. I changed mine to an arrow though, but only after trying out a school bus, broom, eagle, and Spitfire (all available on Garmin's web site).
Were you able to register the GPS with Garmin so you'd have access to all that little extras they offer?
subytrojan says:
02:17 PM, 10/19/09
As gharry mentioned, the default avator/icon is a blue coupe on Garmins (mine is a nüvi 680). I wish there was a blue sedan available to pretend it's my WRX. :o)
dderosa says:
02:36 PM, 10/19/09
Oooh, I want to change it to a broom. -- Donna
subytrojan says:
03:26 PM, 10/19/09
The blue monster truck one has been tempting at times.
hybris says:
04:37 PM, 10/19/09
A lot can be learned from a drivers choice of navi icon.
cruiserhead1 says:
10:11 PM, 10/19/09
Donna,
check the "Garmin Garage" on their site for a download area of all the different car icons.
You can submit your own as well!
They have fun Christmas sleds, Halloween themes... even a Chipotle burrito!
(Garmin sponsors the Garmin-Chipotle bicycle racing team)
Another great feature is the ability to plan your routes on Google earth and download it to the gps, or get friends' gps info and load it on yours (.gpx files).
One huge advantage that auto journalists NEVER mention is the ability to use topo maps or gps coordinates as markers. Most, if not all, built-in gps are not capable of this.
Love Garmin!
adrean8j says:
11:28 PM, 10/19/09
I have this same nav system and use it in my BMW 135i (it fits snugly in the ashtray area). It is great interface with only one real drawback IMO. Where is the time??? The current time should be displayed somewhere on the screen in conjunction with the time you will arrive at your destination. Other than that great unit (especially with lifetime traffic updates/detour routes!!!)
hurls65 says:
11:34 PM, 10/19/09
My biggest problem w/ the Garmin Garage icons is that my five year old is always begging me to hand her the GPS in the back seat so she can pick a new one as we drive...
Chipotle burrito is definitely a family fave :)