Garmin DriveAssist (with dashcam)

Kremmen · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:14 pm Post subject:

I'll tell you how it goes, straight back to Halfords and got a refund.

In the flesh the camera footage is not as clear as the NextBase due to the mounting limitations. I got an annoying dash/windscreen reflection plus the mount isn't as secure as the Nextbase so I got some vibration.

I also found the mount to be quite fiddly compared to my 2599.

Good idea but not for me.
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

michaelj2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2006 Posts: 157

I have used mine for one month now driving across France and the U.K. I like the product, the improved intelligence and the better mount. I have used Garmin since the StreetPilot days so I am somewhat biased. The only negative are the traffic updates in the UK only. There I was on a massive traffic on the M25 with almost no movement. Garmin said "no traffic on your route"!!! My in-car system correctly predicted the traffic. Why?

Kremmen · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:46 am Post subject:

Was that 'no traffic' from the cable or Smartlink ?
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

michaelj2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2006 Posts: 157

Kremmen · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 7:44 am Post subject:

Yes

The M25, western section, clockwise, is where my original Smartlink issues surfaced.

It used to be fine and I got correct traffic data but around May/June 2013 is when I got the same as you, sat stationary in traffic between junctions 13 and 15 but the screen showing no traffic. Not a one off but every journey home.

I also noticed a plethora of roadworks appearing about the same time which I believe filled some buffer and was stopping the newer traffic data getting through.
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

SILVERFOXE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 39

Hi Kremin looks like you made a good decision when you backed the DriveAssist,,,below is the email to Garmin.
I purchased the 1st DriveAssist 50 on -21 Jun 2016 & since then I have had 3 YES 3 replacements over the following few weeks .After a few days all have had the same fault I.E. the camera stops working and I get the " SD card needs formatting again and again ,so the camera is useless ",The first 3 were updated but not the 4th one ,in case it was the update causing the problem but its not so . I cannot believe that that I am that unlucky to have 4 DUFF units , either this is a bad batch that Halfords have or there is a serious fault with these units . I have been a Garmin fan for many years recommending them to family and friends , but I am really disappointed with these latest units as I was really looking forward to using it especially after the good review the BBC gave it , and I would really like a fully working unit but I am now at a loss as to how I can get one .So it looks like a refund and back to my reliable 1490 plus my Nextbase dash cam .
21/06/16 4H4008316
07/07/16 4H4010497
28/07/16 4H4011592
01/08/16 4H4008236
04/08/16 CAMERA STOPS WORKING ONCE AGAIN
Regards P.P.

Now the really helpful reply from Garmin
Dear PP

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.
I am happy to help with your enquiry.
As your contract of purchase is with a retailer rather than with us you would need to take the device back to them and discuss any possible refund.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know. Alternatively you can search for a solution here: http://www.garmin.co.uk/support,,,,, BUT OF COURSE YOU WONT
Kind regards,
Chris
Garmin Europe
When you think that Garmin make navigation equipment for aircraft and sea going super yachts they seem to producing rubbish products and do not want to discuss or rectify the really bad faults .
Dissappointed ,disillusioned, disgusted and really quite pi==ed off with Garmins attitude.

sussamb · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:19 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately they're right because of our consumer laws which in the main are very good. Retailers can't just pass the buck but have to take responsibility.

My 1490 proved extremely reliable, and is now a back up to my 2508, also extremely reliable.

Seems the Drive models are to be avoided at the moment Crying or Very sad

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Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Kremmen · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:36 am Post subject:

I did find the new softer colours to be quite clear but that offset mount causing vibration and poor quality camera were deal breakers.

What I don't understand, even with the 2599 was the decision to go to a glass screen. I can position and angle my 2597 anywhere and the matt screen has no reflections.
The 2599 has to be angled, just so, or all I can see is a bright white reflection of a rear or rear side window. Fortunately I have found the right angle.
People with convertibles must be having real issues seeing the screen of glass fronted units.

The Garmin support line I've found to be useless. They are like the Indian support lines where they seem to have a pack of cue cards to read from. If your issue isn't explicitly covered then they are not allowed to think for themselves and they offer to exchange the unit as the fix.
Basically they don't understand their products.

I remember one support agent a few years ago not understanding why I could not see the map files. Turned out to be the difference between MTP and mass storage modes that he obviously didn't know about.
Garmin training eh Rolling Eyes

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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

SILVERFOXE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 39

On the reflection issue I purchased a "2x BROTECT Matte Screen Protector for Garmin nüvi 2599LMT-D Protection Film"off of ebay and found this solved all reflection problems £3.99 post free ,screen clarity seems even better with it on .
PP

SILVERFOXE · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 10, 2006 Posts: 39

Kremmen · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 5:20 am Post subject:

The other thing I found annoying was the change to voice control.

On my 2599 I tell it what I want it to do and it obliges. The commands are straightforward and easily memorised. The latest units have changed voice control to a multi layer system where you have a menu and you shout a number at it which is indicated on screen.

Some sequences require more than one voice control. I think there are 3 layers for some commands from memory.

Before this though you have to pre program your voice into the unit by saying all the numbers from one to nine so it recognises you. When I tried doing that it kept telling me that two and three then four and five sounded too similar so rejected my three and five command.
I ended up having to be stupid and saying thrrreeeeee and fiiiiive in a silly manner to get to accept.

So instead of the current 'go home' it's something like two then seven, or whatever.
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

sanxiao · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 23, 2006 Posts: 4

Have been using the DriveAssist in Spain for the last 3 months or so. Have mounted it on the dashboard using the Garmin Flexible Mount - given modern windscreens with reduced glass height, don't think windscreen mounts should be used. The flexible mount provides a jointed arm, so vertical adjustment isn't a problem. As noted above, the dashcam's lens is so wide that capturing a reasonable image isn't a problem.

Garmin's software for viewing video footage is fairly basic - almost back to programs of the Sinclair Spectrum era - so slow

Other features of the unit, such as lane departure and collision warning are fairly crude - it doesn't recognise "dotted" lane markings only continuous lines - so it's more a carriageway departure aid.

Speed limit, bends, animal crossing warnings are only as good as the underlying database - one bug is that it gives the same warning for a railway level crossing as for a bridge over a railway line.

Although it is a "lifetime free updates" unit, when trying to load the latest map it tried to charge me for it - Garmin UK couldn't sort it, but Garmin Spain did

Overall, probably 6/10 - must try harder

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