Nuvi mapping display question

[spongiform]

The review of the Nuvi 350 mentions the fact that the mapping doesn't always automatically 'zoom' at road junctions and the possible and the potential for major errors if this has to be done manually.

The reviewer is uncertain if this is or his failure to pay attention.

Assuming the mapping is the same on the new Nuvi 660, does the mapping always automatically zoom or is the situation the same and sometimes requires manual intervention which would be a pain at busy complicated intersections? :D

Thanks

[swing]

For quite some time now, the Nuvi range has autozoomed at junctions. The problem with reviews is that most reviewers only review an item when it's brand new, and therefore it doesn't allow for the changes and extra features Garmin add with firmware updates.

[Eldar]

[swing]

It seems quite logical to me - it zooms out as you speed up and have long distances to the next turning. As soon as you start to approach the next turning (ie it's just on the screen), it slowly zooms in to make the junction as clear as possible - ie once the white arrow is at the top of the screen it zooms in to keep the top of the arrow at the top of the screen.

[Eldar]

I don't think that it zooms in enough for a clear view of (say) a roundabout and when you have a long way to go to the next turning it seems to zoom out so far that you don't see the streets around you (which is not a problem on a motorway, but is a problem for me in a city)
Another thing which I don't understand - when a route is planned, the ETA is shown in the bottom left corner of the screen and I couldn't find a way to change it to the current speed display.

[BAVC10]

Eldar

The ETA displays in the bottom left hand corner inrouting mode and the speed displays in the bottom left hand corner in map mode. I don't think you can change this. If you want to check your speed against the speedo in routing mode, touch the left hand corner displaying your ETA iand t switches to a dashboard display which shows your speed in a dial as well as heading, distance to go etc....

[Eldar]

[spongiform]

Thank you all that was very informative and has helped me make up my mind about (against) the 660, especially Eldar's comments about city driving as I wanted a unit that I can use handheld on foot in Florence next week.

Mio C710E it is then.

[Harveyc]

I can't speak for the 360 or the Mio, but as Swing says as you get closer to a junction or a roundabout the 660 starts to zoom in and by the time you've reached the junction the zoom is as tight on the junction or roundabout as you can get whilst maintaining a clear overview. No manual intervention is needed and the directions are clear.

The unit only zooms out on fast roads where your next turnoff is at least several miles away. IME at city driving and walking speeds all the neighbouring streets are clearly visible and named.

[Scarecrow]

[cantgetlost]

I've used my 350 in Italy on foot and in many other places in UK and Europe.
Being able to zoom in and out and scrol the map with your finger is very good.
Even with a language barrier to the amazement of some foreigners I've put the nuvi in front them showed them how to move the map so that they can show me where I need to go. As soon as they find the place you just set the pointer and log the place and then navigate by road or foot.
An old French guy at a company I did work for seemed to have no idea of what a Satnav was, as soon as I zoomed out and he realised he was looking at a mapping system he found his companies service centre for me on the screen and when I set it to French he was just amazed. He even came with me to see what the machine did.

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