Does the Garmin 396 just suck? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Does the Garmin 396 just suck?

83Virago

83Virago

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I've used my new 396 for a couple days now.

In those two days, it has:

- led me to two closed roads
- instructed me to turn the wrong way onto two one-way streets
- told me to turn onto a "road" that was the entrance to a provincial park
- mixed up the names of roads
- often been way off with its distance judgements for upcoming turns, etc

So far I'm not too happy with it. "Adventure mode" is a great idea, but not if the above problems are happening. I'd rather just use Google Maps from my phone into earbuds or something (don't want to clip phone onto my bike), or just old-school paper maps.

Am I doing something wrong? I've got it all updated, which took several hours because I kept getting an error message during the process. I have an appointment booked for Monday to get it wired for power into my bike, along with the first service, but I'm not sure if I want to bother.

I know there's a newer version with a better touchscreen, but it's way too big. I chose this one because of its smaller size; I don't need a giant iPad-like GPS thing on my little Scrambler handlebars.. :ROFLMAO:
 
83Virago said:
I've used my new 396 for a couple days now.

In those two days, it has:

- led me to two closed roads
- instructed me to turn the wrong way onto two one-way streets
- told me to turn onto a "road" that was the entrance to a provincial park
- mixed up the names of roads
- often been way off with its distance judgements for upcoming turns, etc

So far I'm not too happy with it. "Adventure mode" is a great idea, but not if the above problems are happening. I'd rather just use Google Maps from my phone into earbuds or something (don't want to clip phone onto my bike), or just old-school paper maps.

Am I doing something wrong? I've got it all updated, which took several hours because I kept getting an error message during the process. I have an appointment booked for Monday to get it wired for power into my bike, along with the first service, but I'm not sure if I want to bother.

I know there's a newer version with a better touchscreen, but it's way too big. I chose this one because of its smaller size; I don't need a giant iPad-like GPS thing on my little Scrambler handlebars.. :ROFLMAO:
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The Zumo XT is larger than the 396, but not that big. It's an excellent unit.
Sorry I have no insight into the 396, other than I have a wired cradle mount for the 396 that came with one of my bikes, if anyone wants it.
 
I had one a few years ago, but it went DOA, a couple of months in, so I returned it. Do you have the latest updates? The roads around Ottawa have changed a little, without the map being updated, but that was the same for TomTom.
 
Baggsy said:
I had one a few years ago, but it went DOA, a couple of months in, so I returned it. Do you have the latest updates? The roads around Ottawa have changed a little, without the map being updated, but that was the same for TomTom.
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Yes, it’s all updated and connected with Bluetooth to my phone. But even doing the updates was a pain, kept stalling with an error message.
 
Pick up an XT. I had a 396 before. It was alright. XT is just about perfect.
 
I have a zumo 595. It's not the most intuitive device to work with, and the basecamp software has a steep learning curve but I haven't had issues with mine in terms of routing or guidance.

Ofcourse, it will not tell you if a road is closed as it doesn't get live traffic feed.
 
I find Garmin's just suck at routing. It's just a simple take the shortest route, and doesn't think about left turn's vrs right turns or speed. Google maps does better at this stuff.
 
sburns said:
I find Garmin's just suck at routing. It's just a simple take the shortest route, and doesn't think about left turn's vrs right turns or speed. Google maps does better at this stuff.
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I only use Google maps. Create my own routes. With only a few compromises I then convert them to GPX files and send to the XT. Not difficult.
 
sburns said:
I find Garmin's just suck at routing. It's just a simple take the shortest route, and doesn't think about left turn's vrs right turns or speed. Google maps does better at this stuff.
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Which Garmin do you have?
On all my long rides, the time shown on any GPS (XT, 590, Zumo 550 and Nuvi 550) is usually really close to Google Maps and the newer ones also take into account potential stops, speed changes and so on.
Most Garmins will also allow you to choose the route calculation, so it doesn't have to be shortest distance.
 
Man, I'm really on the fence about getting the 396 wired for power tomorrow... part of me thinks I'd be happiest using audio-only directions from Google Maps via earbuds and not having to look at anything. Also, I'm kind of fussy about audio quality (though I realize nothing will be great on a bike, haha), and I've read that putting your phone's audio through the 396, in order to hear the 396's directions along with music, sounds pretty weak-volume and crappy.

About the only thing steering me towards sticking with the 396 is that it will work when I can't get a cell signal, which actually did happen the other night, not too far from my city. Also, I like that it's all-weather capable and waterproof and I can keep my phone secure, away from rain + constant bike vibrations.

And finally, I should add that I don't constantly use mapping software, my favourite thing to do on a bike is explore and wander and eventually find my way back home. I actually prefer to not have any kind of tech going except music and even that is occasional. The Garmin and/or Google would just be if I get super lost or need very specific directions for a long trip somewhere. (And really, a paper map should be enough for if/when I'm lost, same for the long trips, really...)
 
shanekingsley said:
Which Garmin do you have?
On all my long rides, the time shown on any GPS (XT, 590, Zumo 550 and Nuvi 550) is usually really close to Google Maps and the newer ones also take into account potential stops, speed changes and so on.
Most Garmins will also allow you to choose the route calculation, so it doesn't have to be shortest distance.
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I have older Nuvi, and my car has something built in. So yeah my experience is kinda biased. I also don't like to fiddle with it too much as realistically there isn't a lot of alternative roads around here, like in the States.

But they both do some wonky routes. I just did a drive up to Huntsville, and the GPS would have me drive through town to get to HWY 60, instead of just taking the exit off HWY 11. It's not much of a calculation, that kind of adjustment shouldn't need to be switch on.
 
sburns said:
I have older Nuvi, and my car has something built in. So yeah my experience is kinda biased. I also don't like to fiddle with it too much as realistically there isn't a lot of alternative roads around here, like in the States.

But they both do some wonky routes. I just did a drive up to Huntsville, and the GPS would have me drive through town to get to HWY 60, instead of just taking the exit off HWY 11. It's not much of a calculation, that kind of adjustment shouldn't need to be switch on.
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That makes sense - I used to have some wonky things happen with my older Nuvi550, which was a motorcycle GPS. Sometimes it would lead me down a dead end road or onto an atv trail. The newer Zumo's are much better, but I found that on my Canada Day ride, both the new XT and Google maps tried to lead me down a private, dead end forest atv trail. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does I'm not sure why, because there is just no way some roads should be considered.

To avoid going through the towns, go to your settings and see if you can choose "Faster Route" instead of shorter distance. That will typically bypass the small towns where possible.
 
83Virago said:
Man, I'm really on the fence about getting the 396 wired for power tomorrow... part of me thinks I'd be happiest using audio-only directions from Google Maps via earbuds and not having to look at anything. Also, I'm kind of fussy about audio quality (though I realize nothing will be great on a bike, haha), and I've read that putting your phone's audio through the 396, in order to hear the 396's directions along with music, sounds pretty weak-volume and crappy.

About the only thing steering me towards sticking with the 396 is that it will work when I can't get a cell signal, which actually did happen the other night, not too far from my city. Also, I like that it's all-weather capable and waterproof and I can keep my phone secure, away from rain + constant bike vibrations.

And finally, I should add that I don't constantly use mapping software, my favourite thing to do on a bike is explore and wander and eventually find my way back home. I actually prefer to not have any kind of tech going except music and even that is occasional. The Garmin and/or Google would just be if I get super lost or need very specific directions for a long trip somewhere. (And really, a paper map should be enough for if/when I'm lost, same for the long trips, really...)
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Maybe you would be better off with a motorcycle Android Auto/Apple Car play screen?

You pretty much get your phone on the screen and do not depend on Garmin Navigation.

If you are undecided about getting the 396 wired up at the dealer then don't. Especially if you are to be paying for the service and you feel you may not benefit from it.
Wiring up a GPS to the battery is very simple and even simpler on a fairing-less bike like yours.
You can find MANY videos on YB on how to do this.
Also, depending on your location or if you are willing to travel a but, and if you ask nicely, I am 99.9999999% certain someone on here can help you out.
 
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I’ve run Garmin for ages, updating when significant upgrades were made

A year or so back I bought a Drive 52 which is a piece of junk. It’s like they went back 20 years in technology. Slow response, inconsistent travel reports, fickle touch screen and illogical menus.

I assumed Garmin was getting out of the business since so many new cars come with built ins.

I’m shopping for a new one but not thrilled with Garmin. Adding to the problem, I bought my last one from Radio World and they don’t do refunds, store credit only and they don’t carry much else I’m interested in.
 
oioioi said:
Maybe you would be better off with a motorcycle Android Auto/Apple Car play screen?

You pretty much get your phone on the screen and do not depend on Garmin Navigation.

If you are undecided about getting the 396 wired up at the dealer then don't. Especially if you are to be paying for the service and you feel you may not benefit from it.
Wiring up a GPS to the battery is very simple and even simpler on a fairing-less bike like yours.
You can find MANY videos on YB on how to do this.
Also, depending on your location or if you are willing to travel a but, and if you ask nicely, I am 99.9999999% certain someone on here can help you out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I'm going to go ahead and get the 396 wired up today, along with the 1000 km service (hit that in less than a week, woot). Figure I may as well keep trying it, for now.
 
83Virago said:
Thanks, I appreciate it!

I'm going to go ahead and get the 396 wired up today, along with the 1000 km service (hit that in less than a week, woot). Figure I may as well keep trying it, for now.
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My 396s is years old but never had issues updating,I usually leave it set to adventures route and turn on no highways and tolls.
 
Ok so I've been using the 396 on/off throughout the week and I do like having it available. I mainly keep the map on and use it to see street names and speed limits as I go. Also appreciate the notifications about upcoming speed changes and/or school zones. (And sometimes I just turn it off and explore areas old school.)

A few points:

- it still likes to lead me to a one-way street near my place and wants me to go the wrong way on it
- also seems to have no current info about any road closings, of which there are several in my area, being summertime, etc; I've made sure it's connected to my phone for traffic updates, doesn't seem to matter
- it sometimes just gets totally f'd up and just calls every street "road" (like it's exhausted/wasted and just can't be bothered to name anything :D)
- running audio through it, ie. my phone for music, and then to my in-ears, sounds god-awful and is completely unusable; it's a massive drop in sound quality and even has regular static/distortion, like it's clipping
- I think my main use for it will be the live map + speed limit info, along with occasional trip usage in adventure mode; if I'm listening to music I'll just run that straight from my phone and have no voice instructions from the 396, just use the screen info
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