1. Specifications & Features
2. What's in the Box
3. Turning on the nüvi 500 for the First Time
4. Installing the nüvi 500 in A Car
5. The Main Menu
6. Switching Between Driving, Walking, Boating, & Bicycling Modes
7. The Map Screen
8. Entering An Address
9. Finding A Restaurant (Searching for POIs)
10. Canceling the Route
11. Setting the Home Address
12. Favorites
13. Where Am I? (Viewing or Saving Your Current Location)
14. Creating And Using Routes
15. Navigating To A Set of Coordinates
16. Finding Geographic Points
17. Compass
18. Routing Engine Performance
19. Geocaching with the nüvi 500
20. Whereigo (Where I Go)
21. Boating Mode
22. Pros
23. Cons
24. Conclusion

1. Specifications

Physical & Performance:
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:	4.21 x 3.35 x 0.90 in. (106.9 x 85.1 x 22.9 mm)
Display size, WxH:	2.8 x 2.1 in. (72.0 x 54.0 mm)
Display resolution, WxH:	320 x 242 pixels
Display type:	64K bright, 18-bit LCD display; white backlight; water-proof touch screen
Weight:	7.6 ounces (215.5 g)
Battery:	removable, rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life:	up to 8 hours
Waterproof:	Water resistant IPX7 (An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.)
Maps & Memory:
Basemap:	yes
Preloaded maps:	Comes preloaded with the Historic Route 66 map guide, detailed street and topographic mapping for the lower 48 U.S. states, Hawaii & Puerto Rico.
Ability to add maps:	yes (i.e., can be loaded with optional BlueChart g2 Vision, and Inland Vision marine cartography for improved detail on the water)
Built-in memory:	internal solid state
Accepts data cards:	microSD card (not included)
Waypoints/favorites/locations:	1000
Routes:	10
Features:
Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."):	yes (internal dual speakers)
Speaks street names (e.g. "Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.") :	no
Speech recognition (navigate with voice commands):	no
3D map view:	yes
Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route):	yes
Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation):	yes
Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road):	yes
Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.):	yes
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest):	yes
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth® wireless technology:	no
FM traffic compatible:	yes (requires purchase of optional FM traffic receiver)
XM® Navtraffic (includes basic weather) & Radio for U.S. compatible:	no
MSN® Direct for U.S. compatible:	yes (requires purchase of optional MSN-Direct receiver)
Where Am I? feature (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection):	yes
Car locator feature (marks position when removed from windshield mount):	no
MP3 player:	no
Audio book player:	no
Picture viewer:	yes
Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation):	yes
World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, calculator:	yes
Touchscreen:	yes
Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout):	no
Remote control:	no
FM transmitter:	no
Headphone jack/audio line-out:	no
Dead reckoning:	no
Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature):	no
Motorcycle-friendly:	no

2. What's in the Box

Figure 1: Garmin nüvi 500 Retail Box

Figure 2: What's Included in the nüvi 500's Box

The nüvi 500 includes the following items in the box:

• Garmin nüvi 500
• Vehicle suction cup mount & cradle
• Dashboard disc
• Vehicle power cable
• Quick start manual

Figure 3: Garmin nüvi 500 Windshield Suction Cup Mount

The nüvi 500 is mounted to the vehicle's windshield using a suction-cup mount and cradle (shown below) that snaps onto the end of the mount, forming a ball-and-socket joint that can be articulated into the desired viewing angle without using any levers, dials, or knobs.

The suction mount is locked into place by lowering the lever on the mount.

Figure 4: nüvi 500's Windshield Mount and Cradle, Connected

The cradle fits onto the ball at the tip of the windshield mount, creating a ball-and-socket type connection that is both highly effective and easy to attach/remove. To attach the cradle to the mount, simply press the cradle's socket onto the mount's ball, applying pressure until you hear it click into position. Once connected, the cradle can be articulated into the desired position.

To remove the cradle from the mount, simply twist the cradle all the way to the right or left until it snaps off the tip of the windshield suction mount.

Garmin's well designed mount is easy to use, and holds the unit firmly in place while driving.

Figure 5: Garmin nüvi 500, Docked in the Windshield Mount

I'm a big fan of Garmin's ball-and-socket style mount. There's no moving parts to break, and it's easy to adjust the GPS with one hand while driving. There are no knobs, levers, or screws to deal with: just turn the nüvi 500 firmly into the desired position, and the mount holds it securely in place.

Figure 6: Garmin nüvi 500, Front

The nüvi 500 has a 3.5-inch (measured diagonally) water-proof touch screen LCD display. A thick, two-tone ruggedized case frames the nüvi 500's screen.

Measuring 4.21 x 3.35 x 0.90 in. (106.9 x 85.1 x 22.9 mm), the nüvi 500 is thicker, wider, and taller than Garmin's other GPS units with a 3.5-inch display. The nüvi 500 is also heavier, weighing 7.6 ounces.

In exchange for the nüvi 500's extra heft and size, you get a level of ruggedness never before seen in a nüvi: this GPS is IPX7 rated, meaning the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, has a water-proof touch screen display, and a removable battery that can last up to 8 hours of use between charges.

Figure 7: Garmin nüvi 500, Left Side

The battery cover release key is located on the left side of the nüvi 500. To open the battery cover, slide the release key up.

Figure 8: Garmin nüvi 500, Top

Except for the power button located on the top-right of the case, there are no physical controls on the nüvi 500. All operation are performed via the touch screen interface.

The internal GPS antenna is located on the top of the nüvi 500.

Figure 9: Garmin nüvi 500, Bottom

Figure 10: Garmin nüvi 500, Right Side

Figure 11: Garmin nüvi 500, Rear

The back of the nüvi 500 is home to the speaker, Mini-USB connector, and removable battery cover.

Figure 12: Mini-USB Connector

The Mini-USB connecter is protected from water by the rubber weather cap.

Figure 13: Opening the nüvi 500's Battery Cover

To open the battery cover, slide the release key on the left side of the case (shown in figure 7).

Figure 14: Removable Battery and microSD Card Slot

A microSD card slot is located under the removable battery, and can be used to store additional maps and/or photos.

The nüvi 500 is one of the few Garmin nüvi models to have a user replaceable battery. The nüvi 500 has a long lasting battery (up to 8 hours of use). A removable battery means that owners can replace batteries that no longer hold a charge, or buy additional batteries (around $25 per battery) for extended outdoor activities.

The lithium-ion battery only fits into the nüvi 500 the correct way, thanks to plastic guides on the battery that prevent you from accidentally inserting the battery the wrong way around.

Once the battery is installed, slide the battery cover back on until it snaps into place.

3. Turning on the nüvi 500 for the First Time

Figure 15: First Use Wizard, Step 1

The first time the nüvi 500 is powered on, a short, 3-step wizard launches. Set the desired language and tap the green "OK" button on the lower right portion of the screen.

Figure 16: First Use Wizard, Step 2

The GPS needs to download satellite position information in order to figure out where you are. The first time you use the nüvi 500, you should place the unit outdoors with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. This step took no more than 2 minutes for me, but it may take longer, depending on your location.

Figure 17: Ready to Navigate

Once the nüvi 500 determines its location, and finishes downloading satellite position information, the GPS is ready to navigate. You only need to perform this step the first time you use the nüvi 500.

4. Installing the nüvi 500 in A Car

Figure 18: Attaching the Bracket Clip to the Windshield Mount

Attach the cradle to the windshield mount by pressing the socket onto the ball until it snaps into place.

Figure 19: Attach the Windshield Mount to the Glass

Locate the area on the windshield where you want to mount the GPS, then press the suction cup mount against the glass, and lower the locking lever into place to secure the mount to the windshield.

Note that some States prohibit you from sticking anything to the windshield. If you happen to live in such a state, you can use the permanent adhesive mounting disc (included) to attach the mount to the dashboard instead of the windshield glass. I strongly prefer using the windshield - it's much easer to remove, and when it comes time to upgrade to a new GPS, there's nothing "permanent" to remove.

Figure 20: Windshield Mount and Cradle, Attached to the Windshield

Flip the locking lever back, toward the windshield to secure the mount.

Figure 21: Connecting the 12v Power Adapter to the Cigarette Lighter

The included 12v cigarette lighter power adapter widens at the base, so I had to insert it sideways in order to clear the ash tray on my car. Still, the adapter is relatively small and feels well made. A red LED indicator on the base of the adapter shows whether the adapter is getting power.

Figure 22: Connecting the Power Cable to the nüvi 500

The nüvi 500 uses the same mini-USB connector for both power and data transfer.

Peel off the protective rubber flab covering the mini-USB connector, and rotate the flap out of the way. Connect the USB power cable to the back of the nüvi 500. The nüvi turns on automatically when the vehicle is running.

Figure 23: Mounting the nüvi

Fit the bottom of the nüvi 500 into the cradle, and tilt the nüvi back until it snaps into place.

Figure 24: nüvi 500, Snapped into the Cradle

Figure 25: Garmin's nüvi 500, Mounted in the Car

Garmin gets high marks for its excellent mounting hardware. The included mount is simple, effective, and easy to use. The mount does a good job holding the nüvi 500 securely in place, even when driving at highway speeds, and it's easy to dock / undock the GPS.

Normally I would complain that the nüvi 500's windshield mount isn't powered, meaning you have to connect and disconnect the USB power cable each time the unit is docked or undocked from the car. A powered mount makes it easier to take the GPS in and out of the car, as the power cable is connected to the dock instead of the GPS. However, in this case, the nüvi 500 is a water resistant GPS designed for use outdoors as well as in a vehicle. Exposed power connections on the GPS would be difficult or impossible to implement without making the nüvi 500 vulnerable to water.

5. The Main Menu

Figure 26: Garmin nüvi 500's Main Menu

When you power on the nüvi 500, the Main Menu appears. From here, the following items are displayed:

1. GPS satellite strength
2. Usage mode. Touch to change to driving, walking, bicycling, or boating mode (boating mode is only available if you have marine maps loaded on the nüvi 500)
3. Battery status
4. Current time (touch to change time settings)
5. Touch to find a destination
6. Touch to view the map
7. Touch to adjust the volume
8. Touch to use the tools (such as settings, where am I?, Help, and Routes

6. Switching Between Driving, Walking, Boating, & Bicycling Modes

Figure 27: Usage Mode Icon

Touching the Usage Mode icon, shown above, lets you switch the nüvi 500 between driving, walking, bicycling, or boating modes. Boating mode is only available if additional marine maps are installed, such as Garmin's BlueChart g2 Vision, or Inland Vision marine cartography

Figure 28: Selecting A Usage Mode

Usage Modes are used to quickly configure the nüvi 500 for use in the car, on foot, on a bicycle, or, if additional marine maps are installed, on a boat.

Figure 29: Would You Like To Configure Your Walking Mode Settings?

The first time you select a new Usage Mode, the nüvi 500 asks if you want to configure the associated settings for that mode.

Figure 30: Choosing A Vehicle Icon

Choose an icon to represent your "Vehicle" when navigating on foot (or on a boat or bicycle, depending on the selected Usage Mode). Additional icons can be downloaded from Garmin's website (here's a link to the icon directory).

Figure 31: Setting the Usage Mode's Map View

Select whether you prefer to see the 3D map view, North Up, or Track Up.

Figure 32: Walking Route Preference

The nüvi 500 needs to know if routes should be calculated using on or off road settings.

7. The Map Screen

Figure 33: nüvi 500's Map Screen

1. Next Turn Indicator - Touch to view the next turn (when navigating in off-road mode, touching this icon brings up the compass screen)
2. Text Bar - This text bar displays the current navigation instruction. Tapping on this bar opens the turn list (a list of all up-coming turns)
3. Highlighted Route - The highlighted route is "painted", or marked, in magenta color
4. Zoom - Touch the plus icon to zoom in on the map, or the minus to zoom out
5. Speed Limit - When available, the nüvi 500 displays the speed limit for the current road you are driving on
6. Vehicle icon - This customizable icon represents your vehicle on the map. Tapping on the vehicle icons allows you to save your current location (even if there's not a valid street address at your location)
7. Arrival Time - Displays your estimated arrival time. When not en route to a destination, your current speed is displayed here. Tapping this icon opens the Trip Information page
8. Menu - Tap the Menu icon to return to the Menu page
9. Turn In - Displays the distance to the next turn. Tapping this icon displays the Next Turn page (a detailed view of the upcoming turn) and repeats the last voice instruction

As you travel to a destination, the nüvi 500 guides you with voice prompts, arrows on the map, and directions at the top of the map. Your route is marked with a magenta line. The nüvi 500 uses he same excellent map screen found on Garmin's other nüvi GPS units, but adds the oft-requested upcoming turn indicator.

The map screen is displayed automatically when navigating to an address, with your route marked with a magenta line, as shown above. The map screen can also be manually invoked by tapping on "View Map" from the Main Menu.

Figure 34: Trip Information Screen

Tapping on the Arrival Time from the Map screen brings up the trip information page, shown above. This screen displays a running counter of various statistics about the "trip", or since it was last reset.

Figure 35: Turn List

The Turn List is a list of all upcoming maneuvers. The turn list can be viewed by tapping on the text bar (the horizontal green bar across the top of the Map Screen). Each turn can be selected to view a more detailed view of the turn, as shown below.

Figure 36: Next Turn Page

The "Next Turn" page displays a detailed view of an upcoming turn. This split-screen view shows a 2-dimensional drawing of the turn on the left side of the screen, and a text description of the turn on the right side. Also displayed are the distance and time to the turn.

Tapping the up/down arrows in the lower-right portion of the screen cycles through the upcoming turns, one at a time. Voice prompts are also announced as each turn is viewed.

Figure 37: Speed Limit Indicator

When the nüvi 500 knows the posted speed limit for the road you are traveling, the speed limit is displayed on the map screen, as shown above. This feature can also be disabled if you prefer not to see it, although I find it very useful -- especially during long highway stretches between posted speed limit signs.

Figure 38: Automatic Map Scaling Feature

As you approach an upcoming maneuver, the nüvi 500 automatically adjusts the map scale, zooming in closer as the turn approaches. Once you've successfully made the turn, the map automatically zooms back out to show more distance.

Take a look at the side-by-side map screens shown above. Notice in the left image how the nüvi has automatically zoomed the map to a street-level view in order to clearly illustrate the upcoming turn. Having completed the maneuver, the nüvi slowly zooms back out to show more of the map, as shown in the map on the right side.

Automatic map scaling works well on the nüvi 500. Scale adjustments are made smoothly over a few seconds and feel natural as you drive.

Figure 39: Map Screen, Navigating To A Destination

The map screen is one of the most important aspects of any GPS, and the nüvi 500 actually manages to improve Garmin's already first-rate map display by adding the much needed upcoming turn indicator (shown in the upper left portion of the screen).

The map screen is well implemented and carefully designed. It's easy to read, and screen re-draws are smooth and fast. Garmin does a good job displaying key information without letting the map get cluttered or confusing. For example, notice how the green "information bar" across the top of the map screen mimics the color and font used on actual highway signs. Also notice how the angle of the 3D map makes it easy to see upcoming maneuver, and how the magenta highlighted route is easy to see.

8. Entering An Address

To test the nüvi 500's address entry system, I'll enter a destination address in New York City.

Figure 40: Where To?

To begin entering a destination address, tap "Where to?" from the Main Menu.

Figure 41: Entering a Street Address as a Destination

After tapping on Where to? from the Main Menu, tap on Address to begin inputting a street address.

Figure 42: Changing the Destination Address' State

The nüvi 500 automatically sets the State to your current position. If your destination address is in a State other than your current location, you'll need to tap on "Change Country". For some odd reason this button says "Change Country" instead of the more intuitive "Change State/Province" used on other nüvi models.

Figure 43: Entering the State Name

After tapping on "Change State/Province", use the on-screen keyboard to enter the name of the State or province of the destination address. Once enough letters have been entered, the nüvi 500 will automatically produce a list of possible matching States to choose from.

Figure 44: Choosing a State Name From the Results List

In this example, I'm entering a destination address in New York State, so I type out N-E-W-space, and the nüvi 500 automatically produces a short list of matching States (just one, in this case) to choose from. I tap on "New York" and continue on to the next step.

The nüvi 500 feels fast and responsive, allowing me to enter the city name as quickly as I can type, without any annoying delays or sluggishness.

However, I did find myself wishing that the text entry system was more like Magellan's QuickSpell system, which dims out invalid letters as you type, only allowing you to press keys that would spell a valid city name. TomTom also has a similar text entry system. These systems reduce the likelihood of misspellings and make text entry generally easier and faster, and would be a welcome addition to the Garmin nüvi product line.

Figure 45: Entering A City Name

If you know the name of the city your destination address is located in, tap on "Spell City" to enter the name. If you're not sure what city the destination address is in, tapping "Search All" lets you search the entire State.

I'll tap on "Spell City" to continue, since I know the destination is located in New York City.

Figure 46: Spelling the City Name

Entering the city name is identical to the process for entering the State name; once enough letters have been entered the nüvi automatically produces a list of results.

Figure 47: Selecting the City

After tapping N-E-W on the on-screen keyboard, the nüvi 500 produces the results list shown above. I'll tap "New York, NY" to continue. Note that nüvi would have accepted either "New York" or "Manhattan" as valid city names for this destination.

Figure 48: Entering the House/Building Number

Like many GPS units, the nüvi 500 asks you for the house number before the street name, which some users can find confusing at first.

One downside of entering the house number before the street name is that the GPS cannot list the valid range of house numbers on a given street, as Magellan's GPS units do. For example, if you're trying to get to a house on "South Main Street", Magellan's GPS units will ask for the street name first, then show you the valid range of houses along South Main Street, allowing you to pick a house number even if you're not sure of the exact address.

Figure 49: Viewing Recently Entered Information

Tip: when using the on-screen keyboard to input state, city, or street names, tapping on the folder icon in the upper left corner displays a short list of recently used entries. For example, when entering the city name, you can tap the folder icon and select a recently used city from the drop down list.

Figure 50: Entering the House Number

Use the keypad to input the building or house number, then tap Done to continue.

Figure 51: Entering the Street Name

The final step in entering the destination address is to input the street name. In this example I'm entering an address on "Central Park West" in New York City, so I start to spell out C-E-N-T-R-A-L...

Note that when entering a street name, you only enter the main portion of the street name, and allow the GPS to search for possible matches. For example, if you are looking for "North Main" street, you would only enter "Main" as the search criteria, and the GPS would product a list of matching street names, such as "South Main Street" and "North Main Street".

Figure 52: Select Street

The nüvi 500 produces a list of possible matches for the street name I entered. I'll tap the first result to continue.

Figure 53: Choosing An Address From The Results List

The full street address appears in the results list. I'll tap on "135 Central Park W" to continue.

Figure 54: Address Confirmation Screen

With the address fully entered, the destination can be viewed on the map by tapping Map, saved to the address book by tapping Save, or the GPS can start driving to the destination by pressing the large green Go! button.

The nüvi 500 is the first nüvi to display the "Route Info" on the address confirmation screen. "Route Info" is a new enhancement that displays the distance and estimated total drive time to the destination address.

Figure 55: Viewing the Destination Address on the Map

Tapping Map on the previous menu displays the destination address on the map. This is a nice feature as it allows you to see what the streets will look like at the destination address before you start navigating, and also lets you validate that the destination address is correct.

Figure 56: Navigating to the Destination Address

Tap on the green Go! button and the nüvi 500 starts routing to the destination address.

9. Finding A Restaurant (Searching for POIs)

Figure 57: Searching for a Point of Interest

In GPS speak, a "Point of Interest" is a business address saved on the GPS. You can think of the POI database as a pre-loaded yellow pages. Most modern GPS devices come pre-loaded with a Points of Interest database, allowing you to find nearby businesses, such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and more.

The nüvi 500 ships with around 6 million POIs pre-loaded onto the unit.

To search for a "Point of Interest", tap Where to? from the Main Menu.

Figure 58: Points of Interest

Tap Points of Interest as the destination type.

Figure 59: Selecting the Search Category and Proximity

In this example we'll be searching for a restaurant, so I'll tap on Food from this menu. I could have also chosen any of the following other Points of Interest (POI) categories:

• Fuel
• Transit
• Lodging
• Shopping
• Bank/ATM
• Parking
• Entertainment
• Recreation
• Attractions
• Hospitals
• Community
• Auto Services

If you're not sure what category a given business would be found under, but know the name of the place you're searching for, tapping on "Spell Name" allows you to search all POI categories at once for a specific name. However, in my testing I found searching all POI categories extremely slow. In some cases I gave up after a few minutes, assuming the search would never finish. You're better off searching within a particular POI category rather than searching all categories. Hopefully Garmin will address this issue in subsequent software updates

Figure 60: Telling the nüvi Where to Search

By default, the nüvi 500 searches for Points of Interest (POIs) close to your current location. If you want to search for a business near a specific address, along your planned route, or near your destination address, tap "Near..." (shown in figure 52) to access the "Search Near..." screen, shown above:

• Where I Am Now - Searches for businesses close to your current location
• A Different City - Searches for businesses in a city (you will be prompted to enter the city name)
• My Current Route - Searches for businesses along your current planned route (you must be navigating to a destination for this option to be selectable)
• My Destination - Searches for businesses near your destination address (you must be navigating to a destination for this option to be selectable)

For example, if you wanted to find a restaurant near your destination, you would tap on Where to? -> Near... ->My Destination ->Points of Interest ->Food and so on.

Figure 61: Setting the POI Sub-Category

Some POI categories have sub-categories. For example, if you choose "Food" as the main category, the nüvi 500 asks if you also want to enter a sub-category (in this case, a food cuisine type). If we wanted to find the closest Mexican restaurant, for example, we could choose Mexican as the sub-category, and the nüvi would limit the results to just Mexican restaurants.

If you don't want to narrow the results by cuisine, choose "All Food" to list all restaurants.

Figure 62: Viewing the POI Search Results

The POI search results list displays each restaurant in order of closeness to our current location, along with the exact street address, distance, and direction indicator.

Figure 63: POI Detail Page

Tapping on a POI in the search results list displays the details page for that particular POI. This screen displays the POI's street address and phone number. The Route Info box appears after 3 seconds, displaying the distance and estimated drive time to the destination.

This screen also lets you view the POI on the map before navigating to the address (Show Map), save the POI to the address book (Save), or begin routing to the business by tapping on the large green "Go!" button.

10. Canceling the Route

Figure 64: Canceling A Route

Tapping on the Menu button while navigating to an address brings up the Main Menu, shown above. From here, you can stop routing to the destination by tapping on Stop, or detour around a problem area by (such as a traffic jam or closed road) by tapping on Detour.

Including the Stop button right on the Main Menu is a nice feature. I've tested a lot of GPS devices and have found that canceling a route can be a surprisingly difficult task. For example, TomTom's GPS units hide this option 3 menu levels deep.

In my testing I found the detour function worked adequately, although there are no options for how far you want to avoid the current problem, nor is it possible to exclude specific roads from the trip. But it does provide a quick and easy way to get off the current road if you run into a problem.

11. Setting the Home Address

Figure 65: Setting the Home Address

The Home address is a special saved address on the nüvi that provides quick, one-touch access to the address you'll use most often: home.

The first time you tap on Go Home from the Where to? menu, the nüvi 500 will prompt you to input your home address.

Figure 66: Go Home

Tap Go Home from the Where to? menu to set the Home address.

Figure 67: Entering a Home Address

The nüvi 500 allows you to enter a street address for the saved "Home" address, store your current location as the Home address (especially handy if your street address isn't located exactly where the map thinks), or pick a recently used address as the Home address.

Once the Home address has been set, it can be changed anytime by tapping on Where to > Favorites > Home > Edit

12. Favorites

Figure 68: Favorites

Garmin calls the address book "Favorites". The list of saved addresses, or favorites, is accessed by tapping on Where to? > Favorites.

Figure 69: Viewing Favorites

Favorites are listed in order of closeness to your current location. Tapping the Spell button lets you search for a saved favorite address.

There's no way to sort favorites alphabetically, unfortunately.

13. Where Am I? (Viewing or Saving Your Current Location)

Figure 70: Main Menu

Garmin's Where Am I? feature is a helpful feature that can be used to view and save your current location, as well as tell emergency personnel your location, or locate nearby services such as gas stations, hospitals, and police stations.

The Where Am I? feature is accessed via the Tools menu.

Tip: A handy shortcut to viewing the Where Am I? page is to tap the vehicle icon on the map.

Figure 71: Tools Menu

To view your current location, and proximity to nearby emergency services, touch Where Am I? from the Tools menu.

Figure 72: Where Am I?

The Where Am I? screen displays the nearest valid street address, closest intersection, and longitude/latitude coordinates as well as elevation. Nearby hospitals, police stations, and gas stations can be viewed by touching the respective icon on the right side of the screen.

You can also save your current position to the address book by touching Save Location.

14. Creating And Using Routes

The nüvi 500 can create and store up to 10 custom routes. A route is a saved trip that has more than one stop along the way. The nüvi 500 also supports "Route Optimization", a feature that can sort multiple destinations by distance.

Figure 73: Accessing the Routes Feature

Creating, editing, and activating routes are all performed via the Custom Routes menu. To access the Custom Routes feature, tap on Where to? > Scroll down to page 3 > Custom Routes.

Figure 74: Adding Stops to the Route

The first step in creating a Custom Route, or multi-stop trip, is adding a starting point. Tap Add New Start Point.

Adding addresses to a route is identical to the process for entering any other type of destination; you can use street addresses, POIs, recently found addresses, saved favorites, intersections, or coordinates as entries in a Custom Route.

Figure 75: Creating the Route

Tapping on the green plus icon inserts another location to the route. Tapping on the red minus icon removes that location from the route.

Figure 76: Calculating the Route

Once all the desired locations have been added to the Route, tapping Next causes the nüvi to calculate the route. Route calculation is quick, taking no more than a few seconds.

Figure 77: Viewing the Route on the Map

Once the route has been calculated, the planned route is displayed on the map. Note that the last location in the Route is marked with a checkered flag. The nüvi 500 also displays the distance and time for the planned Route.

Tap Save to store the Route and make it available for use and/or optimization.

Figure 78: Viewing a Saved Route

By default, the nüvi saves Routes using the starting and ending location names. You can rename the Route to something more significant, like "Family Trip To Disney Land", as well as re-order the stops by tapping Edit...

Tap the green Go! button when you're ready to start navigating to the first location in the Route.

Figure 79: Reordering Stops Along A Route

Tapping Optimally Reorder Points sorts order of the stops by distance. This feature is especially helpful for drivers who regularly visit multiple locations in one trip, such as realtors, delivery drivers, and contractors.

You can also manually reorder the locations in a Route by tapping Manually Reorder Points, or use a combination of both by optimally re-ordering the stops, then manually changing the order if needed.

Recalculate allows you to change the route preference to calculate by faster time, shorter distance, or off road.

Tapping Delete erases the Route.

Figure 80: Navigating To A Destination

Once the Custom Route is saved and ordered to your liking, tap the green Go! button to start navigating to the first stop along the route.

15. Navigating To A Set of Coordinates

Figure 81: Choosing Coordinates As A Destination Type

To navigate to a set of coordinates, tap Where to? from the Main Menu, and then scroll down to see the Coordinates icon, as shown above.

Figure 82: Entering the Coordinates

Use the on-screen keypad to enter the coordinates, or tap Format to change the coordinates format.

By default the nüvi 500 populates the coordinates field with your current position.

Figure 83: Selecting the Coordinates Format

The nüvi 500 supports several different coordinates formats used around the world.

16. Finding Geographic Points

The nüvi 500 includes topographic maps that include saved locations for various geographic points, such as lakes, rivers, mountain peaks, and other landmarks.

Figure 84: Choosing Geographic Points As A Destination Type

Touch Where To? > Geographic Points to view nearby locations, or tap Near to search for Geographic Points at a location other than your current position.

Figure 85: Viewing Geographic Points

Select a Geographic Point from the list.

Figure 86: Viewing A Geographic Point on the Map

Tapping on a Geographic Point from the previous list brings up the map preview screen, shown above. From here, you can save the destination to the address book, or begin navigating by tapping Go!.

Pre-loading the nüvi 500 with geographic points of interest is an excellent idea that adds value to the GPS. However, I wish Garmin had included some descriptive information about each destination. Without at least a minimal description of the location, it's almost impossible to know which Geographic Points are of interest to you.

17. Compass

The nüvi 500 includes a digital compass screen. You don't need to calibrate the compass, but you do need to have a clear view of the sky. To access the compass, touch Tools > Compass.

Figure 87: Compass In Off-Road Mode

1. Bug indicator
2. Direction arrow
3. Speed
4. Elevation
5. Time of Day
6. Distance to destination

When navigating in off-road mode, the red arrow points in the direction you should travel to stay on the route. When the red arrow points towards the bud indicator, you're going directly towards the destination.

Figure 88: Compass In Driving Mode

When navigating to a destination in driving mode, your heading is shown in degrees in the center of the compass.

18. Routing Engine Performance

All the bells and whistles aside, what really matters on any GPS is the quality of the maps, and how intelligently the GPS calculates the path from point A to B..

The most common GPS complaint I hear is "the GPS took me on a crazy route", followed closely by: "that definitely was not the best/shortest way."

The two most important components of any GPS navigation system are the routing engine and mapping accuracy. The routing engine is the software that lets the GPS decide which route it should choose to get from point A to point B. Many people falsely assume that simply having the same maps installed on two different GPS devices will result in the same routing choices. Not so, as there is a great deal of math, personal preferences, and economics involved when your GPS begins calculating the "best" route.

Not surprisingly, this also one of the most difficult and complex aspects for GPS manufacturers to get right, and is the aspect of GPS navigation that is least well understood by consumers. Nevertheless, routing engine quality should be at the top of any GPS buyer's checklist.

The two largest mapping data providers are NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas . NAVTEQ used to have the advantage in mapping quality in North America. However, Tele Atlas has recently improved its US database, and both companies are now roughly equal in quality. The mapping provider shouldn't be a determining factor in routing quality, as both NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas provide excellent maps. However, it IS important to consider how often a GPS manufacturer releases map updates. Garmin and TomTom release yearly map updates, while Magellan, LG, Navigon, and others release mapping updates on a much less regular basis. Virtually all GPS manufacturers charge a map update fee.

However, there is a lot more to a routing engine than just the mapping data provider. How a given GPS will determine the "best" route is not only the result of the mapping data, but is also the result of a given manufacturers decision on how many additional data points, or attributes, to factor into the calculation. For example, does the GPS know if certain roads closed after hours or on the weekend? That information is available to GPS manufacturers, but at an additional cost. Similarly, does the GPS know what the average rate of speed is for a given road? That information will also cost a manufacturer more to include.

Statistically speaking, more accidents happen when making left turns as opposed to right turns -- is the GPS unit factoring that into the route? Each company takes all this data and compiles it in different ways, making unique decisions about what data is more important than others. The number of attributes used varies depending on how much money the manufacturer is willing to spend on their mapping data. For example, a full NAVTEQ map database that includes all available attributes can cost the manufacturer twice as much as a basic set of attributes.

All Magellan and Garmin GPS units use NAVTEQ mapping data, while TomTom uses Tele Atlas.

To test the nüvi 500's routing engine, I entered three different trips of varying distance in three different regions of the United States and compared the results to a Magellan Maestro 4250 and a TomTom GO 930. All three test units had the latest available maps installed, and the most current firmware as of this writing.

Our first test took us along the Northeast, starting in Southbury, CT and ending in New York City:

ROUTING TEST #1
WINNER: Garmin nüvi 500
Start: 14 Oak Tree Road, Southbury CT. Destination: 135 Central Park West, NY, NY
Magellan Maestro 4250	Garmin nüvi 500	TomTom GO 30
►0.1mi Main St S ►0.1mi US-6/Main St N ►0.1mi W I-84 ▲14mi W I-84 ►4.1mi W I-84 ►6.6mi Exit 20/White Plains/I-684/NYC ◄0.1mi White Plains/I-684/NYC ▲10mi South I-684 ◄16mi South I-684 ◄9.1mi W Cross County Pkwy ▲2.4mi W Cross County Pkwy ▲0.3mi W Cross County Pkwy ◄2.1mi Exit 2/NYC/Saw Mill ◄0.2mi Saw Mill River Pkwy South ►2.0mi S Rt-9a/Henry Hudson Pkwy ►10mi Exit 79 St 0.1 Roundabout W.79 St ►0.3mi Broadway ◄0.3mi W. 74 St ►0.4mi Central Park W * 0.1mi Arrive at 135 Central Park West	►300ft Main St S ►300ft Main St N ►0.1mi Keep right onto I-84 W to Danbury ◄14mi Keep left on I-84 I-84 W ▲4.1mi Keep right onto I-84 W to NY State ►6.5 Exit 20 right to I-684 to New York City/White Plains ◄0.1mi Keep left onto I-684 to New York City/White Plains ▲28mi Exit 1 left to Hutchinson Pkwy to Whitestone Br ▲9.1mi Exit 15 left to Cross County Pkwy to George Washington Br ▲2.7mi Keep left on Cross County Pky W ▲2.0mi Exit 2 left to Saw Mill Pkwy South to New York City ▲0.2mi Keep left onto Saw Mill River Pkwy South ▲2.0mi Keep right onto Henry Hudson Pky South ►10mi Right to 79 St Boat Basin ►500ft Take roundabout to 3rd exit ►400ft 3rd exit to 79th St ►0.2mi Right on Broadway ◄0.3mi Left on 74th St ►0.4 Right on Central Park W ►120ft Arrive at 135 Central Park W on right	►40yd Main St S ►100yd Main St N (US 6) ►240yd 84 WB ◄14.1M Bear left onto 84 WB ►4.1M Bear right onto 84 WB ◄3.2M Bear left onto 84 WB ►3.4M Rt. 20 White Plains ◄250yd 684 SB ►10.9M Saw Mill Pkwy ▲0.55M Continue Saw Mill Pkwy ◄13.2M Bear left Yonkers ►4.7M 22 Thruway ◄250yd 87 SB ◄0.35M 87 SB ►16:5M 7 Trenton ◄400yd 95 SB to 1 ►0.50M 95 SB to 1 Lower Level ►0.55M H Hudson Pkwy ◄210yd 9A SB Downtown ►0.40M H Hudson Pkwy ►4.6M Exit Boat Basin ♦220yd - Roundabout W 79th St ►275yd Riverside Dr ◄0.35M W 72nd St ◄0.60M Central Park West ♦130yd - Arrive 135 Central Park W
Total: 80 miles / 1hr 29 minutes	80 miles / 1 hour 19 minutes	79.2 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes

Magellan's Maestro 4250, Garmin's nüvi 500, and TomTom's GO 930 all successfully get us to our destination address, but Garmin's nüvi 500 chooses a slightly faster route, provides more detailed navigation instructions, and is also the only GPS to announce what side of the street our destination address is on.

TomTom's GO 930 faired the worst in this particular test, routing us in such a way that the destination address is actually on the opposite (left) side of the street. We would then either have to make an illegal U-turn or go around the block to arrive at 135 Central Park West on our right. TomTom also has less detailed navigation prompts than the Magellan Maestro 4250. TomTom also uses yards instead of feet, which is less commonly used here in the United States.

Yahoo! Maps (not shown in the table above) chooses a route identical to Garmin's route, but estimates the trip will take 3 minutes longer (1 hour 22 minutes) than Garmin estimates. Google Maps also chooses the same route as the Garmin nüvi.

Our first test used a trip that was approximately 80 miles in length and took us from Connecticut to New York City.

For our second test, I started out at Fry's Electronics in San Jose, California and entered a destination address at 300 Grove Street in San Francisco (about 46 miles in distance):

ROUTING TEST #2
WINNER: Garmin nüvi 500
Start: Fry's Electronics, 550 E. Brokaw Rd, San Jose CA Destination: 300 Grove St., San Francisco, CA
Magellan Maestro 4250	Garmin nüvi 500	TomTom GO 930
▲0.7mi San Francisco/US-101 N ▲6.7mi N US-101 ▲17mi N US-101 ▲8.6mi N US-101 ▲7.3mi N US-101 James Lick Fwy ◄3.0mi N US-101/Central Fwy ▲0.3mi N US-101/Central Fwy ►0.9mi Market St ◄0.2mi Franklin St ►0.3mi Grove St *Arrive at 300 Grove St	►0.3mi I-880 S to Santa Cruz ▲0.8mi Exit 4C right to US-101 N/San Francisco ▲0.2mi Keep right onto Old Bayshore Hwy to San Francisco ◄0.3mi US-101 N to San Francisco ▲25mi Keep left on US-101 N ▲8.6mi Keep left onto US-101 N to San Francisco ▲7.3mi Keep left onto US-101 to Bay Bridge/Civic Center/Silver Ave ▲3.0mi Keep left onto US 101 N to 9th St-Civic Ctr/Fell Street/Mission St ▲0.3mi Keep left onto US 101 N to Golden Gate Bridge/Mission St ►0.7mi Mission St ◄0.6mi Grove St ►500ft Arrive at 300 Grove St on right	►0.4mi 880 NB Oakland ▲12.1mi 880 NB ▲1.5mi 880 NB ▲6.8mi 880 NB ▲4.9mi 880 NB ▲2.4mi 880 NB ▲2.6mi 880 NB ▲6.4mi 880 NB ▲2.4mi 880 NB San Francisco ▲1.0mi 880 NB ▲210yd 80 WB ▲0.40mi 80 WB ►0.35mi Mission St ▲0.65mi 101 Mission St Mission St San Fran... ►300yd 101 Mission St Mission St Mission St ◄0.60mi Grove St *180yd Arrive 300 Grove St
Total: 45 miles / 46 minutes	47 miles / 43 minutes	49.3 miles / 52 minutes

Again Garmin chooses the best route, Magellan chooses the second best route, and TomTom's GO 930 chooses the least effective route. While Magellan and Garmin both route us along the 101 highway from San Jose to San Francisco, TomTom's GO 930 instead routes us along highway 880 North to 80 West -- an odd choice that adds around 4 miles (~6 minutes) to the journey, assuming there's no traffic 880 (which there usually is). Even worse, TomTom again has us arriving on the wrong side of the street, with our destination address on the left.

Both the Magellan Maestro 4250 and the Garmin nüvi 500 arrive with our destination address on the right side of the street, but only the Garmin actually announces us what side of the street our destination will be on. Occasionally the Magellan unit would verbally announce what side of the street the destination was on, but that was the exception and not the rule.

Garmin's maneuvering instructions are also by far the most detailed. It's not shown in the table above, but the angle of Garmin's turn icons actually vary to indicate the upcoming turn's actual angle, a feature not found on either the Maestro or the TomTom GO 930. Garmin wins routing test #2.

For the third test, I chose a short, 3-mile trip from Beacon Street in Boston to Cambridge, Massachusetts:

ROUTING TEST #3
WINNER: Garmin nüvi 500
Start: 1200 Beacon St, Boston MA Destination: 5 Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA
Magellan Maestro 4250	Garmin nüvi 500	TomTom GO 930
►0.1mi Beacon St ►0.1mi Carlton St ◄0.3mi W US-20/Commonwealth ►0.1mi RT-2 ►0.2mi RT-3 S ◄1.5mi Wadsworth St ◄0.1mi Amherst St ►0.2mi Ames St *0.3mi Arrive at 1200 Beacon St	►400ft St. Paul St ►0.5mi Commonwealth Ave ►0.3mi Keep right onto Hwy 2 to Cambridge ►0.1mi Mountfort St ◄0.4mi Take roundabout to 1st exit ►200ft Brookline St to Cambridgeport/Central Square ►Massachusetts Ave ◄300ft keep left on Main St ◄0.7mi Arrive at 6 Cambridge Ctr on left	►80yd Saint Paul St ►0.55mi 20 to 30 Commonwealth Ave ►0.30mi Mountfort St ►0.40mi RT-3 to Memorial Dr ◄300yd Vassar St ►1.2mi Cambridge Ctr *160yd Arrive at 5 Cambridge Ctr
Total: 2.8 miles / 6 minutes	3.0 miles / 5 minutes	2.8 miles / 8 minutes

The results of test #3 are consistent with the previous two tests: TomTom's GO 930 chooses a route that's about 30% longer than Magellan's Maestro or Garmin's nüvi. Garmin chooses a route that's slightly longer in distance than Magellan's Maestro, but is actually a shorter drive time, and Magellan's Maestro plots an acceptable route that's only slightly worse than Garmin's. It's interesting to see such varied routing results even on a short trip of less than 3 miles; more proof that shows how very different each GPS manufacturer is.

Garmin edged out Magellan in all three tests, choosing slightly more efficient routes with more detailed turn instructions and shorter drive times.

TomTom's GO 930 unit performed least well in all three routing engine tests, producing the longest routes in all three tests, and putting us on the wrong side of the street at our destination address. Only Garmin's GPS unit announced what side of the street our destination address was on.

I've received many questions asking why it's important to arrive on the right side of the street. In more rural areas, it likely won't make much difference if you arrive with your destination on the right or left. However, when driving in cities along wide avenues, such as in New York City, it's very important to arrive on the same side of the street as your destination. Otherwise you'll need to make an illegal U-turn or drive around the block.

Regarding the estimated drive times, some readers have commented that these tests unfairly penalize TomTom for more conservatively estimating the drive time, and reward Garmin for unrealistically aggressive (short) drive times. I disagree with these assertions, as I have actually driven many routes with all three devices connected and compared the routing choices made by each. Further, only the Garmin nüvi "learns" from your own specific driving behavior, and adjusts estimated arrival times accordingly. That means that the longer you drive with a Garmin nüvi GPS, the more accurate the arrival times will become. TomTom and Magellan's devices, however, will always product the same estimated trip times.

All three tests show Garmin currently has the strongest routing engine. Magellan's Maestro unit performed admirably, coming in second place. TomTom's GO 930 (with TomTom's newest maps installed) came in 3rd place in all three routing tests.

19. Geocaching with the nüvi 500

Geocaching is a GPS assisted treasure hunt where "Geocachers" seek hidden treasure, or "caches" using GPS coordinates posted on the Internet. Geocaching is growing in popularity, and a fantastic way to discover new places and enjoy the outdoors. A more extensive explanation of Geocaching, and how to get started can be found on Geocaching.com's FAQ page, but the short version is:

1. Go to www.geocaching.com
2. Register for a free basic membership
3. Search for a geocache. The nüvi 500 accepts .GPX files
4. Use a USB cable (you'll have to buy one, or use a spare you've got lying around from a digital camera) to connect the nüvi 500 to your computer
5. Click Send to GPS. Follow the on-screen instructions

The nüvi 500 can be used for Geocaching, and supports a number of Geocaching-specific features.

Figure 89: Garmin Communicator Plugin Download

You can download Geocaching.com cache files manually and transfer them to the nüvi, but a far easier solution is to download and install Garmin's Communicator Plugin. The plugin is free, works on the PC or MAC, and is compatible with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

Figure 90: Begin the Installer Program

Accept the License Agreement and click Next to begin installing Garmin's Communicator Plugin.

Figure 91: Installation Complete

The installer completes in minute or two. Click Done to close the installer.

Figure 92: Communicator Test Page

After the installer completes, the Communicator Test Page appears and verifies that the plugin installed correctly.

Figure 93: Geocaching.com Listings

Head over to Geocaching.com and register for a free account if you don't already have one. Then search for Geocaches, place a check mark next to the cache(s) you want to transfer to the nüvi 500. Then click on the Send to GPS icon, shown above in figure 93.

Figure 94: Allow Access to the Plugin

Depending on your operating system and browser, you may be prompted to allow the Garmin Communicator Plugin to access your browser. Click Yes to continue.

Figure 95: Send to GPS

Click Write in the Communicator window to transfer the selected cache(s) to the nüvi 500.

Figure 96: Transfer Successful

The Communicator Plugin displays a confirmation message that the Geocache .gpx file was successfully transferred to the nüvi 500.

Figure 97: Selecting Geocaches As The Destination Type

Disconnect the nüvi 500 from your computer, and tap Where To? > Geocaches.

Figure 98: Geocache Listings

Select a Geocache from the list of Geocaches. Geocaches are listed in order of closeness to your current position.

Figure 99: Geocache Preview Screen

Tapping on a Geocache brings up the preview screen, shown above. From here, you can begin navigating to the Geocache by touching the green Go! button, view the cache on the map by tapping Map, save the cache to the address book by tapping Save, or view more detailed information about the cache by tapping More.

Figure 100: Geocache More Information Screen 1

Tapping More on the previous screen bring up the menu shown above. This screen allows you to set the Geocache's found status, view a more detailed description of the cache, or view the hints for the cache.

Figure 101: Geocache More Information Screen 2

You can also view logs, or add a comment for the cache.

Figure 102: Viewing A Geocache's Detailed Information

Tapping View Description displays more detailed information about the cache, including the difficulty and terrain rating, and a text overview of the cache site.

Figure 103: Map Screen While Navigating To A Geocache

When navigating to a cache on foot, the Geocache icon appears in the lower right area of the screen. Tapping the treasure chest icon brings up the Found Status screen, shown below.

Figure 104: Found Status

The nüvi 500 lets you mark Found Status as Unattempted (default), Did Not Find, or Found. These are the same status conditions used on Geocaching.com, and will be familiar to anyone who Geocaches.

Figure 105: Compass Screen

When trying to find a cache, it can be very useful to use the compass to zero in on the cache's location. I know many geocachers who use the compass exclusively to find their caches.

The red arrow indicates the direction of travel, and the Bug indicator marks the direction of the destination.

Figure 106: Main Menu, Walking Mode

When using the nüvi 500 in Walking mode, a compass icon appears on the Main Menu, as shown above. This makes it easier to toggle between the map and compass screens.

Figure 107: Topographic Maps

The nüvi 500 is preloaded with topographic maps of the United States. When using the GPS outdoors, the topographic maps provide insight into the elevation and terrain of the area.

20. Whereigo (Where I Go)

The nüvi 500 is compatible with Whereigo gameplay. Whereigo (pronounced "where I go") is a new location-based adventure game invented by Groundspeak, and combines Geocaching with role-based characters, puzzle solving, and elaborate story lines.

By combining virtual and real-world elements, Whereigo aims to bring Geocaching to the next level by creating an outdoor adventure game in which a GPS is used to guide you to physical locations and you interact with virtual objects and characters. More detailed information on Whereigo'ing is available at www.whereigo.com.

Whereigo games are called "cartridges", and must be downloaded onto the nüvi using a USB cable and your PC or MAC.

Figure 108: Whereigo

Similar to Geocaching, Whereigo cartridges must be downloaded from the Internet, and transferred to the GPS:

1. Go to www.whereigo.com and register for a free basic account if you don't already have one
2. Search for a cartridge
3. Make sure you have installed Garmin's Communicator Plugin (you can manually copy the files over instead, but the plugin makes life easier)
4. Connect the nüvi 500 to your PC using a USB cable (not included)
5. Select a Whereigo cartridge and copy it to over to the nüvi
6. To play the Whereigo cartridge, touch Tools > Whereigo.

21. Boating Mode

Figure 109: Marine Points

The nüvi 500 ships with topographical maps of the United States, and is capable of navigating on and off road. When loaded with Garmin's optional BlueChart g2 Vision, or Inland Lake Vision marine maps, the nüvi 500 can provide chart-specific information, spot soundings, interidal zones, wrecks, port plans, restricted areas and more. BlueChart maps also contain depth charts, tide and current information, and additional marine points of interest.

If marine maps are installed on the nüvi 500, an additional Boating Mode becomes available, and allows you to configure settings useful for boating use. For example, distances can be reported in mile, kilometers, nautical statute, or nautical metric.

Figure 110: Boating Mode

When set to boating mode, the nüvi 500's map appears in universal marine chart colors. BlueChart maps loaded on the nüvi are surrounded by a tan border on the map. Touching the fish icon on the left toggles between viewing navigation charts, fishing charts, and searching for marine points of interest.

22. Pros

• Waterproof (IPX7) - can be fully submerged (up to 3 feet deep) in water for up to 30 minutes
• 8 hour long battery life
• Removable, rechargeable battery
• Loud speaker
• First Garmin nüvi to show approaching turn indicator on the map (an arrow that shows the direction of the next turn)
• Includes shaded digital elevation mapping
• Includes a digital compass
• Ability to navigate to geo-tagged photographs
• Fast map panning & zooming
• Handy "Where Am I?" feature provides one-touch access to your current location and nearby emergency services
• Bright, sunlight-readable screen
• Excellent map screen is easy to read
• Top-notch routing engine
• Track log recording
• Supports multi-destination routing with route optimization (ability to sort the locations by distance)
• Good customer support

23. Cons

• No text-to-speech; doesn't speak names of actual streets, just generic "turn left" or "turn right" instructions
• Thicker and heavier than Garmin's other 3.5-inch GPS units
• Plastic housing isn't as rugged as it could be; could scratch or crack if dropped. For frequent outdoor use, a protective cary case is probably a good idea.
• USB cable not included
• No way to exclude a specific road from the route
• Geographic Points is a nice idea, but doesn't include enough additional information about the locations to be of much value
• Searching POIs can take a long time if you search all categories
• Favorites are sorted by distance only, and cannot be sorted alphabetically
• Detour function doesn't let you specify distance or road exclusions

24. Conclusion

Equally at home on or off the beaten path, Garmin's nüvi 500 is easily switched between driving, bicycling, walking, and, if optional marine maps are installed, boating mode. The water-proof (IPX7) nüvi 500 can be fully submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, has a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 8 hours of power, and comes with City Navigator NT + Topo maps of the lower 48 States pre-installed. When set to driving mode, the nüvi 500 is a full-fledged nüvi GPS, providing Garmin's unmatched routing and navigation capabilities in the car. If you're worried the nüvi 500 might trade functionality in exchange for the new off road and boating features, don't be: the nüvi 500 benefits from the same ease-of-use and best-of-breed routing engine as Garmin's other nüvi models. In fact, the nüvi 500 actually delivers several enhancements to the map screen, the most welcome of which are the addition of an upcoming turn indicator, and faster map redraws. Walking, driving, and bicycling modes can all be configured to route on or off-road, and vehicle icons and map preferences can be customized for each mode. A special Geocaching mode makes it easy to load and find caches, thanks in large part to the addition of an electronic compass screen and pre-installed topographic maps. Outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate the TracBack capability. Adding Garmin's optional marine maps turns the nüvi 500 into a feature-rich boating GPS, complete with depth charts, tide and current information, and additional marine points of interest. Slightly bulkier and heavier than other 3.5-inch nüvis, the nüvi 500 isn't the most elegant design to date, and lacks text-to-speech, so it won't announce actual street names. The GPS is water-proof, but not drop proof. The plastic case looks like it could chip or scratch easily in a nüvi-vs-mother-nature encounter. Also annoying is the lack of a an included USB cable, which you'll need for loading Geocache waypoints, Whereigo cartridges, geo-coded photos, and installing software updates. Minor areas for improvement aside, the nüvi 500 is an excellent navigator that pulls triple duty, and shows the kind of ease-of-use and refinement that has earned Garmin top position as the number 1 GPS manufacturer in America. Using the nüvi 500 is quick and responsive; there are no annoying lags or delays. The map screen is easy to read, and the included vehicle mounting hardware is simple yet effective. More than anything else, the nüvi 500 is easy to use. Menus are intuitive, and you don't need to read the instructions to use it. The nüvi 500 can be paired with Garmin's optional FM TMC traffic receiver or MSN Direct receiver for real-time traffic capabilities, fuel prices, weather, movie listings, news, and more. If you've been looking for a single GPS solution for the car, hiking, bicycle, and possibly boat, the nüvi 500 is the best option to date. The nüvi 500 has a suggested retail price of $499, and will be available for purchase in Q3 2008. A scooter mount is also available as an optional accessory.