( 27 reviews )
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Posted: 07-09-2009
The main reason I purchased this unit was that I really liked our older Nuvi but I wanted a newer unit with a video input for a reverse backup camera. The problem with this unit is that the very first time it goes to switch to the video input after the unit is powered on, even if you have auto switch on for the video input, the unit is going to stop you with a nagging disclaimer screen that you MUST agree to. You have to touch the screen. It won't go away after a short delay like the first nag screen does. Plus it takes quite some time before you even get there since you have to wait for the unit to "start up". Seems kind of funny that the disclaimer is that you shouldn't watch video while driving. Isn't the whole point of a backup camera to be able to look at it to make sure you don't run into something? There's no way around the nag screen without touching the unit except to just wire the unit to be always on. Even more confusing is that the video input setting has a mode for reverse camera but if you set it to this mode (instead of dvd), then it will ask you if you want to change EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! UPDATE 1) Called Garmin Support, after "researching" it, they told me that that was it, and that's how it worked, and there was no way to get rid of the video warning screen. UPDATE 2) Checked the unit's firmware and was amazed to see a really old version on there. Downloaded the latest firmware and the problem is SOLVED!! Now the backup camera mode works properly and it NEVER prompts you. Not even a delayed warning after power-on. You still need to wait for the unit to boot and it does take a while but as soon as it does, it immediately switches over to the video input. I do wish it could switch over even faster at unit power on. I'd update my rating to 4 stars but this edit page won't let me. We took a trip this past weekend and overall the unit is very nice. The auto-dimming screen feature works great. This unit also displays the current speed limit and it was amazing at how accurate it was. It would switch within a second or two of passing the speed limit signs.
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Posted: 07-05-2009
I am an outside sales rep covering Calif, Nevada and Arizona. I have approx 2000 accounts I need to log. I use this product everyday and extensively. The Nuvi 5000 looks great but does not contain a battery. This prevents a couple of extras I was use to with my Garmin Streetpilot. First, you cannot add Points of Interest when it's attached to the PC. The 5000 screen will not open but simply shows it's connected to the computer. Only when you have it plugged into your vehicle will the standard screen pop up. With the Streetpilot, I was able to charge it up with my PC, the standard screen would appear and it could be used without a power cable. The 5000 can only operate if it's plugged into the car. When you add addresses with the POI program, it will not transfer the address itself. It will transfer the location but not the information. This is frustrating because you have to type in every address on the 5000. This means the POI program is useless since every address needs to be added directly onto the 5000. With the Streetpilot, I could put addresses and phone numbers into the POI program on my computer and it would transfer completely to the Garmin. I don't know why it won't work the same way. And lastly, about 20% of the time, it gives bizarre driving directions and misses the target address by several hundred feet. It has music and game features which are completely ridiculous. These features should have been scrapped and the money put toward a battery and making the POI program work properly.
