Easy way to keep a Garmin GPS running right
Something that nobody thinks about (usually not until it's too late) is the memory card in a Garmin GPS.
On my GPSes, I can't use the internal memory for storage because the maps simply won't fit, so I use memory cards.
What I've learned over the years is that as memory cards get older, they can and will start causing problems. As long as you use a card that's not old, the GPS will run fine.
Which memory card to use?
Almost every Garmin nuvi and zumo model made can support up to a 32GB microSD memory card. The reason you don't use more than 32GB is because of the file system used. Anything greater than 32GB won't be recognized in a nuvi.
Note that I said almost every nuvi. A short list of nuvi and zumo models don't support up to 32GB, and they are:
- nuvi 295W (8GB max)
- nuvi 850 (8GB max)
- nuvi 880 (8GB max)
- nuvi 855 (8GB max)
- nuvi 885 (8GB max)
- nuvi 5000 (8GB max)
- zumo 450 (4GB max)
- zumo 550 (4GB max)
- zumo 665 (8GB max)
Every other nuvi and zumo can support a 32GB memory card as of this writing in September 2020.
Brands I recommend for new 32GB cards are Samsung and Sandisk. This is one of those instances where brand actually does matter because those cheap knockoff cards really don't work that well.
If you have to use 4GB or 8GB, your best bet is NOS (new old stock) sealed package memory cards from Sandisk, Samsung, PNY, ADATA, Lexar or Kingston. And again, make sure whatever you buy is in a sealed package and has never been opened. You have to buy NOS for 4GB and 8GB because it's rare to find those made new anymore.
Warning signs that a memory card is failing
There is unfortunately nothing that really tells you how much useful life left your memory card has, but there are a few telltale warning signs.
If the GPS starts taking longer (and you will notice it) to draw maps, calculate routes and/or search POIs, that could mean the memory card is starting to near the end of its useful life.
If the GPS outright crashes on startup or during a route recalculation, the card should be replaced immediately.
If the gold colored contacts on the memory card are tarnished, crinkled and/or all scratched up, the card should be replaced immediately.
How long is a memory card supposed to last?
I've seen some last 10 years, but how long yours lasts depends on the conditions it has been subjected to.
The two things that make a card fail sooner than later are excessive heat and oxidation. There's not really much that can be done about this since the GPS is exposed to sunlight and the elements in the air whenever your car window is open.
One of the few things you can do is periodically clean the memory card contacts to extend the life of the card. This can be done with very light passes using a pencil eraser. You can also use DeoxIT D5 contact cleaner spray that's specifically designed for cleaning electronics contacts.
However - and this is important to note - keeping the contacts clean doesn't affect the memory itself. If the GPS continues to have trouble with map drawing, calculating routes or POI searches after a card cleaning, replace the card.
Generally speaking, you can get about 5 years out of a memory card in Garmin GPS with regular daily use. You may get more than 5 years, but if you don't, you now know the warning signs and what actions you can take.
If Fender built a Jazzmaster like this, I would buy it
You probably can't afford this, but if you can, you should get one.
Garmin nuvi 1390 - "For the love of Jill"
Maybe not the best 4.3" Garmin, but Jill is there.
The nuvi 1390 is, said honestly, not a GPS I recommend because database searching is slow, touchscreen response isn't that great, updating maps via Garmin Express is really slow (USB 1.1 and not USB 2.0), and with modern map data it's absolutely mandatory to set the map detail to "Normal" or "Minimal", because if set to "More", map draw time slows down quite a bit.
Basically put, the 1390 is a product of its time as it was originally released in 2009 (as was the 1490 and 1690).
However, there are a few really nice things about the 1390.
Compared to other nuvi designs, this is one of the thinnest even when compared to other Garmin models of the same screen size. Garmin really did this one right.
Legibility is one of the best for a 4.3". The backlight is great but also the color choices are great too, as what's used is slightly "warmer" compared to other models.
And then there's Jill.
For those that used Garmin GPSes before 2010, you know Jill. She's probably the first Garmin TTS voice you ever heard. And the 1390 is what I believe to be the very last model before Jill was kicked to the curb and replaced with Samantha.
Jill is decidedly very computery in her tone. But out of all American TTS voices, she's still the best one to use.
Why is Jill the best? Simple answer. She's the easiest to understand.
Jill, as computery as she is, can be understood far better than Samantha. And even though there have been several versions of Samantha, it's still never lived up to Jill's pronunciation.
Can you download Jill?
Yes, but you can't use it on any modern Garmin. Jill will only work on older models like the 1390. Jill is a standard voice included on older models, so all you need to do is get one and she will be there.
If for some strange reason Jill isn't there, you can connect an older nuvi to Garmin Express, go to the "Tools & Content" area, then "Utilities", then "Optional Updates", expand "Language Files" and then check the box for "English." Download/install that and Jill will be included. Again, Jill only appears on older nuvi and StreetPilot models, otherwise you will get Samantha.
What makes Jill so good?
Again, it's the computery nature of her voice. The way she speaks is very deliberate and a bit over-pronounced - and that is exactly what you want when driving.
Modern TTS voices (on anything, be it Garmin GPS or smartphone) all sound too soft and friendly. Developers think this is what users want. This is wrong because the softer and friendlier a TTS voice is, the easier it can be ignored.
Garmin did an unbelievably fantastic job with Jill, but mainly by accident. They made the best possible most-human sounding TTS voice but were limited to 2009 technology. It's the combination of great effort with technical limitations that makes Jill so wonderful.
When driving, Jill cuts through traffic noise while at the same time not sound like she's yelling at you or trying to sound overly nicey-nicey. Jill is just right.
For any developers making TTS voices, I'd tell them to go get a Garmin 1390 or 1490, listen to Jill and make the voice sound like her. Jill is a TTS voice done right.
Alternative to Jill?
The modern "Zoe" in the Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86 is actually really nice. The nostalgia factor isn't there, but she sounds pleasant enough.
The one reason why you should buy a Casio A700W
All F91W type watches should be this good.
