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Mountain MIke
volcano, california
October 23, 2009
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GREAT GPS
Would be great if the actual elevation would show on the map screen.
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
7 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Tom H.
Eau Claire, WI
October 11, 2009
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NUVI 500 FOR MOTORCYCLE
I wanted a GPS suitable for motorcycle use, but I didn't want to spend the $800+ for one of Garmin's Zumo models. After doing some reading I decided to give the Garmin Nuvi 500 a try. I bought the Nuvi, a RAM cradle (RAM-HOL- GA32U), a RAM mount (RAM-B-149ZU), and a Nuvi case -- total cost including shipping $314.33. The RAM mount works great on my Harley-Davidson FXDC Super-Glide Custom, and I believe it would be fine on ANY bike with round handle bars. The GPS is held very steady and securely, and can be adjusted to almost any viewing position. It is extremely easy to install, and uninstall for washing, storage, etc. The GPS works great. I can't hear it, but I didn't expect to be able to on a motorcycle. The visual directions are clear and easy to follow. There are lots of things you can do with it... program customized routes (this is primarily what I wanted it for), look for food, lodging, attractions, etc. I've not gotten it wet yet, but it claims to be, at least, water resistant. Battery life is OK, but probably less than the advertised 8 hours. I all ready had an AC charger from another Garmin device which works with the Nuvi 500, but that would be something else to consider buying if you don't have one. For in-car use it comes with a 12 volt DC plug in which charges the battery. The only "con" was when I checked to see if it had the latest maps on the Garmin website, I was told a free update was available, so I downloaded it. What it doesn't tell you when you start the process is that the download and installation to the device takes hours, even on a "semi" high-speed internet connection. Bottom line, it works great and I like it. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me: therfel@frontiernet.net
Pros: way cheaper than zumo, works fine on cycle
Cons: long map download time from garmin website
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
9 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Linda
Corning Ca
October 8, 2009
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SO FAR GREAT UNIT
I have only used it for work but actually bought it for my motorcycle. We bougt my husband the Zumo 660 which is great for him but I didn't need some of those bells and whistles. Already have them in other forms. For a significant reduction in expense this unit will be great. One of the main reasons for the purchase of this unit was the topographical feature. I am very pleased with how simple the unit is to work. I am very naive when it comes to these. Good luck.
Pros: ease of use, size, topo feature
Cons: n/a
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
14 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Margaret
Melbourne, FL
October 3, 2009
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GOT IT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE - WORKS FINE
Got this for some upcoming trips, and used it for the backroads to Key West. Initial problem in syncing GPS w/my computer, but swapped out a cable and it worked great. I just need to remember to shut it off when taking stops as the road trip was over 8 hours, and my battery warning came on just as we were within minutes of our arrival point. Used a generic usb plug-in charger (that I have for my Mp3) and it worked great. Found a good tapas restaurant in Key West using it in the walking mode.
Pros: lightweight, easy to stash in pocket, fits bike
Cons: wish it had longer battery life
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
9 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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SteveO
Santa Fe, NM
September 21, 2009
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GARMIN NUVI 500
I purchased this unit for my street motorcycle and then as a secondary unit to my off-road adventures. This unit is truly a wonderful GPS with plenty of functionality and information. The "negative" comment I have about this unit is the poor design of using a mini-usb connection as a power supply. When I had this unit mounted in its RAM cradle, getting the 12 power supply plugged into the back was not easy. If it had the standard round plug, this would be much, much easier.
Pros: topo maps along side street maps
Cons: mini-usb power plug
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
19 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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James
Clinton, MA
September 17, 2009
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EXCELLANT CARRY ALL GPS
This is the best choice I have made regarding GPSs. It has so many features. The one I really like is that with the battery, it can be carried anywhere and you have always available, information regardles of where you are.
Pros: battery life of 9 hours.
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
17 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Larry
Denver CO
September 2, 2009
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NUVI 500
Seems OK, have not spent that much time with it yet.
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
28 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Ed
Sacramento, CA
August 7, 2009
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BEST GPS 4 ME
This unit is just what I've been looking for. I ride a motorcycle, bicycle, and drive. Since it is among the few waterproof models, and the price was in my range, this was a no brainer. I got the latest updates and firmware from the Garmin site as well as the text to voice feature.
Pros: waterproof, street and 100k topos, 8 hr battery
Cons: must buy computer cable to registar
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
37 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Pops
Alvin, Texas
August 4, 2009
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NUVI 500
GPS City is a great company to deal with. Fast shipping and good customer service. The Nuvi is really cool. I had a Quest for several years but I had to replace it because it is outdated and there were no map updates available for it. After several discussions with Garmin I chose the Nuvi. Have had it a few weeks and seems like every time I use it I find something new. It shows pipelines too which is a big help here in the Houston area. It aquires the satellites inside which the Quest did not do. I have recommended it to several friends.
Pros: shows pipelines. also picks up the satellites insi
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
39 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Texan
San Antonio, TX
July 23, 2009
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CAN'T GO WRONG WITH GARMIN
I wasn't able to find a Nuvi 500 to look at before I ordered it, but as soon as it arrived I knew I had made the right choice. I have an aviation Garmin which is over ten years old and still working, so I trust the Garmin name and the Nuvi 500 is just perfect for the motorcycle and the car.
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
37 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Matt
Shanghai, China
June 16, 2009
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DON'T USE IN CHINA
I found out that this device, with the China map, cannot be used in China because there is an agreement between Garmin and the Chinese government that an offset is programmed into units that are not sold in China. It would have been nice to know this before I bought the device AND map. I am very disappointed.
Recommend: NO
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
48 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Mark
Richmond, VA.
March 25, 2009
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IMPRESSED!
I purchased this unit because it is the only vehicle GPS unit (to the best of my knowledge) that provides coordinates in U.S. National Grid format. This is a job requirement for me. Thus far, I have not used this unit beyond the windshield of my vehicle, but I am impressed with the accuracy. It will show the posted speed limit, and actually changes about the same time I pass through a reduced posted limit zone. That never ceases to amaze me. Map quality and detail are very good.
Pros: accuracy, price point, multi-modal.
Cons: it belongs to my employer :-(
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
52 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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elkroeger
Seattle
March 23, 2009
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GREAT LITTLE UNIT
Best for multi purpose use (drive hike boat). Using it now on a motorcycle. Liked it so much, I bought another for the wife. Only downside for the motorbike is no wired or wireless voice, just the speaker on the back, which you can't hear too good (but I don't like the voice commands, so it works out great!)
Pros: long battery life
Cons: no headphone jack
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
49 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Ron
Alabaster, Alabama
February 25, 2009
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BEST ALL AROUND GPS
I would recommend this GPS to anyone. For the money it was just what I needed.
Cons: no blue tooth
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
49 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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Randy B.
August 15, 2008
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NUVI 500 GREAT GPS!
This is a must have GPS for the outdoors person. Excellent!
Recommend: YES
Tag: garmin nuvi 500 review, nuvi 500 review
98 votes. Was this review helpful to you?
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