junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Twice lead on wild goose chase using Garmin GPS. Recently traveling from Lake Louise to Calvert. Garmin misdirected many times. Finally used my phone & Google. When we arrived at our hotel, the concierge said he had 10 people this week that were lost using Garmin.
We also had problem with Garmin in Maui... we were instructed to turn right and go 100 miles... what a day for a swim. Would never use Garmin again!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Check your other settings. You may have one set to avoid highways, or something like that.

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I refer to my Garmin as "The blonde on the dashboard" Blondie always gets me where I'm going, but it may be a strange route. The only problem with WAZE is, it eats up your battery power.

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

We have an older GPS we named 'Miss Prim' because of her stuck-up voice. We also decided she's insane.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Hook it up to computer, make sure it is updated, will check OS and maps- takes a LONG WHILE to update. See if it was set to avoid anything like construction or etc. You can download and use the free software ( Garmin BaseCamp) where you can set your route, preview it and load it to your unit. You then pick the route(s) from the "route" menu, and it will follow whatever you told it to do. DO this rather than use your units logic by entering an address and computing on the fly, and if you entered it while it has a poor GPS signal , hasn't locked into your position yet, or too few satelights it may start a route without good information. I have in past benefited by completely shutting it down and restarting it, it is a computer after all.

I have three Garmin GPS units, two handheld for backcountry that also work for car, one dedicated car unit. Took handheld to Italy where it worked flawlessly... even tracked my entire flight home- had to hold it up against window.. fun to see where you are- we almost got to see Greenland! . I find its ETA info to be uncannily accurate down to the minute... checked it against google and iPhone and Android units, and on board GPS ( which I find a major PITA- so I prefer the Garmin instead of cars unit), quite impressive. Garmin is great, perhaps you have some interference in your car. Extension cables can throw them off, or not close to window, or some active electronic issue, GPS signals are quite weak- it can't track or compute when it can't "see".

Or maybe you got a lemon I suppose.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Jerry, as tigger1 has suggested, set your GPS to shortest time. You might also check with Garmin to ascertain that your unit has the latest map updates. I get four a year.

By all means, do contact Garmin. They are one of the two companies I have purchased from that have offered the best customer service (along with Epson).

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Check in at Garmin's website to see if there is a software update. http://www.garmin.com/en-US/

rca1 Loc: Kanab Utah

Use your HEAD with the GPS. Don't beleave all they tell you!

Tinkwmobile

As I tell my wife, GPS is great, if you know where you are going.

I typically plan my trip with some type of on line map and then use car GPS as I go along with just intermediate destinations. We rarely drive on interstate, I map trips for back roads pleasure driving.

bigmac115100 Loc: Florida

Make sure it knows where you are when you want directions. Someplace it will ask if ok to know your location. Then it will know where you are at any given time and will give correct directions from where you are when you ask

Bartulius Loc: Bristol, Ct

I have Tom-Tom GPS; I don't use it often and resent the fact I have to pay so much, so often, for updates. I still rely on paper maps for long trips and recently began using the WAZE app. Love the WAZE app; voice is clear, directions perfect and if it tells me there is an auto on the shoulder, it is there.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

I have a Garmin 1390, wouldn't have any other here in Aus. It's the only gps that shows the many back roads, little more than a track through the bush, but it's there. Updates every year keeps it on the ball.
Leaves the historical track even if the new road hasn't been updated yet. It shows your speed, altitude, direction, & your planned trip. It's great around the city.
If you get lost, punch in home or some place you know, & it takes you there.
I chose it for the best around.

Lin41 Loc: Maine, now North port, FL

YES, Waze app is the best...

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Did you try a up date.

DaveYoung

It has to be something in your preference settings.