nüvi 500 series ® owner’s manual
© 2008-2009 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Tel. (913) 397.8200 or (800) 800.1020 Fax (913) 397.8282 Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Liberty House Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9LR UK Tel. +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside the UK) 0808 2380000 (within the UK) Fax +44 (0) 870.8501251 All rights reserved.
Introduction Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Garmin® nüvi® 500‑series GPS‑enabled navigator. S ee the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information. Product Registration Help us better support you by completing our online registration today! Connect to our Web site at http://my.garmin .com. Keep the original sales receipt, or a photocopy, in a safe place. In the UK, contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. by phone at 0808 2380000.
Introduction Table of Contents Introduction......................................i Finding a Place Using the Map.......13 Using TracBack® . ...........................13 Searching Near Another Location...13 Product Registration...........................i Contact Garmin..................................i More Information................................i Looking at Your nüvi......................... iv Using the Map...............................14 Getting Started................................
Introduction Customizing the nüvi...................24 System Settings..............................24 Navigation Settings.........................24 Display Settings...............................25 Time Settings...................................25 Language Settings..........................25 Map Settings...................................26 Security Settings.............................27 Bluetooth Settings...........................27 Traffic Subscription Information.......
Introduction Looking at Your nüvi GPS antenna Power button: Press and hold to turn on/off the nüvi. Press quickly to adjust the backlight brightness. Speaker Battery contacts Mini‑USB connector under the weather cap iv Battery cover Serial number under the battery Release key: Slide up to open the battery cover.
Getting Started Getting Started Warning: This product contains a lithium-ion battery. To prevent damage, remove the unit from the vehicle when exiting or store it out of direct sunlight. Before mounting the nüvi, see the Important Safety and Product Information guide for information about laws pertaining to windshield mounting. nϋvi 500 Series Owner’s Manual Step 1: Install the nüvi Battery 1. Locate the lithium‑ion battery that came in the product box. 2.
Getting Started 5. Press the battery into place. 6. Slide the battery cover back on until it clicks into place. Suction cup arm Step 2: Charge Your nüvi Use the vehicle power cable to charge your nüvi. To purchase an optional USB cable or AC adapter cable, go to http://buy.garmin.com. Step 3: Mount Your nüvi 1. Pull back the weather cap from the mini-USB connector located on the back of your nüvi. 2. Plug the vehicle power cable into the mini-USB connector. 3.
Getting Started Step 5: Acquire Satellites Go outdoors to an open area, out of garages, and away from tall buildings. Stop your vehicle, and turn on the nüvi. Acquiring satellite signals may take a few minutes. Step 6: Pair your Bluetooth® Headset 8. Tilt the nüvi back until it snaps into place. 9. Plug the other end of the vehicle power cable into a power outlet in your vehicle. Your nüvi should turn on automatically if it is plugged in and the vehicle is running.
Getting Started 4. Enable Find Me/Discoverable/Visible mode on your headset. 5. Touch OK on the nüvi. 6. Select your headset, and touch OK. 7. Enter the Bluetooth PIN for your headset, if necessary, and touch Done. 8. Touch OK. NOTE: For more information, see page 27, or see your headset owner’s manual. Using the Menu Page ➍ ➊ ➋ ➌ ➎ ➏ ➐ ➑ ➊ ➋ ➌ NOTE: Boating mode is only available if you have marine maps loaded to your nüvi. ➍ Battery status. ➎ Current time.
Getting Started nüvi Tips and Shortcuts • To quickly return to the Menu page, touch and hold Back. • Touch and to see more choices. Touch and hold these buttons to scroll faster. • Pages appear differently based on your usage mode and settings. Selecting a Usage Mode Driving Walking Bicycling Boating Your nüvi offers several usage modes for different modes of transportation. Routing and navigation are calculated differently based on your usage mode.
Getting Started Using the Go! Page ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➊ ➋ ➌ Touch to view the route on the map. Touch to start navigating the route. Touch to view this location and surrounding areas on the map. See page 14. ➍ Touch to save this location to your Favorites. Adding a Stop to Your Route 1. With a route active, touch Menu > Where To?. 2. Search for the extra stop (Via Point). 3. Touch Go!. 4. Touch Add as Via Point to add this stop before your destination.
Where To? Where To? The Where To? menu provides several different categories you can use to search for locations. To learn how to perform a simple search, see page 5. Tip: Touch Near to change the search area. See page 13. Finding an Address 1. Touch Where To? > Address. 2. Change the state, country, or province, if necessary. 3. Touch Spell City, enter the city/postal code, and touch Done. Select the city/ postal code in the list. (Not all map data provides postal code searching.
Where To? Changing Your Home Location To change your home location, you must first delete it from Favorites. Using the On‑Screen Keyboard When an on‑screen keyboard appears, touch a letter or number to enter it. 1. Touch Where To? > Favorites > All Favorites. 2. Touch Home > Edit > Delete > Yes. After you delete your home location, reset it by following the steps on page 7.
Where To? Finding Recently Found Places Your nüvi stores the last 50 of your recent finds in the Recently Found list. Touch Where To? > Recently Found. The most recently viewed places appear at the top of the list. Deleting Recently Found Places To remove all places from the Recently Found list, touch Clear > Yes. Note: When you touch Clear, all items from the list are removed. This process does not delete the actual place from your nüvi.
Where To? Using Photo Navigation 4. Touch an item to edit: • Change Name—enter a new name, and touch Done. • Attach Photo—select a picture to assign to the location. • Change Map Symbol—touch a new symbol used to mark this location on the map. • Change Phone Number—enter a phone number, and touch Done. • Change Categories—select another category for the location. • Delete—removes this item from the Favorites list. Touch Yes. 10 Your nüvi device provides photos that include location information.
Where To? Using Custom Routes Touch Where To? > Custom Routes. Select the route you want to take, and touch Go!. Creating a Custom Route Use your nüvi to create and save custom routes before your next trip. You can save up to 10 custom routes. 1. Touch Where To? (or Tools) > Custom Routes > New. 2. Touch Add New Start Point. 3. Find a location as your starting point, and touch Select. 4. Touch Add New End Point. 5. Find a location as your ending point, and touch Select. 6.
Where To? • Recalculate—change the route preference to calculate by faster time, shorter distance, or off road. • Delete—remove this route. Entering Coordinates If you know the geographic coordinates of your destination, you can use your nüvi to navigate to your destination using the latitude and longitude coordinates (or other coordinate formats). This can be especially helpful when geocaching. For information about geocaching, see pages 33–34.
Where To? Finding a Place Using the Map Touch Where To? > Browse Map. Tips for Browsing the Map • Touch the map, and drag to view different parts of the map. • Touch and to zoom out and in. • Touch any object on the map. An arrow appears pointing at the object. • Touch Save to save this location. • Touch Go! to navigate to the location. If the GPS mode is off, touch Set Location to set your location to the selected location. See page 24.
Using the Map Using the Map Your route is marked with a magenta line. As you travel, your nüvi guides you to your destination with voice prompts, arrows on the map, and directions at the top of the map. A checkered flag marks your destination. If you depart from the original route, your nüvi recalculates the route and provides new directions. ➊ ➋ ➌ ➎ ➊ 14 Touch to view the next turn (navigating on road). ➍ ➏ ➊ Touch to view the compass (navigating off road).
Using the Map Trip Computer The trip computer displays your current speed and provides helpful statistics about your trip. To view the trip computer, touch Speed on the map. If you make frequent stops, leave the nüvi turned on so it can accurately measure elapsed time during the trip. Resetting Trip Computer If you want accurate trip information, reset the trip computer before beginning a trip. Touch Reset Trip to reset the information on the Trip Computer page.
Managing Files Managing Files You can store files, such as JPEG image files and GPX route files, in the internal memory on the nüvi or on a microSD card. Note: The nüvi is not compatible with Windows® 95, 98, Me, or Windows NT®. It is also not compatible with Mac® OS 10.3 and earlier. This is a common limitation of most USB mass storage devices.
Managing Files Step 2: Connect the USB Cable (Not Included) Connect the mini‑USB connector to the back of the nüvi. Connect the larger end of the cable to an available USB port on your computer. Your nüvi and microSD card appear as removable drives in My Computer on Windows computers and as mounted volumes on Mac computers. Note: Some operating systems or computers with multiple network drives cannot display the nüvi drives. See your operating system Help file to learn how to map the drives.
Managing Files Loading Photos for Photo Deleting Files Connect the nüvi to your computer, and Navigation Download photos with location information to your nüvi or microSD card for photo navigation. Visit http://connect.garmin.com/photos for more information. 1. Connect your nüvi to your computer. 2. Go to http://connect.garmin.com /photos, and sign in. 3. Select a photo. 4. Follow the on‑screen instructions. 18 open the nüvi or microSD card drive/ volume.
Using the Tools Using the Tools The Tools menu provides many features that are helpful when you are traveling. From the Menu page, touch Tools to access the Tools menu. in that category. Touch Save Location to save your current location. Wherigo™ For information about Wherigo, see page 34. Help Touch Help to get information about using your nüvi. Picture Viewer Settings For information about the settings, see pages 24–29. Where Am I? Touch Where Am I? to view current location information.
Using the Tools Viewing a Slide Show My Data Navigating to a Picture World Clock Touch Slide Show to start a slide show, which displays each image for a few seconds and then displays the next image. Touch anywhere on the screen to stop the slide show. If a picture contains location information, touch Info > Go! to create a route to it. See page 18 for more information about loading pictures to your nüvi. Custom Routes For information about custom routes, see page 11.
Using the Tools Calculator 1. Touch Tools > Calculator. 2. Enter the first number of your calculation. 3. Touch an operator (÷, ×, -, or +). 4. Enter the second number of your calculation. • Touch . to add a decimal. • Touch ± to make the number negative or positive. • Touch % to make the number a percent (0.01). • Touch C to clear the entry. 5. Touch =. 6. Touch C to make a new calculation. Unit Converter 1. Touch Tools > Unit Converter. 2.
Using the Tools Updating Conversion Rates You can update the currency conversion rates manually so that you are always using the most current rates. 1. Touch Tools > Unit Converter > Conversion. Select Currency. 2. Touch the currency buttons and select the currencies you want to update. 3. Touch Update. 4. Touch the boxes next to the currencies to enter new rates. 5. Touch Save to save the new rates. Touch Restore to use the original rates.
Using the Tools Navigating Off Road When navigating an off‑road route, the red arrow indicates the direction you should travel to stay on the route. When the red arrow points at the bug indicator, you are going directly to the destination. The lower‑right information field displays the distance to your destination. Direction arrow Bug indicator Distance to destination Traffic You can only access the traffic information if your nüvi is connected to an optional FM traffic receiver.
Customizing the nüvi Customizing the nüvi 1. Touch Tools > Settings. 2. Touch the setting you want to change. 3. Touch the button beside the setting name to change it. NOTE: Some menus and settings change based on your usage mode. Look for a usage mode icon next to the setting. Not all settings are available for all usage modes. System Settings Touch Tools > Settings > System. Usage Mode—specify how you will be navigating to optimize routes: Driving, Walking, Bicycling, or Boating. See page 5.
Customizing the nüvi Avoidances—select the road types you want to avoid on your routes. Time Settings Restore—restore the original navigation settings. Time Format—select a 12‑hour, 24‑hour, or UTC time format. Display Settings Current Time—Use + and ‑ to set the time in 15‑minute increments. Check Automatic to automatically set the time when your nüvi is receiving satellite signals. Touch Tools > Settings > Display.
Customizing the nüvi Keyboard—select the keyboard for your language. You can also change the keyboard language mode from any keyboard by touching the Mode button. Restore—restore the original language settings. Map Settings Touch Tools > Settings > Map. Map Detail—adjust the amount of detail shown on the map. Showing more detail can cause the map to redraw slower. Map View—select a map perspective. • Track Up—display the map in two dimensions (2D) with your direction of travel at the top.
Customizing the nüvi Security Settings Touch Tools > Settings > Security. Garmin Lock—turn on Garmin Lock™ to lock your nüvi. Enter a 4‑digit PIN, and set a security location. For more information, see page 38. Bluetooth Settings Bluetooth headset voice guidance is a feature of the nüvi 510 only. For pairing information, see page 3. Touch Tools > Settings > Bluetooth. Safe Mode—turn on or off safe mode.
Customizing the nüvi Traffic Subscription Information The traffic information is only available if you have an optional FM traffic receiver. Touch Tools > Settings > Traffic. Note: If your traffic receiver has a trial subscription, it does not need to be activated and you do not need to purchase a subscription until the trial subscription expires. North American Options Your FM traffic subscriptions and expiration dates are listed. Touch Add to add a subscription.
Customizing the nüvi 2. For non‑North American units, touch Subscriptions > Add. For North American units, touch Add. 3. Write down the traffic receiver unit ID. 4. Go to www.garmin.com/fmtraffic to purchase a subscription and get a 25‑character code. 5. Touch Next on the nüvi, enter the code, and touch Done. The traffic subscription code cannot be reused. You must obtain a new code each time you renew your service. If you own multiple traffic receivers, you must obtain a new code for each receiver.
Using FM Traffic Using FM Traffic Note: You must purchase the traffic receiver separately. Use an FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver to receive traffic information that is broadcast over the FM Radio Data System. The traffic receiver is integrated in the vehicle power cable. To a power outlet in the vehicle To the power connector on the nüvi Note: Garmin is not responsible for the accuracy of the traffic information.
Using FM Traffic Severity Color Code The color of the traffic icon indicates the severity of the traffic delay. Color Description Meaning Green is flowing Low severity Traffic normally. Yellow Medium severity Traffic is slightly congested. Red High severity Traffic is heavily congested or stopped. Traffic on Your Route If a non‑severe traffic delay occurs on your route, the traffic icon displays a tab that shows how much time the delay has added to your route.
Using FM Traffic Viewing the Traffic Map The Traffic map shows color‑coded traffic flow and delays on nearby roads. 1. On the Map page, touch the traffic icon. Viewing Traffic Delays 1. On the Map page, touch the traffic icon. 2. Touch Traffic Search to view a list of traffic delays. 3. To view details, touch an item in the list. If there is more than one delay, touch the arrows to view additional delays. Traffic Subscriptions 2. Touch Show Traffic Map to view the traffic incidents on a map.
Geocaching Geocaching Geocaching is a high‑tech version of treasure hunting. Geocachers seek hidden treasures or “caches” using GPS coordinates posted on the Internet. Using your nüvi, you can navigate the woods or urban streets to find the hiding spot of the cache. Quick Links • • • • Selecting a usage mode: page 5 Entering coordinates: page 12 Finding geographic points: page 12 Finding a place using the map: page 13 • Using TracBack: page 13 • Using the compass: page 22 Downloading Geocaches 1.
Geocaching Finding Geocaches 1. Touch Where To? > Geocaches. 2. Select a geocache from the list. • Touch Go! to navigate to this location. • Touch Map to view this location and surrounding areas on the map. • Touch Save to save this location to your Favorites. This saves only the location of the geocache. Additional geocache details are not saved. • Touch More to view the description, the hints, or the log for the geocache. Hints and logs may not be available for all geocaches.
Boating Mode Boating Mode You must have BlueChart® g2 or g2 Vision® maps loaded on your nüvi to use boating mode. Visit www.garmin .com/cartography for more information about BlueChart g2 maps. To change to boating mode: 1. Touch the usage mode icon. 2. Touch Boating > OK. 3. Touch Yes, and follow the on‑screen instructions to configure your boating mode settings. For more information about custom settings, see pages 24–29.
Boating Mode Finding Marine Points Using your nüvi, you can navigate to marine points, such as marine services, anchorages, and wrecks. 1. Touch Where To? > Marine Points. 2. Select a subcategory. 3. Select a marine point from the list, and touch Go!. Viewing Tide Information BlueChart g2 maps include information about daily high‑tide and low‑tide depths, as well as a 24‑hour tide‑depth chart. 1. Touch Tools > Tides. 2. Select a tide location from the list, or touch Spell to enter a location name.
Appendix Appendix myGarmin ™ Go to http://my.garmin.com to access the latest services for your Garmin products: • Register your Garmin unit. • Download myExtras including safety camera databases and geocaches. • Unlock optional maps. Caring for Your nüvi Your nüvi contains sensitive electronic components that can be permanently damaged if exposed to excessive shock or vibration.
Appendix • Although a PDA stylus can be used to operate the touch screen, never attempt this while operating a vehicle. Never use a hard or sharp object to operate the touch screen because damage might result. Avoiding Theft • To avoid theft, remove the unit and mount from sight when not in use. Remove the residue left on the windshield by the suction cup. • Do not keep your unit in the glove compartment. • Register your product at http://my.garmin.com. • Use the Garmin Lock™ feature.
Appendix Calibrating the Screen If the touch screen is not responding properly, calibrate the touch screen. 1. Turn off your nüvi. 2. Press your finger on the upper‑left corner of the touch screen. 3. While holding your finger on the touch screen, turn on the nüvi. Continue to hold your finger on the touch screen for about 30 seconds until the calibration screen appears (white screen with “Touch dot”). 4. Follow the on‑screen instructions.
Appendix Clearing User Data Caution: This deletes all user‑entered information. 1. Turn off your nüvi. 2. Press your finger on the lower‑right corner of the touch screen. 3. While holding your finger on the touch screen, turn on the nüvi. Continue to hold your finger on the touch screen until the message appears. 4. Touch Yes to clear all user data. All original settings are restored. Any items that you have saved are erased.
Appendix Changing the Fuse Caution: When replacing the fuse, do not lose any of the small pieces, and ensure they are put back in the proper place. If your unit will not charge in your vehicle, you might need to replace the fuse located at the tip of the vehicle adapter. 1. Unscrew the black, round end piece, and remove it. 2. Remove the fuse (glass and silver cylinder), and replace it with a 3 A fast‑blow fuse.
Appendix Additional Maps You can purchase additional MapSource map data from Garmin and load the maps in your nüvi internal memory or on an optional microSD card. To determine the versions of the maps that are loaded on your nüvi, open the Menu page. Touch Tools > Settings > Map > Map Info. Check www.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp to see if an update for your map software is available. To enable additional maps, you need your unit ID (see page 24) and serial number (located under the battery).
Appendix Custom Points of Interest Use the POI Loader to load custom points of interest (POIs) onto your nüvi. POI databases are available from various companies on the Internet. Some custom databases contain alert information for points, such as safety cameras and school zones. Go to www.garmin.com/extras, and click POI Loader to install the POI Loader onto your computer. For more information, refer to the POI Loader Help file. Press F1 to open the Help file.
Appendix Garmin Travel Guide Much like a paper travel guide, the Garmin Travel Guide provides detailed information about places, such as restaurants and hotels. To use the Garmin Travel Guide, insert the microSD card into your nüvi. Touch Where To? > Extras. Touch the name of your travel guide to open it. SaversGuide® With the SaversGuide preprogrammed microSD data card and membership card, your nüvi is a digital coupon book. To use the SaversGuide, insert the microSD card into your nüvi.
Appendix Software License Agreement BY USING THE nüvi, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. Garmin grants you a limited license to use the software embedded in this device (the “Software”) in binary executable form in the normal operation of the product. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software remain in Garmin.
Appendix Specifications Physical size: W×H×D: 4.21 × 3.35 × 0.90 in. (106.9 × 85.1 × 22.9 mm) Weight: 7.6 oz. (215.5 g) Display: W×H: 2.8 × 2.1 in. (72.0 × 54.0 mm); 320 × 240 pixels; 64K bright, 18‑bit LCD display; white backlight; touch screen Case: Water resistant IPX7 Operating temperature range: from ‑4°F to 131°F (from ‑20°C to 55°C) Charging temperature range: from 32°F to 104°F (from 0°C to 40°C) Data storage: Internal memory and optional removable microSD card. Data stored indefinitely.
Appendix Troubleshooting Problem/Question Solution/Answer My nüvi never gets satellite signals. Take your nüvi out of parking garages and away from tall buildings and trees. Remain stationary for several minutes. The suction cup will not stay on my windshield. Clean the suction cup and windshield with rubbing alcohol. Dry with a clean, dry cloth. Mount the suction cup as described on page 2. My nüvi does not charge in my vehicle. Check the fuse in the vehicle power cable (see page 41).
Appendix Problem/Question Solution/Answer The touch screen is not responding to my touches Calibrate the touch screen as described on page 39. properly. How do I know my nüvi is in USB mass storage mode? When your nüvi is in USB mass storage mode, a picture of a nüvi connected to a computer is shown. Also, you should see two new removable disk drives listed in My Computer. My computer never senses that the nüvi is connected. 1. Unplug the USB cable from your computer. 2. Turn the nüvi off. 3.
Index Index Symbols 2-D, 3-D map view 26 A accessories 42, 43 additional maps 42 addresses 7 alerts proximity 29 safety camera 42 attaching a photo to a location 10 avoiding road types 25 theft 38 B background color 25 battery iv, 40, 47 installing 1 replacing in the nüvi 40 status 4 BlueChart g2 35 Bluetooth technology headsets 4 pairing 3 settings 27 boating mode 35 brightness 25 browsing the map 13 E C F calculator 21 caring for your nüvi 37 charging your nüvi 2, 40, 47 compass 22 computer con
Index Garmin TourGuide 43 Garmin Travel Guide 44 geocaching 12, 33–34 geographic points 12 Go! page 6 go home 7 GPS 4 about GPS 44 off/on 24 H Help i, 19 home location 7 K keyboard 8 language mode 8, 26 L language settings 25 lithium-ion battery 40, 46 locking the nüvi 38 M map 14 adding 42 browsing 13 customizing 26 detail level 26 Map Info button 26 50 marine 35 moving 13 settings 26 traffic 32 updating 42 version 26 viewing 26 zooming 13 MapSource 42 marine features 35 measurements, converting
Index off road 23, 24 on the map 14 preferences 24 simulating 24 traffic 31 S safe mode 27 safety camera database 42 satellite signals 3, 44 SaversGuide 44 saving places you find 9 your current location 9, 13, 19 school zone database 43 screen brightness 25 screen shots 25 security location 38 settings 27 serial number iv settings 24–29 setting your location 13 simulating a route 24 software license agreement 45 updating 39 version 24 nϋvi 500 Series Owner’s Manual specifications 46 spell name 5, 8 stor
For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of your Garmin products, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com. © 2008-2009 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9LR UK Garmin Corporation No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan www.garmin.com Part Number 190-00937-00 Rev.
