Garmin iQue 3600

Summary: I’ve been using the iQue or about a year now as I’ve traveled the US in a motorhome. While traveling, the accurate estimated time of arrival for a route is supremely useful, as is the peace of mind knowing that when the unit is silent that you’re on the right path. And the beauty of a device like this (PDA/GPS) is that you can move it from vehicle to vehicle, and carry it around with you for the occasional location fix, unlike other car-only navigation units. The 3600 goes where I go. I can’t imagine life without it (or an equivalent unit).

I agree with the reviews, and would like to add the following specifics so a new owner doesn’t have to search in vain for answers to their questions:

Map Data: Way out of date. Maybe 1 in 50 Visitor Centers around the US was where the data showed. Many roads and attractions missing even though they’ve been around for years and years. Garmin says they update every 12-18 months so a new version should be out soon, but don’t expect everything to be up to date. Also, it’s best if you preview the calculated route before you head out, to avoid goofy routing at the end (dragging you through side streets instead of having you do a simple u-turn).

Support: Don’t bother. Website is very confusing when looking for program/data updates. FAQs worthless. Tech Support said they have NO INPUT to Engineering or the website contents so save your breath!

Car Kit: Mandatory. Get one for each vehicle if you swap often. I don’t like how easily the volume gets inadvertently changed whenever you go near the 12v plug/speaker. I’ve reduced the diameter of the knob with a Dremel and inserted a rubber friction piece to avoid this.

Searches: Comes up empty-handed on occasion for no good reason. After you’ve entered an address in the Address Book and asked for a location search, sometimes the street name has to be entered manually, although it appears on the street number field above.

Crashes: About once a week, although mercifully never when actually navigating. Garmin says it’s probably a 12v power spike, although their power adaptor is the logical place to filter spikes out (like for every other 12v device out there). I also carefully enlarged the reset hole in the back for fast resetting with the stylus point (although there is a reset pin inside the screw-off top of the stylus).

Stylus: The point material is too hard, is seriously wearing the screen in the graffiti area.

Free Downloadable Applications: Try the free JPEGView (why didn’t Garmin give us the ability to view images?). Get FileZ to allow you to manage (specifically delete) files. VFSMark lets you benchmark SD memory card speeds.

Memory: Obviously you’ll need a larger SD memory card. I’m okay with a 256MB card, but 512MB might be best because it would hold about half the US. Think twice about putting a large card and filling it up: the search times and map data download times are bad enough as it is.

Tracking: For some reason you can’t leave a breadcrumb trail as you travel like with most other GPS units. You can turn tracking on, then stop it and display it however.

MP3 Playback: Clicky, not really usable, unless you’re not very discerning.

Battery: Short life even when turned off, but more importantly is $150 to replace by Garmin (although it’s the same fee to completely replace the unit).