Model Specific Feature

Applicable Product

Notes

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on

Two new arrival messages that look forward in the route to see which way to turn for the next waypoint. The message would then alert you to the expected turn. This would make alert messages quite useful. The current message would be given at the end of the route. 

All

The emap has this, if effect, by changing the arrow to point in the direction of the next leg.

A new field in the waypoint that would specify whether this waypoint should issue an arrival message at all. Many waypoints in my routes are included to show turns in the road which provides a crude map. I only need arrival messages on intersections. Alternately this bit could be stored as part of the route but I don't really think this is necessary.

All

A new message for routes "Next Leg" alarm. This alarm would be sounded in lieu of the standard approaching waypoint alarm if this alarm won't sound because of course deviation or use of distance rather than automatic for alarms. Note that this alarm will only sound when the normal arrival message fails.

All

A new field that specifies that this waypoint should only appear in a route when going forward (or backward). This would permit sharing an inverting route when the path in one direction is slightly different from the return. This information could also be stored as part of the waypoint data. 

All

At the end of a route (within tolerance) provide a popup that can be used to cancel the route or link to other routes with the same waypoint name as the current one. This would permit cascading routes. 

All

An alternative to the cascading routes suggestion above would be nested routes (subroutes). In this method the top route would include either waypoints or route designations. If a route designation was encountered the full route would be executed and then you would return to the high level route and continue.

This permits subroutine functions with common sections to be included in as many routes as needed. In real life there are often common legs used by many routes.

All

Ability to activate and invert a route in one click.

G-III

All Garmins except the G-III have this

A new field that permits setting the distance between routepoints. This would automatically be filled in on trackbacks.  You should also be able to copy the current trip meter into this field. When this distance was set it would override the calculated distance for all usages.  Computed distance are not always accurate due to turns.

All

The ability to have a autorouter like functionality that will sort the waypoints in a route according to distance from each other.

All

All

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on

A new reset that would reset the trip meter, max speed meter, and tracklog all at once. Basically all trip related data except elapsed time. (probably on a local menu if you hit enter with nothing selected on the position page) 

All

On the position page. After selecting a customizing entry the cursor should move down to the data for that entry. This is important since the selection of an item is often followed by wishing to change that item. 

All

Additional meters like maximum altitude.

All

The trip meter on the older Garmins was adjustable by user.  This functionality should be added back so that the user can correct trip settings and begin a recording session with previously gathered data

All

Older single channel Garmin units have this feature.

You should be able to turn the trip meter, with the other trip sensitive data, on and off. This will permit using the gps for other things and not messing up the trip data.

All

.

More customization of fields has been requested. For the G-III it is felt that the user should have the complete list available for any selection. 

All

The edge compass on the position page should have a small caret that moves on the display near the bottom to show the bearing to the next waypoint. This would provide some minimal navigation on this page.

Longer Waypoint Names - Most everyone would prefer names longer than 6 characters, even a character or two would help. It is understood that 64 pixels limits the width but there are good fonts in use for other items in the unit that could permit 8 character names with still room for the icon. Some of the larger icons should be shrunk anyway. 

All

Another annoyance that is probably a bug since it doesn't match the documentation is the fact that you can do a implied new command from the waypoint page. If you toggle the name the manual says you will select from the available waypoints but you can also toggle a name that is not in the available waypoints as well, thereby creating a new waypoint. There is no ready way to tell if you are selecting a new waypoint or an existing one (except to notice the coordinates or check the comment field after you hit enter). I continually make a mistake and create a new waypoint when I meant to rename one and others have complained about having to skip over so many letters that aren't being used. Since there is a new command at the bottom of the screen there is no reason for this behavior. 

All Garmin

Currently there is a technique to update a waypoint using the current position as reference and then defining 0 distance. Unfortunately you can't use averaging to an advantage here. I would like to average an update as well as a new position. One way to do this without having to change the user interface would be to allow mark to overwrite an existing waypoint when the distance is less than, say, 0.1 miles. Instead off sending the error message that you have reused the same name the unit would report that the current waypoint was updated. 

All Garmin

Magellan automatically position averages but can be fooled occasionally by slow movement. I am not sure whether it will permit an update, however. Magellan 4000 won't let you have two waypoints closer than 0.1 miles.

Waypoint management - With 500 or more waypoints it is very hard to find the one you want. I would propose an index be added. The index could either be added as a menu pick on the goto, and waypoint list menus, or it could be the default in the waypoint list menu pick.

All

Wish granted on the new 12CX with a tab system. Needs to be in other units

If I accidentally name a waypoint to the same name please let me edit it rather than starting over. Others have requested using the name submitted and then adding or incrementing the final digit to create a unique name. 

All

I believe current G-III's have this feature.

Ability to control the number of nearest waypoint in the nearest waypoint list.

All Garmin

Lowrance provides this by sorting the full waypoint list.

Some folks would like the altitude data stored as part of the waypoint. This could be part of the default comment or stored as live data. Since the user often knows more about the altitude that the machine does this data should be in an editable field.

All Garmin

Magellan stores the altitude as part of the waypoint

Garmin stores the date and time in the comment when creating a waypoint. Please make it in local time (could be configurable).  

All Garmin

Waypoint-Edit-show map-Menu is abbreviated. Needs to have most of the features of the full map page menu. 

G-III

There should be a way to view a waypoint on the plot (map) screen with other items in proximity to the waypoint viewable. Even units without maps would benefit from this. Garmin III has this but still won't show nearby waypoints

All

The show map command on the waypoint should be performed if you hit the zoom key while looking at a waypoint.

All with zoom key

Add description field for Waypoints

Lowrance

New waypoint with a fixed name (like the map and mob) that would be set on trip meter reset.

All

In addition to being able to store the waypoint altitude on a save it should be included in the averaging function.

All Garmin

See altitude saving above

Waypoints can be set as projections from a curent waypoint but the accuracy is only .1 miles. Please provide smaller units or more decimal points.

Be able to define your own icons - or at least provide some hiking ones like trail head, summit, spring.

Currently after a fix is first obtained the gps automatically switches to the position page. I usually hit the up arrow key which, for me, selects the data on altitude. This shows me that I only have a 2D fix and it automatically becomes unselected when a 3D fix is obtained. I find this extremely useful and facilitates a more accurate fix by providing an easy method to update the altitude. I would like this to be automatic in the tool. Even if altitude isn't currently my choice for data output I think it should temporarily display this data and return to the original choice after the user hits enter/quit or automatically if a 3D fix is obtained. This change will provide much more data to the user about the current accuracy of the fix. 

All

More accurate information about satellite fixes is needed. A small 2D indicator could be added to the position and navigation screens near the bottom that would show anytime 2D navigation was in use. In addition a loss of a fix should be indicated to show when dead reckoning is being used. Don't remove dead reckoning, it is quite useful. 

All

Magellan has a 2D indicator as does the Garmin G-100

You should be able to force a two D mode where the altitude is input by the user.  All other features of overdetermined solutions should be maintained.  This would be designed to improve accuracy.

Garmin and Lowrance

Magellan has this.

Older multiplexing Garmin units used to change the status bars from hollow to solid once ephemeris data had been collected. On later Garmin units the solid bars mean the that SV is part of the solution. The earlier interpretation was much more useful to help in obtaining the first fix since if ephemeris data couldn't be obtained you knew which SV needed more attention and could reposition the unit to obtain this data. Suggestion is to revert to the earlier behavior before a fix is obtain and retain the current behavior after a fix. On the 12CX and other color or gray scale units the solid bar should be varied in color or intensity to indicate which piece of information is being displayed.

There needs to be an indication status for a fix on all navigation screens so that you can tell when you don't have a fix.

I would like the little position icon on the map page to have about 8 icons that would change showing the approximate direction you are traveling. This would match the G-III capability. 

All

G-III and G-100 has this

The map icon display should be independent of the 9 waypoint list. It should be driven by a map scale setting that determine whether icons will be displayed or not, and should work when panning. 

All Garmin

Add East up, South up, West up to the choices available on the map page. This permits the maximum visibility towards the long edge of the display and permits alignment with similarly oriented paper maps.

All

Display speed information on the map page when using a route or goto.

Street Pilot

Display sun and moon position on the plotting screen.

Lowrance

Add icons for swamp and water 

Lowrance

The ability to add custom features to the maps. 

Any unit with maps

OziMC has granted this for Lowrance.

Add more detailed maps of Canada

Garmin and Lowrance

High level overview map that could be used for rapid traversal across a wide area.  The idea is to provide a quick jump to a high scale and then return to the detailed map.

All with maps

Edge waypoints - An option to the mapping (plot) screen that would display a small icon at the edge of the screen to locate off screen waypoints that are in the nearest list.  These icons would be clickable to get at the full description.  (This size of the icon could indicate some measure of how far off screen the object was.)

All

Display the current zoom scale

G-II+

Since international map database seem to have dubious datums defined preventing good correlation with gps position there needs to be a way to provide an offset to the displacement to get the gps location to appear on the roads. This idea is that the user could control the offset in meters to overcome the bad maps which are not updatable.

G-III

Need the ability to zoom the map/plot screen while panning

Magellan

Garmin can do this

Need the ability to be able to measure the length of a track on the map screen. The idea is to be able to select a point on the track and see an actual distance along the track from the current location.

All

Some mapping products provide the ability to display lat/lon on the map screen. This should be enhanced to permit display of whatever grid system is currently in use.

Products with maps - GIII family and GM100

I would like to have a compressed tracklog. (one would be enough but more is better of course) One compressed log would simplify the required menu entries. This would allow the user to use it to extend the log data or to use it as a crude map that is independent of the log itself. It should have at least 256 points. 

Someone always wants a longer log. Perhaps a new option to the track log would be set to fill and then automatically roll over to the compressed log. 

All

G-III already has compressed logs but no automatic rollover feature.

On download of a tracklog where there is more than one in the machine. Do not download secondary tracklogs when they are turned off. 

G-III

Any unit with more than one log.

While secondary tracklogs can be used to show roads many would like a more dedicated way to indicate a road, or perhaps additional capabilities could be added to the compressed logs. You should be able to add your own roads which would look and work like other roads on the included map. They should be nameable, selectable, etc. 

G-III

Some would like more control over the multiple track logs use of memory.  For example less compressed logs that also recorded the time stamp and multiple full length logs as configurable options.

G-III

The trackback feature is one of the most loved features in a Garmin unit. Amazingly it is missing from the SP. Two fixes, make the track log more visible so it is not obscured by the roads and add the track back feature.

Street Pilot

There is a real need to do data logging using a GPS. In data logging you need to track a vehicle that may be parked in a garage for long periods of time without satellite visibility. There needs to be a mode where the unit will just understand that this is happening and not shut down. (This could be linked to external power.) It should not try and reinitialize or at least should not require user response but should just recover after the vehicle re-obtains signals. 

All Garmin

Note that the new device section has some additional requirements for dedicated data logging. 

When a trackback is converted to a route with waypoints record the data and time from the trackback log itself rather than the time the trackback waypoint was made.

All

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on

I would like to be able to switch to the simulator with less keystrokes. This could be tied to the condition of not having acquired a fix if desired. Perhaps a new entry on a local menu on the position page.

All

 G-III has this on status page.

One feature I could do without is the automatic flying mode in the simulator. The simulator switches at 75 mph to a mode where it no longer follows the route exactly but starts cutting corners. This is cute for a demo but I use the route following to move the location as part of waypoint maintenance since the unit only displays the nine closest waypoints. I would prefer that it follow the route exactly. The saving of programming space could be used for some other features. 

If other items in this list were fulfilled to allow easier route maintenance then this is OK but useless for me. 

All

In the simulation mode I would like to be able to set my location to any waypoint in the database. 

All

Some would like ETA, ETD to be settable in the simulator and thus have the unit calculate the speed necessary to achieve that setting.

All

Do not clear the track log in the simulator simulator

Magellan 315/320

Ability to set speed in the simulator

Magellan 315/320

Garmin has this.

Ability to update the location in the simulator

G-III

NMEA enhancements and other upload download.

New NMEA input messages that could send commands to the unit to output specific data similar to the G-35. This would avoid having to switch modes when hooked to a mapping program. 

All Garmin

Magellan Units already work this way

how about an interface command for the Garmin mode to switch to NMEA mode and vice versa. 

All Garmin

Not needed for Magellan

How about being able to control the sentences produced as output from NMEA. 

All Garmin

Magellan already has some control over these sentences but not complete control

Many people would like raw mode sentences added to NMEA to experiment with post processing. 

All consumer units

Be able to upload user grid and user datum settings.

All

Navigation screen enhancements (compass and road screens)

I would like the left/right arrow keys to adjust the cdi on the highway page. Currently they serve no useful purpose. 

Garmin 12, 12XL, 48

Magellan does this.

I would like some help in orienting when stopped. Perhaps there could be a new mode on the compass screen where I point the unit to the sun and the compass display would orient correctly. Or maybe have the compass lock with North at the top and the center arrow would point toward the sun. Some folks really want this while others consider it extraneous since you ought to have a compass anyway. 

All

Magellan units have this feature but some users complain that the method used doesn't provide sufficient accuracy.

I would like a new custom entry for the highway and compass pages that lets me display ETD. Estimated time to destination. This would be like ETA on gotos but on routes it will predict the final destination. There could be two entries for total time and clock arrival time (Names to be determined, perhaps ETD, ATD) 

All

G-III already has this

When stopped I would like the ETA, ETD data to show estimated times based on the average speed. This should have an A at the end to designate average or use some other technique. 

All

An option on the road screen that would make it point directly toward the destination rather than a track.  This is useful of vehicle use where the compass arrow is hard to see. (particularly on the G-III)

All

Alarms

Output the alarm signals via the NMEA port with a new message. 

All

Colortrak has external alarm support

Provide an anchor alarm. G-12XL users bought their machines more marine applications before the 48 was available. Many have upgraded them to the latest hardware and software but can't get this feature. 

G-12XL

Magellan has this, G-48 and G-100 has this

Alarms should go off automatically without requiring an ok and should be able to be turned off if desired.

G-III

Visual alarm should flash the backlight as an alarm instead of just turning it on.

All except the Expedition II

Altitude (see also waypoint and  fix sections)

System Settings

How about a Daylight savings time flag that could automatically switch to DST based on dates stored in the unit (and changeable by the user). 

Some would like route destinations to use standard longitude numbers or other data to guess the correct time at the destination. 

All

Add a configuration item to automatically enter the diagnostic mode which adds the HDOP figure to the status page, the thermometer to the position page and the new diagnostic page. Once this is configured then you would no longer have to use the special start commands to enable this.

All Garmin

In UTM displays there are two numbers that are usually highlighted in some way to make the data easier to read. This feature should be added to the UTM display on the Garmin. I would suggest using a bold font, or a smaller font, to do this. 

All Garmin

Magellan does this

A new position page that would provide an alternate to the existing page. This page would have a edgewise compass at the top and the time at the bottom similar to the current G12. The middle would be divided into two sections with a large digital speedometer display in one section and a user definable field in the second (from the choices already available on the existing position page.) This would permit users to see the data of their choice from a distance. 

All

G-III has this on a navigation screen

Make the position page the default after a fix is obtained.

Garmin III

Makes G-III match all of the other units. Could be made configurable

Some would like moon related navigation features as well as sun related. That is orientation to the moon when stopped, moonrise, set times, and moon phases. 

All Garmin

Magellan has this

Add an adjustable sleep mode where the unit would totally shut down to minimal power and then wake up periodically to obtain a fix. This will permit longest battery life and still keep a reasonable record of the travel and maintain current ephemeris data for rapid fixes. 

All

Add ability to customize opening screen with user ownership data. This is to help prevent mixing up units or to aid in the recovery in case of theft. The ability to update this data should be restricted in some way. Probably should only be allowed via a computer program so that a non-savy thief wouldn't be able to alter it

All

Magellan has most of this

Abbreviated on-line help when appropriate.

G-III and other Garmins as appropriate

Lowrance does this

ETA and "Dist to go" available on windows other than the route planning page 

Lowrance

A window showing name of navigating to waypoint. 

Lowrance

Customize the menu presentation to make the best selection first such like the navigation screen on the G-12XL where the other choice is presented at the top

G-III

When low battery warning appears the battery time should be listed with it. 

G-III

Add sunrise sunset calculations

Eagle Explorer

Make screen contrast responsive to temperature.  Now if the outside temperature is too cold you can't read the screen.

G-III

All with thermometers.  Some Garmins do this.

Backlight for buttons

All

.

lamp indicator and fix status on map page.

Garmin

Older Magellans do this

A new user defined grid (Don't remove the old one since more than one is useful) that would also permit grid offsets after projection to compensate for some projection systems and perhaps other projections other than TM.  Be sure the offset fields are large enough.

All

A new user defined grid with units setting in feet. This is expected to be used with US state plane systems so the offsets should be measured from the State Plane reference point. Basically this would readout similar to UTM data only in feet instead of meters and referenced to a more local 0,0 location that would be defined separately.

All

Add day of week to date display

All

A good place to display this needs to be determined.

Be able to limit list of cities to a state or country so that they can be scrolled and searched without going through the whole world. 

G-12XL, G-II+, G-48

Similar to the Street Pilot, add the ability to notice the closest city somewhere in the display screens. 

All Garmins with a city database include the III

If there is a built in limit, such as not being able to display a small city above 12 miles scales, then the setting should not be available.

All units with a database.

Add the ability to search the city database

G-III

All databases should be searchable

Be able to filter search - for example you can now look for all objects at a given exit. You need to be able to look for the next campground or next gas station.

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on

The bicycle adapter adds a permanent piece to the G12, G12XL, G48. This prevents its use in the other holder that is available. Modify the other holder by remolding the main piece to have a place for the bicycle adapter to slide in. Basically the top view of the holder would look like: 

         _-_   as opposed to  ___ 
        (   )                (   )

G12, G12XL, G48

The bicycle adapter adds a permanent piece to the G12, G12XL, G48. There should be a new piece designed that would attach to this adapter and provide a flat plate so that the unit can be laid flat again. This new piece could have holes in it for mounting and thus provide an alternate mounting method that covers many conditions currently not available for mounting solutions. The plate might also be permanently mounted using double sided tape. The gps unit could still be removed easily for alternate uses. 

G12, G12XL, G48

An audible alarm 

G-III

Longer tracklogs with better tracklog maintenance. 

All Garmin except the G-III

G-III is good but maintenance could be improved.

Add attached plugs for ports (or sliding covers) instead of loose plugs

Lowrance

More ways to make the fix accurate. External or internal input like pressure sensors and other techniques and devices.

Garmin and Lowrance

Magellan has a pressure sensor.

External antenna connection needs to be powered. A passive external antenna doesn't add as much value and can actually cause problems obtaining fixes if it conflicts with a still operational internal antenna. 

Lowrance

Garmin and Magellan ok.

Add Ir infra-red port so that units could beam information about waypoints and routes to each other.

All

Add capability to support standard memory cartidges instead of proprietary ones.

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on

GPS system with radar detector built in. This unit should have SWS technology see http://www.radar.org/sws.htm for a description. Puting the two units together provides one point alerts for the user and allows engineering to solve the problems associated with the potential interference that some have experienced with two units in close proximity. Technology could be developed to provide distance, direction information, and possibly locate the information source on the map display. 

All

GPS with an electronic compass built in. It should have the ability to help correct position direction errors at low speed and provide correct results when stopped

All

Silva makes one of these. Garmin has annouced one of these.

Astronomy and gps combined. This product would be able to display your current location and have a subset of gps features. However it would have a full set of astronomical features such as a star map centered on your position, the moon and sun positions, the planet positions. A database of naked eye and telescope observable objects would be included and a new coordinate system (hrs/RA) would be available. An interface capability to drive a telescope would be be optional. Aids would be available for setting up a telescope and for the observer based on his/her current position so that bearings to star objects could be used for beginners not used to dealing with R/A and hour circles. (A multiplexing gps receiver to keep the cost down would probably be enough for this product since a clear sky can be assumed.) A red lamp display would be a must. A led flashlight should be considered so that the single unit could be pointed at a telescope setting circles with one hand while reading the data from the screen and setting telescope with the other hand. The real focus of this gps is nighttime use so it should be able to return you to the starting point after a nighttime stargazing hike. 

All

Tides and gps combined. This is a high end marine product that will provide tidal data for marine use as well as other gps data. There are currently good tide prediction programs available with well defined algorithms. (One such program is Xtide) This unit would provide tide data for the waypoints you select. The harmonic data should be updatable. 

G-48+

Micrologic makes one of these. (See West Marine)

A business machine.  - (based on input form Chris Severance).   This machine would provide small business tracking.  It would be able to track significant locations representing locations visited by the machine in a track log that should maintain sufficient depth to keep about a weeks worth of data.  The mode of recording would be totally automatic except that the user could code the kind of tracklog being maintained. For example you could keep track of a business trip, charity trip, personal trip, etc.  I should support multiple users.

The machine would sense when the vehicle was stopped (for a significant period, loss of signal, power voltage drop, or perhaps external input) and record the location, time, and the trip mileage to that point.  If the stopped location was within .2 mile of a stored waypoint, this location would be noted.  The idea is to be able to generate a report of business and charity mileage for IRS and other purposes.

Most likely applicable to a Street Pilot class machine or equivalent.

A new machine that combines a PalmPilot and a gps unit. The palm display can be used in concert with the built in gps engine. The gps would have sufficient hardware to work while the palmpilot was doing something else.

Military has one of these. A bit expensive for general use.

Feature

Applicable Product

Notes or Already on.

On-line manuals available

Magellan

Wish Granted!

Updates for maps

Lowrance

Software updates for versions other than the latest hardware.

Garmin

Garmin makes significant hardware changes often and then fails to keep the existing customers uptodate.