Navigator VI (Nav-VI)...Tips and Tricks

[lkraus]

Was charging up my Nav VI and discovered that no matter how long I charged it, it would not go over one bar. I left it charging one more time, overnight, and the next day it would not start up, even when it was plugged in.

I called Garmin Tech Support and described the issue. They had me try a soft reset by pressing and holding the on button for 30 seconds. Still didn't come on.

They're having me return the old unit and they're going to send me another one, a "refurbished" unit. I have to pay postage, but there's no other charges.

I have not used a Navigator, but I know that the similar Garmin Zumo models will only charge while turned on. The Nav battery may be so low at this point that your USB charger cannot start it up. If you put the Nav on the bike mount, will it turn on?

[Lee]

Was charging up my Nav VI and discovered that no matter how long I charged it, it would not go over one bar. I left it charging one more time, overnight, and the next day it would not start up, even when it was plugged in.

I called Garmin Tech Support and described the issue. They had me try a soft reset by pressing and holding the on button for 30 seconds. Still didn't come on.

They're having me return the old unit and they're going to send me another one, a "refurbished" unit. I have to pay postage, but there's no other charges.

I'm surprised they did not send you a new battery to try before sending in your unit.

[akbeemer]

I'm surprised they did not send you a new battery to try before sending in your unit.

Garmin is replacing NAV VIs at a rapid rate and they make it very easy to do. They obviously realize they have a problem and it is not worth their time to require the owner to go through several fruitless attemps to correct the problems. i was on the phone with their rep for a a very short time. They have a system in which you can schedule a rep to call you so you do not need to sit and listen to bland music; my call came at the scheduled time. I explained what I was seeing and what I had done to try to rectify the problem (resets, and firmware update). He immediately said he was going set me up with a replacement, which he did.

[beemerdood]

If you put the Nav on the bike mount, will it turn on?

I put it into the mail yesterday, so we'll never know. The tech did mention that the unit was designed to be used plugged in to the mount. But occasionally I use it for walking around a new area, mostly to get back to my bike/tent/motel, but occasionally to find my way to a restaurant or attraction.

[jgoertz]

Was charging up my Nav VI and discovered that no matter how long I charged it, it would not go over one bar. I left it charging one more time, overnight, and the next day it would not start up, even when it was plugged in.

I called Garmin Tech Support and described the issue. They had me try a soft reset by pressing and holding the on button for 30 seconds. Still didn't come on.

They're having me return the old unit and they're going to send me another one, a "refurbished" unit. I have to pay postage, but there's no other charges.

Were you using the Garmin-supplied USB cord? My NAV5 will only charge with the Garmin cord that came with the unit. (My NAV5 was an aftermarket unit, purchased w/the $1000 rebate available when I bought my '15 RT, The cord was part of the kit). I've tried to use other after-market, non-Garmin branded USB cords to no avail. I know some members of this forum say I'm nuts -- that USB cords are all the same, but that hasn't been my experience with the NAV5. It is interesting that my other 3 Garmins don't care who made the cord I use to charge them, or whether/not they're on or off if I'm charging them with a wall charger.

As some said, you could have installed your NAV6 in your RT to check/see if it would charge in the mount.

Good luck with the new-to-you unit!

[HWYHOUND]

Were you using the Garmin-supplied USB cord? My NAV5 will only charge with the Garmin cord that came with the unit. (My NAV5 was an aftermarket unit, purchased w/the $1000 rebate available when I bought my '15 RT, The cord was part of the kit). I've tried to use other after-market, non-Garmin branded USB cords to no avail. I know some members of this forum say I'm nuts -- that USB cords are all the same, but that hasn't been my experience with the NAV5. It is interesting that my other 3 Garmins don't care who made the cord I use to charge them, or whether/not they're on or off if I'm charging them with a wall charger.

As some said, you could have installed your NAV6 in your RT to check/see if it would charge in the mount.

Good luck with the new-to-you unit!

You know the other day I noticed this odd behavior while trying to update my NAV VI. I could not get Garmin Express to recognize my GPS. Out of desperation a started trying different cables. Sure enough, about my third try, she hooked up and worked like a charm. I actually tried a different computer with the same result. I do believe the USB cable does make a difference.

[Omega Man]

You know the other day I noticed this odd behavior while trying to update my NAV VI. I could not get Garmin Express to recognize my GPS. Out of desperation a started trying different cables. Sure enough, about my third try, she hooked up and worked like a charm. I actually tried a different computer with the same result. I do believe the USB cable does make a difference.

Good advice on the cable(s).
OM

[patm]

I too have noticed that trying to charge with a poor quality USB cable doesn't work. There are good and bad USB cables out there.
I use the USB cable that came with my Sena 30K to charge my Navs V and VI without any issue.

[AlanColes]

I too have noticed that trying to charge with a poor quality USB cable doesn't work. There are good and bad USB cables out there.
I use the USB cable that came with my Sena 30K to charge my Navs V and VI without any issue.

There are actually cables that are meant to be used for "data and charging" and cables that are designed just for charging (makes sense to use the dual purpose).
Aside from that there are poor quality ones, and damaged ones that won't charge anything anymore and then you have the issue of cable that have different charging capabilities and the actual USB port ratings.
Older USB cables and ports can be rated as low as 0.5A while newer ones are running at 2.5A-3.0A and above.
I've found that running a newer smartphone and trying to charge it at the same time can still discharge the battery if either the cable or port are not at least rated at or over 1.5A. I've gotten away with 1.5A cables being able to charge faster then the phone discharge if my work wasn't super intensive, but never had any issues with 1.8A and above.


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[sailorlite]

Can phone volume be increased independently of GPS volume? I can hear Nav 6 directions fine, but incoming calls are too low.

My set up is: iPhone paired with Nav 6, Sena SRL paired with Nav 6, but iPhone and Sena are NOT paired to each other. The Garmin weather and traffic displays correctly on the Nav 6 as do the map and directions. And the directions volume is easily adjusted on the helmet SRL. But when that's all functioning well, I can barely hear voice on incoming calls. I think I could raise the volume during a call, but then then it would be too loud later for nav directions. Can these volumes be set separately??

I could use a Tip or Trick here.

[Lee]

Can phone volume be increased independently of GPS volume? I can hear Nav 6 directions fine, but incoming calls are too low.

.

On my Nav V home screen I tap Volume
Next click on the wrench at upper left
Select Audio Mixer
This screen will let you adjust the volume for Navigation, Phone and Media.

[gordsmarsredrt]

[QUOTE=jgoertz;1232306]Were you using the Garmin-supplied USB cord? My NAV5 will only charge with the Garmin cord that came with the unit. (My NAV5 was an aftermarket unit, purchased w/the $1000 rebate available when I bought my '15 RT, The cord was part of the kit). I've tried to use other after-market, non-Garmin branded USB cords to no avail. I know some members of this forum say I'm nuts -- that USB cords are all the same, but that hasn't been my experience with the NAV5. It is interesting that my other 3 Garmins don't care who made the cord I use to charge them, or whether/not they're on or off if I'm charging them with a wall charger.

Same here. My Nav VI will only charge with the Garmin supplied cable. My first Nav VI started "ghosting" occassionally by year two. It became completely inoperable near the end of year three. I received a replacement 6 weeks ago. Just waiting for Spring now!

[sailorlite]

On my Nav V home screen I tap Volume
Next click on the wrench at upper left
Select Audio Mixer
This screen will let you adjust the volume for Navigation, Phone and Media.

Thanks! I've never been to the Audio Mixer page - didn't even know it was there despite frequent Nav V and Nav VI use.