accuracy of maps vs. accuracy of new garmin devices

**guyinnrw** · 14th August 2012, 09:29 PM

i switched from 60CSx to 62St lately and comparing the accuracy of tracks i am disappointed of the new garmin systems. i have track recording in automatic mode, hightest sampling rate and still the tracks deviate from the map trails/roads by 20-30m sometimes (sometimes they are exactly on spot, however); the most disappointing thing however is that i went along a large S-curve trial section and the 62St simply recorded the track as if i would have shortcutted the S-curve. i assume the garmin topo maps have good accuracy quality and the device sucks ... - is there any trick for improving tack accuracy e.g. sampling every 5m ? switching GPS to WAAS does not improve matters ... - btw. moving pattern is on Montainbike
thxs for replies !

**ddabcd277** · 14th August 2012, 09:37 PM

Why don't you make it to record every second?

**guyinnrw** · 14th August 2012, 09:49 PM

average mtb tour is 2-4h which will deliver a huge amount of track points - and it will record too many useless track points while having a break - this is why i thought every 5m instead of every second would be an option - but why is the automatic track recording so unreliable ?

**Giomen** · 14th August 2012, 11:58 PM

I had about two dozen of Garmin devices in my practice. So I can make make conclusions.

1) Any maps (not only Garmin) have a very irregular accuracy. For this there are many objective reasons that are caused by the production technology maps. So very often accuracy of map wants to be better.
2) Year after year, the manufacturers (not only Garmin) has changed the approach to the devices. In the beginning it was so-called "military" stile - professional equipment in high cost segment. Now we have come to consumer electronics in average cost segment. As a result we have a very quick acquisition of satellites and a glossy interface but we loose a stability and a reliability. The future scares me is the new trend of store from low cost segment - it is playthings made in China

So no reasons to expect from new models the superior performance. But the latter is in the assortment in high cost segment again and is designed for professionals.

**catymag** · 15th August 2012, 10:05 AM

Recommended settings:
Recording interval: Menu > Tracks > Setup. For accurate mapping «Auto/Most Often» isnt good enough, choose Record method «Time/3 s»
Turn off lock on road: Menu > Setup > Routing General > Lock On Road > Off
Chose your vehicle: Menu > Setup > Routing > Activity >Tour Cycling/Cycling/Mountain Byking
Menu > Tracks > Record On

**RLL** · 16th August 2012, 04:48 PM

Hello! 2 questions
1) When changing from car to scooter or pedestrian, change the recording interval?
2) There is another possibility to change the recording interval in the nuvi 510?
Thank you!