Features

Overview: The Garmin nüvi 500 is portable hybrid GPS navigator which combines the advanced navigation features and large, color display found in automotive units with the durability of an outdoor handheld. Lightweight and slim, you can slip the nüvi 500 into your pocket or backpack for convenient portability. The user-replaceable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets the nüvi 500 navigate you on roads or off-road. The nüvi 500 also comes supplied with a vehicle power adapter and mounting bracket for use in your vehicle.

Waterproof Housing: The Garmin nüvi 500 features a waterproof (IPX7) housing.

GPS with HotFix: With its high-sensitivity GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, the nüvi 500 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover, deep canyons and near tall building and trees. The built-in GPS antenna is located in the unit's back panel.

Map Software: The nüvi 500 comes loaded with City Navigator North America NT software, which contains mapping detail of the lower United States (48 states), Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. It is also packed with millions of points of interest (POIs) and includes preloaded U.S. topographic maps featuring digital elevation maps that show you shaded terrain contours at higher zoom levels.

microSD Memory Slot: The nüvi 500 accepts optional mapping using its microSD slot. Compatible maps include BlueChart g2 Vision and Inland Lakes Vision marine maps on a microSD card (sold separately). The card slot is located inside a waterproof battery compartment, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet.

USB Port: This unit can be connected to a PC via its mini-USB type-B connector using and optional USB cable. When the unit is connected to your computer, the nüvi 500 is recognized as an additional drive (USB Mass Storage). This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows 2000 or later and Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Internal Memory: The nüvi 500 comes with an internal memory for uploading custom points of interests (POIs), displaying JPEG photos and navigating to geo-tagged photos. The unit's internal memory also allows you to add custom vehicle Icons from Garmin's Garage.

Custom Points of Interest: The nüvi 500 will accept custom points of interest (POI) databases, available from various companies on the Internet. Some custom POI databases contain alert information for points such as safety cameras and school zones, and the unit can notify you as you approach one of these points. To download custom POIs, you will need the Garmin POI Loader software, available on Garmin's website.

Touch Screen Display: The unit features a bright, 3.5" (diagonal) LCD with touch screen controls. The display has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 64,000 colors. The screen has a manual brightness adjustment.

Multi-Mode Navigation: The Garmin nüvi 500 features driving, walking, bicycling and boating modes which customize the nüvi 500 specifically for your method of travel.

Turn-By-Turn Directions: The nüvi 500 provides spoken turn-by-turn directions to your destination during navigation using its built-in speaker, as well as visual on-screen directions.

Satellite Status: Once the GPS receiver in the nüvi 500 has collected the necessary data to calculate a fix, the status field indicates a 2D or 3D status. A 2D status means that at least three satellites with good geometry have been locked onto, and a two-dimensional position fix (latitude and longitude) is calculated. A 3D status means that at least four satellites with good geometry have been locked onto, and your position is calculated in latitude, longitude, and elevation.

Information Pages: The information provided by the nüvi 500 is found on various display screens called pages. The pages give you the following information:

• Map:
  • Indicates real-time moving map illustrating your current position and intended route
  • Shows map scale and geographic details such as lakes, rivers, highways and towns
  • Allows you to zoom, pan, and point using the touch screen controls
  • When you are following a route, your arrival time is displayed in the lower left corner, the distance to the next turn (Turn In) is shown in the lower right corner
  • When you are simply driving while viewing the Map page (not following a route), your speed is shown in the lower left corner, the direction you are driving is shown in the lower right corner
• Trip Information:
  • Shows current compass heading while moving
  • Indicates current speed, average driving speed, overall average speed, maximum speed
  • Calculates driving time, stopped time and total time
  • Displays overall distance traveled (odometer) and distance to your final destination
• Current Route:
  • Displays a list of turn-by-turn instructions for your entire route as well as arrival information
  • Shows direction of each turn and distance
• Next Turn:
  • Shows the next turn on the map and the distance and time left before you reach the turn

Where To? Navigation: During navigation, you can search for places by pressing "Where To?". You can select an Address, Go Home, Points of Interest, Recently Found, Favorites, Intersections, Extras, Cities, Routes, Browse Map, Coordinates, Geocaches, Geographic Points, TracBack, and Marine Points. You can also access Spell Name for direct entry of your new destination. You can search for locations near your present location (default), or select a different city, your current route, or your destination.

Route Setup: You can select the nüvi 500 to calculate the fastest timed route, shortest distance route or and off-road route.

Route Avoidance: You can program the unit to avoid certain things that may be undesirable on your route. Examples of things that can be avoided include U-Turns, Highways, Unpaved Roads, Toll Roads, Ferries, Carpool Lanes, and Traffic.

Waypoints: You can manually mark and name any map position as a waypoint for later recall. Up to 1,000 waypoints can be stored in this unit.

Emergency Locator: If you're lost, you can use unit's "Where Am I?' emergency locator to view your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations.

Map Orientation: You can select one of three map orientation displays:

• 2D Track Up: two-dimensional map that constantly displays the route from top to bottom on the screen
• 2D North Up: two-dimensional map that constantly displays North at the top of the screen
• 3D Track Up: three-dimensional map that constantly displays the route from top to bottom on the screen

Screen Color Mode: You can select one of three color modes for the display screen:

• Daytime: has a lighter, brighter background
• Nighttime: has a black background, easier to see at night
• Auto: display automatically switches between daytime and nighttime at sunrise and sunset

Indoor Use: When indoors, you can activate the built-in simulator and practice using the unit. This turns off the GPS receiver so it's not searching for satellites.

Travel Aids: The nüvi 500 gives you access to the following travel aids:

• World Clock: the world clock allows you to display the current time for four locations throughout the world, you can also display a map of the world
• Currency Converter: this feature allows you to update the currency rates manually so you are always using the most current information
• Unit Converter: you can convert area, distance, speed, temperature, volume, and weight
• Calculator: the calculator allows you to perform simple arithmetic

MSN Direct: MSN Direct is an optional service that sends traffic reports, gas prices and more to your navigation device through an FM signal. MSN Direct is available in 100 of the largest cities across the United States. Using an optional MSN Direct receiver (150GDB55) and free 12-month trial service to MSN Direct, you can check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices and check movie times and locations when you travel with the nüvi 500. The MSN Direct receiver is integrated with a plug-and-play cigarette lighter adapter, making it easy to connect to the unit when traveling. It can take several hours to receive all the content to your nüvi 500 the first time you use it or after you have traveled long distances and after you have not used the nüvi 500 and MSN Direct Receiver for several days. There is a non-user replaceable rechargeable battery in the MSN Direct Receiver that allows it to receive and store updates for several days, even when not connected to external power.

Optional FM TMC Traffic Receiver: The nüvi 500 is compatible with the Garmin GTM 20 FM TMC Traffic Receiver (150GTM20) for receiving traffic information broadcast over the FM Radio Data System (RDS). When a message is received, the unit displays the event on the map and can change your route to avoid the traffic incident. TMC Traffic information is available in select cities in North American.

MAD Maps: The Garmin nüvi 500 comes preloaded with a free MAD Maps scenic road trip for Historic Route 66. Garmin has teamed up with MAD MAPS, Inc., a map making company with an expertise in backroad travel, to create scenic routes for your Garmin. You can download more scenic drives straight to the GPS unit. Get turn-by-turn directions on motorcycle-friendly roads and insider tips for an unforgettable ride across America.

Geocaching Compatible:  You can download geocaches and instructions from www.geocaching.com straight to this GPS unit. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.

Power Requirements: The supplied user-replaceable, rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery provides up to 8 hours of operation. The nüvi 500 also operates on your vehicle's battery using the included 12-volt cigarette lighter power adapter (this same 12volt cigarette lighter power adapter is used to charge the supplied Lithium-Ion battery). Stored data, such as waypoints or unit settings, are not lost when the unit is disconnected from a power source.

Mounting Options: The unit should be securely installed when used in a vehicle. The unit comes with a mounting bracket that includes a suction cup. The suction cup can be used to mount the unit to the windshield or to the dash (using the plastic mounting disk). Once the nüvi 500 is mounted, it can be adjusted on the ball-and-socket bracket for best visibility.

Garmin Lock: Garmin Lock is an anti-theft feature. You can set a 4-digit PIN and a security location (such as your home or office). Every time the nüvi 500 is powered on, you must enter the PIN, or drive to your security location.