Any guesses why the (my) system hates 280? When planning a trip from Marin to San Jose or beyond, the nav wants me to go 680, 101, or even El Camino. I can get half way to SJ, and the nav still wants me to leave 280. This gives me a lot of confidence when following directions in places I don't know.

 

I think it defaults to the shortest distance which is usually 101...

Usually I have a couple routes to choose between, so depending on time of day I'll pick the 280 or 101 one depending on traffic

 

i live near 280, my nav always makes me take 280 everywhere. must be a setting on your nav like detour or shortest distance.

 

You answered it yourself... you live near 280. Of course it's going to use 280!

To the original poster, set the nav to block 101, then you're likely always to get 280 as a suggested route.

 

Timbo-
Thanx, I didn't know that I could have it block a specific route.

 

Does it not give route options? Look over all the choices and select one you like.

 

normally for a long distance route, you should have 3 choices, shortest time, 2nd shortest time and shortest distance.

For your case, it seems like you already know that 101 is a better route, just drive to 101 like you always do and it will automatically re-route. I have experienced a few navi units. One thing that I learned is never to trust the Navi 100%. You have to factor in your own thinking.

 

All you norcal owners should be attending the END OF SUMMER meet!! =)

September 24, 2006 in Fremont! Check norcal region for more info!

 

It gives 3 routes: quickest time, shortest route and alternate (not a route labelled "2nd shortest time").

 

The nav does indeed give three options. One is usually to cross the bay and take 680, the second is 101, and the third is either El Camino, or some mix of "surface" streets. Thanks nav, but I'll take 280. I think the way to learn the system is to use it on routes you know. It doesn't give me a lot of confidence when it gives me only choices that are longer, and or more congested. Another instance of this kind of "thinking" by the nav unit is a trip from San Rafael to Fairfield. It doesn't like Highway 37 and will send you 10-15 miles out of the way to avoid it. In this case 37 is the second shortest route, but is not one of the three options. Go figure.

 

I hate to admit it but I'm a typical female that has no sense of direction whatsoever so I rely on my nav 100%. Hey, that was why I got nav in the first place!

Anyway, a few months ago, I relied on the nav to take me from So Cal to San Jose and unbeknownst to me, it showed me the longest route ever. The nav took me past Walnut Creek and then back down again to SJ. Why it did that, I've no clue. I didn't know to check for the 3 diff routes that it offered. I just assumed that it defaults to whatever was the shortest route but I was wrong. So all in all, I overshot SJ by at least half an hour to an hour's worth of my total driving time. What a waste of gas and time.

Now I've learned my lesson and not rely on the nav 100% and I always preview all 3 routes before making my trip.

 

Your car doesnt like going fast. Typically everyone on 280 does 80, and 101 is the usual "SF" driver speed.

 

You need to review all routes before taking off. You can direct the route to use a certain highway by adding a POI/mark on the highway you prefer into the route. Also set all the defaults in the set-up to your preferences. Also I use the split view/screen option that shows the written directions for the next 3 turns (only available in the route mode). This will let you know in advance that you may not want to use certain roads. Sometimes if you used the shortest route the system will have you exit a highway and then get back on down the road. You have to review every route before taking off unless you know the area/roads and remain on the better route and let it recalculate as you stay on these roads.

Koz

 

What could the nav have been "thinking" about? There have to be 8-10 routes better than the one it chose. Do you think it wanted extra "seat" time with Sexi?