just inherited this exact model, gonna put it to use. Funny enough I live in Tampa, so your heat story is something I can understand lol will see if I can avoid the same situation this summer
I learned quick after that to either cover the GPS with a hand towel or get it out of the sun when parked and haven't had a problem since. It failed after a trip to a place off W Hillsborough Ave. Parked the car, the 50LM was left on the dashboard, came back, 50LM started up and a minute later locked up. I stopped, cooled it down and then it started working again.
Been using the 50lm in my car for several years but put it on my scooter and purchased a 52 Drive EX for the car and so far don't like it as much as the 50lm so I may return it and search for another 50lm.
I think this is the one i have and i can't stand it. The interactive map is so slow and often when i swipe to navigate the map, it sends the map flying in one direction. Also zooming in and out is painfully slow for the roads and information to change.
This particular series of nuvi is really watered down like I said in the video, and yes, it's on the slow side. If you like older Garmins with matte screens but want something better in the same size, get a used nuvi 55, 56, 57 or 58. Much faster, much more responsive. Night and day difference. Doesn't do pinch-to-zoom but you can drag the map very quickly and use the +/- buttons for zoom that way while dragging the map around.
The SD card slot is on the back next to the USB port, and will use up to a 32GB microSD card. The maps are updated using the Garmin Express software www.garmin.com/express
Internal storage is limited because this model is from 2011. Adding a microSD card allows you to fit the modern map data. When updating maps via the Garmin Express software, it will detect a microSD card is present and install the map data there.
Works, but a bit limited because there is no screen in the 50LM that shows a rotating compass which is necessary for finding caches when close to them. Better to use a Garmin handheld like the eTrex 10. My preferred favorite is GPS Test Plus for the phone. The paid version allows to save and load waypoints whereas the free version doesn't. It is one of the rare apps I actually bought and I think it's still 5 bucks. Totally worth it. The only thing you have to remember to is to do is the figure 8 motion 3 times to recalibrate the phone's accelerometer after starting the app so it states "high accuracy" on the compass page for proper compass accuracy. Good to go after that. GPS Test (can't save waypoints but fully featured otherwise): play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest GPS Test Plus (can save waypoints, has added navigation for geocaching): play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstestplus
Not on the 50LM model as it is very basic. The Trip Planner feature is available on other Garmin models. The easiest one to buy used that has the Trip Planner, free map updates and everything else needed is the Garmin nuvi 2597LMT for about 50 bucks. They are easily found on eBay just by searching "garmin nuvi 2597lmt" where it comes with the unit, charger, mount and power cable.
