I received my new 396 yesterday and testing it out in Simulation Mode with my U-Green bluetooth receiver and 3.5mm jack earbuds.
I set the 396 to simulation mode, and select a destination route to simulate, the Samantha English voice directions on my new 396 is missing 1st word on all voice directions.
one example is, when simulating a route to a gas station in town, the former XT I had voice would say,
Please Drive to Highlighted Route.
But on my new 396 the Samantha voice says,
To Highlighted Route. The word Drive is not spoken.
Another example of the missing 1st word is, on the XT would says,
Please Turn Left on Main Street,
but my 396 Samantha voice says,
Turn Left on Main Street. the word Please is not spoken.
is the problem my bluetooth receiver?
1st voice word on directions is missing
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1st voice word on directions is missing
2005 Kawasaki 800B cruiser
Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone

Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
I've noticed a similar issue with my XT, and by 550 as well when it comes to spoken directions and my BT headsets.
If I'm listening to music from my ipod, there is a delay as the headset switches from the music to the nav system for audio and I miss the beginning of the nav message. Once the link to the nav system is open I can repeat the message and hear the whole message.
If I listen to music from the nav system, the switching then occurs in the nav system and I get the complete message.
Long story short, it's most likely in the BT device and it's switching time from when it receives the "announcement" trigger from the nav system.
If I'm listening to music from my ipod, there is a delay as the headset switches from the music to the nav system for audio and I miss the beginning of the nav message. Once the link to the nav system is open I can repeat the message and hear the whole message.
If I listen to music from the nav system, the switching then occurs in the nav system and I get the complete message.
Long story short, it's most likely in the BT device and it's switching time from when it receives the "announcement" trigger from the nav system.
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
good idea, I did suspect that the problem was probably with my bluetooth receiver.electro_handyman wrote: ↑22 Feb 2025 13:20
If I listen to music from the nav system, the switching then occurs in the nav system and I get the complete message.
Long story short, it's most likely in the BT device and it's switching time from when it receives the "announcement" trigger from the nav system.
Maybe I load on some mp3 music files onto a 32GB microSD card, install the card into the 396 device, power up my UGREEN bluetooth receiver, then play some songs on the 396 and with the 396 in simulator mode, test voice directions again.
I suspect the problem might be as you described,, receiver switching time
2005 Kawasaki 800B cruiser
Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone

Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
In an ideal world, Garmin would pre-program a 2-3 second delay between the announcement "wake-up" signal and the actual voice message to allow time for the BT devices to switch.
As of now it's immediate with no delay, or not enough of a delay to be noticed.
As of now it's immediate with no delay, or not enough of a delay to be noticed.
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
I checked the Garmin site but unfortunately the Garmin site says that my 396 model is a unit that does not have the option to repeat the navigation message.electro_handyman wrote: ↑22 Feb 2025 13:20 Once the link to the nav system is open I can repeat the message and hear the whole message.
https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=7 ... 8Lv16kfYOA
Edit: I did an Edit to this post removing some errors out,
2005 Kawasaki 800B cruiser
Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone

Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
I ordered a new bluetooth receiver, an Mii ML300, when I get it I'll see if it's better than my UGREEN CM596 receiver, but I doubt it. lol
2005 Kawasaki 800B cruiser
Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone

Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
Other info I'll add.
To hear all of Garmins message the audio channel basically needs to remain "open/active" between the GPS and the receiver at all times, which unfortunately will lead to reduced battery life of what ever receiver you use.
To hear all of Garmins message the audio channel basically needs to remain "open/active" between the GPS and the receiver at all times, which unfortunately will lead to reduced battery life of what ever receiver you use.
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Re: 1st voice word on directions is missing
Greetings electro_handyman, thanks for your post, I guess I decided to give up on using a bluetooth receiver, based on your comments and comments from others on this Forum, I decided last nite to order a Cardo Spirit HD headset, I think you are very correct about the audio channel needs to remain open active, so I've given up on trying to get a my bluetooth receiver to work, and the new receiver coming soon that Mii ML300 will join the other receiver I have in on a storage shelf of memories lolelectro_handyman wrote: ↑03 Mar 2025 11:24 Other info I'll add.
To hear all of Garmins message the audio channel basically needs to remain "open/active" between the GPS and the receiver at all times, which unfortunately will lead to reduced battery life of what ever receiver you use.


2005 Kawasaki 800B cruiser
Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone

Zumo 396 Cardo Spirit HD headset, not installing the microphone