GPS - Magellan map updates, etc.

Author

Magellan map updates, etc.

Dave Shaffer

2006-09-21, 10:33 pm

Hi everybody:

I'm running a Magellan Meridian Color with MapSend Directroute North
America version 2.00f. I noticed over the weekend that the receiver
showed nearly 10,000 miles traveled. So I've had it long enough to learn
some of the ins and outs, and I'd have to say I'm pretty happy with this
set-up.

The color screen is good except in the brightest light conditions. I
have it mounted in a modified windshiled bracket that keeps it right in
front of my dashboard, next to the radio. I like being able to easily
remove the unit, take it in the house and download tracks to my PC ...
and also create various regional detail maps and upload them (with a
card reader) to the card in the receiver. That allows me to switch maps
depending on what direction I might be heading. Yeah, the screen could
be bigger, and in an ideal world, I'd be managing this system on my Mac
laptop, not my older Dell desktop, but all-in-all, I like this system.
It has served me well and really saved my neck a couple of times when I
was traveling in unfamiliar territory.

My questions at the moment, though, is about map updates.

I haven't had this map software very long, but already there is a bypass
near the town where I live that is not on the map and various other
little developments of that nature. Its amusing to watch the cursor head
out across the blank field when I'm on that bypass, but it would be nice
to have that highway on the screen. ;-)

How often do you update or upgrade your map software? How can I
determine if a newer version is available from Magellan...and what's
this I read about regional maps that are supposedly downloadable to the
computer from Magellan...and could then be written to the memory card.

I assume, too, that any new version ... if it is practical or even
possible to get one ... would render useless the regional maps I've
created on my card now. In other words, the new software doesn't
*update* your map, it replaces it, right? So I'd have to re-create those
from the new map.

Any other thoughts, suggestions, questions or issues I ought to consider
in this matter? I imagine some of you have gone through this once to
twice ... or more ... over time. I'd appreciate your advice.

- Dave

Jack Erbes

2006-09-22, 10:33 am

Dave Shaffer wrote:
> Hi everybody:
>
> I'm running a Magellan Meridian Color with MapSend Directroute North
> America version 2.00f. I noticed over the weekend that the receiver
> showed nearly 10,000 miles traveled. <snip>

> I haven't had this map software very long, but already there is a bypass
> near the town where I live that is not on the map and various other
> little developments of that nature. <snip>

Magellan is under new ownership as of a few months ago. Nothing is
known about the new owner's plans for the company. They may stay in
business or they could be liquidated for their assets, no one knows yet.

Magellan uses NavTeq data in their maps. NavTeq welcomes and uses
inputs from consumers. You can do that here:

http://www.navteq.com/updates/mapfeedback.html

Sending the info to Magellan will probably not be of any help, they also
suggest that you submit missing address and errors to NavTeq:

http://www.magellangps.com/support/

<snip>
> How often do you update or upgrade your map software? How can I
> determine if a newer version is available from Magellan...

To my knowledge Magellan has never provided free updates of map data to
consumers for previously purchased mapping products. New versions were
released occasionally and you had to buy them again to get the newer data.

> and what's
> this I read about regional maps that are supposedly downloadable to the
> computer from Magellan...and could then be written to the memory card.

I don't know anything about that, maybe you can find something at the
support link above.

> I assume, too, that any new version ... if it is practical or even
> possible to get one ... would render useless the regional maps I've
> created on my card now. In other words, the new software doesn't
> *update* your map, it replaces it, right? So I'd have to re-create those
> from the new map.

Exactly right. The current version of DirectRoute is V3 on DVD. Don't
buy anything on a CD-ROM that is purported to be the "most recent
version" unless is says V3 on it and is on a DVD. Those DVD have to be
unlocked on line, cannot be copied or duplicated, and can only be used
with a single GPS receiver.

> Any other thoughts, suggestions, questions or issues I ought to consider
> in this matter? I imagine some of you have gone through this once to
> twice ... or more ... over time. I'd appreciate your advice.

Map errors are a fact of life, and some of them never go away. I bought
DirectRoute V3 earlier this year found it to be pretty good in that my
five year old street finally showed up on it. But all the Interstate
exits in Maine are still mis numbered (they were changed about 3-4 years
ago) and a new Interstate on ramp that was under construction 4 years
ago is not shown.

You have to be a little philosophical about detail mapping for GPS
receivers. When it works it is good stuff, when it does not, that is
the nature of the beast.

I still have a Meridian Color and a Meridian Marine I use on the water)
but recently bought a Garmin 76Cx for use on the motorcycle and in the
car. The Garmin is a much better receiver, has a much better display,
and has many software features (autorouting on the basemap and multiple
destination routing for example) that make it better than the Meridian.
But it is not perfect or even better in every way, none of them are.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

Ron Hunter

2006-09-23, 4:33 am

Dave Shaffer wrote:
> Hi everybody:
>
> I'm running a Magellan Meridian Color with MapSend Directroute North
> America version 2.00f. I noticed over the weekend that the receiver
> showed nearly 10,000 miles traveled. So I've had it long enough to learn
> some of the ins and outs, and I'd have to say I'm pretty happy with this
> set-up.
>
> The color screen is good except in the brightest light conditions. I
> have it mounted in a modified windshiled bracket that keeps it right in
> front of my dashboard, next to the radio. I like being able to easily
> remove the unit, take it in the house and download tracks to my PC ...
> and also create various regional detail maps and upload them (with a
> card reader) to the card in the receiver. That allows me to switch maps
> depending on what direction I might be heading. Yeah, the screen could
> be bigger, and in an ideal world, I'd be managing this system on my Mac
> laptop, not my older Dell desktop, but all-in-all, I like this system.
> It has served me well and really saved my neck a couple of times when I
> was traveling in unfamiliar territory.
>
> My questions at the moment, though, is about map updates.
>
> I haven't had this map software very long, but already there is a bypass
> near the town where I live that is not on the map and various other
> little developments of that nature. Its amusing to watch the cursor head
> out across the blank field when I'm on that bypass, but it would be nice
> to have that highway on the screen. ;-)
>
> How often do you update or upgrade your map software? How can I
> determine if a newer version is available from Magellan...and what's
> this I read about regional maps that are supposedly downloadable to the
> computer from Magellan...and could then be written to the memory card.
>
> I assume, too, that any new version ... if it is practical or even
> possible to get one ... would render useless the regional maps I've
> created on my card now. In other words, the new software doesn't
> *update* your map, it replaces it, right? So I'd have to re-create those
> from the new map.
>
> Any other thoughts, suggestions, questions or issues I ought to consider
> in this matter? I imagine some of you have gone through this once to
> twice ... or more ... over time. I'd appreciate your advice.
>
> - Dave

Yes, an update would just allow you to replace the data you now have
with the newer data. However, to get that data under current policies,
you have to just buy the newer version of the software. There is no
database update available by itself.

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