Garmin GPS - PDA & GPS

Author

PDA & GPS

Marlinmike

2005-05-31, 10:56 pm

Excuse my ignorance as I am looking at purchasing my first GPS, but want to
have a good understanding at what I'm getting into here.

I think I'm understanding the basemaps that come with the unit I'm looking
at, they basically give you a taste for "more to buy" and the MapSource maps
are unlocked for the regions you purchase unlock codes for.

So my two questions:
1. How much are the unlock codes (roughly) for each region?
2. Is it possible to store CD content on a PocketPC with a large compact
flash card and download maps as needed into the GPS, assuming you've
purchased the unlock code for those maps/regions? Basically use the
PocketPC in lieu of a laptop or PC. If so, do you store the unlock codes on
the flash card with the maps?

Stefan

2005-06-01, 9:55 am

Marlinmike wrote:

quote:

> Excuse my ignorance as I am looking at purchasing my first GPS, but want to
> have a good understanding at what I'm getting into here.
>
> I think I'm understanding the basemaps that come with the unit I'm looking
> at, they basically give you a taste for "more to buy" and the MapSource maps
> are unlocked for the regions you purchase unlock codes for.
>
> So my two questions:
> 1. How much are the unlock codes (roughly) for each region?
> 2. Is it possible to store CD content on a PocketPC with a large compact
> flash card and download maps as needed into the GPS, assuming you've
> purchased the unlock code for those maps/regions? Basically use the
> PocketPC in lieu of a laptop or PC. If so, do you store the unlock codes on
> the flash card with the maps?
>
>

Depends on you needs.
Take a look at DeLorme web site (www.delorme.com). Their maps are
incredible, so detailed and so much info on them (you could have the
whole US on a DVD). Garmin and Magellan don't come even close to DeLorme
maps. So with DeLorme software and a laptop (or PocketPC) you need only
a basic GPS receiver and don't have to spend a fortune on a GPS,
unlocking maps and so on.

Stan Gosnell

2005-06-02, 6:55 am

"Marlinmike" <marlinmike> wrote in
news:35GdncnXQMGnbwH
fRVn-vg@comcast.com:

quote:

> So my two questions:
> 1. How much are the unlock codes (roughly) for each region?

The Garmin and/or Magellan website will tell you that.

quote:

> 2. Is it possible to store CD content on a PocketPC with a large
> compact flash card and download maps as needed into the GPS, assuming
> you've purchased the unlock code for those maps/regions? Basically
> use the PocketPC in lieu of a laptop or PC. If so, do you store the
> unlock codes on the flash card with the maps?

What I use is Mapopolis. These maps, and the application, are all on the
PDA, and the GPS is used merely for position input to Mapopolis. You
don't need a mapping GPS for this, the cheapest model will do the job.
Mapopolis, TomTom, and other mapping programs are all cheaper than the
maps from Garmin or Magellan, and I have the entire US on one 1GB SD
card, and I never need a PC, nor run out of map storage.

--
Regards,

Stan

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." B. Franklin

Nick

2005-06-02, 6:55 am

> 1. How much are the unlock codes (roughly) for each region?

Garmin do different Mapsource products at different prices (and to support
different GPS facilities like on unit routing) - in my case my GPS (76CS)
uses the City Select Mapsource product. You buy this for a region/continent
such as North America and Europe. Once you buy this the whole region is
available to you - I believe they used to segment it and you couldn't unlock
it all, but this is not true under NA v6 or Europe v6 that I have. I paid
approx 110USD for the NA maps and approx 150GBP for the European maps (incl.
the navigation kit not just the maps)

quote:

> 2. Is it possible to store CD content on a PocketPC with a large compact
> flash card and download maps as needed into the GPS, assuming you've
> purchased the unlock code for those maps/regions? Basically use the
> PocketPC in lieu of a laptop or PC. If so, do you store the unlock codes
> on the flash card with the maps?

Mapsource is a Windows application so I don't believe it will work on a
PocketPC (although I'd like to be proved wrong on this!)

One point to note from the other contributors is that they are correct in
saying that PocketPC based solutions will allow you to store all of the maps
for large regions whereas on unit memory on most handheld GPS units is at a
premium. For example I can get most of England on my 76CS. It would seem
from my experimentation that you can get larger segments of the US on, but
obviously not much compared to the overall size of the country. However
something to bear in mind is to consider your intended use - I have the 76CS
so that I have a single waterproof unit that I can use when hiking and also
use in the car to auto-route. I don't believe that the pocketPC solutions
are suitable for hiking either in terms of their facilities, battery life or
build quality etc, not to mention that a large number are not single units
and hence require wires and connectors etc to operate (excepting products
such as TomTomGo etc). So really it depends on what you want to use it for.

Also - before I get flamed by anyone for sounding like I am against pokect
pc solutions please bear in mind I also have a TomTom system that I use
exclusively when in the car - I actually only use the garmin in the car when
on holiday and so don't want multiple components to carry
around/handle/plug/unplug etc.

Hope some of thats useful.

Nick

Holger Issle

2005-06-02, 6:55 am

On 02 Jun 2005 02:35:50 GMT, Stan Gosnell wrote:

quote:

> Mapopolis, TomTom, and other mapping programs are all cheaper than the
> maps from Garmin or Magellan, and I have the entire US on one 1GB SD
> card, and I never need a PC, nor run out of map storage.

Add Navigon's MN5 to the list. They now have US/Canada as well. I have
ALL of Europe, defined by Navteq data availibility, on one 2GB SD card
in my Ipaq4150, and since it is 1.3GB, there is plenty of room to
store track logs, music, and other nice to haves :-)

Using Pathaway CE with a Topo map (available in 1:25k and 1:50k scales
on CD ROM for most of Europe) I can go hiking with the same equipment.

As soon as I manage to package my Ipaq in a waterproof case, I will
sell my 76S.
--

Ciao,
Holger (GUS-KOTAL, GUS#1100)

90-92 Honda CB400 10 Mm | 93-95 Yamaha TDM 850 26 Mm
95-97 KTM 620 LC4 13 Mm | seit 97 BMW R1100GS 50 Mm (Die Renndrecksau!)

cu @ http://www.issle.de

Holger Issle

2005-06-02, 6:55 am

On Thu, 02 Jun 2005 06:30:53 GMT, "Nick" wrote:

quote:

> Mapsource is a Windows application so I don't believe it will work on a
> PocketPC (although I'd like to be proved wrong on this!)

You are 100% crrect.

quote:

> I don't believe that the pocketPC solutions
> are suitable for hiking either in terms of their facilities, battery life or
> build quality etc,

True if used unprotected. I will use a palmcase for that purpose, thus
giving up the smapp form factor. Battery life should be good enough on
my Ipaq4150 (~3.5h with standard battery, ~7h with extended one, on
ebay for 13Euro per piece - you can carry 2 easily). Various receivers
exist, with battery life of up to 20h and integrated logging function.

quote:

> not to mention that a large number are not single units
> and hence require wires and connectors etc to operate (excepting products
> such as TomTomGo etc).

I don't need wires in the woods, the GPS receiver uses bluetooth to
talk to the PocketPC. So it is 2 pieces, correct, giving you the
opportunity to place the receiver best for sky view and the display
best for eye view. Yes, it is more thinking required with two units
compared to one handheld.

However, the main benefit is availibility of scanned topo maps for
most areas, where Garmin maps are at extreme premium if at all
available.
--

Ciao,
Holger (GUS-KOTAL, GUS#1100)

90-92 Honda CB400 10 Mm | 93-95 Yamaha TDM 850 26 Mm
95-97 KTM 620 LC4 13 Mm | seit 97 BMW R1100GS 50 Mm (Die Renndrecksau!)

cu @ http://www.issle.de

Marlinmike

2005-06-02, 4:55 pm

Thanks for all the great information. It's been very helpful in making a
decision on which way I want to go. I'm looking at GPSMAP 76CS vs ??. Cost
of mapping (and quality) is a consideration - just as important as the cost
of the unit. A couple of things:

Stefan - Thanks for the tip on Delorme. This brings up a whole new state of
confusion :o). I really wasn't thinking of doing any mapping on the
PocketPC, just using it for data storage/transfer to GPS. Since my initial
posting I've noticed the use of card readers for this same purpose (storage
and subsequent transfer to GPS).

Stan, you said "The Garmin and/or Magellan website will tell you that". It
seems like every time I'm looking in Garmin's site I have to have an access
code before I get to the pricing of the unlock codes and how much area
they'll "unlock". After further investigation though, I guess I was many
talking about the BlueChart stuff. The City Select stuff is pretty self
explanatory. I thought those of you who've bought them can give me any idea
on that. Thanks for the tip on Mapopolis though.

Holger: The Bluetooth idea came to me when I saw the Delome website. Then
my mind started wandering into something like "maybe it's time to upgrade my
laptop into a TabletPC w/WiFi and Bluetooth". Crazy how the mind wants to
convolute things.

Nick: This is what I was looking for regarding the unlock code pricing
issue. You said "Once you buy this the whole region is available to you - I
believe they used to segment it and you couldn't unlock it all, but this is
not true under NA v6 or Europe v6 that I have. I paid approx 110USD for the
NA maps". City Select now lists for about $140US on Garmin's website and it
shows the coverage area it unlocks. Now how about the BlueChart stuff?
Anyone have any ideas there as to what you get for your buck there?

My main purpose here is to have something I can use around town and while on
car trips or use when renting a car and driving or riding in a cab in
unfamiliar cities, but also something I can look at and tell what island
we're going by when on a cruise ship in the Caribbean or Panama Canal or out
fishing in Cabo or in Hawaii. Tall order, I know.

Marlinmike

"Marlinmike" <marlinmike> wrote in message
news:35GdncnXQMGnbwH
fRVn-vg@comcast.com...

quote:

> Excuse my ignorance as I am looking at purchasing my first GPS, but want
> to have a good understanding at what I'm getting into here.
>
> I think I'm understanding the basemaps that come with the unit I'm looking
> at, they basically give you a taste for "more to buy" and the MapSource
> maps are unlocked for the regions you purchase unlock codes for.
>
> So my two questions:
> 1. How much are the unlock codes (roughly) for each region?
> 2. Is it possible to store CD content on a PocketPC with a large compact
> flash card and download maps as needed into the GPS, assuming you've
> purchased the unlock code for those maps/regions? Basically use the
> PocketPC in lieu of a laptop or PC. If so, do you store the unlock codes
> on the flash card with the maps?
>

Stan Gosnell

2005-06-05, 4:55 pm

"Marlinmike" <marlinmike> wrote in
news:V_mdnR5GnYSDvwL
fRVn-rA@comcast.com:

quote:

> Stan, you said "The Garmin and/or Magellan website will tell you
> that". It seems like every time I'm looking in Garmin's site I have
> to have an access code before I get to the pricing of the unlock codes
> and how much area they'll "unlock". After further investigation
> though, I guess I was many talking about the BlueChart stuff. The
> City Select stuff is pretty self explanatory. I thought those of you
> who've bought them can give me any idea on that. Thanks for the tip
> on Mapopolis though.

I haven't bought any Mapsource products at all. I don't choose to go
that route. Since I already have a Palm, I use it for mapping, with a
cheap GPS. I get all the benefits and features of a 2610 or similar, at
a cost of ~$100. YMMV.

--
Regards,

Stan

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." B. Franklin

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