With the hard-wired memory of the 2720, is it still possible to download routes from Mapsource on the PC in the same way as with the SP111?
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Garmin 2720 & Mapsource routes
- Thread starter stroller
- Start date
PanEuropean
Registered user
Hi Stroller:
Sure it is. I think you might be confusing the different types of memory that exist within the GPSR. That's easy to do, and you sure wouldn't be the first person to be confused that way. Here's a quick primer on the memory within your GPSR (any model, any manufacturer):
1) Cartographic Memory
All GPSRs will have some amount of internal memory to store cartography (maps) on. This may be as little as 32 kb in some of the hand-held units that are sold for children's use in the back yard, or as much as 4 gigabytes in the higher end automotive units. This memory may be in the form of a removable data chip (either a Garmin proprietary chip, a CF card, or a SD card), or it might be sealed up inside the unit. The current trend is to seal all the memory up inside the GPSR, as is the case with your 2720.
2) Waypoint, Route, and Track Log Memory
This is inside the unit, and is separate from the memory that is used to store the maps. This means you can delete all the waypoints, routes, and tracks from your unit without affecting your maps, or, you can modify your maps without affecting the waypoints, routes, and tracks. Think of it this way: Your car has two cargo compartments, one is the trunk, and the other is the glove compartment. Apply that analogy to the GPSR - the map memory would be the trunk (because map memory is always much, much larger than waypoint, route and track memory), and the waypoint, route and track memory would be the glove compartment. They are two physically different areas, and changing the contents of one does not affect the other.
3) Operating Software Memory
This is yet another memory area that stores the basic software that the GPSR needs to have inside it to be able to figure out how to calculate a route, how to find a satellite and interpret what the satellite is transmitting, stuff like that. From time to time Garmin updates the software - you can get these updates by using the Garmin WebUpdater application. When you update the operating software, it has nothing to do with the maps or waypoints, routes, or tracks. To continue with the car analogy, think of this as being the engine compartment. When the mechanic gives your car a tune-up, it doesn't affect what is stored in your trunk or glove compartment.
4) Custom POI Memory
Some GPSRs allow the user to store a library of proximity waypoints, which are referred to as Custom POIs (POI = Point of Interest). These are usually used to store speed camera locations. This memory is very closely related to the Waypoint, Route and Track Log memory, but it is kind of fenced off from those areas. Think of it as the storage bin between the two front seats that some cars have - a small compartment that has a lot in common with the glove compartment, but is physically separate and not exactly the same thing. Because the descriptions of the custom POIs are very, very small, you never have to worry about running out of this memory. I think your GPSR can store about a quarter of a million custom POIs. It's kind of like 'How many grains of sugar can you store in a one pound sack?'
5) Voice Storage Memory
Newer GPSRs that actually translate text to speech (meaning, they say "Turn left at High Street" instead of saying "Turn left at the next intersection") need quite a bit of memory to store the voices. The voices are stored in the same section of memory as the maps are, but, you can't easily get at that area - it is a 'restricted area' that only updating programs can access. Think of it as being like the storage space under the floor of the trunk where the spare tire is. Note that the more voices you store on the GPSR, the less space you will have for maps. In other words, if you have 2 gigs of map storage space, and a full install of City Navigator Europe requires 1.4 gigs, you have 600 megs left over for voices and additional maps. If you load 200 megs of voices (you download every European language, just because they are free), you will only have 400 megs left for additional maps (e.g. a Topo map, perhaps).
6) Music Storage Memory
Some GPSRs incorporate an MP3 player. The MP3's are stored in the leftover space that is not used for maps - same as the voices. The same concepts of available space apply.
Hope this helps you understand it all, if you have further questions, just ask.
Michael
Sure it is. I think you might be confusing the different types of memory that exist within the GPSR. That's easy to do, and you sure wouldn't be the first person to be confused that way. Here's a quick primer on the memory within your GPSR (any model, any manufacturer):
1) Cartographic Memory
All GPSRs will have some amount of internal memory to store cartography (maps) on. This may be as little as 32 kb in some of the hand-held units that are sold for children's use in the back yard, or as much as 4 gigabytes in the higher end automotive units. This memory may be in the form of a removable data chip (either a Garmin proprietary chip, a CF card, or a SD card), or it might be sealed up inside the unit. The current trend is to seal all the memory up inside the GPSR, as is the case with your 2720.
2) Waypoint, Route, and Track Log Memory
This is inside the unit, and is separate from the memory that is used to store the maps. This means you can delete all the waypoints, routes, and tracks from your unit without affecting your maps, or, you can modify your maps without affecting the waypoints, routes, and tracks. Think of it this way: Your car has two cargo compartments, one is the trunk, and the other is the glove compartment. Apply that analogy to the GPSR - the map memory would be the trunk (because map memory is always much, much larger than waypoint, route and track memory), and the waypoint, route and track memory would be the glove compartment. They are two physically different areas, and changing the contents of one does not affect the other.
3) Operating Software Memory
This is yet another memory area that stores the basic software that the GPSR needs to have inside it to be able to figure out how to calculate a route, how to find a satellite and interpret what the satellite is transmitting, stuff like that. From time to time Garmin updates the software - you can get these updates by using the Garmin WebUpdater application. When you update the operating software, it has nothing to do with the maps or waypoints, routes, or tracks. To continue with the car analogy, think of this as being the engine compartment. When the mechanic gives your car a tune-up, it doesn't affect what is stored in your trunk or glove compartment.
4) Custom POI Memory
Some GPSRs allow the user to store a library of proximity waypoints, which are referred to as Custom POIs (POI = Point of Interest). These are usually used to store speed camera locations. This memory is very closely related to the Waypoint, Route and Track Log memory, but it is kind of fenced off from those areas. Think of it as the storage bin between the two front seats that some cars have - a small compartment that has a lot in common with the glove compartment, but is physically separate and not exactly the same thing. Because the descriptions of the custom POIs are very, very small, you never have to worry about running out of this memory. I think your GPSR can store about a quarter of a million custom POIs. It's kind of like 'How many grains of sugar can you store in a one pound sack?'
5) Voice Storage Memory
Newer GPSRs that actually translate text to speech (meaning, they say "Turn left at High Street" instead of saying "Turn left at the next intersection") need quite a bit of memory to store the voices. The voices are stored in the same section of memory as the maps are, but, you can't easily get at that area - it is a 'restricted area' that only updating programs can access. Think of it as being like the storage space under the floor of the trunk where the spare tire is. Note that the more voices you store on the GPSR, the less space you will have for maps. In other words, if you have 2 gigs of map storage space, and a full install of City Navigator Europe requires 1.4 gigs, you have 600 megs left over for voices and additional maps. If you load 200 megs of voices (you download every European language, just because they are free), you will only have 400 megs left for additional maps (e.g. a Topo map, perhaps).
6) Music Storage Memory
Some GPSRs incorporate an MP3 player. The MP3's are stored in the leftover space that is not used for maps - same as the voices. The same concepts of available space apply.
Hope this helps you understand it all, if you have further questions, just ask.
Michael
Michael,
Many thanks for a very comprehensive reply - most helpful.
Regards,
Mike
Many thanks for a very comprehensive reply - most helpful.
Regards,
Mike
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