Spent a lot of time last night trying to cobble mapsource...and it is looking like an upgrade is the best way. Basecamp: ok, but no post code mapping
It's a common misunderstanding for Garmin newbies to confuse Mapsource (the program) with the mapping data. These are separate entities, akin to Excel and a spreadsheet file. The former is used to work with that latter. The mapping, in the case of us Europeans is City Navigator Europe. Mapsource ceased development in late 2010, Basecamp is it's replacement, like it or not, and will continue to be developed with updates every now and then fixing things and adding new features. Both Mapsource and Basecamp can be downloaded from Garmin for free, though the former is only there to appease the Luddites
The mapping data you need to pay for. In the longer term a lifetime subscription is the cheaper option, in fact, from Handtec, it's pretty well the same price as a one time update directed from Garmin so it's a no brainer really.
If you don't want to pay for mapping at all then there is always OpenStreetMap.
AND routes imported only have a start and end point. Do you know if that is also the case in Mapsource? If I see a route somewhere and I get the GPX route, does it keep the route intact when transferring to mapsource? Or is also a case of selecting waypoints and telling it to create routes? (excl via michelin as I know about that one not doing it).
Without seeing the route in question I can't comment. Some places you can download routes from only have the start and end points. Try downloading the GDB or GPX file at the top of
this page. These are routes that I have created and know the content.
I do believe that Mapsource and Basecamp come with a very coarse Global basemap, these might be what you are seeing if you don't have mapping installed on your PC. Plugging in the Nuvi via USB should show detail mapping and allow you to use it as previously mentioned though.
Pity
this doesnt have a female for my ball on the case already!
Well, that's the way that the RAM system works I'm afraid.
PS have registered unit and updated software and been on to garmin support friday re mapsource. They sent me download instructions but I only get as far as entering product number and then I cannot find it, so written back and awaiting reply.
That doesn't make much sense... are you referring to the mapping or Mapsource the program? See above.
Did you pay Garmin for a mapping update because if you did you probably paid well over the odds. The Handtec thing is a genuine Garmin product, you just have to wait a few days for delivery, that's all.
Garmin might actually allow you to re-download the mapping you currently have on the Nuvi now that you have registered it. You have to ask nicely for that, it's not unknown... If they do it will show in your myGarmin account. Use MapUpdater, have a look at
this post for instructions. Garmin Express, which is what Garmin will probably tell you to use has some issues, MapUpdater is the older method and still, last time I tried, still worked.