Can I Duplicate Mapsource & CN ?

[Taff]

I currently have Masource and City Navigator loaded on a work computer (that's where I spend most of my time anyway) but must admit, it would be useful to be able to use Mapsource at home.

If I were to get a lap-top, can I have Mapsource and City Navigator loaded onto that as well? I'm guessing I can have both, and that I just use the same unlock codes - but would like clarification before I splash out on anything.

 

[Fanum]

Yes..the unlock codes apply to the gps unit, not the pc the software is used on.

 

[Sir James]

I currently have Masource and City Navigator loaded on a work computer (that's where I spend most of my time anyway) but must admit, it would be useful to be able to use Mapsource at home.

If I were to get a lap-top, can I have Mapsource and City Navigator loaded onto that as well? I'm guessing I can have both, and that I just use the same unlock codes - but would like clarification before I splash out on anything.

I haveput mapsource on my home PC and my laptop from the same disc and unlock code .JB .

 

[PanEuropean]

If I were to get a lap-top, can I have Mapsource and City Navigator loaded onto that as well? I'm guessing I can have both, and that I just use the same unlock codes - but would like clarification before I splash out on anything.

There are two components to the answer - one technical, the other legal (licencing).

From a technical point of view, you can install the MapSource application and the maps themselves (City Navigator) on multiple computers. In order to see the detail of the maps, you will need to export an 'unlock file' from the source computer, and import that same file into the target computer. This is not difficult, Garmin provides a 'wizard' to do this in the current version of MapSource.

From a legal point of view, I don't think it would contravene the spirit of the licence agreement if you are the registered user of the cartography, and you wanted to load it on two different computers that you use - one a laptop and the other a desktop. I think the guideline here is the "It's like a paper map" philosophy - as long as only one individual is using the data at any given time (you), then you are probably on the moral high ground loading it on two computers as long as you are the primary user of both computers.

Where things would get sticky would be if, for example, you loaded your maps and unlock codes on someone elses PC, for their use. In this context (disregarding entirely about the fact that the maps cannot be used on another GPSR) that would be a contravention of the spirit of the licencing agreement.

Michael

 

[Taff]

Thanks boys - huge help.

 

[thauma]

I talked to Garmin about exactly this matter, and their opinion was that as long as I was the owner of the GPS unit and had purchased the software, then the software could be used on any number of computers as the registration is to tie the software to the GPS unit.

I specifically asked about the legality and they had no cause for concern. SO I use MapSource CitySelect 7 on my home computer, and also on my laptop (when I'm travelling.

I also asked if I could copy the CD's and give them to a friend (who was at the time waiting for the update CD's to be despatched) they said that CD's are just CD's - do with them what you want - It only becomes illegal if you also share the unlock codes.

This allowed my friend to load the software and plan his european trip. He did have to get the unlock codes from Garmion for his GPS - but as he was elligible for the free upgrade (and was waiting for the official CD's to arrive in the country) then they issued the codes without a problem.

I would say that if you have any doubts, then you should ask garmin. I don't know what their phone support is like, but their email support is fantastic - it usually only takes a few hours for a response, and the longest I've had to wait was 24 hours.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Dave#...

 

[Taff]

.. you can install the MapSource application and the maps themselves .. on multiple computers. In order to see the detail of the maps, you will need to export an 'unlock file' from the source computer, and import that same file into the target computer.

This can clarify something else for me then. I always assumed that I could only download maps, waypoints and routes to my GPS unit from my own computer, but on the GPS workshop, we were offered the use of a laptop to download waypoints to the unit (rather than creating them manually in my own GPS unit). Can I use someone elses laptop for routes and waypoints, but not the maps?

 

[PanEuropean]

I'll try my best to answer, but I'm also going to ask the other experts here on the forum to check my answer critically, to make sure I have not made any errors or omissions.

MapSource is an application that is used to transfer data to and from a GPSR, and to view data on a personal computer. The data can be comprised of map segments, waypoints, routes, and tracks. The map segments are created by the cartography company and cannot be modified. The waypoints and routes are created by the end user and can be modified at will. The tracks are created by the GPSR as you move around, and (generally speaking) cannot be modified.

The only intellectual property that MapSource has the capability to protect are the maps. Not all maps are protected (by way of a serial number unlock), only certain product lines such as City Select, City Navigator, and the BlueChart (marine) maps. Some maps are left unlocked intentionally, so they can be used on older GPSRs that don't support the unlock technology, or very simple, inexpensive GPRSs that Garmin didn't want to complicate too much by getting into unlock technology.

Anyone can load any (original version) of a locked map product onto any computer. But, until an unlock code has been entered, it is not possible to see all the detail of that map on the computer screen - it will just show major highways. Until the unlock code is entered, it is impossible to transfer any part of the cartography from the computer to the GPSR.

Once the unlock code has been entered, the full detail of the map can be seen on the computer. I think (and here is where I am not sure) that the map segments can be downloaded to any GPSR - regardless of serial number - BUT they will only be displayed on the GPSR that the unlock serial number corresponds to. In other words, the unlock serial number is matched to the GPSRs serial number. I think you could download a CN Europe mapset to someone else's 2610 CF card - and it would not work on that GPSR when you turned it on - but if you took the CF card out, and put it in your 2610 - that being the GPSR that the unlock code corresponds to - then when you turned your GPSR on, you would see the maps.

It is possible to have any number of unlock codes loaded into a computer. If you live in one town, and your friend lives in the other, you could both back up your individual unlock codes to a backup file, email that file to each other, load it in your computers, and voila - either one of you could use either computer to load either of the two GPSRs.

I'm not too up on how the serial numbers work, because when I am doing GPSR beta testing, all of the pre-production testing GPSRs that I am given have the same serial number. So, the only 'unique' unlock codes I have obtained on my own (by purchasing them) are for the GPSRs that I have bought myself - the last one of those being a SP III that I occasionally use just for comparison purposes.

Michael