Garmin from the US of A

[100WattWarlock]

Thinking of taking the plunge and getting a GPS unit, but I have one question, that I can't seem to find a simple answer to.

If I buy a GPS unit from the States, do I have all the European Street stuff that I need on it (Base Map?) or do I have to install something, or change something?

Probably a stupid question, but for one reason or another I get a mental blank when I look at these GPS things, a bit like Maths.....

Thanks for any help.

 

[judge]

No such thing as a stupid question where GPS is concerned.

A US supplied Garmin GPS unit will have the America basemap on the unit which is non-alterable.

Americas Autoroute Basemap:

This basemap comes factory installed with the BMW Motorcycles Navigator, StreetPilot III, StreetPilot 2610, StreetPilot 2620, StreetPilot 2650, StreetPilot 2660, StreetPilot 2720, StreetPilot 7200, StreetPilot 7500, GPS V, GPSMAP 196, GPSMAP 276C, GPSMAP 376C, GPSMAP 396, GPSMAP 296, GPSMAP 76C, GPSMAP 76CS, Quest, and Quest 2.

Garmin mapping units come with built-in, permanent basemaps that cannot be altered. These basemaps come in a variety of global designations (i.e., Atlantic basemap). Please see your local dealer when purchasing a Garmin mapping unit to ensure that you are purchasing one with a basemap that's appropriate for your location and needs. Factory-installed basemaps cannot be altered.

The Americas Routable basemap includes the United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America, and covers an area from W180 to W30 Longitude, S60 to N72 Latitude. Also included is a high-level worldwide map with political boundaries and major cities.

Standard map coverage includes:

Oceans, rivers, and lakes (greater than 30 sq. miles)
Principal cities and a small amount of smaller cities and towns
Major interstates and principal highways
Political boundaries (state and international borders)
Railroads
Major Airports
A. United States—In addition to the standard map coverage, it also includes:

Small lakes, major streams, and rivers
Principal urban areas (including Alaska and Hawaii)
National- and State-level roads
Many local roads in or near urban areas
More detailed coastline
Airports
A database of exits for the Federal Interstate highway system. This includes many businesses within about ¼ mile of the exit, including: restaurants, diesel/gas, hotels/lodging, overnight RV parking, dumps, campgrounds, truckstops, medical facilities, shopping and outlet malls, ATMs, and many more attractions.
Tide stations
B. Alaska—In addition to the standard map coverage, it also includes:

National- and State-level roads, plus some local roads in or near urban areas
Lakes greater than 5 square miles
Small cities and towns
Tide stations
C. Canada—In addition to the standard map coverage, it also includes:

Lakes greater than 5 square miles (Southern Canada)
Lakes greater than 10 square miles (Central Canada)
D. Mexico, Central and South America

Standard Map Coverage

Street-level detail comes in the form of Mapsource City Navigator and again, a US supplied unit will come with the US City Navigator NT.

If you own an existing Europe spec Garmin Streetpilot with a European City Navigator there is a way around this, if you haven't my recommendation is don't bother, it will cost you more in the long run. European spec Streetpilots can be got for a lot less than RRP if you do your homework as it is a very price volatile market.

 

[PRR]

Yes, base map is different. The question is if that matters to you.
Read this thread, then ask if you have any more questions.

If the unit you're considering is the Quest it also have less memory in the US version. That's not a good thing.

With units that have maps bundled there's not much money to save by buying in the US for european use, as you'd have to buy european maps separately then. Unless you plan on using the unit in the US as well I think it is only on 276C or the small handheld units there's something to gain from buying over there.

 

[Paul Young]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, just clarify a point........

What about the other way round - if I've got a European Quest & want to use it in the US. Can you buy the US mapping & use it on a European unit?

 

[PRR]

What about the other way round - if I've got a European Quest & want to use it in the US. Can you buy the US mapping & use it on a European unit?

Yes You can always buy detailed mapping and when on that particular map you won't notice any difference, but the bigger memory of the european Quest is of course better. When/if leaving the detailed maps the base map issues will be the same - but reversed