Garmin V software?

[Ryberg]

Hi everyone!

I have just recieved my Garmin V from US. It includes the US version basemap. I knew this. Now I want to install Mapsource City Select for europe. It´s very expensive to buy. Now I wonder if I have to install Garmin original software or if software from other manufacturers works to. Maybe anyone have a City Select to sell. Thanks for any advice.
/
Niclas

 

[Gecko]

Hi Ryberg
The mapsourse software can't be used between different GPS units. An unlock code is unique to a units serial number. This is how Garmin gets us all to pay and pay and pay.....
I think you will have to buy an unlock code for your unit ($100) and activate the European base maps, if Garmin will let you do that on a US unit. I seem tro remember that a ERuropean wanting US software has to pay a lot more than his US counterpart buying the same thing and vice versa so I am afraid you may be looking at a cost no matter which way you proceed.
Having said that there are other software solutions but I have never used them.
Good luck
Gecko

 

[adamski49]

Ryberg

If you want it to navigate you will need the City Select software. If you just want to know where you are I suppose you could use MetroGuide Europe or similar but it sort of defeats the point of buying a V.

As for the basemap, you're stuck with that - as far as I'm aware it cannot be changed (or Garmin won't change it).

Unfortuantely, whichever way you work it out it's cheaper to bite the bullet and buy the European spec one. Best bet now is to pick up a cheap secondhand V off eBay or similar and unlock for a second unit although you still may need to unlock all regions (at $100) if you get an early one.

HTH

Adam

 

[Ryberg]

Ok, thanks. One thing are puzzling me. If I enter Touratechs website they have GPS maps for downloading. Can´t I use them? I am sorry if my questions seems funny but I am a rookie on GPS. I just want it to work without to much moneyspending and hazzle.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Ryberg:

There are many different formats of maps available for electronic use. Garmin uses one format, Blaupunkt uses another, Magellen uses yet another. I am not familiar with the Touratech product, but my guess is that it works with a different product than the Garmin GPSR's.

 

[Ryberg]

Hi Pan European!

I understand from your posts that you are a Garmin wizkid. I have been battling with my 1,25 mhz Powerbook and Virtual PC for eight hours know. Soon I will freak out if I wont get this to work soon. I´ve made the mistake to order a GPS from US. First of all I can´t get my adapter from Serial to USB to work. VPC does not recognize the USB. Only COM1. I don´t know how to get the device to talk to the computer. All software are installed and works pretty fast. Could be better but it´s ok. If you have any clues to works this out I promise to buy you a pint when I get to UK next time.

All the best
/
Ryberg

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Ryberg:

Garmin stuff I am somewhat familiar with, but the Apple OS and Virtual PC - geez, I haven't used that since System 6.3 back in the early 90's. I was a developer for Apple at one time, but that was in the 80's... before the old King died.

Personally, I think you are 'hosed' if you want to load your datachip or GPSR from MapSource running under emulation on the Apple OS. My guess is that the application (MapSource.exe) would probably run pretty well by itself under emulation, but the problem of data input / output you have encountered is close to insurmountable. For sure, Garmin has no plans to release a Mac OS version of MapSource.

If I recall correctly, the GPS V uses a serial port connection to communicate with the computer, not a USB port. The USB port is only used by the newer SP 26xx series for direct communication with the GPSR, or for plugging in the chip loader that is used with the StreetPilot series (SP, SP ColourMap, SP III), and other GPSR's such as the 176 that use data chips. Have you tried communicating with your GPS V via COM 1 and then the Serial Port? (Not sure if the PowerBooks even have a serial port or not).

If all else fails, you can back up your unlock codes for the CitySelect cartographic software onto a floppy disk (they only occupy 1k or so), then take that floppy to someone else who is running the same version of CitySelect as you have. Then you can upload map segments from their machine (a Wintel machine) to your GPS V.

FWIW, it's a useful trick to always travel with a floppy that has your unlock codes on it. That way, if you come across another computer (someone else's) with the same maps on it, you can install your unlocks, then upload from their machine. You don't need to worry about removing the unlocks later, they are only good for your GPSR anyway. Might be worthwhile to put your name in the comments field, though, just so the other person can figure out what's what in the future.

PanEuropean