Isle of Man on Mapsource

[(RIP) willstatt]

Just loading up the relevant maps for my trip to Isle o Man next week, and I'm unable to 'select' the map for the Island.

Does that mean that there's no more detail than there is on the Basemap?

I'm on version 4.11

Will

 

[PanEuropean]

Willstatt:

Before I can answer your question, I need to help you sort out the different software components that are used with Garmin electronic cartography, because you are (unknowingly) confusing apples and oranges here.

MapSource is the program (application, executable) that is used to view electronic maps, to download segments of these maps to your GPSR, and to create, manipulate, and upload/download waypoints, routes, and tracks.

MapSource contains NO MAPS! It's strictly a data manipulation tool. The most recent version of this tool is 6.1, and this can be downloaded free of charge from the Garmin website. Note that if you are not running Windows 2000 or later, you should stick with the previous version of MapSource, which is 5.4.

MapSource is included on every cartography CD that Garmin produces. When you install your first cartography CD on your computer, MapSource is installed. If you install additional cartography CD's later, MapSource will be updated automatically, if the subsequent CD has a newer version on it. But, even if you have 10 different Garmin cartography products installed on your computer, you will (normally) only have one version of MapSource present.

The maps themselves are referred to by various product names - City Navigator, City Select, MetroGuide, and so on. Each of these products has multiple versions, because the map products are normally updated about every 12 to 18 months. For example, the current version of City Navigator for Europe is version 6.

It is possible to be running an out of date version of MapSource (the map viewing tool) with a current version of a mapping product, and it is also possible to be running a current version of MapSource with an out of date mapping product. Such slight mismatches are generally no big problem, though if I had a choice, I would want the newest map product, rather than the newest MapSource program.

For a more detailed explanation of the history (genealogy) of the various Garmin mapping products, and how all these different components (MapSource, maps from CD's, basemap) work together, have a look at this post, which I made in another motorcycle interest group: Garmin V - Buying a US Version for European/RTW use

About the Isle of Mann: OK, having cleared all that up - I have CityNavigator Europe version 6, it shows quite a bit of detail for the Isle of Mann, below are some photos:

 

[PanEuropean]

A wider scale view of the Isle of Mann, also from City Navigator Europe version 6:

 

[gazza]

Just to add to the excellent info provided by Pan Euro, there even seems to be many TT landmarks highlighted as attached.

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

Isle of Man

Right, thanks for that PanEuro

I've got City Select Version 5 Update

My GPS V originally came with version 4

The Mapsource on my PC says version 4.11

I don't have anything other than 'basemap' type detail on the Isle of Man, and I can select that 'block' with the map selection tool.

Everywhere else is fine.... England, France, Spain, Ireland

Any clues?

Does City Select not include Isle of Man?

Will

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Will:

I don't have version 5 of CitySelect available to compare to, so all I can do is offer you a few thoughts, you can explore these on your own:

1) When you have the cartography displayed on your PC using MapSource, be sure you have selected "Show GPS Detail", which you will find under the "VIEW" menu. Otherwise, the street level detail is suppressed, for faster screen drawing of the maps when working at wide zoom levels. All you will see on your PC is the "internal cosmetic basemap" of the map product on MapSource (which is not to be confused with the "basemap" on your GPSR).

2) I know that version 5 of CityNavigator and CitySelect - which, by the way, contain identical visible data - did not have complete coverage for some of the places that are "sort of" a part of the UK, but not 100% a part of the UK. Like, for example, the Channel Islands. It is possible that version 5 does not have coverage for the Isle of Mann. We now know that version 6 does - perhaps someone else can help out here with the answer?

3) I doubt that upgrading the MapSource application will make much of a difference, but you never know, and it's free to do. If you have a fast internet connection, go to Garmin Updates and Downloads, and get version 6.1 of MapSource. It's a big file, hence the qualification about having a fast internet connection. While you are there, check and see if you have the latest system software for your GPS V, you will find it on the same page (this won't have any effect on your Isle of Mann map problem, but it might make your GPS V work better). Lastly, go and download the latest version of the user manual for MapSource. The program has changed so much since version 4 that Garmin has released a completly new user manual, and it is worth the time to read it - you'll learn a few good new tricks. You can get the new MapSource user manual, free, at this link: MapSource User Guide, Revision C, December 2003

Regards,

PanEuropean

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

V 5 no IOM then

PanEuro....

Many thanks for your help.... I've uploaded Mapsource 6.1, and it hasn't made any difference, so I think you're right in your suspicion that v5 doesn't have the I of Man in detail...

I already had 'gps detail' selected too.

Oh well.....

 

[PanEuropean]

Well, I suppose on account of the fact that the place is an island, you don't have TOO great a risk of getting seriously lost... .

I have no idea how big the island is, though - never been there.

Is it a country in its own right, a British colony, or what?

PanEuropean

 

[Gecko]

Re: V 5 no IOM then

PanEuro....

Many thanks for your help.... I've uploaded Mapsource 6.1, and it hasn't made any difference, so I think you're right in your suspicion that v5 doesn't have the I of Man in detail...

I already had 'gps detail' selected too.

Oh well.....

I can confirm your conclusions. I have the same set up and IOM is very poorly covered. Douglas is just a dot.....

 

[richie]

So how much is the update to version 6 going to set you back. Seems to me that it is far superior for certain places. But ireland is still a black hole apart from the ring of kerry, funnily enough...

 

[Howard Millichap]

Been to the TT many times and believe me, you don't need a GPSR. The island is not big enough to get lost on.
Also, you can still use the "Trip" functions if you want to time your lap because the satelites are still up there.
Have fun and DO NOT do anything stupid. i.e. go faster than your knowledge of the circuit would deem sensible.

 

[PanEuropean]

Version 6 of CityNavigator and CitySelect added additional coverage for places like the Channel Islands, Isle of Mann, some parts of Scandinavia, and filled in some of the holes (and corrected some of the more glaring errors) in coverage of the Iberian peninsula.

Apart from minor updates to roads that have been changed or added in the 18 months since version 5 was first released, version 6 didn't add any functionality for areas that were already well covered by substantially correct data, such as Switzerland, Germany, Benelux region, etc.

I don't know how well version 5 covered England, Scotland and Wales - but, my suggestion would be that if you have version 5, and you are satisfied with the quality and accuracy of the coverage you have now, it might be most economical if you hold off on doing an update until version 7 comes out.

If you need coverage of the areas that were added to version 6, and especially if you plan to do any touring to Spain or Portugal this summer, then you pretty much have to budget to purchase version 6 now. But unless you fall into one of these two user categories, it might be best to keep your money in your pocket until version 7 is released. I suspect it will introduce new features that will cause all of us to want it, and then there will be the usual moaning and gnashing of teeth from those who bought version 6 just 32 days prior to the release of version 7, and thus don't qualify for a free upgrade... You guys know how much I hate moaning and whinging, so keep your powder dry, OK? I don't want to have to say "I told you so" later on.

PanEuropean