Map Detail

[ivanwarwick]

OK I have read all the posts on GPS to see if I can get to the bottom of which of them to buy for my GS. I live in Northern Ireland and would spend most of my time around Ireland, with a once or twice a year visit to Scotland, England or Wales. Have only ventured across to Europe on one occasion, not because I don’t want to simply a matter of time.

I’m willing to spend what ever it takes to get a good system. The Garmin Streetpilot 2720 looks like a contender. My main concern is the map detail. I purchased a Garmin III some years back and I only had it a couple of weeks and sold it again, simply because there was no map detail available of North or South Ireland. OK they detailed the streets in Belfast and Dublin but nothing else. What I like to do is take all the B and C roads and avoid cities, motorways. Is there anyone who could advise – has the map detail improved for all of Ireland and not just the 2 motorways?

 

[illustratedman]

Ireland

Still dont think the map detail is that great for ireland. Check out garmin for details

 

[chasr]

The map detail is the same whichever Garmin you purchase. You can check out the detail online, by visiting the Garmin website (look for mapsource). Obviously, the Tom Tom coverage is different, but who'd want to buy that?

 

[PanEuropean]

Is there anyone who could advise – has the map detail improved for all of Ireland and not just the 2 motorways?

Ivan:

The map detail for Ireland (both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) has improved considerably since the days when you looked at it on a 'Garmin III'. But - its still not as good as the map detail for other countries, for example, England and Scotland. This is because the governments concerned have not yet vector-mapped all of the island.

Mapping of Northern Ireland is considerably better than mapping of the Republic, but coverage of small towns in rural Northern Ireland is still incomplete. Coverage of major cities at both ends of the island (Belfast, Dublin) is pretty good.

Garmin has a 'on-line map viewer' you can look at to determine exactly what coverage you will get, before you buy the GPSR. Click here to use it: Garmin Map Viewer, then, below the grey bar that reads 'MapSource Map Viewer', select 'City Navigator Europe v8'. Be aware that there is no difference between CN 8 and CN 8 NT, so far as what roads are contained in it. Some GPSRs come with CN 8, others with CN 8 NT.

Michael

 

[ebbo]

Word on the ground is that Ireland mapping will be fully updated on the next release of Garmin mapping, that will be Jan/Feb 07 (no promises mind)

Might be a good time to buy a Zumo…

And I think the Zumo would be a good choose over the more traditional Streetpilot series if only for the left hand buttons!

 

[PanEuropean]

Word on the ground is that Ireland mapping will be fully updated on the next release of Garmin mapping...

I don't know one way or the other, however, full mapping of Ireland depends entirely on the progress that the government makes creating vector maps of the country... it's not something that is within the control of Navteq, let alone Garmin. So... if you live there, you are probably in the best position to analyze the efficiency and competence of the government, and come to your own conclusion.

Michael

 

[ivanwarwick]

GPS Map

Hichael

Thanks for the shortcut, I have now looked at the Garmin map source and it is, as you say not very good for Ireland even north Ireland is still very much incomplete. I cant understand why this is as auto route express is much more complete indicating that map source detail are available from somewhere.

I really do appreciate your comments Michael thanks.

It may be a good idea to wait on the Zumo it looks like what I may need.

Ivan

 

[ebbo]

I don't know one way or the other, however, full mapping of Ireland depends entirely on the progress that the government makes creating vector maps of the country... it's not something that is within the control of Navteq, let alone Garmin. So... if you live there, you are probably in the best position to analyze the efficiency and competence of the government, and come to your own conclusion.

Michael

Navteq mapping Ireland
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/navteq2.php

 

[PanEuropean]

Great link, Ebbo.

Guess that tells you what Navteq thinks of the government...

 

[ivanwarwick]

Thanks for that Martin it explains a lot about why there is limited map detail for the Republic of Ireland. Hopefully we will have more detailed maps shortly, and I trust they will include Northern Ireland in their detailed survey.

 

[corky]

Map detail v which GPS

I'm looking for GPS with enough detail also. We do B roads or un named roads as often as possible and found the V8 maps are not good enoughfor Northumberland/Durham. The mapsource Topo maps would be ok if they go into the usual units and support voice commands--ortherwise it would be too slow. I'm interested in in a 2610, mainly as they are only £240 at the moment as they are discontined. The other unit no one seems to get and looks as if it does the biz is the 276c. Anyone who knows anything about these can you shed some light on the subject.

Thanks

 

[ebbo]

http://www.ebbo.org/garmin_276c.php
The 2610 has a low resolution screen (and it’s not all that good in the sun ether, but its nice and cheap!) if you’re looking specifically for detail, you might want a later Streetpilot or 276c

Pixel count and screen sizes

Streetpilot 2610
Display: 3.7” diagonal, 305 x 160 pixels (48,800 pixels)
Bright automotive-grade 8-bit, 256 color LCD display with automatic dimming backlight and touch screen

Zumo
Display: 3.5” diagonal, 320 x 240 pixels (76,800 pixels)
High bright sunlight-readable, UV-resistant, touch screen display

Streetpilot 2730
Display 3.8” diagonal; 454 x 240 pixels (108,960 pixels)
WQVGA color, automotive-grade, sunlight-readable TFT display
(108,960 pixels)

276c
Display: 3.8” diagonal, 480 x 320 pixel (153,600 pixels)
Transrefective 256-color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight

 

[corky]

Maps

Thanks ebbo, Doose anyone know if the popo maps go in most units and do they support voice commands?

 

[HMR]

276c
Display: 3.8” diagonal, 480 x 320 pixel (153,600 pixels)
Transrefective 256-color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight

Note that a 276C manufactured post 2005 has a much brighter screen than those made earlier. It's still not really "sunlight readable" but at least better than before.

 

[HMR]

Thanks ebbo, Doose anyone know if the popo maps go in most units and do they support voice commands?

Topographical maps fits in most units. But the maps often need a fairly large screen and many colors to work well. You should test the map of interest in the GPS of interest before you buy it!

I assume that you by "support voice commands" mean if one can create "routes" and receive "directions" or "guiding instructions". The answer is no for most topo maps. In principle this has nothing to do with if the map is topographic or not. It is an issue about if the map has logical road & junction info in it or not. Most topographical maps don't have this info.

 

[Mzokk]

The coverage for NI is now pretty good with nearly all the small roads marked. Its still not great for the republic but usable.

 

[DodgyGeeSer]

Hi Ivan, here's a post I made on another thread on the subject of Ireland mapping. It may prove useful..

You can view, what will hopefully be the equivalent of V9, here:
http://www.uk.map24.com/. The site has incredible mapping coverage of Ireland, and uses NavTeq maps, so hopefully it's a sign of things to come.