Mapsourse

[john_aero]

Ok,

have a zumo 400, got very cheap and i want do some route palnning during summer.

problem is garmin are having trouble getting in touch with the registered owner as he moved away and has not unlocked unit.

so can i buy/download or BORROW maysourse or do i have to buy it new and have it registered to my unit.

 

[roddy]

you can download mapsource (the mapping program as opposed to the actual maps) from the Garmin site. >>here<<

which will let you connect to the unit at least, I'm sure somewhere in mapsource you can download a wee file that has the unlock codes in it

 

[Blackal]

I think you might be fcuked, until they contact the previous owner.

I had the same problem with a 2610, bought off Ebay - which ultimately turned out to have been reported stolen in break-in

Garmin traced the previous owner and reported that back to me and advising that the 2610 might make a good doorstop, as they would do nothing with it.

Al

 

[roddy]

could you not erase the unit and put an other sourced mapping on it ??

 

[Bumpkin]

Without the current owner, or Garmin, releasing the unit then I'm afraid that you're screwed. However, I heard recently of someone in a similar position to you that called Garmin and Garmin said that they would attempt to contact the previous owner and if the previous owner didn't respond with a certain number of days they would release the unit. I think they now rely on a GPS being reported as stolen. Worth giving them another ring and asking them if they'd be willing to release the Zumo to you if they can't get in touch with the guy.

 

[john_aero]

ya i think will ring them again as they said they would try get in touch with him and as they have not got back i take it that not stolen ro anything

so to use mapsourse i have to have the unit unlocked or in my name?

all i want do is plan a route on laptop thats all

 

[john_aero]

just went online to my garmin.

crap i was meant to ring them 3 weeks ago, they were going release the unit to me if the past owner did nto reply or if the unit is not down as stolen

looking good

 

[Blackal]

Good news!

(you interested in buying a doorstop? )

Al

 

[roddy]

Al, could you not erase the 2610 and put a hooky copy of the mapping on it ?

 

[v8legend]

so to use mapsourse i have to have the unit unlocked or in my name?

Just to clarify. The unit probably doesn't need unlocking. I doubt it is actually locked? Does it actually work? If so, you can still update the software, just not the maps.

It needs de-registering. You'll then be able to register it in your name and buy maps etc.

 

[john_aero]

sorry yes registering

all sorted,

got email saying unit is out of last owners name and reay for me to register it

so will do that tonight

 

[Bumpkin]

However, you will still need the mapping. Mapsource is a program that you use to handle the mapping and plot routes using the mapping. The mapping data is not part of Mapsource but a different entity. Not a great analogy but it's like MS Word (the program) and a Word document (the data). Neither is any good without the other. In the case of Mapsource the program is free, the mapping data has to be paid for.

The mapping data already on the GPS isn't transferable to your PC unless you're using Basecamp, even then it's not ideal and can take quite some time requiring you to plug the Zumo into your PC and transfer the mapping temporarily across. I don't think it stays on the PC, it actually reads it off the GPS as you use it.

Depending on the age of the mapping on your 400, and how long you intend to keep the GPS, you might want to upgrade the mapping to a Lifetime subscription. This can be done for around £50-60 (it's gone up) by buying a Garmin gift card from Handtec or Pentagon GPS. The Lifetime bit refers to the GPS, not you. Sell, loose or have stolen and it's gone with the unit. If Garmin repair or replace it they should transfer it though.

Once you have the subscription set up in your myGarmin account you can update every 4 months or so as the new mapping gets released. From there you can download to your GPS and/or your PC. Once on your PC you can used Mapsource and Basecamp to your hearts content with decent load times and without the GPS plugged in.

 

[john_aero]

However, you will still need the mapping. Mapsource is a program that you use to handle the mapping and plot routes using the mapping. The mapping data is not part of Mapsource but a different entity. Not a great analogy but it's like MS Word (the program) and a Word document (the data). Neither is any good without the other. In the case of Mapsource the program is free, the mapping data has to be paid for.

The mapping data already on the GPS isn't transferable to your PC unless you're using Basecamp, even then it's not ideal and can take quite some time requiring you to plug the Zumo into your PC and transfer the mapping temporarily across. I don't think it stays on the PC, it actually reads it off the GPS as you use it.

Depending on the age of the mapping on your 400, and how long you intend to keep the GPS, you might want to upgrade the mapping to a Lifetime subscription. This can be done for around £50-60 (it's gone up) by buying a Garmin gift card from Handtec or Pentagon GPS. The Lifetime bit refers to the GPS, not you. Sell, loose or have stolen and it's gone with the unit. If Garmin repair or replace it they should transfer it though.

Once you have the subscription set up in your myGarmin account you can update every 4 months or so as the new mapping gets released. From there you can download to your GPS and/or your PC. Once on your PC you can used Mapsource and Basecamp to your hearts content with decent load times and without the GPS plugged in.

well thats the plan, when get bit money i want buy genuine garmin maps and use them along with mapsourse and get rid of the maps i have currently