Navigator 1 Versus 2610

[PIGGLET]

I've been looking at a few second hand GPS units and am fairly sure i want a 2610. I have been offered a BMW navigator 1 quite cheap but there are a few things i am not sure of. Are the two units the same? Do they use the same memory? Is the software and garmin support compatible with the navigator? Also the Navigator does not come with the unlock codes. Is this a problem and if so can it be unlocked and how much?

 

[Greg Masters]

Was the Navigator 1 not the BMW version of the Garmin StreetPilot III?

Greg

 

[PIGGLET]

Is the Street pilot III not the same as a 2610 then?

 

[Greg Masters]

Is the Street pilot III not the same as a 2610 then?

This is a 2610:

This is an SP III:

Although the functionality of the two units is very similar, the 2610 has a much faster processor and has a much more readily and cheaply expandable memory.

Greg

 

[BurnieM]

BMW Navigator = Garmin StreetPilot III

BMW Navigator II = Garmin StreetPilot 2610

 

[Commuter]

As greg said ther 2610 was brought out to replace the SPIII so I suggest you get that.....one thing I like about the 2610 is the CF ability, 1GB gets all of UK, 2G gets majority of Europe.

Good Luck

 

[MikeP]

2G gets majority of Europe.

2Gb CF Sandisk Card from ebay about £90

You can can get all of Garmin UK and Europe maps on it and still have 3+Mb left.

 

[PIGGLET]

Ahhh I see. Cheers for the pics Greg. sounds like the 2610 is the one to go for. What happens if you don't have the unlck codes etc? I've seen garmins europe base map V7 on CD for about £90. can this be uploaded without the codes or are the codes just for downloads?

 

[John Armstrong]

Be very carefull with the disks. If you don't already own the same Mapsource product eg EU CN then an update disk isn't worth the postage to you. So if buying a secondhand GPS, you have to make certain that you take ownership of the original unlock code.

The Romans used to say buyer beware, totally correct with GPS and unlock codes.

 

[Greg Masters]

I've seen garmins europe base map V7 on CD for about £90. can this be uploaded without the codes or are the codes just for downloads?

...and they have been on this BB too!

If you buy a 2610 or, indeed, any sat Nav that uses City Select (now defunct) or City Navigator, you MUST get the original MapSource software and maps (ie the stuff you load on your PC) WITH their unlock codes.

Garmin will GIVE you (ie free of charge, ex gratis and for nothing) an update CD (which is what people try to sell on eBay) but it cannot be used with your Sat Nav until you have BOUGHT the unlock code from Garmin.

So, in short, no unlock code = no use = no value.

Greg

 

[ebbo]

City Navigator v8 is due out quite soon, perhaps at the end of this month, so don’t be in a rush to ‘update’ Who knows, it might have the long awaited Ireland mapping update!

 

[PIGGLET]

Thanks Chaps, more excellent info.