PanEuropean
Registered user
Garmin has recently posted updates for the software that runs the StreetPilot 2610, 2620, and 2650 GPSR's. Presumaby BMW has also posted a similar update for the Nav II.
The updates can be downloaded free of charge from this location: Garmin Software Updates
For the benefit of new GPS users: You have 4 different types of software that are involved in a Garmin GPSR that shows street level detail, such as the StreetPilot models. These 4 types of software are:
1) System Software ("Firmware") for the GPSR itself. This is what this posting refers to. System software is downloaded over the internet and arrives on your computer as a compressed program file. You double-click on it, and the compressed file "expands". Then, you connect your GPSR to your computer with the cable, and download the new system software to the GPSR. This only has to be done once, the GPSR will never forget it, and you cannot erase it. This software is stored inside the GPSR, not on the data chip. This software tells the GPSR what to do when you press the buttons, how to figure out how to get from A to B, when to beep, what colour to use when drawing the map on the screen, stuff like that.
2) The MapSource Program. You can also find and download the MapSource program on the same page you find and download the GPSR specific software. MapSource is the tool that is used to view maps on your computer, and to transfer maps, waypoints, and routes to your GPSR. MapSource contains no maps. When you update the MapSource program, you don't have to do anything with your GPSR (just leave it in your car), because you are only updating the program that runs on your computer.
3) The map products themselves, such as CityNavigator, CitySelect, MetroGuide, and others. You buy these on a CD, you never download them from the internet. They cost money. You'll know when you have bought one, trust me. When you buy new map software, you usually load it onto your computer's hard disk, and after that is done, you go get your GPSR data chip, and transfer the new maps (with all the new housing estates, watering holes, and cathouses on them) from your computer's hard disk to your data chip, thus replacing all the old maps that were there. The only thing that Garmin data chips ever hold is maps, nothing else.
4) Waypoints, routes, and tracks: You make waypoints and routes yourself, using the MapSource program. (If you are experienced, you can also make waypoints and routes on the GPSR itself, without using the MapSource tool). You then transfer these waypoints and routes to the GPSR's memory (not its data chip, but another part of its memory) so you can then use these waypoints and maps as you ride around. After you have finished riding around, your GPSR will contain 'tracks' showing where you went. If you want, you can upload these tracks to your computer, using the MapSource program, and view them.
PanEuropean
PS: I suppose you could call the spoken voice files that are available in different languages a fifth form of software, but the truth is, these voice files really belong in the first category of software mentioned, which is firmware. If you would like your GPSR to speak another language to you, such as French, German, British English instead of American English, you can download the spoken voice files from the same location as you get the system software. It loads to your GPSR exactly the same way. Note that the GPSR comes with the ability to display text in every language right out of the box, but its memory capacity is limited to holding only two of the 9 or 10 spoken languages that are available at any one time.
The updates can be downloaded free of charge from this location: Garmin Software Updates
For the benefit of new GPS users: You have 4 different types of software that are involved in a Garmin GPSR that shows street level detail, such as the StreetPilot models. These 4 types of software are:
1) System Software ("Firmware") for the GPSR itself. This is what this posting refers to. System software is downloaded over the internet and arrives on your computer as a compressed program file. You double-click on it, and the compressed file "expands". Then, you connect your GPSR to your computer with the cable, and download the new system software to the GPSR. This only has to be done once, the GPSR will never forget it, and you cannot erase it. This software is stored inside the GPSR, not on the data chip. This software tells the GPSR what to do when you press the buttons, how to figure out how to get from A to B, when to beep, what colour to use when drawing the map on the screen, stuff like that.
2) The MapSource Program. You can also find and download the MapSource program on the same page you find and download the GPSR specific software. MapSource is the tool that is used to view maps on your computer, and to transfer maps, waypoints, and routes to your GPSR. MapSource contains no maps. When you update the MapSource program, you don't have to do anything with your GPSR (just leave it in your car), because you are only updating the program that runs on your computer.
3) The map products themselves, such as CityNavigator, CitySelect, MetroGuide, and others. You buy these on a CD, you never download them from the internet. They cost money. You'll know when you have bought one, trust me. When you buy new map software, you usually load it onto your computer's hard disk, and after that is done, you go get your GPSR data chip, and transfer the new maps (with all the new housing estates, watering holes, and cathouses on them) from your computer's hard disk to your data chip, thus replacing all the old maps that were there. The only thing that Garmin data chips ever hold is maps, nothing else.
4) Waypoints, routes, and tracks: You make waypoints and routes yourself, using the MapSource program. (If you are experienced, you can also make waypoints and routes on the GPSR itself, without using the MapSource tool). You then transfer these waypoints and routes to the GPSR's memory (not its data chip, but another part of its memory) so you can then use these waypoints and maps as you ride around. After you have finished riding around, your GPSR will contain 'tracks' showing where you went. If you want, you can upload these tracks to your computer, using the MapSource program, and view them.
PanEuropean
PS: I suppose you could call the spoken voice files that are available in different languages a fifth form of software, but the truth is, these voice files really belong in the first category of software mentioned, which is firmware. If you would like your GPSR to speak another language to you, such as French, German, British English instead of American English, you can download the spoken voice files from the same location as you get the system software. It loads to your GPSR exactly the same way. Note that the GPSR comes with the ability to display text in every language right out of the box, but its memory capacity is limited to holding only two of the 9 or 10 spoken languages that are available at any one time.
