Potentially For Sale - City Navigator Australia

[AdamZ]

OK guys, I don't see how this would be illegal and surely must be within Garmin's licensing rules.....

If I buy a City Navigator Australia CD from Johnny Appleseed at AUD499 (approx GBP211) is there someone who would buy it off me on my departure including unlock codes?????

Don't know how Garmin handle transfers of software ownership....

 

[Greg Masters]

Don't know how Garmin handle transfers of software ownership....

This is an issue that you will need to research. Once you have used the software, the software codes are then linked to the GPS's serial number and can't then be used in a different unit.

I wouldn't pay a penny for the software unless you had hard evidence (from Garmin) that the data could be used again.

Greg

 

[Dutchman]

De-Register software....???

Hi Adam

I'm guessing that there must be provision for you to theoretically sell on your GPS without the software, in which case Garmin would have to 'de-register' the software from the unit.

If you could confirm with Garmin that this is the case then I'll purchase the software for half of what you pay for it, when you've finished with it.

Cheers

Dutch

 

[AdamZ]

Re: De-Register software....???

Hi Adam

I'm guessing that there must be provision for you to theoretically sell on your GPS without the software, in which case Garmin would have to 'de-register' the software from the unit.

If you could confirm with Garmin that this is the case then I'll purchase the software for half of what you pay for it, when you've finished with it.

Cheers

Dutch

Dutch,

I sent the following to Garmin today:


"I am looking at purchasing from someone their registered version of City Navigator. In such they will, assign me all their rights under the License, cease all use of the product, erase or destroy any copy (including hard disk copy) made in support of their use of the product, and ensure (through written authorisation) that I agree to the terms of the Mapsource License.


I would like therefore to understand how the current unlock-code assignment to their physical garmin unit can be cancelled and transferred to my garmin units (using the two allowed unit).


This is as per the Mapsource License agreement that comes with the Mapsource Disks and I hope that I will receive a reply shortly to confirm the assesment and the process.....

If not I will call them on Monday.

 

[BurnieM]

Just a note on coverage;
Metroguide Australia has much better rural mapping than City Navigator Australia (but without auto-routing).
Metropolitain area coverage is identical for both products.

Normally, for motorcycling and 4WDing, I recommend MGA. Price is AU$235.

I use MGA with a GPS V and can send you screen shots if you like.
MGA still has the same address find functions but gotos are straight line.

Note that MGA is also the only Metroguide to use an unlock code.

 

[AdamZ]

Just a note on coverage;
Metroguide Australia has much better rural mapping than City Navigator Australia (but without auto-routing).
Metropolitain area coverage is identical for both products.

Normally, for motorcycling and 4WDing, I recommend MGA. Price is AU$235.

I use MGA with a GPS V and can send you screen shots if you like.
MGA still has the same address find functions but gotos are straight line.

Note that MGA is also the only Metroguide to use an unlock code.

Bernie,

Thanks, that confirms some of the research that I had done. and the pricing with the strength of the AUD puts it around £100GBP. My only concerns are the compatibility with StreetpilotIII (not listed as compatible on the Garmin site) and the lack of Autoroute capability.

If it was Sydney it would be no worries, I can still find my way round pretty good without autoroute as I once was a cabbie there (yeah, it has changed a lot but if you push on you can eventually find a reference point).

But my mum moved to Brissie when she retired (yeah, I know but in truth she aint like the usual lot - she bought me my first bike when I was 17). And I am buggered if I can find my way round that lot, my brother is in Toowoomba and I want to go to Noosa. So I am not sure of the impact of loss of Autoroute...

You view would be appreciated...

 

[BurnieM]

Yes, Metroguide Australia will work with an SPIII. There have been a few (lots) of guys with BMW Navigators that come with City Navigator Australia that have it loaded. Normally they buy a 128MB card and load both products and manually switch off CNA in the country.

CNA on its own is 44MB, MGA is 48MB.

With a GPS V and MGA I set Route Preference to 'Off Road' but leave Lock On Road on.
With lock on road I get a readout of the next upcoming side street.
With off road I get straight line gotos which are still useful.
POI and address finding is similar (if not identical) to CNA but you loose the turn by turn routing.

For a comparison of rural mapping have a look at Lithgow (west of Sydney) in the Garmin map viewer.
CNA has just the main highway and railway line.

 

[Greg Masters]

look at Lithgow (west of Sydney) in the Garmin map viewer.
CNA has just the main highway and railway line.

Does the railway line Zig-Zag?



Greg

 

[BurnieM]

Very droll

 

[BurnieM]

There is a steam train tourist facility just east of Lithgow called 'Zig Zag Railway'

 

[AdamZ]

Yes, Metroguide Australia will work with an SPIII. There have been a few (lots) of guys with BMW Navigators that come with City Navigator Australia that have it loaded. Normally they buy a 128MB card and load both products and manually switch off CNA in the country.

CNA on its own is 44MB, MGA is 48MB.

With a GPS V and MGA I set Route Preference to 'Off Road' but leave Lock On Road on.
With lock on road I get a readout of the next upcoming side street.
With off road I get straight line gotos which are still useful.
POI and address finding is similar (if not identical) to CNA but you loose the turn by turn routing.

Bernie,

Thanks, I think that I will probably go for the Metro, I just have to try out off road on the SPIII.

I got an email from Garmin which indicated that they don't actually folow their license agreement. The indicate that the software is sold with a "one time use" unlock code which pairs the software with the registered physical device and it is not possible to transfer that pairing. Which actually makes a mockery of their license wording but that will be addressed later.

Garmin also indicated or pre-guessed (unless they are reading UKGS'er) that in order to get City Navigator standalone you must purchase from a US dealer and ensure that it is Version 5 as other versions do not have the appropriate unlock code mechanism.

I think this indicates that you should not buy secondhand Garmin software. I will update after I have probed the license conditions on my return.

However, I will in future be willing to consider a "swap-in/swap-out" deal for any UKGS'ers travelling to Aus in the future. This would be on the basis they deposit their Navigator, Software, Codes with me and they can "borrow" my Navigator, Software & Codes. There would be no transfer of ownership unless they fail to return my bundle. An appropriate donation to charity would be considered appropriate.

It would have to be a Navigator because the BMW License conditions are clear and enforcable and do allow transfer of ownership.

As a passing point perhaps UKGS'er could have a nominated charity

Yeah, the ZigZag railway is in the Blue Mountains which for all the poor lot suffering with the English weather is a part of the dividing range of mountains which have some wonderful roads. In my time there ways to disappear off into the bush and enjoy yourself. Green Laneing in the UK is a poor substitute....