V9 and Streetpilot III

[haydw]

I have just got my hands on a Streetpilot III (cheers Rushy) and have been playing with it. It currently has unlock codes for V6, and as it has Garmins own memory card with 128mb, I can fit most of the UK on it, or if I was selective I could get a euro route on too- other than that I would need a bigger card.

The tiles/maps on v6 dont seem that big- loads for the UK and europe- are the map sizes in v9 much bigger and would I have trouble getting the UK onto a 128mb card? Also, would I have access if I paid for the upgrade to full postal code search?

Do I have any other options than paying for v9-would I still have to pay for an unlock code for v7 or v8?

Excuse my ignorance- this is my first GPS and am learning how to use it.

 

[Bumpkin]

For the UK City Navigator V8 has 18 map tiles totalling 172.8MB (V9 will be similar, a little bigger probably), compared to City Select V6 which has 116 tiles totalling 154.4MB. City Select is no longer available, only City Navigator.

When planning a trip abroad it's not so much the density of data but the area off your route that has to be included that's the problem. Due to the bigger tiles (proportions above are similar across Europe) the route corridor is unnecessarily wide in the recent versions which for devices with limited memory such as the Quest restrict the useful range. You could purchase more memory for your SPIII or consider MetroGuide Europe which still uses the small tiles and can be made routeable (it's a sort of hack) using MetroWizzz. Can't see what that wouldn't work on the SPIII. The only down-side is that on roundabouts it just tells you to "turn right" when with City Nav. you get "take 3rd exit", a glance at the screen when confronted with this shows the roundabout and exit though so no great hardship.

MetroGuide Europe v8 can be had on eBay for between £25 and £60, not sure if the cheaper ones are pukka DVDs. No unlock is required with MetroGuide and without MetroWizz, or similar hacks, can't be used on a GPS for routing. I've just noticed that MetroGuide Europe v9 is now out, can't find a retailer selling it yet though.

 

[BurnieM]

Note that while the SPIII can use 256MB Garmin data cards, approx 6 months ago Garmin changed chip suppliers and the latest 256MB cards will not work with a SPIII.

 

[Taff]

Also, would I have access if I paid for the upgrade to full postal code search?

The SPIII (or the 2610 for that matter) doesn't allow post-code searches.

 

[gpsonaPan]

]Note that while the SPIII can use 256MB Garmin data cards, approx 6 months ago Garmin changed chip suppliers and the latest 256MB cards will not work with a SPIII.

[/COLOR]

BurnieM.

I found that out too when I needed a larger chip for my 111. The guys at www.gpsw.co.uk said it had something to do with the amount of lead.There is a compatable one by DATAMEDIA. I purchased one from gpsw.They may still have some in stock.

By the way tho, I can fit all of U.K. and Ireland on it and have some room left over. I am in touch with Garmin as to whether or not version 9 will fit on my 256mb or not. The female reckons its about 180mb which to me is odd as with version 8 it's 182mb.



HTH.

Pat