WHY WOULD YOU DISABLE DOWNLOADED MAPS ?

[Taff]

While using the SPIII, I noticed that you can disable map sets that have been downloaded to the unit. My question is, why would anyone want to disable a map that they have taken the effort to download? There must be an useful reason for it - just can't see it myself

Would this save redrawing time perhaps?

 

[Fanum]

Because you can load several different sets of maps...one that would be better for 'getting there' and then one from the leisure sets that shows beauty spots etc etc for touring the area when you arrive.

Plus if you disable a set, the GPS won't have to consider thousands of bits of information when you're searching for something you know is on a different set of maps.

 

[PanEuropean]

Exactly. For example, I have both North American and European maps loaded on my GPSR, because I go back and forth from the two places pretty often. Sometimes I will disable the set that I don't need because that speeds up search actions - the GPSR has less data to look through to find the street name or city name (or POI) that you are looking for.

You can also use the map disable feature if you have multiple map sets for a given area loaded, and you want to force the GPSR to use cartography that is 'lower on the pecking order'. For example, I might be riding in Western Canada, and have both CN North America and MetroGuide Canada loaded on my chip. Left to itself, the GPSR will always choose CN, and ignore the rest (the pecking order is CN, CS, MG, R+R, and finally WorldMap). In rural areas of Canada, MetroGuide Canada has far better coverage than CN has. The only way I can force the GPSR to use MG (if CN segments exist on the chip for the same area) is to disable CN. The GPSR cannot use two map segments for the same area at the same time.

Michael

 

[Taff]

Brilliant. Thanks - that's clarified a lot. I assume this ability to disable maps applies to the 2610 and Quest as well.

So, as I'm hoping to go to Germany and Poland next year, what maps would you advise? I currently use the latest City Navigator which has "full coverage" in Germany, but comparatively very little coverage for Poland. I was thinking of loading World Map, but from what PanEuropean was saying in THIS THREAD World Map is now so out of date that it would be more trouble than it was worth.

I will of course take a good paper map as well, but after this years trip the GPS is an essential item.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Taff:

Poland is a tough challenge for a GPSR. Garmin doesn't yet distribute a product with detailed street level mapping of Poland. There is a Polish company that produces a product that they make with software licenced from Garmin (in other words, a Garmin cartography compiler), but I think their focus is on the streets in the big cities, which is probably not what you are interested in. You can have a look at some information about this product if you click here: Third Party Garmin Cartography Developers.

If you have an Altlantic (European) GPSR, then you will have the same information burned into your basemap as WorldMap would provide - so, there's not really a heck of a lot of advantage to loading WorldMap. But, the WorldMap segment for Poland is pretty small, so you might as well load it - you can always turn it off later on if you don't want to use it.

I have toured Poland several times on my moto - always in the rural south - and found that the combination of a paper map on my tankbag and the GPSR to tell me where I am and what direction I am going in has been sufficient.

Michael

 

[Taff]

Following PanEuropeans reply I contacted the Polish company, who produce GPMapa3 (Garmin compatible maps of Poland). Will still have to work out how much 750 Zlotys is in real money but it looks promising so far.

Assuming I load their GPMapa3 onto the GPS unit as well as CIty Navigator, (CN would be used to get to and through Germany and to the Polish border) bearing in mind what PanEuropean said about the "pecking order" when you get to Poland, how can you disable the basemap, to get it to use GPMapa3.

I know how to disable the downloaded mapsets for Poland, but the basemap will always be there.

 

[PanEuropean]

Taff:

You don't have to worry about disabling the basemap, because ANY loaded map will take priority over the basemap.

Be aware, though, that all the Garmin GPSRs use the basemap to draw the screen picture at wider zoom angles (typically the 5 mile scale and higher). This means that you will notice a sudden lack of detail when you zoom out and the GPSR switches from using the detail map (the Polish map) to using the basemap to draw the screen picture. If you have a route active at the time, it will be unaffected, and the GPSR will continue to guide you correctly.

750 Zloty is about ₤130 - that ain't cheap.

Michael

 

[Taff]

Thanks PanEuropean. Appreciate the warning, but I'm not that concerned about the lack of basemap detail at larger scales, as I tend to keep the screen zoomed in to about 800' - especially in towns / cities.

Things are getting clearer by the day.