New - MapSource 6.10.0.2 Beta:

Released last night, MapSource 6.10.0.2 Beta: (8.73mb)

http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1229

Changes made from version 6.9.1 to 6.10.0.2 Beta:

• Fixed problems updating MapSource from within the application after a beta has expired.
• Added support for postal-code based address finding in the U.K.
• Added graphical track editing. To enable track editing, turn on the track edit toolbar by going to 'View > Show Toolbars > Track Edit'.
• Added the ability to select a track's display color. This affects how tracks are displayed in MapSource and compatible units.
• Modified the drawing of interstates and highways so that the line width changes based on the map's zoom level.
• Added support for entering Japanese addresses in Kanji, as well as Kana, in compatible map products.
• 'Portrait' or 'Landscape' layout setting for printing is now remembered.
• More robust communication with Pocket PC units, such as the iQue M3 and M5, is now provided.
• Routes calculated in MapSource will no longer cause driving-direction problems on certain units, such as the Quest.
• Made MapSource compatible with 512 MB Garmin data cards.

I’ve tried the second item listed, it doesn’t seem to be a full postcode search, you still need a street name to get close, give it a try…

post codes

ebbo said:

I’ve tried the second item listed, it doesn’t seem to be a full postcode search, you still need a street name to get close, give it a try…

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It supports full post code search, if your mapping hasn't got full post code data for it to search then it can't find it. It sounds like new mapping from Garmin will have the full postcodes and Mapsource will then be able to search the mapping for it

Mapsource is just the programe that displays the maps, like "Word" displays document files.

I think CN V8 has the full postcode data. The i3 uses 7 letter postcode searches.

Whatton said:

It supports full post code search, if your mapping hasn't got full post code data for it to search then it can't find it. It sounds like new mapping from Garmin will have the full postcodes and Mapsource will then be able to search the mapping for it

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Well read Whatton!
I’ve tried a couple now in CN Europe v7, it seems to find the first part, be it 3 or 4 characters, and the first character of the second part ie, xxxx x__ or xxx x__ if that makes sense. I hope your right Whatton, maybe the next issue of City Navigator will have a full postcode database.

Just been playing with the new track editing tools (look under tools) Join, Divide and erase will be very useful.

Here’s a track of the Route Napoleon to play with.
http://www.ebbo.org/routegrandalps/route_napoleon.gdb

Well done Garmin, an excellent update

How long is it usually before they remove the 'beta' tag?

Andy

Andy Davies said:

How long is it usually before they remove the 'beta' tag?

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It's usually 1-3 months between first public beta and release. Time depends on how many bugs that show up. For some versions Garmin have come out with at least three betas before release of the final version.

Some useful features there. I am currently using Mapsource V6.9 (not 6.10) but for some reason, when asking Mapsource to check for updates, it says there aren't any. Wonder if this is because its a beta version.

Garmin must have realised that they are losing business to competitors due to the lack of Postcode search. I know of 3 people who have bought TomTom GPS, simply beacause they can plot a waypoint using postcodes alone. Just out of curiosity, how would this facility work abroad? Eg could you type in say the French or German equivalent of postcodes?

Taff said:

Wonder if this is because its a beta version.

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Yes it would be stupid to recommend everybody to install beta releases. Installing a beta release is always a risk so it should always be a conscious decision made by the user himself.