I have never owned a laptop other than my work PC and I try not to download personal software to that device. Now with the proliferation of netbooks, it seems as if I can have a laptop and a car GPS for a little more than the car GPS on it's own with the advantage of a larger screen. This would replace my 60CSx with CN v8 installed for in car use.

I downloaded nRoute to my desktop and I was able to get it to synch to my 60CSx but not to my Oregon. I am trying to phase out my 60CSX so I was hoping to buy CN 2009 for the Oregon and use that for the netbook. Is that possible?

My other option would be to pick up Mobile PC and the extra receiver.

Any opinions from the experts out there? I am leaning toward the Samsung NC10 for the netbook.

It appears the Oregon is able to output Garmin data when using an appropriate cable (probably standard mini to USB) and nRoute should be able to use that. If not, GPS Gate Express can act as a go-between when using maps unlocked to a different device (eg the 60CSx). nRoute will work fine on a netbook. Netbooks are actually less expensive than CarPCs.

An upgrade DVD for CNNANT 2009 should include maps for MapSource but the format has been altered and they will not work with nRoute unless they are modified.

If you go the Mobile PC route, it will probably work with your Oregon or 60CSx. The map data included is precompiled and would not be available for those devices or MapSource. Mobile PC will work fine on a netbook.

EDIT The software version of Garmin Mobile PC does not work with Garmin (PVT) data. If that is what the Oregon outputs, you would need GPS Gate regular or Express as an interface between the Oregon and GMPC. (tested with an eMap, GMPC 5.00.60 and GPS Gate)

Terry

Hi Maximus,

When you say that nRoute won't "sync" with your Oregon, can you give us some specifics?

When your 60CSx is connected to your PC via USB cable, nRoute immediately starts to display the satellite information on the Satellites tab, right?

What happens when you connect your Oregon?

Are you using the same cable as the 60CSx? Or the same type of cable?

We need some specific information, but without it my first guess is that nRoute sees a Garmin device connected that is NOT the 60CSx. Because the maps are not unlocked to the Oregon, nRoute will probably refuse to use those maps.

As Terry said, you can run a utility program called Franson GPSGate (Express version) and connect the Oregon through it as a test. If you run the Oregon through GPSGate, nRoute will not recognize that a Garmin GPS is connected and it will let you use any maps as long as they are unlocked to something.

You can try GPSGate for 14 days for free. It's full function, no adware or other stupid tricks. It simply stops working after 14 days if you don't purchase and register it.

If you think nRoute will satisfy your navigation needs, I would spend a bit more time getting it to work with your Oregon before tangling with Mobile PC. As Terry mentioned, Mobile PC has some issues of its own, depending on what you want to do.

I do have to admit to a little confusion. The 60CSx is still one of the top-rated GPS receivers out there. If it's playing nice with nRoute and you already have maps that work with it, why not just dedicate it as your car receiver and go with that for now? If you use nRoute and the 60CSx for awhile and discover there are other features/functions you want from a different vehicle nav program, you can always add/change later.

There's no point in making life more complicated than it needs to be. You will have enough headaches trying to figure out which netbook to buy, getting it loaded and running the way you want and figuring out how to mount your stuff in the vehicle. Might as well have some fun with nRoute and the 60CSx while you get the physical mounting issues sorted out. The opportunity to mess up your life with different navigation solutions will still be there later. :rofl"

...ken...

First, you guys rock.

Second, I went to Best Buy about an hour after posting and bought an Asus N270. It was very cheap and had pretty good reviews and was available.

The reason I want to avoid the 60CSx is that my step father likes to play around with it so I want to move away from using it. It is a great unit but really prefer the interface of the Oregon. If the 60CSx had a larger screen and touchscreen, I would never replace it.

So now the Oregon is recognized by nRoute on the netbook. I sometimes have issues with it automatically going into data mode so this may be why ot did not work before. Any possibility to get an Edge 705 to work with nRoute? CN is unlocked to that device as well. I noticed that the map locked as soon as I connected the Oregon after the 60CSx was connect with the unlock codes.

Garmin sent me a CN 2009 update disc which I installed but it is not unlocked. It sounds like that may not be an option though since it is not compatible. I also do not know if I can purchase an upgrade license for the Oregon since it never had a previous version unlocked on it. I will look into GPSGate to see what that entails.

Worst case, I can use the 60CSx ant I am good to go. I am hoping the screen on nRout is a little customizable. The layout is pretty bad for a widescreen monitor. I would like to see the data on the side.

All in all, I am pretty happy. I have a functioning car GPS for less than the cost of a nice in car GPS with all the functionality of a light laptop and a 10" screen. Mounting is a little worrying but I was never really happy with mounting options for the other units. I am not sure there is a great solution other than built into the dash. As long as I can hear the direction, I do not really need to look at the screen much other than to confirm the name of the next street.

Thanks again!

The CNNA NT2009 update you have may be compatible with nRoute. The change was made recently and probably does not apply to that copy. If you have it in MapSource and see it in the list of maps in nRoute, it will work. You just have to decide which device to unlock it to.

Make sure you check the RAM mounting options. The latest Tough Tray II laptop mount looks like it will be good and is relatively inexpensive depending on what else you need to mount it.

Terry

It looks like I cannot apply the update to the Oregon. I will need to buy the full version which will not work with nRoute, it seems. I tried GPSGate but it will not recognize the Oregon at all. Not sure why.

Looks like I am stuck with the 60CSx for routing. I am a little disapointed but such is life.

I don't understand why GPS Gate would not work with the Oregon. If the Oregon puts out a GPS signal, either Garmin or NMEA on any type of connection to a computer, GPS Gate should see it. Are you sure you are using the GPS Gate wizard correctly?

Terry

Not having a n Oregon puts us at a disadvantage but I read you have to put it in Garmin spanner mode and answer no to the mass storage question. Does this make any sense to you?

Terry

The 60CSx was found right away. I tried the Oregon on Garmin Serial, Garmin Spanner, NMEA and text. None were recognized. It seems very straight forward so I am not sure how I could be doing it wrong. I tried it in both mass storage mode as well as when the GPS was running normally.

NMEA mode on page 22 of your manual. Setup-System-Interface allows the Oregon to output NMEA data to the computer. Garmin serial mode appears to be only to exchange data from my reading of this section.

That should work with GPS Gate and nRoute.

Terry

nRoute only works on Garmin Spanner because any other mode turns on the data storage mode automatically when a USB is connected. The GPS will not send data when in that mode. GPSGate will not recognize the GPS in any mode. I use the Setup Wizard and get 'No GPS Found!' no matter what mode I try. The 60CSX is recognized almost immediately. I saw one other Oregon user on their forums that had issues. No answers to the post...

I think that is because of the way you have XP set up. I don't think it has to go to storage mode automatically but will have to remember what needs changing in XP.

Terry

2 Oregon issues not answered.

http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9383&SearchTerms=oregon

http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7892&SearchTerms=oregon

I think I had the same issue even when I just plugged it into a power socket. It needs to be on spanner to allow it to ask for the data mode on or off.

I turned it to spanner, then plugged the cable in and kept it in GPS. Then I switched to serial while it was still plugged in. It stayed in GPS mode but GPS Gate does not recognize.

If its like the Nuvi, when it connects it creates another drive letter called Garmin. Right click on that drive and choose properties. On the Autoplay tab, select mixed content from the dropdown. Click 'Select an Action to perform' and choose 'Take no action'. Click Apply. You will have to unplug the device and then reconnect it to see if it works. If not, choose all the other dropdown categories and apply the same settings to each.

I hope that will resolve it but if not, let us know.

Terry

If you have to use Spanner mode you will need to download Spanner from the Garmin site. It is a program that takes the USB output from the device and presents it on a variety of COM ports you choose.

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1627

Terry

Finally! It works with unlocked maps. Now I just need to figure out how to buy the GPSGate software. That should be easier.

I really appreciate your help!!!!!!

I loaded it in spanner mode and then switched to serial after plugging the gps into the pc. I will look into the spanner program as well. I am super tired so i think I will do it later.

GPS Gate can be purchased from the Franson site. Take a look at GPS Gate Express, a slimmed down version at a reasonable price. It should do all you need.

http://www.franson.com/gpsgate/purchase.asp?license=express

(thanks to Ken in Cape Breton for reminding us of this version!!)

Terry

Yet another thought just came to mind. In Spanner mode (and without Garmin Spanner loaded) the Oregon might actually be in Garmin mode and work directly with nRoute. Spanner was originally created to take the Garmin PVT data and present it as NMEA on a COM port.

Worth a try!

Terry

I did get the Oregon to work directly with nRoute but I lose the CN v8 functionality. GPSGate gives me that. GPSGate with Oregon is everything I need. Just a little work to set it up when I start up the units. I can live with that and the other software may fix the set up issue.

If CNNA NT 2009 shows up in nRoute (you didn't say), you can unlock it to the Oregon and do away with v8.

Terry

CN 2009 did show up but I did not see how to unlock it for the Oregon. Garmin pushed the unlock to the Oregon. i will look into that tomorrow.

You will sort that out with the unlock wizard and end up with a very usable product. v8 is 2 versions old and certainly useless in my neck of the woods. Of course, this is Canada.

Terry

I think I will need to update the 60CSx. When I try to update the Oregon it only lets me update the bluewater. It will not give me the option for CN 2009.

Just phone Garmin and ask to purchase an unlock code for the CNNA update. When they ask for the unit ID, give them the unit ID of the Oregon. They're web site is really stupid and useless when you try to do anything other than a very tightly scripted set of functions.

What you want to do is legal and legitimate ... you want to upgrade from CNNA v8 to 2009. The maps have already allowed you to do that. It's irrelevant which GPS unit you have each mapset unlocked for as long as you have a Garmin unit to unlock to. But the software on Garmin's web site has no flexibility. The folks on the phone do. Don't go into a bunch of details. Just tell them you want to purchase an unlock code for CNNA 2009NT and give them the Oregon unit ID. That should be good enough.

...ken...

The update DVD should have come with a slip of paper with a number on it. Just use that and the unlock wizard to generate a code and unlock it. Registering the Oregon at MyGarmin will save all the information for you.

Terry

I never paid for the DVD, they mailed it to me when I set up my step father's PC with CN v8. After speaking to a couple of reps I paid for the code. The had issues finding all my stuff so I did not push the Oregon. Getting CN 2009 on the Oregon was a nice to have and I can buy a full version after new updates. I figure I will upgrade the 705 before I need to update that one.

nRoute is up and running with the Oregon and GPSGate. That was fairly cheap so I bought a license as soon as I got it working. I am a bit disappointed in nRoute. My netbook has a small wide ration screen and the layout of nRoute is built compleyely wrong for that and is not user adjustable. I was hoping that it would be more user adjustable since it is an older program but I seem to be wrong. The other issue is that the netbook has speakers on the bottom which is fine when it is on a table but not so good in a car. That is not nRoute's fault.

I have a business trip in a few weeks and a drive to Mammoth on thursday so I will see how it does on trips. I am sure I will stick with this until I decide how viable I find the netbook setup to be. If it works well, I may just get mobile PC wilth the GPSr dongle.

I really appreciate everyone's assistance. It made the process much less frustrating and I learned a lot.

I agree nRoute was designed during the 4:3 aspect ratio days and does not scale well to wide screen especially with only 600 pixel height (You should see it on my UMPC at 800x480 - no room for the map at all). You can turn off the tabs at the bottom though (F12) which is a lot better. Not a problem when you have a keyboard.

Mobile PC is better but still wastes more space top and bottom than necessary. It sure looks great in portrait mode on the tablet.

Terry