Home › Garmin Mobile PC › Confusion about Mobile PC, Maps, and Installations
OK, so I followed the directions to install a demo of Mobile PC, and I followed the instructions to come up with an up-to-date version of MapSource. I even managed to download some free map data, install it into MapSource, and transfer it to Mobile PC and then get my position to show up via the BU-353.
However, now I'm stuck. From when I was doing my mapping on a Mac, I have the installer for City Navigator NT that was used to update the maps on my Nuvi. The installer has a directory called IMG that has a bunch of directories in it plus a LARGE file with a .gmap extension. Is there any way to move this mapping data onto my Windows machine, install it into Mapsource, and send it to Mobile PC?
However, now I'm stuck. From when I was doing my mapping on a Mac, I have the installer for City Navigator NT that was used to update the maps on my Nuvi. The installer has a directory called IMG that has a bunch of directories in it plus a LARGE file with a .gmap extension. Is there any way to move this mapping data onto my Windows machine, install it into Mapsource, and send it to Mobile PC?
Never mind. I searched around more on the forum and found that Garmin's crazy DRM scheme is going to force me into buying multiple copies of the same data if I go this route.
Garmin just lost a customer because of their draconian DRM. I'm off to uninstall all the Garmin stuff I just installed.
Garmin just lost a customer because of their draconian DRM. I'm off to uninstall all the Garmin stuff I just installed.
I don't understand your comment about Garmin's "DRM" forcing you to buy multiple copies of something for some reason. Could you elaborate a little?
In the mean time, if you have not ripped out all your hard work it's not terribly difficult to move that map data and make it available on a Windows PC. You just need to copy it into the appropriate folders and add a few simple entries in the Registry. If it's a copy of City Navigator that I have, I could even supply you with a .reg file to use. Of course if you've already done the drama queen thing....
...ken...
In the mean time, if you have not ripped out all your hard work it's not terribly difficult to move that map data and make it available on a Windows PC. You just need to copy it into the appropriate folders and add a few simple entries in the Registry. If it's a copy of City Navigator that I have, I could even supply you with a .reg file to use. Of course if you've already done the drama queen thing....
...ken...
Basically, I have paid for the map data once by buying the Nuvi (implicit in the purchase price of the Nuvi) and using my free 60-day upgrade period to download current maps. By buying Mobile PC, which includes that special, already compiled map data that MapSource can't handle, I'd be paying for the same mapping data again (again implicit in the price). However, since I can't pull either of those map sets into MapSource, I'd have to buy mapping data a 3rd time so that I can have something to use in MapSource to create routes "by hand" since Mobile PC doesn't have the provision for drawing out routes other than the ones it calculates.
On one of the forums, someone said that Garmin is effectively in the business of selling unlock codes for maps, and I think that's really evident here. There's only one of me and I only need one map. Why can't I use that same map data to route plan, navigate via GPS on the laptop, or navigate via the Nuvi? USGS doesn't make me buy a separate topo quad for use at home on a desk, in a car, and on the trail.
I'd be interested in the reg change, I may as well test the software as long as I have the installers still downloaded. Having done it once, it's not that hard to trick the installer a second time. The map is City Navigator North America NT 2010. The IMG folder has the .gmap file in it as well as a bunch of folders with smaller files in them. If you could tell me how to move it over, I'd at least be interested in how the software works as a comparison to the other programs I'm trying.
On one of the forums, someone said that Garmin is effectively in the business of selling unlock codes for maps, and I think that's really evident here. There's only one of me and I only need one map. Why can't I use that same map data to route plan, navigate via GPS on the laptop, or navigate via the Nuvi? USGS doesn't make me buy a separate topo quad for use at home on a desk, in a car, and on the trail.
I'd be interested in the reg change, I may as well test the software as long as I have the installers still downloaded. Having done it once, it's not that hard to trick the installer a second time. The map is City Navigator North America NT 2010. The IMG folder has the .gmap file in it as well as a bunch of folders with smaller files in them. If you could tell me how to move it over, I'd at least be interested in how the software works as a comparison to the other programs I'm trying.
Yes, Garmin is definitely in the business of selling maps. In some cases I think their product decisions are made by the marketing and sales people without regard for how we use them. In other cases I think they just didn't think things through.
A good example is the maps on SD cards. For some people they are the answer to their prayers. They only buy a single SD card and they can use it in any of their Garmin devices. They don't have to learn how to use Mapsource to manage and load maps and they don't have to have multiple unlock codes for multiple devices. But....
They end up in a situation like you, where they would have to buy a DVD copy of the maps if they want to use Mapsource for planning, working with tracks, managing waypoints, creating routes, etc.
We need a little more detail to see if it will be simple to move your maps.
Is the "City Navigator North America NT 2010.gmap" really a file? It's a folder in Windows. Specifically, it's this folder:
"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps\City Navigator North America NT 2010.gmap"
All of the necessary data is in folders under that folder in Windows. The attachment contains a snapshot of the folder structure under the .gmap folder. The numbered folders each contain a single .GMP file.
Does this look anything like the folder structure you have?
...ken...
A good example is the maps on SD cards. For some people they are the answer to their prayers. They only buy a single SD card and they can use it in any of their Garmin devices. They don't have to learn how to use Mapsource to manage and load maps and they don't have to have multiple unlock codes for multiple devices. But....
They end up in a situation like you, where they would have to buy a DVD copy of the maps if they want to use Mapsource for planning, working with tracks, managing waypoints, creating routes, etc.
We need a little more detail to see if it will be simple to move your maps.
Is the "City Navigator North America NT 2010.gmap" really a file? It's a folder in Windows. Specifically, it's this folder:
"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps\City Navigator North America NT 2010.gmap"
All of the necessary data is in folders under that folder in Windows. The attachment contains a snapshot of the folder structure under the .gmap folder. The numbered folders each contain a single .GMP file.
Does this look anything like the folder structure you have?
...ken...
Okay, that file structure under the .gmap folder looks identical to the Windows installation. It will be duck soup to just copy the .gmap folder and everything it contains to this path:
"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps\"
That will require you to:
1. Create a "GARMIN" folder in the "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data" path.
2. Then create a "Maps" folder in the "GARMIN" folder.
3. Then copy the "City Navigator North America NT 2010.10.gmap" folder and everything in it into the "Maps" folder.
Now I just need to get you the registry entries.
...ken...
"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps\"
That will require you to:
1. Create a "GARMIN" folder in the "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data" path.
2. Then create a "Maps" folder in the "GARMIN" folder.
3. Then copy the "City Navigator North America NT 2010.10.gmap" folder and everything in it into the "Maps" folder.
Now I just need to get you the registry entries.
...ken...
OK, done with the map move.
I don't think registry entries are required for that location. MapSource 6.15.6 should just find it.
Terry
Terry
I think you're right, Terry. The only registry entry I can find is the device code. But if Mapsource can see the maps and if the device is registered on Garmin's web site he should be able to get Mapsource to restore the unlock code.
Williaty, see if Mapsource can see the maps. If you have any problems, let us know with details and we'll see what needs to be done next.
...ken...
Williaty, see if Mapsource can see the maps. If you have any problems, let us know with details and we'll see what needs to be done next.
...ken...
Mapsource does see the maps now. However, it claims they need unlocking. I didn't have an internet connection when I had time to play with it today, I'll try unlocking them tomorrow.
Alright, so I've got most of everything sorted out.
I'm still having no success at figuring out how to create a route in Mapsource, send the route to Mobile PC, and then drive the route in Mobile PC. I can create the route. I can send the route and have it claim to have transferred correctly, but I can't figure out how to get Mobile PC to activate the route and guide me along the route. What am I missing?
EDIT: Whoops, it was just kind of non-intuitive for me. I actually finally managed to find it in a help file and I'm good to go.
I'm still having no success at figuring out how to create a route in Mapsource, send the route to Mobile PC, and then drive the route in Mobile PC. I can create the route. I can send the route and have it claim to have transferred correctly, but I can't figure out how to get Mobile PC to activate the route and guide me along the route. What am I missing?
EDIT: Whoops, it was just kind of non-intuitive for me. I actually finally managed to find it in a help file and I'm good to go.
Hurray!!!!
I'm glad it works. Now for the slightly bad news. There is a quirk in Mobile PC that you can only transfer one route at a time from Mapsource. If you have two or more routes on the Routes tab in Mapsource and transfer to Mobile PC, it will look like they transferred. That is, when you go to activate the route you will see them all listed. But only the first one is correct. The rest will have the correct name but they will all have the same route as the first one.
I've reported this to Garmin. Who knows when it will be corrected. It's something I can live with. It's just one of those things that if you aren't aware of it it will drive you until you figure it out.
The good news is that you can transfer multiple waypoints and they will all go correctly into your Favorites, complete with the selected icons.
...ken...
I'm glad it works. Now for the slightly bad news. There is a quirk in Mobile PC that you can only transfer one route at a time from Mapsource. If you have two or more routes on the Routes tab in Mapsource and transfer to Mobile PC, it will look like they transferred. That is, when you go to activate the route you will see them all listed. But only the first one is correct. The rest will have the correct name but they will all have the same route as the first one.
I've reported this to Garmin. Who knows when it will be corrected. It's something I can live with. It's just one of those things that if you aren't aware of it it will drive you until you figure it out.
The good news is that you can transfer multiple waypoints and they will all go correctly into your Favorites, complete with the selected icons.
...ken...
Well, I have now tried all the major mapping programs available for Windows that can be used both for route planning and for in-car direction giving. My take on the whole situation?
Sounds like you are somewhat picky. Is there something in particular none of them will do that you must have?
Terry
Terry
Well, all of them have specific things they get right and all of them have specific things they get wrong.
For instance, I like the interface of S&T2009. It makes sense to me. There's some quirks, sure, but I can work with it. It's even doable to use it in moving-map mode to find your way around detours and traffic. However, its in-route display is rubbish (several displays I use aren't there) as are its text-to-speech warnings/alerts.
SA2010 has a pretty darned good in-route display, with all the information I'd like, but it just makes me pull my hair out to work with it as an actual map for route planning or working around obstacles in real time.
Garmin Mapsource+Mobile PC does a decently good job of presenting the information I want (a few things missing) and has the best audible alerts/warnings. The route planning in Mapsource is workable. However, it's nearly impossible to manually route yourself around trouble in real-time due to the interface of Mobile PC.
I think, honestly, that I've been spoiled by the navigation programs I was using on the Mac. I was using Google Maps+Earth to do route planning and creation. Then I was exporting them as .kml which I used GPSBabel+ to translate into .gpx files. Those files could then be loaded into GPSRouteX, which would warn me when I was approaching a waypoint, count me down into it, and then read me the comment (which contained the direction to turn). We had to resort to paper maps if we were forced away from our planned route.
So, we wanted to pick up the ability to carry fewer paper maps (right now we have one DeLorme Atlas for each state, adds up on a long trip), have the ability to visually work around trouble via the digital maps, have it read the route out loud to me and do this all under Windows because we got a deal on an Eee PC that we can leave permanently in the car.
I guess I want the route-creation interface and visual map interface of Google Maps, the on-screen display of SA2009, and the text-to-speech and audible warnings/advisories from my little Garmin Nuvi (Mobile PC does not do the same).
Yeah, I'll freely admit to being picky
For instance, I like the interface of S&T2009. It makes sense to me. There's some quirks, sure, but I can work with it. It's even doable to use it in moving-map mode to find your way around detours and traffic. However, its in-route display is rubbish (several displays I use aren't there) as are its text-to-speech warnings/alerts.
SA2010 has a pretty darned good in-route display, with all the information I'd like, but it just makes me pull my hair out to work with it as an actual map for route planning or working around obstacles in real time.
Garmin Mapsource+Mobile PC does a decently good job of presenting the information I want (a few things missing) and has the best audible alerts/warnings. The route planning in Mapsource is workable. However, it's nearly impossible to manually route yourself around trouble in real-time due to the interface of Mobile PC.
I think, honestly, that I've been spoiled by the navigation programs I was using on the Mac. I was using Google Maps+Earth to do route planning and creation. Then I was exporting them as .kml which I used GPSBabel+ to translate into .gpx files. Those files could then be loaded into GPSRouteX, which would warn me when I was approaching a waypoint, count me down into it, and then read me the comment (which contained the direction to turn). We had to resort to paper maps if we were forced away from our planned route.
So, we wanted to pick up the ability to carry fewer paper maps (right now we have one DeLorme Atlas for each state, adds up on a long trip), have the ability to visually work around trouble via the digital maps, have it read the route out loud to me and do this all under Windows because we got a deal on an Eee PC that we can leave permanently in the car.
I guess I want the route-creation interface and visual map interface of Google Maps, the on-screen display of SA2009, and the text-to-speech and audible warnings/advisories from my little Garmin Nuvi (Mobile PC does not do the same).
Yeah, I'll freely admit to being picky