I have a netbook and am going to visit Europe soon. I picked up MobilePC with the receiver for North America and it works fine. I was informed by Garmin support that I needed to pick up the European Software only version to be able to use European maps.
The problem is I can't find anyone in the US to sell me a copy, and buying one in Europe will be difficult partly because the netbook doesn't have a DVD drive.
Does anybody have any suggestions? Maybe links to retailers that will sell this as a download or quick shipment?
Thanks,
-Brian
The problem is I can't find anyone in the US to sell me a copy, and buying one in Europe will be difficult partly because the netbook doesn't have a DVD drive.
Does anybody have any suggestions? Maybe links to retailers that will sell this as a download or quick shipment?
Thanks,
-Brian
Garmin techs still don't know what they're talking about. If you have a version of Mobile PC that came with a GPS receiver (either GPS10x or 20x), you only need to buy the City Navigator Europe maps. You get an unlock code with it that will unlock the maps to your Garmin receiver. The unlocking has nothing to do with Mobile PC.
If you look in the FAQ here you will see instructions on a couple of ways to load the detail maps into Mobile PC using Mapsource, which comes on the DVD with the maps. There is also an extensive thread where we worked with a fellow to confirm that adding a set of maps to a version of Mobile PC with the Garmin receiver will work just fine.
You should be able to buy the City Navigator Europe maps from a number of places online, including the Garmin store.
...ken...
If you look in the FAQ here you will see instructions on a couple of ways to load the detail maps into Mobile PC using Mapsource, which comes on the DVD with the maps. There is also an extensive thread where we worked with a fellow to confirm that adding a set of maps to a version of Mobile PC with the Garmin receiver will work just fine.
You should be able to buy the City Navigator Europe maps from a number of places online, including the Garmin store.
...ken...
thanks for your reply. I did also buy the SD card version of europe maps. The SD card came with a UNL and an IMG file. MobilePC sees the map but says it won't unlock the map. I tried registering it on the garmin site in hopes of an unlock code of some sort but no luck. I also followed the forum suggestions of installing mapsource, but it doesn't find mobilePC or any USB or SD plug in card. Any ideas?
I can't think of any way you'll ever get that SD card version of the maps to work with Mobile PC. The .IMG file is "unlocked" to the SD card. That is, Mobile PC will only look in one place for the map .IMG files and that's not the SD card. And you cannot move the .IMG file from the card to where Mobile PC wants it because it won't unlock anywhere but on the card.
The SD card version of the maps is designed for people with Nuvi handhelds, and similar devices, that accept SD cards with maps on them. That's the only place they will work.
Your only solution is to return the SD card and get the DVD version.
...ken...
The SD card version of the maps is designed for people with Nuvi handhelds, and similar devices, that accept SD cards with maps on them. That's the only place they will work.
Your only solution is to return the SD card and get the DVD version.
...ken...
Thanks Ken, you confirmed my suspicions, and the forums have helped quite a bit. My next challenge is going to be finding a software only english version for sale somewhere in Germany, and someone willing to help me trasfer the DVD onto my netbook. The Garmin rep seems to think it will be a piece of cake, wish me luck!
How much time do you have before your trip to Europe? There is always the risk that you may not locate a store in Germany that sells it, or you may run into technical issues in stalling it. It may be an unpleasant experience during your family trip.
I personally would order it online now, and set it all up while at home, so it is ready before you depart. It may cost you a little bit more money, but it may save a heartache later.
I personally would order it online now, and set it all up while at home, so it is ready before you depart. It may cost you a little bit more money, but it may save a heartache later.
This is the one bforsse wants...and in the US. He already has Mobile PC and GPS.
Garmin City Navigator Europe NT DVD 2010 (GPSCity.com)
Terry
Garmin City Navigator Europe NT DVD 2010 (GPSCity.com)
Terry
Marvin:
Even if I had ordered on the same day as my first post it would have likely arrived in California too late for my departure. (Aug 19th) If I was aware of MobilePC's incompatibility with the map data, I could have ordered the two separate copies of MobilePC with plenty of time for installing, but hindsight is 20/20.
Terry:
Thanks for the suggestion, this map is what I purchased originally on SD, and as Ken explained it is "unlocked" to the SD card such that MobilePC will not use it properly.
Thanks for your replies, if anyone knows of a place I could purchase and download this software, that would be very useful.
-Brian
Even if I had ordered on the same day as my first post it would have likely arrived in California too late for my departure. (Aug 19th) If I was aware of MobilePC's incompatibility with the map data, I could have ordered the two separate copies of MobilePC with plenty of time for installing, but hindsight is 20/20.
Terry:
Thanks for the suggestion, this map is what I purchased originally on SD, and as Ken explained it is "unlocked" to the SD card such that MobilePC will not use it properly.
Thanks for your replies, if anyone knows of a place I could purchase and download this software, that would be very useful.
-Brian
What Ken and you were discussing was the SD version. The DVD version would not be locked to anything as Ken pointed out earlier and would come with one activation code. You would use that to unlock it to the GPS associated with your Mobile PC. Do not confuse the SD and DVD version.
The above statement is based on you having purchased Mobile PC and the GPS (20x or 10x) as a package. This is what I assumed from your opening comment.
Terry
The above statement is based on you having purchased Mobile PC and the GPS (20x or 10x) as a package. This is what I assumed from your opening comment.
Terry
Brian,
Terry is right and that's what I was trying to tell you in my first post.
The software-only version of Mobile PC Europe will cause you trouble unless you are fully prepared before you try to use it.
1. The software-only version does not work with Garmin GPS receivers. Yeah, I know that sounds stupid. That's because it is stupid. But it's a fact.
To use the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe you would also have to buy another GPS receiver ... a NON-Garmin GPS receiver. (Or see below for a couple of not so simple workarounds.)
Installing two versions of Mobile PC on your netbook will also be a problem because Mobile PC is not terribly flexible about where it expects it data files to be. You'll end up with a mess unless you uninstall the North America version before you install the Europe version.
2. The map .IMG file that comes with the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe will not work with your North America version of the program that came with the GPS receiver.
This is a similar problem to the one you had with the SD version of the European maps. The map file for the software-only version of Mobile PC unlocks to the Mobile PC program through the Product Key that comes with it. It won't unlock to the GPS receiver that came with your North America version of Mobile PC.
3. The simplest solution is to get the City Navigator Europe maps on DVD. I apologize that I did not make that clearer and more definitive in my first response. As I said in that message, and as Terry just said, you can unlock the DVD version of the European maps to the Garmin GPS receiver that came with your current version of Mobile PC and load them into that version of Mobile PC. Than you can simply switch maps within Mobile PC between the North America maps and the Europe maps.
If you feel that you must purchase the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe because, say, you don't have time to get the DVD version of the European maps before you leave, then you need to be prepared in advance. You will either need a non-Garmin GPS receiver or you will need to be able to fake out Mobile PC to think it's using a non-Garmin GPS receiver. There are a couple of options.
a. download Pro-ITM's patched version of Mobile PC software-only version 5.00.60 from this message. You need to make sure it does not have the same name as the original Mobile PC executable and place it in the same folder as the original executable. I think it's named ProITM.exe. Leave it named that way and run it any time you want to run Mobile PC.
Let me be more specific. If you buy the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe, you will need to uninstall the Mobile PC North America version before installing the European version. Then copy the ProITM.exe file into the same folder that Mobile PC is installed in. Run the ProITM.exe program whenever you want to run Mobile PC and it should work with your Garmin GPS receiver.
But...
b. As the boy scouts say, Be Prepared. Just in case you have any trouble with ProITM working for you, be sure to download Xport and take it along with you. You should probably familiarize yourself with it before you go. It will create a virtual COM port that will hide the fact that your GPS receiver is a Garmin receiver and allow Mobile PC software-only version to work with it.
Sorry to make things so complicated, but that's the way Garmin created it and if you don't want to use it exactly the way Garmin intended, you have to work around those issues. It's all legal, as far as I can tell. It's just a major pain in the butt.
As Terry and I said, the simplest thing is to get the City Navigator Europe DVD and use the Mapsource program that comes with it to install the maps into your Mobile PC North America and you're good to go with the receiver you have and no silly workarounds to figure out.
...ken...
Terry is right and that's what I was trying to tell you in my first post.
The software-only version of Mobile PC Europe will cause you trouble unless you are fully prepared before you try to use it.
1. The software-only version does not work with Garmin GPS receivers. Yeah, I know that sounds stupid. That's because it is stupid. But it's a fact.
To use the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe you would also have to buy another GPS receiver ... a NON-Garmin GPS receiver. (Or see below for a couple of not so simple workarounds.)
Installing two versions of Mobile PC on your netbook will also be a problem because Mobile PC is not terribly flexible about where it expects it data files to be. You'll end up with a mess unless you uninstall the North America version before you install the Europe version.
2. The map .IMG file that comes with the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe will not work with your North America version of the program that came with the GPS receiver.
This is a similar problem to the one you had with the SD version of the European maps. The map file for the software-only version of Mobile PC unlocks to the Mobile PC program through the Product Key that comes with it. It won't unlock to the GPS receiver that came with your North America version of Mobile PC.
3. The simplest solution is to get the City Navigator Europe maps on DVD. I apologize that I did not make that clearer and more definitive in my first response. As I said in that message, and as Terry just said, you can unlock the DVD version of the European maps to the Garmin GPS receiver that came with your current version of Mobile PC and load them into that version of Mobile PC. Than you can simply switch maps within Mobile PC between the North America maps and the Europe maps.
If you feel that you must purchase the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe because, say, you don't have time to get the DVD version of the European maps before you leave, then you need to be prepared in advance. You will either need a non-Garmin GPS receiver or you will need to be able to fake out Mobile PC to think it's using a non-Garmin GPS receiver. There are a couple of options.
a. download Pro-ITM's patched version of Mobile PC software-only version 5.00.60 from this message. You need to make sure it does not have the same name as the original Mobile PC executable and place it in the same folder as the original executable. I think it's named ProITM.exe. Leave it named that way and run it any time you want to run Mobile PC.
Let me be more specific. If you buy the software-only version of Mobile PC Europe, you will need to uninstall the Mobile PC North America version before installing the European version. Then copy the ProITM.exe file into the same folder that Mobile PC is installed in. Run the ProITM.exe program whenever you want to run Mobile PC and it should work with your Garmin GPS receiver.
But...
b. As the boy scouts say, Be Prepared. Just in case you have any trouble with ProITM working for you, be sure to download Xport and take it along with you. You should probably familiarize yourself with it before you go. It will create a virtual COM port that will hide the fact that your GPS receiver is a Garmin receiver and allow Mobile PC software-only version to work with it.
Sorry to make things so complicated, but that's the way Garmin created it and if you don't want to use it exactly the way Garmin intended, you have to work around those issues. It's all legal, as far as I can tell. It's just a major pain in the butt.
As Terry and I said, the simplest thing is to get the City Navigator Europe DVD and use the Mapsource program that comes with it to install the maps into your Mobile PC North America and you're good to go with the receiver you have and no silly workarounds to figure out.
...ken...
Aha, the DVD version is the key! Just to be clear, you guys are saying the Garmin City Navigator Europe NT will work with MobilePC?
Thanks for your lightning quick responses!
Thanks for your lightning quick responses!
Yes, assuming your original purchase was the version of Mobile PC that includes a GPS (20x or 10x). It will not work with the software-only version of Mobile PC.
Terry
Terry
Excellent, I do have the 20x receiver version, just ordered the DVD overnight from Amazon and cut it super close, UPS usually shows up around 3:30, we have to leave around 4:15, phew! Thanks for all your help.
Now all you need is a DVD reader to install it from. Or can you do that in 45 minutes! Make sure you read up and understand transferring maps to Mobile PC using MapSource.
Terry
Terry
I'm a newbie to this but looking for same thing. Been following your posts. AS of yesterday and 2hrs on phone with Garmin I was told City Navigator 2010 would work and would not work. Last response was version 2010 would not work but version 2009 would. HELP I am leaving for Europe this Friday
What 'same thing' are you looking for? If you have the version of Garmin Mobile PC that comes with a Garmin GPS (10x or 20x), you require a DVD version of City Navigator Europe NT. Neither of the versions you mention has European data.
If you don't have Garmin Mobile PC, it might be easier to buy a European version in Europe and add the North American maps when you return.
Terry
If you don't have Garmin Mobile PC, it might be easier to buy a European version in Europe and add the North American maps when you return.
Terry
Dan's in a bit of a hurry so I've been trying to help him out in a private message. Here's the content in case anyone else runs into this issue.
...ken...
Quote:
Hi Dan,
Both Terry and I have successfully installed maps from City Navigator North America 2010 to our Mobile PC software using the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD with the maps. There is absolutely no reason that CN Europe 2010 should not work. All you need is the DVD with the maps and an unlock code to unlock the maps to your 10x.
That's the important thing to understand: You are unlocking the CN Europe maps to the serial number on your 10x, NOT to Mobile PC. All Mobile PC cares about is if maps you load into it are unlocked to the GPS receiver connected to it.
Garmin doesn't even need to know what you will be using the maps with. You don't need to hide if from them. It's just not relevant because the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD with the maps will treat Mobile PC just as if it was another Garmin handheld device like a Nuvi. So...
You buy the maps on DVD (NOT the SD card!!!).
You get an unlock code to unlock the CN Europe maps to your 10x.
You use the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD to unlock the maps.
You use the Mapsource program to select the maps and transfer them to Mobile PC.
In Mobile PC you use the Manage My Data > Map Sets to switch between North America and Europe.
That's it.
Of course if you have a netbook or laptop without a DVD drive you will need to figure out how you are going to install the maps and the Mapsource program from the DVD, but there are lots of suggestions on the forum for how to do that.
Both Terry and I have successfully installed maps from City Navigator North America 2010 to our Mobile PC software using the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD with the maps. There is absolutely no reason that CN Europe 2010 should not work. All you need is the DVD with the maps and an unlock code to unlock the maps to your 10x.
That's the important thing to understand: You are unlocking the CN Europe maps to the serial number on your 10x, NOT to Mobile PC. All Mobile PC cares about is if maps you load into it are unlocked to the GPS receiver connected to it.
Garmin doesn't even need to know what you will be using the maps with. You don't need to hide if from them. It's just not relevant because the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD with the maps will treat Mobile PC just as if it was another Garmin handheld device like a Nuvi. So...
You buy the maps on DVD (NOT the SD card!!!).
You get an unlock code to unlock the CN Europe maps to your 10x.
You use the Mapsource program that comes on the DVD to unlock the maps.
You use the Mapsource program to select the maps and transfer them to Mobile PC.
In Mobile PC you use the Manage My Data > Map Sets to switch between North America and Europe.
That's it.
Of course if you have a netbook or laptop without a DVD drive you will need to figure out how you are going to install the maps and the Mapsource program from the DVD, but there are lots of suggestions on the forum for how to do that.
And here's a second private message to Dan in response to a couple more of his questions.
I think I need to turn these two messages into FAQs. I need to chop them up a bit so I'll do it later.
...ken...
Quote:
Yes, a portable USB DVD drive will work. That's what many do. Some just keep them at home for desktop use and some haul them along in the gadget bag when they travel ... sometimes because they like to watch DVD movies and some "just in case".
When you buy Garmin maps on DVD they come with a coupon code sort of thing. You can go online with it to Garmin's web site, or phone Garmin's support line, and use the coupon code to get the unlock code. You will need the serial number off your GPS receiver and, possibly, the product code off your map DVD .. I'm not sure about the latter. The unlock code is created based on your GPS serial number and some digits from the product ID of the map product you have.
Once you have the unlock code you can use the unlock wizard in the Mapsource program that installs from the DVD when you install the maps. The Mapsource unlock wizard will step you through the process. In fact, now that I think of it, I think the wizard asks if you need to get an unlock code and if you do it will take you online (need a network connection) to Garmin's site so you can get your unlock code. Then it will continue with the process to unlock the maps you just installed. It's been awhile since I did it .. you're stretching the grey matter now. :-)
The unlock wizard in Mapsource is accessed by the UTILITIES Menu and selecting "Manage Map Products".
I'm confused by the question of how to install the Mapfactor DVD?? Are you implying you might be installing it while you're "away" and won't have a DVD drive with you? In that case I don't know. If you could find a computer store that would let you copy the DVD onto a USB flash drive you might be able to install from the flash drive. That's how many people do it. Most products will install that way. A few won't.
If you decide to copy to a flash drive, you do NOT need to get an ISO image and burn it. You just need to do a normal copy of the entire DVD to the flash drive.
The other option that people use is to connect to a network, stick the DVD into a DVD drive on another computer on the network, share that drive so other computers on the network can use it and install to the laptop from that shared drive. A computer store might help you do that.
When you buy Garmin maps on DVD they come with a coupon code sort of thing. You can go online with it to Garmin's web site, or phone Garmin's support line, and use the coupon code to get the unlock code. You will need the serial number off your GPS receiver and, possibly, the product code off your map DVD .. I'm not sure about the latter. The unlock code is created based on your GPS serial number and some digits from the product ID of the map product you have.
Once you have the unlock code you can use the unlock wizard in the Mapsource program that installs from the DVD when you install the maps. The Mapsource unlock wizard will step you through the process. In fact, now that I think of it, I think the wizard asks if you need to get an unlock code and if you do it will take you online (need a network connection) to Garmin's site so you can get your unlock code. Then it will continue with the process to unlock the maps you just installed. It's been awhile since I did it .. you're stretching the grey matter now. :-)
The unlock wizard in Mapsource is accessed by the UTILITIES Menu and selecting "Manage Map Products".
I'm confused by the question of how to install the Mapfactor DVD?? Are you implying you might be installing it while you're "away" and won't have a DVD drive with you? In that case I don't know. If you could find a computer store that would let you copy the DVD onto a USB flash drive you might be able to install from the flash drive. That's how many people do it. Most products will install that way. A few won't.
If you decide to copy to a flash drive, you do NOT need to get an ISO image and burn it. You just need to do a normal copy of the entire DVD to the flash drive.
The other option that people use is to connect to a network, stick the DVD into a DVD drive on another computer on the network, share that drive so other computers on the network can use it and install to the laptop from that shared drive. A computer store might help you do that.
...ken...
Thanks Ken and others/! finally have the original \north american version of Mobile \pc up and running. The pass key that the bluetooth was looking for was 1234. Nowhere could I find this except on this forum ( after some searching) Not on the box, or the dvd packaging How would anyone know this? Now waiting to install Mapfactor PC Navigator to get me around Europe.
Mobile PC does not require the pass key for the 10x as it communicates directly with the Bluetooth stack bypassing the BT-COM conversion. Other programs would require it and it is non-standard (most BT GPS these days have a code of '0000'). It is on page 4 of the Quick Start manual if you have that. http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPS10xOEMsensor_quickstartmanual.pdf
Good to hear you found it ok.
I can not follow your logic of getting a different product for Europe after buying a more expensive BT GPS to work with Mobile PC. However, we would certainly be interested in your opinion of the MapFactor product. The TeleAtlas maps are supposed to be good in Europe but we can't figure out how you can find addresses with the 'city first' search approach.
Terry
Good to hear you found it ok.
I can not follow your logic of getting a different product for Europe after buying a more expensive BT GPS to work with Mobile PC. However, we would certainly be interested in your opinion of the MapFactor product. The TeleAtlas maps are supposed to be good in Europe but we can't figure out how you can find addresses with the 'city first' search approach.
Terry
Hey Terry,
If you look back at the original posts you'll see that Dan talked to Garmin customer support and was told that he could and that he could not add CN Europe maps to Mobile PC.
Are we surprised??
So he took the safe route and ordered the only other product he could find with maps of Europe.
After this discussion he is also planning to see if he can source CN Europe locally (Toronto area) before he leaves.
The MapFactor purchase was just to make sure he had something that he could use in Europe. He's still no out of the woods. MapFactor hasn't arrived yet and he's not sure if he can source CN Europe locally.
Does anyone know where he might be able to get City Navigator Europe in the Toronto/SW Ontario area? Marvin???
Dan, GPS Central shows it in stock and I'm pretty sure if you phone them (1-800-585-9331) they'll overnight it to you. You won't be able to call until tomorrow morning (9:30am - 5:00pm, Mountain Time).
Garmin MapSource City Navigator EUROPE NT 010-10887-00
...ken...
If you look back at the original posts you'll see that Dan talked to Garmin customer support and was told that he could and that he could not add CN Europe maps to Mobile PC.
Are we surprised??
So he took the safe route and ordered the only other product he could find with maps of Europe.
After this discussion he is also planning to see if he can source CN Europe locally (Toronto area) before he leaves.
The MapFactor purchase was just to make sure he had something that he could use in Europe. He's still no out of the woods. MapFactor hasn't arrived yet and he's not sure if he can source CN Europe locally.
Does anyone know where he might be able to get City Navigator Europe in the Toronto/SW Ontario area? Marvin???
Dan, GPS Central shows it in stock and I'm pretty sure if you phone them (1-800-585-9331) they'll overnight it to you. You won't be able to call until tomorrow morning (9:30am - 5:00pm, Mountain Time).
Garmin MapSource City Navigator EUROPE NT 010-10887-00
...ken...
There's a store (RadioWorld/GPSWorld) on the south side of Steeles Avenue West, just east of Hwy-400 (south/east corner of Steeles & Norfinch). They may have it in stock. Google their website, phone them, ...
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