I spend a lot of time off-road in my 4x4, and I find the screen on my Garmin GPS72 is too small and dim for my old eyes, so I'm trying to make my laptop work like a GPS for the brighter and larger screen views of 24k topos.
I've downloaded Basecamp and nRoute software and connected the GPS to the laptop via USB port. With Basecamp displayed on the laptop screen, I click on nRoute and and get the message, "nRoute could not find any installed MapSource map products. Please install one or more MapSource map products and start nRoute again."
Granted, my GPS acumen is 3rd grader level but, from reading on the web, I came to understand that Basecamp was a Mapsource product. I don't have any other Garmin maps on the laptop (other than Basecamp) so would that be the problem that requires me to buy and install something like Garmin's TOPO 24k maps? Is the problem with the way old Garmin GPS72 unit that I'm using? Any ideas that can be kicked this direction would be much appreciated.
Cheers
I've downloaded Basecamp and nRoute software and connected the GPS to the laptop via USB port. With Basecamp displayed on the laptop screen, I click on nRoute and and get the message, "nRoute could not find any installed MapSource map products. Please install one or more MapSource map products and start nRoute again."
Granted, my GPS acumen is 3rd grader level but, from reading on the web, I came to understand that Basecamp was a Mapsource product. I don't have any other Garmin maps on the laptop (other than Basecamp) so would that be the problem that requires me to buy and install something like Garmin's TOPO 24k maps? Is the problem with the way old Garmin GPS72 unit that I'm using? Any ideas that can be kicked this direction would be much appreciated.
Cheers
BaseCamp can directly use the map products installed on your GPS72 but nRoute cannot. They must be on the computer itself to be viewed and used by nRoute.
As Ken has pointed out many times, there can be a lot of confusion with Garmin's use of the term 'MapSource'. It refers to an actual product but is also used in reference to the maps that work with that software and many other Garmin products. In the case of the nRoute instructions, they are referring to the map data.
If you have the CD or DVD with the actual non-compiled topos, you could install them on your computer and use them with nRoute.
Terry
As Ken has pointed out many times, there can be a lot of confusion with Garmin's use of the term 'MapSource'. It refers to an actual product but is also used in reference to the maps that work with that software and many other Garmin products. In the case of the nRoute instructions, they are referring to the map data.
If you have the CD or DVD with the actual non-compiled topos, you could install them on your computer and use them with nRoute.
Terry
I don't think Basecamp can display maps from his GPS 72 either.... in fact, I don't even think the 72 can display maps itself. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=167&pID=214
But, given a more modern unit, I think Basecamp can only display maps that Garmin themselves have compiled, like the pre-loaded City Navigator on a Nuvi, the pre-loaded topo on an Oregon 450 or a Garmin 24k pre-loaded data card. It isn't able to open user-created gmapsupp.img files. I guess the logic is that you should already have that mapping data on your computer anyway.
Getting back to the question though, forget Basecamp because it isn't part of the nRoute equation at all. It doesn't do live GPS tracking, it's just for managing your maps, waypoints, tracks, etc.
You need to install some maps into nRoute as Terry has said. If you don't have any, see if you can find something you like here: GPSFileDepot - Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr
Then you need to get your GPS72 talking to your computer. Your old model uses a serial interface. Do you already have cable that does this (with either a serial port on the laptop or a USB adaptor)? If not, IMO it wouldn't be worth the cost when you could buy a modern USB GPS receiver that will be much better than your old unit for under $40.
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Basemap: no Preloaded maps: no Ability to add maps: no Built-in memory: no Accepts data cards: no |
Getting back to the question though, forget Basecamp because it isn't part of the nRoute equation at all. It doesn't do live GPS tracking, it's just for managing your maps, waypoints, tracks, etc.
You need to install some maps into nRoute as Terry has said. If you don't have any, see if you can find something you like here: GPSFileDepot - Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr
Then you need to get your GPS72 talking to your computer. Your old model uses a serial interface. Do you already have cable that does this (with either a serial port on the laptop or a USB adaptor)? If not, IMO it wouldn't be worth the cost when you could buy a modern USB GPS receiver that will be much better than your old unit for under $40.
Also, you might want to take a look at Ibycus USA. Their maps are less expensive and, as I understand it, as complete as Garmin's topo. They will also work with nRoute.
Ibycus USA
While I have no experience with the US product, the Canadian ones are great.
Terry
Ibycus USA
While I have no experience with the US product, the Canadian ones are great.
Terry
Thanks for clarifying. From your post and that of tcassidy, it's obvious that I've displayed more of my ignorance on the "convert laptop to be a GPS" subject-just sooner than I had hoped. I just assumed that the only thing I needed the GPS72 unit for was to pickup the current UTM / Lat-Long position pointer that would be displayed via cable onto a map that had been loaded onto the laptop such as the map you mentioned from GPSFileDepot.
I would gladly shell out the bucks for a new GPS unit, Bluetooth receiver, new maps, etc, if the whole idea shows promise of being workable, which was why I was trying to utilize what I had on hand. To answer your question and to clarify my mention of a cable in the preceding paragraph, I have a serial-to-USB adapter on the GPS72 cable that I plugged into a USB port on the laptop. I'll try loading one of the GPSFileDepot topos you mentioned to the laptop, and then load up nRoute and plug in the GPS72 and see how that goes. Gracias.
I would gladly shell out the bucks for a new GPS unit, Bluetooth receiver, new maps, etc, if the whole idea shows promise of being workable, which was why I was trying to utilize what I had on hand. To answer your question and to clarify my mention of a cable in the preceding paragraph, I have a serial-to-USB adapter on the GPS72 cable that I plugged into a USB port on the laptop. I'll try loading one of the GPSFileDepot topos you mentioned to the laptop, and then load up nRoute and plug in the GPS72 and see how that goes. Gracias.
Muchas gracias Terry and Boyd. My head is full, and I need to empty some of it by trying the suggestion you both mention. Another option is to borrow my buddy's new eTrex and maps, and see if I can get his to do the magic.
Terry, I've used the Ibycus US maps, they are not topos. They are road maps, although they have better water data than City Navigator and show a lot of little streams. Also worth noting that they are not routable, so they can only show your position, and not give you turn by turn directions.
The Open Streetmap project is another source for free maps, but that can be a bit more complicated to download and install from what I've seen. Espina, in the index of maps at GPSfiledepot, look in the column that says "EZ Install" and choose one that has this feature if possible - see: GPSFileDepot - All U.S. Garmin Compatible Maps
After downloading, just follow this simple tutorial to install and you will be all set. It shows mapsource being used, but nRoute should look just about the same: How To Open Maps In MapSource - GPSFileDepot
The Open Streetmap project is another source for free maps, but that can be a bit more complicated to download and install from what I've seen. Espina, in the index of maps at GPSfiledepot, look in the column that says "EZ Install" and choose one that has this feature if possible - see: GPSFileDepot - All U.S. Garmin Compatible Maps
After downloading, just follow this simple tutorial to install and you will be all set. It shows mapsource being used, but nRoute should look just about the same: How To Open Maps In MapSource - GPSFileDepot
Thanks for that info, Boyd. I made an incorrect assumption based on the Canada version.
Terry
Terry
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Originally Posted by Boyd But, given a more modern unit, I think Basecamp can only display maps that Garmin themselves have compiled, like the pre-loaded City Navigator on a Nuvi, the pre-loaded topo on an Oregon 450 or a Garmin 24k pre-loaded data card. It isn't able to open user-created gmapsupp.img files. I guess the logic is that you should already have that mapping data on your computer anyway. |
That doesn't help with the nRoute map issue. I just wanted to clarify that.
...ken...
espina,
Keep in mind that for your test you will need maps of where you are planning to do the test. It will not do you much good to have maps that are easy to install if they are somewhere that you are not. The GPS receiver will pass your current location to nRoute and nRoute will display it, whether there is a map to display it on or not.
If the maps are for somewhere that you are not, you will see your location displayed on a blank screen. Not very helpful for a test.
You might have more luck for a quick test with your friend's eTrex. nRoute hooks up to my eTrex Legend HCx very nicely. The GPS receiver in the newer eTrex models also has much newer and better technology than the 72. It gets a location quicker and stabilizes to an accurate reading much more quickly.
The eTrex sends the location data out the USB port by default, so all you have to do is connect it, run nRoute, tell nRoute it's a USB device and it should find it immediately.
My eTrex also gets a location in much more difficult reception situations. It will consistently get a location fix in my basement. Most of my other receivers will not. A couple will, sometimes, but it can take as much as an hour before they do.
For your testing it doesn't matter if you select maps that are topo or road maps and it doesn't matter if they have routing information in them. For the first test you just want to make sure you can have nRoute display your location on a moving map as you drive around and see if that's interesting enough to go further. We'll be here to help you when you decide what you want to do next.
...ken...
Keep in mind that for your test you will need maps of where you are planning to do the test. It will not do you much good to have maps that are easy to install if they are somewhere that you are not. The GPS receiver will pass your current location to nRoute and nRoute will display it, whether there is a map to display it on or not.
If the maps are for somewhere that you are not, you will see your location displayed on a blank screen. Not very helpful for a test.
You might have more luck for a quick test with your friend's eTrex. nRoute hooks up to my eTrex Legend HCx very nicely. The GPS receiver in the newer eTrex models also has much newer and better technology than the 72. It gets a location quicker and stabilizes to an accurate reading much more quickly.
The eTrex sends the location data out the USB port by default, so all you have to do is connect it, run nRoute, tell nRoute it's a USB device and it should find it immediately.
My eTrex also gets a location in much more difficult reception situations. It will consistently get a location fix in my basement. Most of my other receivers will not. A couple will, sometimes, but it can take as much as an hour before they do.
For your testing it doesn't matter if you select maps that are topo or road maps and it doesn't matter if they have routing information in them. For the first test you just want to make sure you can have nRoute display your location on a moving map as you drive around and see if that's interesting enough to go further. We'll be here to help you when you decide what you want to do next.
...ken...
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Originally Posted by Ken in Regina I'm pretty sure if you stick that GMAPSUPP.IMG file on a USB stick or SD card Basecamp will find it and display it. |
It has no problem reading the preinstalled US topo 100k on my Oregon 400t however. Also reads City Navigator from my Nuvi and my preloaded US Topo 24k Northeast card without problems. It even reads the gmapdem.img file (North American DEM) from my Nuvi 3790 that is used to generate 3d terrain. That looks pretty cool - like a colorless lunar landscape.
Are you able to get it to work? If so, how? Now there was some discussion before that maybe the Mac version was capable of doing this while the Windows version couldn't. Haven't tried that personally so I'm not sure.
BaseCamp looks for a flag in img header which describe img as assembled by Mapsource. BaseCamp doesn't display that kind of img, since they should be already present on PC.
You can modify Mapsource flag in img with GMapTool.
You can modify Mapsource flag in img with GMapTool.
Hey, thanks - that's something I have been wondering about for awhile. It might make maps easier to distribute if we could just distribute gmapsupp.img files and view them in Basecamp instead of needing to install in Mapsource. BUt which setting gmaptool controls this? Doesn't seem obvious to me. Or maybe I don't have the correct version of gmaptool?
Excellent! Thanks popej.
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