nRoute and CNNT 2010

That makes no sense at all!!!


I thought the GPS10X Bluetooth was one of the receivers that you could get with Mobile PC.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?...484&pvID=28845


I'm not sure what you mean here. What are tiles and how do you compile them? I transfer maps (states), waypoints and routes to the 60. I'm probably missing something obvious here.

Edit: Is a tile like when you "select" a state in Mapsource, then transfer the map to the unit?
Or, in Topo, you can select an individual square in a state (I just now discovered this in Topo! I've never uploaded from Topo as it came with a SD card.) Is a "square" on the grid a "tile"?

The 10x that comes with Mobile PC works with it fine. Ken has a separate 10x that has problems working with the software version of Mobile PC. I have a separate 10x that works fine with both my software-only copies of Mobile PC (but didn't work with a copy I had that included a 20x).

I suspect the 10x receivers that ship with Mobile PC have a set of IDs that Mobile PC recognizes. Why my 10x works with the software version and Ken's doesn't, I don't know though; possibly a firmware issue.

As you have discovered, tiles are the areas that turn pink when you select them with the map tool. The ones selected are listed under the Maps tab on the left side of MapSource.

Terry

Hi Karen,

I guess it would have been easier if I had just said, "You can load maps to Mobile PC software-only version that are not locked, like your Topo maps. But you can't load maps that are locked, like your CNNA2008."

But you would have missed the opportunity to learn something new about Mapsource. (That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.)

Terry confirmed about the "tiles" or "segments" that you had already sussed out for yourself.

"Compiling" the maps is when you start the transfer to your device, Mapsource actually takes the data from all the map pieces you have selected and puts it all together into a single file to transfer to the device. You must have noticed the progress descriptions in the transfer dialog window as the transfer is occuring. First it puts all the pieces together (compiling), then it builds the necessary indexes, then it transfers the resulting "gmapsupp.img" file to the device.

So, "indexes" is a new word. In the GMAPSUPP.IMG file that Mapsource builds are loads of tables with data in them. POI data including categories, address data, city/town names, street names, etc. Indexes are kind of like tables of contents for the various kinds of data that helps the device search through all that data quicker when you want to find something.

I don't want to burst your bubble about those pretty pictures you see on the screen of your netbook or 60CSx but there are no pictures in the "map" file itself. The map file is just a complex database that contains the data I mentioned above plus data that describes all the objects to draw on the screen and where to place them in order to make it look like a map.

Confused yet? If not, we could talk about vector images versus raster images. Or....

...ken...

LOL...got you there! I know all about vector vs raster as Photoshop is my other addiction!

How true! "Compiling tiles", "loading maps". Who knew? I spent a couple of hours at work last night delving deeper into Mapsource. I have learned a lot. I "compiled tiles" onto a blank SD card and then took a look at it afterward to see exactly what kind of file it made. I always wondered, as I normally just upload to the receiver's card and never looked at the actual files.
WHAT! You mean it's not just a bunch of pretty pictures!

Seriously, I really appreciate the info. Understanding what goes on behind the scenes, so to speak, makes a big difference.

That really sucks that I can't use the CNNT2010 maps in both apps. I really wanted to play around with it. I thought that the maps were locked to the receiver, not the app. Don't they realize they lose money this way? Now, I won't buy MPC. I guess I could buy the whole package, but the last thing I need is another gadget! Hmmm......can one really have too many gadgets?

So, you want to get into it with Mobile PC, eh?! You are a sucker for punishment....

Here's the straight unvarnished truth. In Mobile PC,

A) The maps are locked to the app.
B) The maps are locked to the receiver.
C) All of the above.

[Drum roll, please...........]

The answer is........ C) All of the above. .... Ta-Da!!

A) Mobile PC software-only version is designed to work with any generic (non-Garmin) NMEA receiver so there's no Garmin device with a serial number AND a fixed format for the serial number AND a predictable means of querying the device for the serial number. So .... the maps are locked to the app. ....

.... Well, sort of. ... They're actually locked to the computer. When you install and activate Mobile PC software-only version it picks up something off the motherboard and locks to that.

That means that the maps are locked to the app which is locked to that single computer.

B) Mobile PC deluxe versions come with a Garmin receiver, either USB or Bluetooth. So, the maps can be treated just like with your 60CSX and locked to the Garmin GPS serial number. That means the deluxe versions can be used on multiple computers for trip planning and on any one of them for navigation with the GPS receiver they came with.

C) So, "All of the above" is the absolute truth.

They probably don't. Lose money, that is.

Those who want the ability to treat their laptop exactly like a Garmin handheld and add other maps to it, locked or otherwise, will likely buy one of the deluxe versions (more Garmin revenue). Not much different than someone who has a 60CSx or Legend HCx but wants something with a bigger screen for the car/truck/SUV and cheaper than buying all but the cheapest refurbished Nuvi models.

You can treat the deluxe versions exactly as you would your 60CSx or a Nuvi. So you will likely update the maps occasionally (more Garmin revenue) or buy the lifetime update package for them (more Garmin revenue).

If you also have a Garmin handheld like a 60CSx or Legend HCx and want to use maps on both the handheld and Mobile PC you will buy a second unlock code (more Garmin revenue).

You have to buy a new version of the software-only version when you want the new maps for it. But it's actually cheaper to buy a new copy of the software-only version than it is to buy a CNNA 201x update DVD so owners will have even less reason to avoid updates (can I get yet another cha-ching?!).

Dunno.... Seems to me like they've pretty much got it covered.

Of course not. Never. Not. Ever.

...ken...

I think I'll just stick to nRoute. This is making my head hurt! As long as I can convert the new maps, I'm happy.

I mostly understand it and it still makes my head hurt. .... but arntcha gladja ast???

...ken...

My head hurts, too, and I've long ago completely given up trying to understand it. It's good to know Ken & Terry are here to help us all.

By the way, Karen, I love the nature pictures in your album!

I spose

Thanks, Marvin! In addition to all my GPS gadgets, I have a whole corral of photography gadgets. And, of course, the music gadgets!

Hi Karen,

What music gadgets? Instruments? Electronic stuff? Combination? I used to play flute and guitar way back. Now that I'm retired I'm thinking of taking guitar lessons to see if I can relearn something better.

...ken...

Of course you played flute, Ken. That was the only instrument I ever learned to play years ago. I have never been interested in trying again though.

Terry

The parallels never stop! Are you thinking of growing a beard someday?

...ken...

I've had a beard since I was 21. I assumed it was just because I was lazy. I did shave it off once some years ago but my wife said I looked too much like my brother (not a bad thing but confusing).

Terry

I grew mine when I got out of the Air Force when I was 23. The only time I shaved it was for our wedding, after which my wife promptly told me to grow it back. I'm not sure if it was the whisker burn (I'm otherwise a twice a day shaver) or she just got scared when she saw what she was really getting.

...ken...