Laptop GPS World

Re: "The 6 months rule"

Just because something is technically possible, doesn't make it "legal". If Garmin's license allows only for one installation, it still is not OK to keep installing the software every 6 month on another PC.

If my computer crashes, and I can no longer use my Garmin Mobile PC installation, I will certainly not want to wait till the 6 month period expires. I would certainly expect a simple phone call to Garmin to result in them immediately resetting my activation to allow for a new installation on the same laptop, or a new laptop. I truly don't understand the purpose, or the logic behind "The 6 months rule".


I think the color coding is supposed to make it easier to visually match the bars on the graph to the satellites on the map.

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

The only thing I can think of is it will prevent some ebayer from burning multiple copies of the program and then bundling it with a pallet full of no-name receivers.

However, putting up such a fight when a customer calls to give a reasonable explanation of why he wants it reset is even beyond Microsofts WPA policy. Remember, my purpose was to move the program to a different machine along with the Garmin receiver that I had been using it with. They freely admit and advertise that this is possible with the 20x bundle.

I think if they make it clear in their marketing exactly what the restrictions are with the software only version, it will kill a lot of sales. Right now it's just going to be a big surprise after you've already purchased v5.00.30 and then go to install it.

Yes, you've had a very reasonable request, and Garmin should have accommodated you the same way other software makers would. That is the reason I still think that perhaps at this time Garmin is technically unable to reset activation for individuals. But that's just my guess. I suspect users will put pressure on Garmin to deal with this problem the same way other software developers do.

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Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Update the product key text to warn users that the product key can only be used on one computer.

That should have been in BOLD letters on the FIRST INSTALL DONE!
and on all box covers!


I guess in a way, I feel sorry for Garmin.
All they are trying to do is sell their product which works great! (umm minus the sleep mode.. )
But, the only people they are bothering with this activation code are honest people that buy it.
I just looked up activation code for garmin in google and see their other products have code generators out there.
I assume that will now be the case for the Mobile PC versions.
This ofcourse has gone on since the begining of codes for all software companies.

Some kid/guy/gal will sit up one night and create a little program to get around their
activation codes. Then everyone will have free versions of their software.

To be honest, I think they should sell it with just the ONE dongle(20x) per program and lock it that way.
Ofcourse that will also bother some people wanting to use other GPS recievers.
How do you draw the line? and still make money as a company?
Although, I wont be buying it again seeing I have it.
They need to make it VERY CLEAR what you get and how it's limited in use.

Im quite content with the version I am running with my 20x and will just leave it at that.

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I went fishing.. I never came back..

I am sure it is fine for new users who probably only want it on one PC anyway. The problem is for experienced Garmin users. We expect the product to work like every previous Garmin product. We want to use MapSource with it and expect Mobile PC to lock to a Garmin GPS (any Garmin GPS), not a computer.

Terry

I installed the 5.00.30 on my laptop with the Garmin 20 and there appears to be no improvement with its ability to locate the receiver after going into sleep mode.
Unplugging the receiver does not work unless I also shut down the program.
What a pain.
Mobil PC tells me I need the Garmin receiver and will ask if I want to purchase one, even though the one I bought with the program is plugged in.
Using a Gateway laptop with XP.
I wonder if Garmin will figure this out eventually.

I gave up and donated the 20x to my son-in-law for his boat. I bought another software only copy of Mobile PC to use with my tablet and Bluetooth 10x. It works like a charm and recovers from Sleep mode in under 20 seconds.

I don't think they will ever fix the problem as it is with the 20x, not the software. When we try the 20x with a marine GPS application (via GPS Gate 2), it still has the same problem.

Terry

Thanks for the insight.
At least I know the drill and that it is not me.

I thought the 20x was worse with 5.00.30 than with 5.00.20. Unless there are features in 5.00.30 you need, you might want to restore to 5.00.20 if you have a copy.

The procedure is; remove Mobile PC using Add/Remove in Control Panel; Install from DVD; apply upgrade.

I also note that the software-only version works fine with any other GPS I have tried. If it is a USB type (other than the 20x), its drivers make it look like a COM port to Mobile PC. COM port GPS' reconnect within 5 seconds after Sleep mode in my tests.

Terry