Laptop GPS World

Ken,
Garmin has completely changed the format of the maps and how they show up in the registry. This product does not show in HKLM/Software/Garmin anywhere and certainly not in the FamiliesNT section as 2008 as other NT maps do. After studying the directory I installed it in, I could not find equivalent files to the ones listed in the registry for other map products I have.

I will warn you of one other problem. The standard Upgrade CNNA NT 2009 DVD will not load into MapSource unless you have, and connect a listed Garmin GPS product. The Mobile XT and Que are not part of that list. Garmin says there is a special version for Mobile XT (P/N 010-108-10-02), however it isn't even listed on their site.

I believe this is to protect the product as the old way had already been compromised by keygen programs available on the net.
Terry

Ken and Marvin,
I just finished a lengthy call with Garmin.The agent thought the non-appearance of CNNA NT 2009 in MapSource was an unlock code problem and she was about to generate a code for me. She then found out that was not the issue. The map version in Mobile PC is not transferrable.

The only way to have CNNA NT 2009 in MapSource is with an update DVD. This is unfortunate as Mobile PC would not be eligible for a free upgrade as it is already 2009. Also, I'm not sure which version of the upgrade is appropriate for Mobile PC.

Does somebody else want to sort out this dilemma with Garmin? Ken? I'm sure they are tired of talking with me.

I also asked why P/N 010-108-10-02 for Mobile XT didn't show up on the Garmin site. She said this is because they aren't selling it yet.

Terry

Thanks for the investigation, Terry. I won't do another City Navigator upgrade until I'm absolutely certain that they have killed Metroguide Canada. I'm still pushing Product Support for a definitive answer to that one.

I really really hate how poorly Navteq does Canada and I don't want to give Garmin another penny for a Navteq-based product until I'm positive I have no alternative AND there is enough new information in the areas that interest me to make it worthwhile. Heck, I'm still using Metroguide Canada most of the time that I'm outside a city. Why should I give them more money for a product I'll use less than half the time??

Did you do much poking around with Topo Canada on Mobile PC? It sure is beautiful on my laptop. I've got SA2008+, S&T 2008, nroute and Google Earth+ on the laptop and none of them hold a candle to Topo Canada and Metroguide Canada on Mobile PC.

...ken...

Ken,
Here I am running off after a new map when you are right. CNNA NT 2009 is not better than MG Can v4 which I have used for years. I just installed it on the UMPC and it looks fine. I think I will pursue the other shortcomings (keyboard, banner size) with Garmin and drop the map issue for a while. I also need to concentrate on mounting details for this device.
Thank you for getting me back on the right track.
Terry

But I'm still not sure I understand. After getting the above answer from Garmin, I was under the impression that Garmin Mobile PC could only be used with the maps it comes with. But Terry and Ken can use Topo, and perhaps even other map products, in Garmin Mobile PC?

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

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

This explains why I couldn't find my activation code:

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Marvin Hlavac

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

Hi Marvin,

I would be really suspicious of what that tech support person said. I have both Metroguide Canada and Topo Canada loaded in Mobile PC and it looks great. All functionality is working. As I menioned, even the vocalizing of the street names works when a route is active. I can find nothing missing.

The bit about the user interface being different with a different map product is the giveaway that this person needs more training. The user interface is part of the program, not part of the map products. I use Topo, Metroguide, City Select and City Navigator products on my iQue 3600 and the user interface never changes when the different map products are loaded. Same for Mapsource and nroute.

Terry should be able to provide even more confirmation. I can't load City Navigator on Mobile PC because City Navigator is locked. Terry has used both City Navigator and Metroguide Canada. I'm certain if he had seen the user interface change he would have mentioned it.

The other message about the activation codes is also probably bogus. All you should need to do is phone Garmin and ask them for an activation code. For instance, although I can't unlock my City Navigator NA v8 for the Mobile PC at the moment, all I need to do is phone Garmin and ask for a 25-character activation code and I could unlock CNNA for my Mobile PC. ..... After I bought Mobile PC, of course.

I can't believe that Garmin would refuse to give you an activation code for a legitimate Garmin product that you've paid for and is registered with them.

I'm not sure why you would want to use a third-party receiver if you bought with the Garmin receiver ... or why you would buy the package with the Garmin receiver if you already have a perfectly good third-party receiver, but in either case there shouldn't be an issue.

As far as using different receivers, I only have the S&T receiver and Mobile PC just quietly starts using it as soon as it's available. I did not have to do anything ... not a single thing. Microsoft and DeLorme and Google could all take a huge lesson from that.

...ken...

Ken, we'll get to the bottom of this mystery, I'm sure . It is possible, since this is a brand new product, that people at Garmin don't have answers to all the question. And it is also equally possible their answers were correct, but we are missing something .

By the way, I didn't ask for an activation code. I only asked if my assumption was correct - I assumed (correctly or incorrectly), that the activation code was not included, because it was not needed in the package w/Garmin USB GPS receiver.

It may take us all a few more phone calls, or e-mails, or testing, but at the end, I'm sure, we will have our questions answered .

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

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

Sorry, I can't help. I tried getting maps from CNNA NT v8 and got a message that they couldn't be unlocked with that ID. v8 is locked to my GPS 10x. Originally, Mobile PC was unable to find the 10x until I provided the product key so it is not directly associated with that receiver.

The program would not work with CNNA NT v8 loaded, nor could I switch back to 2009 without the program crashing. After several tries, I realized that only by deleting v8 could I use Mobile PC at all. It is fortunate I have no interest in CNNA NT v8 or 2008 but if I did, I'm sure a call to Garmin would yield me a key.

I do note that when you add a new map, the other maps you added are no longer available. This is similar to previous Garmin products where you had to add sections of all maps at once.

Terry

I just uninstalled and reinstalled Mobile PC on my laptop to confirm whether the product key was needed. I remembered to update it this time. It found the receiver on Com 7. I disabled that and told it to use Bluetooth as it does not see the GPS ID unless the connection is Bluetooth.
I now see the proper GPS ID, however CNNA NT 2008 still gives me the ID error message.
Terry

I guess we need a bit of a refresher about how Garmin compiled maps work.

For a start, look in the directory that Mobile PC executables are installed in. On my computer it's D:\Garmin Mobile PC. You should see two map files in there:

GMAPBMAP.IMG - is the basemap.
gmapsupp.img - is the detailed mapset compiled by Mapsource.

When you compile a mapset in Mapsource it creates the second file. When you TRANSFER>Send To Device>Mobile PC it overwrites the existing gmapsupp.img file with the new compiled map file.

That's why, whenever you create a new mapset with Mapsource, you need to create the whole thing. You can't just add something because Mapsource is going to overwrite the existing file with the new one, not add to it.

That's also why you had problems when you built the CNNA NT v8 mapset. When you compile a mapset with Mapsource it includes information in the mapset file about which devices it has been unlocked for.

When you transfered the compiled v8 mapset to the Mobile PC device, Mapsource overwrote the 2009 detailed map file. The v8 mapset wouldn't work because it was not unlocked for the Mobile PC device, but since it overwrote the 2009 mapset there was nothing else for Mobile PC to use.

You could probably look around on the install DVD and find the appropriate file and just copy it back to the Garmin Mobile PC directory next time you decide to monkey with map files.

A trick we iQue users use to keep multiple map files on our PDAs is to rename them. You could have your original file gmapsupp-2009.img and the MG Can v4 file could be gmapsupp-MG.img, or something like that. Then when you want to switch mapsets you just rename the appropriate one to gmapsupp.img.

It's messy but it works. The ideal is to be able to unlock your 2009 in Mapsource for the Mobile PC so you can compile a single mixed mapset with both 2009 and MG Canada.

I tried a mixed mapset for the Mobile PC with segments from both CNNA v8 and MG Can v4 in it and Mobile PC was not happy with it at all. It works great with a mix of Topo Can and MG Can because neither of them are locked. In "Manage My Data" I can easily switch back and forth between them. I also have a couple of neat overlay maps for ATV trails in the Crowsnest Pass and west of Calgary and they show up really nicely, too.

I hope that all made sense.

...ken...

Has anyone tried connecting Mobile PC to a Garmin GPS 18 serial receiver yet? Mine won't connect. I wonder if it will only connect to the USB receiver that it is bundled with (assuming that's how it was purchaesed)? I bought the software-only and I haven't tried the activation code yet because I wouldn't think I'd have to since I'm using a Garmin receiver. Plus I'm not sure if this is the computer I will ultimately use the program on and I don't want issues down the road trying to install it on a different computer.

Thanks...
Mark

Hi Mark,

From the main screen click MENU (or press the Esc key),

click SETTINGS (or F3)

click SYSTEM

click REMOTE GPS

click USE SERIAL GPS. You may have to select a COM port.

click ENABLE

I'm surprised it's not finding it automatically.

...ken...

Ken,
No it did not overwrite the 2009 data, it just refused to switch back to it. Once I deleted v8, everything was fine. I just reinstalled because Mobile PC could not ID my 10x receiver.

Mark,
Did you install the update? It gives you the opportunity to try any GPS receiver and a trial button as well.
Terry

I just installed the update, which changed slightly the opening screen. When I tell it I did not purchase a Garmin receiver with the program, it asks for my registration number. If I tell it I DID, it goes to a screen that says,
"Before you can start using navigation and Garmin Online services you will first need to connect to your Garmin GPS receiver. Please make sure your GPS device is powered on and has a clear view of the sky.

Scanning Attached"

The Scanning Attached is in a box with a yellow status bar that seems to be repeatedly looking for my receiver.

I tried the "Free trial", but it claimed it couldn't find Garmin's server. I'll try that one again later.

This is as far as I can go. When I click REMOTE GPS, it goes to the same screen as above where it is "scanning."

I guess I could just register, but I don't give that much hope since it can't find Garmin's server or a Garmin serial receiver.