SuaveGato

Hello, I have tried to search for a couple things lately that ONLY have 2 letters... I.E. city Navigator NT and Garmin USB GPS 18 and the software won't let me do it? Is there any way to do this? I can't think of a way to search to for a "garmin USB GPS 18" without including the "18" ? thanks, biGjOhn

Hello and thank you for the reply. From what I understand, Garmin started making City Nav N. America NT v.8 and then in May switched it to City Nav N. America NT v.2008. They both have the same PN 010-10816-00, so it’s hard to tell which is which without having it in your hand. On the back of the shrink wrap it will list the version number, either v.8 or v.2008. here is a link that sells the CN NA NT v.8 Bummer about the Garmin 18, I was hoping I’d be able to get that as a bonus for the same price as I would pay for just the software… Oh well? I can still connect my GPSMAP60Csx to my pooter or laptop… Thanks, biGjOhn

Thanks again Quigley… I had another thought… I have already decided to get City Navigator North America NT v.8. That will allow me to load it on both of my GPS units, fit all the maps onto a 1 gig card (NT) and also get a free upgrade from Garmin for one of the units to CN NA NT 2008. Then I saw something interesting for sale on eBay… a Garmin GPS USB 18. As far as I can tell, it is basically just a USB GPSr that plugs into your laptop or desk top. It also comes with City Navigator North America NT v.8 and is about the same price as just the Cn NA NT v.8 DVD, $100. So I’m wondering, if I got that, I can load the DVD onto my laptop & desktop right? The DVD has no unlock needed to load onto computers, just GPSr’s… Then I can load the maps to my two GPS units (etrex vist cx & map60 csx). So my question is, would I then be able to use the USB GPS receiver on my laptop and or desktop too or would it need an unlock code? Since I’m not uploading any maps to it… it shouldn’t need an unlock code right? Just like I can plug ANYONE’S GPS into my desktop and connect to it and track my current position etc. I just can’t upload maps to it cuz it’s not my registered serial number… right? If that is the case, then I think I AM FINALLY SET… Get a Garmin USB GPSr 18 with City Nav N. America NT v.8 and I will have everything that I need and a bonus receiver for my laptop or desktop too? So in a nutshell, does the Garmin USB GPSr 18 require an unlock code? Thanks, biGjOhn

Hey, I had a couple questions. First If I get one of these USB GPS receivers like the Garmin 18 for my laptop and or desk top PC will I need an unlock code for it too if I already have City Navigator NT v.8? I.E. the CN NA NT v.8 only comes with 2 unlock codes and so can only be used with 2 GPS units but it can be loaded onto multiple computers. So If I got a USB receiver for my laptop, does that require an addition unlock code? There wouldn't be anything to upload maps to, since they would already be on the laptop, so no need for an unlock code? Also, off topic, I tried searching for Garmin 18 USB but the search function will not let me search for words less than 3 characters...? When searching for things like "NT" or Garmin "18" is there any way around that to be able to search 2 letter words? thanks, biGjOhn

Great! Thank you.

Can you please elaborate on your comments? Specifically, what is Metro Gold or metro wizz? And what functionality is added back that Garmin took away? thanks, biGjOhn

I "think" that is version 2008 NOT version 08 though... at least according to the part number. if you look above at Quig's reply (in red) to my first post PN 010-10816-00 is listed as City Nav N. Am 2008 NT - the most current, latest & greatest version, right? And so would only come with 1 unlock code? I'm looking for CN N. Am 08, which came with 2 unlock codes... And curious if there was also an NT version of it and if so, what is PN for that? thanks, biGjOhn

I "think" that is version 2008 NOT version 08 though... at least according to the part number. if you look above at Quig's reply (in red) to my first post PN 010-10816-00 is listed as City Nav N. Am 2008 NT - the most current, latest & greatest version, right? And so would only come with 1 unlock code? I'm looking for CN N. Am 08, which came with 2 unlock codes... And curious if there was also an NT version of it and if so, what is PN for that? thanks, biGjOhn

Hello again, Quig. i've been searching around for a while now for a City Nav 08 NT and can't seem to find one? Are you sure they had an NT version of CN 08 and not just ver 2008? The reason I ask is that I have 2 units, so need to get 08 with 2 unlock codes but would love to also be able to get a free 2008 upgrade. Both of my units are NT comaptible, so i'd like to start with the CN 08 NT but can't find it? Do you happen to know the PN? thanks again, biGjOhn

O,I,C. thank you again for your data, VERY helpful & informative!

Hey Quig, one more question por favor if you don't mind...? How / where would I go for my 1 free unlock code to upgrade to 2008? And is that free upgrade to 2008 NT? thanks again, biGjOhn

Kewl, sounds good thanks. I think I will get the CN version 8. then get the one free upgrade to 2008. ONe more question though, when getting the free upgrade, does that upgarde you to 2008 NT? thanks folks, biGjOhn

Edited to change colour. AWESOME Thanks! I just got back into town, thank you so much for taking the time! I "priciate it". biGjOhn

Hello all, still trying to figure out the best (compromise of $ & features) for me... just wondering if anyone could confirm the data I have and fill in the blanks where I don't have it? THANKS. City Nav N. Am NT 2008 is version 9? Is PN 010-10816-00? ONLY comes with 1 unlock code (and so can ONLY be used on 1 GPSr)? But can be loaded to multiple computers? City Nav N. Am v08 Is version 8? Is PN 010-10474-00 Comes with 2 Unlock codes, so can be used on 2 GPSr’s And can be loaded to multiple computers? Do all versions of CN prior to NT 2008 have 2 unlock codes? Metro Guide N. Am Is NOT locked software, so can be installed on multiple GPS’rs & computers. Has the same maps, POI etc. as CN but does not auto route. I understand that earlier version however (ver 4) had auto routing capability? If this is true, does anyone know the last version that had it? I also understand that the newer versions “can be massaged into auto routing” but have some challenges with it. Thank you for your time and or answers… biGjOhn

The current CN maps are on DVD not CD. When you purchase the mapping software, you will receive an unlock code. You run the map installation program on your computer to load the maps to your GPS unit. You enter the unlock code in addition to the unit serial number and the two are LOCKED together. You cannot load the maps to another GPS unit. And yes, typically this information is recorded/registered to the myGarmin website. If you "buy" software, you aren't purchasing it. You are purchasing a LICENSE to use the software in the manner described in the license. If you don't agree to the terms, you don't install the software. The terms for the current versions of City Navigator stipulate that you may install the maps to a single GPS unit. Unlock codes are CONSUMABLE items. Once they are used, you can't un-use them. They are locked to the unit and stay with the unit. If you buy a new unit, you need to purchase a new unlock code. That's the way it works. Like it or not. Thanks for the scoop. I guess they need to protect themselves from piracy somehow but dang that sucks that you can only use their software ONE TIME... Esp. sucks if you get a "starter" GPS then upgrade. Too bad they can't figure out a way to just license it to one person for all of their personal units. Oh well. thanks for the skinny.

ok, thanks. I think I'm starting to get a little bit more of a handle on all of this, SOooo confusing, man I wish it was easier! I can't even imagine my parents trying to figure this all out LOL! I am curious however, when someone purchases the CN disk (CD or DVD BTW?) it is a read only piece of media, right? So how does it "lock" onto your Units serial number? I mean, say you you legally bought the software and only had 1 unlock code with it and use it on your eTrex vista. You then sell the vista & upgrade your GPS to Map60Csx, you have to buy all new software for that one? Seems kinda crapy and "redonkulous" to me? Is that right? If so, how does it "know"? Internet registration? If that is how, then is the software useless to anyone who doesn't have an internet connection? Can anyone "splain" to me how this all works? spanks, biGjOhn

ok, so now I'm confussed....? one guy says he got 2 unlock codes for CN :that he just bought for his wife's Crimas present" - so I assume it's CN 08? And another guy says that now CN only comes with 1 unlock code? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY RECENT PURCHASE EXPIERIENCE WITH CN 08 that could tell me how unlock codes it came with? And or, how much does it cost for an additional code? thanks, biGjOhn

WHOA... so you are saying that City Nav 08 comes with 2 unlock codes? Or you can buy additional unlock codes? thanks,

Thank you for the data. My unit can autoroute and I may find some use for it in the future… even though I haven’t yet? My primary reason for wanting to get a map program is just to enhance the Map data that is on the BaseMaps… I.E. I want more detail of streets and more current road data. I have had the unit for about a year now and haven’t used (or even knew I could use) the Auto route function, so that is less of a concern for me then being able to have better maps on both of my units… Not to mention, If I go City Nav, I ONLY get it on one unit, so would need to buy another copy for my second unit. If I go Metro Guide and it works for me, I’m done, and have it on both units. If not, then I can still buy City Nav and have it on one unit and Metro on the other… (my wife & I can switch units accordingly to where we are going). Does anyone know if MG is current map info.? Or is it an older program? I don’t see it on Garmin’s Website under Maps for my GPSMap 60Csx? I love my GPSr but man you have to learn so much and do so much research to use these dang things…. I feel like I’m in school again! Thanks, biGjOhn

Hello, I read the following: MetroGuide = City Navigator without autorouting. Same map info, same poi. It is possible to get autorouting on the GPS using sendmap with MetroGouide. It’s no copy protection on MetroGuide. (Old MG v4 did have autorouting) Entire post located here: (Post #15: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=141608) So what is the deal? What’s the difference (other than above) between MetroGuide & City Navigator? What is auto routing? I assume being able to have a route from point to point plotted for you? If I do not need or want auto routing, then I should / could get MetroGuide instead of City Navigator? That would allow me to upload the maps to both of my GPSr’s? Anything else different about the two? Also, I read that I can upgrade to US Topo 2008 NT if I have a previous version of US Topo and that is cheaper than buying a FULL Version of US Topo. Is that true? If so, will the upgrade work with my old version US Topo V 3.02? I have Mapsource US Topo version 3.02. (OLD!) With the current version 2008, what new features etc. will it have? What will it lose if anything? I.E. I know that many USGS paper maps that get updated do not have old trails etc. on them anymore that are not maintained anymore that used to appear on the maps before the current revision. So if I upgraded to US Topo 2008, could I lose some of those “old trails” and map info.? Thanks, biGjOhn

Thanks for the scoop... just out of curiosity, how do they know? Is it like when using mapsource, you just click on the map tool and then the maps that you want to load onto your GPSr? If so, how do they know if I do it with my 60Csx one day and then my etrex the next? Kinda sucks that I would have to buy 2 copies if I own 2 Garmin units... :-( Also, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I would probably want if not NEED the current maps... Living on the Left coast (Sacramento) and building has been boombing over the last 5 years or so, so the current version would be good... thanks, biGjOhn

you make an interesting point and a good question. I have a 60Csx and am currently thinking of getting City Nav for when I'm driving around. The base map doesn't have nearly the street level detail I want or need and in some cases is woefully outdated too... So if I can get a whole second unit, just for the car and with voice prompt & bigger screen etc. for the same or cheaper than just the software for my 60Csx... why wouldn't I do that instead? Hmmmmmmm? Only thing that I can think of is portability? I have several cars & a motorcycle and would want to move the unit to which ever one I was taking that day... How portable is the Street Pilot? Other than that, the newer map version that was mentioned above... anything else? Also, I have a vista cx, if I got the North Am. City Nav software, could I use it on both of my units or is it only good for one unit? I also have a desktop & laptop, cold I install it on both of those too? thanks, biGjOhn

BUMP...

Hello, I just searched around bit, (FORERUNNER+USB+ADAPTER) But can't find anything? I have a forerunner 201, it only has Serial cable. Is there an adapter that I can get that will convert it to USB since I don't have a serial port on my pooter? If yes, any tricks, tips, pitfalls etc. that I may encounter? thanks, biGjOhn

Hello and thanks for the reply. What I am trying to do is plot out a route on my PC using my Navtech Terrain Navigator software. (“GPS compatible”) It has a function that then allows me to export my route to my GPS unit. But when I do that, the route is truncated… It’s just like if I use tracks for a long trip. Then dump the track onto my PC with MapSource and clear it from the unit. If I then try to load that track back onto my unit it gets truncated. I think cuz it’s limited to 500 points except for the “ACTIVE LOG”. At least that’s what I gather from this post that I found: In Mapsource, just right click the track you want to rename and select properties. The name will be highlighted at the top, just change it to Active Log. A word of warning, this will wipe out your current active log on your GPS and the uploaded track will slowly be overwritten with your latest wanderings. You are better off to do as Hiker2008 suggested and reduce the size of the track to 500 points in Mapsource and then load it as a saved track (right click the track, select properties and use the options available under the "Filter" button). You can also just cut your track into multiple pieces with the track editing tool if you don't want to generalize the track with a filter. (ie. a 1500 point track = three 500 pt tracks). If that is true, man that sucks that it is limited to ONLY 500 points! Esp. since I upgraded to a 1 gig micro SD card, I should be able to store tens of thousands of points on that card! Oh well, looks like I will have to either rename it “active log” but then not be able to use tracks, make a whole bunch of tiny routes that are less than 500 points or filter my routes down so that they aren’t as accurate and have fewer points… which sux for following trails in the mountains, esp. at night! Oh well, love my unit otherwise, Thanks, biGjOhn