Ezeechair

So how do you get 3D Topo to work with the Crossover??? Just use the s/n of the GPS unit when genning a map. If you have reached the S/N limit just un-install and re-install the Topo 3D USA ver .o and it reset the s/n limitation count. for the serial Number I just drop the leading zero and I never get asked for the last number. The maps come out as xxxx.imi maps - just place them in a folder of your choice on the SD card and go to region and select it. This unit will work with Topo 3D USA ver 1, Topo Canada Ver 1, DirectRoute North America Ver 1 and Direct Route Europe Ver 2.00. These also work with my explorist 500. I was able to increase the number of maps being processed at one time as well as doubling the map region size from 64 megs to 128 megs by fudging the mapsend.ini file. Just do the math 1024 x 128 = 131072. Buy the way these work fine on both units and allow a greater map coverage for one load. John

Thanks Embra that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the find. Now to see if any cover my area. These sites are to hiking or offroad biking what "Geocache.com" is to geocaching. Central foucus points where poeple share their discoveries and experiences. Now it doesn't matter that your map doesn't have the trail built in. You control what it displays. John

I use gsak and place the output on my sd card for importing. I just remembered I believe gsak is a front end to gpsbabel. I never connect the GPSr via USB unless there is a need to do a Firmware update. External SD card reader/writers are inexpensive now a days if they don't already come built it to your PC and provide a faster transfer rate. For viewing Track logs, Trips and waypoints or creating Routes or waypoints I use Mapsend lite. It allows you to switch between your mapsend products with it being the common interface. If I need t create a map though i go to the original Mapsend product as I can't create a map through Mapsend Lite. John

This is my opinion on the whole matter and is focused on the Handheld units. At one time these units cost big bucks. IMO handhelds were originally designhed for the slow pace of hiking, biking, boating, hunting of some sort. They were not designed for highspeed navigation on the highways. City and Street maps for these units were the vendor's idea of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Yes it can be rammed it with enough force. These types of maps are ok to use as a reference but unless you have someone to assist you in reading the unit while driving you are taking a risk. Yes unfortunately Maps are something that you cannot try out. Initially they cost quite abit to create and the vendor tries to recoop his costs. If you think Topo is expensive try pricing a BlueNav Chart. Anyways the Topo map CD's that are currently being offered via Ebay etc are all at the end of life - which is good for you. Why - because Magellan is starting to outsource I believe - at least for the USA. They also started offering the same maps in smaller parcels via regional downloads to SD card which also gives them more control over the product. What happens if your SD Map card goes bad - will they replace it at no charge? Just take a look at the website and you will see what I mean. Instead of getting all of Canada or the USA you pick a region. Hopefully you live dead center in the region because if you live along a regional border I can see you needing two maps. The price starts at $50 US a pop. Why did they move away from the CD versions. Well the big factor is $$$$. With the CD version you can make a map of anywhere in the Country it is designed for. If you move no big deal. If you lose the SD card - no big deal, If you damage your SD card - you guessed it - no big deal. You buy a second GPS or a family member or friend has one too - no big deal. The Topo maps offer all what you would expect. Rivers, streams, brooks, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, coastal mapping, ferry lanes, parks, water hazards, wetlands, hotsprings, land contours, rail lines, hydro lines, most major highways, most cities with local roads, some offroad trails or old logging/mining roads etc. These maps were derived from government maps in most cases. You will not find bike trails, hiking trails, offraod trails etc. These are specialty paths that you will either have to add to a map via "Track Logs or Routes" sharing which I believe you can find in the various speciallty forums or websites or rent a GPS at the facility where the paths are offered which could be on private property. The weak part with these are the local city roads especially in developing areas - but don't forget this is a topo map first so any roads is a bonus. If you want the latest road maps buy a specialized Vehical Navigator you'll be happier or you can buy a Crossover and have both worlds. Back to the maps. The only maps IMO that need updating are the maps intended for Vehicle Navigation. You know my opinion on that. Unless California drops off into the Ocean or we get a few more volcano's changing the course of the land - the topo maps should last you a life time. Get the CD version if it works for your unit - you will get more for your buck and they are even discouted now. Ok you may have to keep that old XP system but then what were you going to do with it anyway. Just because the packaging states not compatible with or doesn't even mention your device in it's list of devices doesn't mean it won't work. The GPSr may have come out after the maps. Correct me if I am wrong: I have observed that the s/n when provided to the mapping software when about to gen the region may determine what king of map will be gen'ed. eg .imi or .img. Meridians use .img map images Explorist use .imi Crossover uses .imi Triton uses .imi + ? Topo 3D USA ver 1.00 creates .imi and .img Topo Canada Ver 1.00 creates .imi DirectRoute Europe V2.00 creates .imi DirectRoute North America creates .imi As per Magellan none of the above maps are compatible with my Crossover - but they forgot to tell that to the unit. Even on discussion with their Call Center last Sept (2007) when I was trying to get maps for my Canadian Upgraded 2200T-NA to Crossover they stated it would not work and then they sent me a complimentary copy of Mapsend Topo Canada CD - for my troubles and patience. I reminded them that they claimed it would not work but I never turn down free software offers. It took them two tries to send me the CD as the first map to arrive was Topo 3D USA. Go figure! I loaded them on my XP PC and tried them out and - y-up! they can't talk to my unit via usb but they can still create the maps and I can still put them on the SD card and have them read by my unit. So I guess they were right after all! Total waste of my money - NOT! Topo USA 4.20D creates .img World Base Map create ? I don't know as I haven't had a use for it yet

I have Topo Canada V 1.00 and I don't have to put any map through any converter. I believe it is all in the devices serial Number as to what map type get created. My Crossover needs .imi files When I supply the S/N I just drop the leading zero and I never get a chance to enter the last number because I guess it has all that it wants. I then Gen the Map and out pops an xxxx.imi file. Something else to note: This program allows me to changethe S/n up to 3-4 times then it states I have reached the max limit for s/n usage. Just un-install and re-install it and that limit has been reset. For the tridon you may have to use Vantage point to authorize the map but I created a sample for someone with a Triton using his s/n and he claimed it loaded fine. I am waiting to hear back how it worked in the field. It was just a very small sample as it was emailed as an attachment. All my Mapsends work that way. tHAT'S tOPO 3D USA , Topo Canada, Direct Route europe and North America. I believe the Topo USA doesn't create imi maps. John

The bottom line is this for the Tritons - It will take any .imi maps created with thier s/n imbeedded. So that means Topo 3D USA v 1.00, Direct Route North America, Topo Canada V 1.00 and direct Route Europe V 2.00 - These all work with the Crossover and the Explorist series that take maps. Max reg map size is set to 64 meg and it complains about processing more then one region at a time. As I save to Harddisk because the Crossover does NOT talk to the software I can process more regions at a time - just tell it to process anyways. You can increase the map size limit by editing the mapsend.ini file and upping it there. I just copied the whole line and pasted it below itself - then I inserted a ";" to comment the line out then I changed 65353 to 131072 which equals 1024 X 128 on the new line so now I can create 128 meg regions which allows me to have all of southern Ont and some of Quebec and go right up past Timmins. The map loads fine and I don't have to worry about swapping maps when going to the Soo. John

Tim sent you an email but just in case here is a copy Tim are you still having problems with the unit locking up. If so try a "Reset to first use" via the hidden menu. This does not get rid of firmware updates. It does do a clear memory so be sure to do a Backup on both sides Veh and Outdoor. If your unit is a 2200T-NA upgraded to a crossover you will have to re-enter your code on first access to the Outdoor app. Now - after the reset - respond to the questions such as Date and time etc. Then let the unit sit in a secure area with clear access to the sky and let it build it's Satelite Almanac. My trouble was caused by me starting to play with the unit before giving it enough time to initalize. John

This unit can handle 500 waypoints the problem is that these are shared with the Address Book - 250 entries a piece. You can have 10 Track logs at 2000 pts each and 20 trips at 50 wpts per trip. You can place your cache enties as Enhanced POI's on the Vehicle Nav - that way as you are driving around and have your kit with you - with the Cache POI's active they will call out when one comes within range. Have you guys noticed that you can transfer Address book enties to Waypoints and visa versa. It's all starting to come together - I discovered that the unit uses wgs84 and that North is True North not magnetic. ( compared the reading with my Garmin set to magnetic one moment then True North the Next. True North matched. Ever since I have done the Reset to first use and let my unit develop it's Sat Almanac I have not experienced any low memory problems while navigating in Veh Nav. With the advent of Mapsend Lite V2 I can upload my routes, logs and waypoints to whatever map I have on the screen. You can also use it to create Routes and waypoints to place on your SD card for importing into the unit. John

Bought my 2200T-NA last Sept (2007) and upgraded it to the Crossover 4 days later. I now have the New Map Update V2 for the Crossover version - worked like a charm. I did it just to see if it would work as Magellan claimed it would not. Just like they have calimed that their CD versions of there Mapping software won't work. NOT! If it works with an Explorer it will work with the Crossover. It appears that these maps may work with the new Triton. I gen'ed a small sample for some one to try and they claimed it loaded. If anyone wants a sample just contact me via email. I have Topo 3D USA, Topo Canada, DirectRoute North America, Direct Route Europe. Mapsend lite allows swapping out between apps and uploading Tracks, Routes and waypoints. I added two little eyelets to the top with expoxy cement and now can attach a lanyard for safety.

Can the map be panned and a waypoint taken at the cursor Crosshairs? If so just pan the map. Your cursor data should be distance from current location and Bearing from current location to cursor. Once you match the criteria requested - mark the spot as a waypoint. Should be the same result as doing a projection. Just had a quick look at the manual. Create Waypoint with the "Point on Screen" should accomplish this providing it displays distance from current location and bearing from current location. I don't know as I do not have a Triton. John

Getting into this conversation a little late. I have had this unit as a 2200T-NA since last Sept 2007 - I upgraded it to a Crossover and have used the Full Topo Canada CD with my unit. It will aslo work with maps from Topo 3D USA. I found that alot of the earlier issue when it first came out have need resolved via firmware updates. I have updated it to firmware 2.36 which was part of the New Veh Nav map update. As an Outdoor unit I find that it meets my needs. Yes it does cancel nav automatically when still approx 30 meters from target but when in Map view you can still see your cursor and waypoint on the map and moved accordingly. I have found most of the Topo Canada Topo grapphice features and displayed roads to be very accurate in the areas I have explored so far. These have been confined to the Ottawa area as well as Sault Saint Marie and the Road (Trans Canada Hwy 17) in between both cities. Rivers, lakes, valley's etc allong the route where spot on. I have also acquired Direct Route Europe and have generated three Maps that cover the UK. I am looking forward to using those in my unit overthere. The "hold" feature not only disables the screen but it also turns it off and allows storing the unit while still keeping it on for "tracking" purposes. I agree that there is no place for a lanyard but I plan on gluing an eyelet on it soon. You cannot change the datum which is wgs 84 and the compass is set to magnetic North - but that is okay in my opinion because with the Topo map display you get a reference to where you are in relationship to the terrain and you could probably apply these to a physical topo map just by doing a visual comparrison between the two. Am I correct with this assumption? I guess if the terrain was very plain and lacking in features then it could get a little dicy. With the Gps map though you can zoom out and pan probably farther that your physical map to assess your location. With non mapping GPSr you do not have this reference unless you match the datum setting of the map and try and match up the co-ordinate readings. The only other hitch would be the inability to swap out batteries if out on the trail beyond the 8hr battery time limit. If combined with an inexpensive non mapping handheld "AA" battery powered unit this would be an awesome combo. By the way the 2.14 firmware update really makes the Vehicle Nav side rock. I have installed my caches as an enhanced POI file as well as having them as waypoints in the outdoor side and I can just switch between the two modes Veh Nav and Outdoor app to finish the job. John

Below is an email I sent Magellan re: their Promise to communicate with their customers, website discrepancies and the V2 Map Update for the Crossover/2200T-NA. I believe the more people that report the confussion wdisplayed in Magellan's website regarding this offer the more chances we have of receiving satisfaction. I also plan on posting this on as many GPS forums that touch base on Magellan. I used Magellan's "Contact Us" options concerning feedback on my Magellan experience. I must note as well that I also called Sales Support and asked the to escalate my findings as more and more customers are not being made aware of all the choices available to them whyen desiding to upgrade the 2200T-NA to a Crossover. You can verify my findings yourself if you are a Crossover/2200T-NA owner and have registered your unit with Magellan via their web site. I plan on sending written notification to their H.O. as well. I would appreciate your support by voicing your opinion to them as well - Please use your own words when submitting yours. Letter: ----------------------------------------------------------------- Big problem with the Website and a Big problem with the V2 Map upgrade for the Crossover/2200T-NA Below are statements taken from your website when I purchased My Magellan 2200T-NA Reason to create an account! "If you have not created a personal profile, please take a few minutes to provide the necessary information, which will allow you to complete your order, register your Magellan products, or sign up for the latest news and product tips." Communication methods! All ticked in "My AccounT" I want to receive email regarding product enhancements and software/firmware updates I want to receive special offer information for new Magellan products and services via email I want to participate in surveys and research projects that will enable the company to identify trends, product features, new products and other GPS-related issues Benefits of Registering my Purchase! "Thank you for purchasing your Magellan product. Registering your product will ensure prompt, effective technical assistance and customer service and allow you to receive notification of product updates, new products and other valuable information to help you make the most of your Magellan GPS system." I have yet to receive any communicques concerning the Crossover/2200T Map Update! Furthermore your website under "My Account" and "Legacy Products" for my device as well as the Product Page for the CRossover does not include a link to the current New Map offerrings V2 for the Crossover/2200T. This has lead customers to purchase the wrong type of upgrade. I know this because of what I have been reading in the forums and Online Blogs (Groups). I myself have been actively involved in promoting the Crossover/2200T-NA to my peers and feel very bad about people being misslead by the website by not being directed to the latest offerings for these units when they access the above mentioned locations. If you select the "Maps & Software" link provided in the Crossover product description page - you will notice that the new update is not listed - yet if you select the "Maps & Software" links on the left of the page or in the middle of the "Product" page you will be directed to the new offering. Please tell me that this is an oversite! Comment on the New Map Upgrade Kits V2 for the Crossover and the 2200T-NA The Crossover/2200T-NA New Map Upgrade kits V2 do not produce the normal outcome one would expect from a Vehicl Map Update and that is to overlay the internal Veh Nav Maps of the unit with the new version. If any map should be ported to reside on or to SD Card it should be the Topographical part of the Lower 48 USA states. In this type of a setup the customer could then choose which external maps they want on their device. You would still be providing them the Topographical map as originally advertised. The benefit would be ease of operation as well as less wear and tear on the unit swapping cards in and out of the device. Also the IPX-4 rating would also be maintained for a longer period of time due to the infrequent manipulation of the rubber boots protecting the access points. -----------------------------------------------------------------

Below is an email I sent Magellan re: their Promise to communicate, as well as website discrepancies and the V2 Map Update for the Crossover/2200T-NA. I believe the more people that report the injustice the more chances we have of receiving satisfaction. I also plan on posting this on as many GPS forums that touch base on Magellan. I plan on sending written notification to their H.O. as well. I would appreciate your support by voicing your opinion to them as well - Please use your own words when submitting yours. Letter: ----------------------------------------------------------------- Big problem with the Website and a Big problem with the V2 Map upgrade for the Crossover/2200T-NA Below are statements taken from your website when I purchased My Magellan 2200T-NA Reason to create an account! "If you have not created a personal profile, please take a few minutes to provide the necessary information, which will allow you to complete your order, register your Magellan products, or sign up for the latest news and product tips." Communication methods! All ticked in "My AccounT" I want to receive email regarding product enhancements and software/firmware updates I want to receive special offer information for new Magellan products and services via email I want to participate in surveys and research projects that will enable the company to identify trends, product features, new products and other GPS-related issues Benefits of Registering my Purchase! "Thank you for purchasing your Magellan product. Registering your product will ensure prompt, effective technical assistance and customer service and allow you to receive notification of product updates, new products and other valuable information to help you make the most of your Magellan GPS system." I have yet to receive any communicques concerning the Crossover/2200T Map Update! Furthermore your website under "My Account" and "Legacy Products" for my device as well as the Product Page for the CRossover does not include a link to the current New Map offerrings V2 for the Crossover/2200T. This has lead customers to purchase the wrong type of upgrade. I know this because of what I have been reading in the forums and Online Blogs (Groups). I myself have been actively involved in promoting the Crossover/2200T-NA to my peers and feel very bad about people being misslead by the website by not being directed to the latest offerings for these units when they access the above mentioned locations. If you select the "Maps & Software" link provided in the Crossover product description page - you will notice that the new update is not listed - yet if you select the "Maps & Software" links on the left of the page or in the middle of the "Product" page you will be directed to the new offering. Please tell me that this is an oversite! Comment on the New Map Upgrade Kits V2 for the Crossover and the 2200T-NA The Crossover/2200T-NA New Map Upgrade kits V2 do not produce the normal outcome one would expect from a Vehicl Map Update and that is to overlay the internal Veh Nav Maps of the unit with the new version. If any map should be ported to reside on or to SD Card it should be the Topographical part of the Lower 48 USA states. In this type of a setup the customer could then choose which external maps they want on their device. You would still be providing them the Topographical map as originally advertised. The benefit would be ease of operation as well as less wear and tear on the unit swapping cards in and out of the device. Also the IPX-4 rating would also be maintained for a longer period of time due to the infrequent manipulation of the rubber boots protecting the access points. -----------------------------------------------------------------

For those that still have the 2200T-NA - don't buy the Crossover Upgrade - you can purchase the New Vehicle Nav Map update and they will give you the Crossover Upgrade for free. 5 months too late for me! Here is the link! http://www.magellangps.com/products/map.as...amp;PRODID=1993 .

The only one I can think of is Google -- just to the right of the main page is "Language Tools" Just cut and paste the parts you want translated. Self explanitory. Better start downloading them now and working on them.

Just a test

Jetskier - have you tried renaming the files from Detail00 to something else? When I create a region and right click in the newly defined region box within mapsend Topo Canada Map it pops up with a name box and I just name it for the area I have defined eg Ont-S (Ontario-south) etc. The imi files then created on saving generate a file using that name. There are two files that are created. The rgn file and the imi file within the Mapsend directory. I just copy the imi file to an sd card. Having different names allows me to have multiple maps on one SD card. The rgn file allows me to create a new file but with a different s/n should I choose. DirectRoute Europe works the same way. Does Topo 3D USA (Ver 1) not work the same way? John

Another point - Unless Pete has an external Topo map loaded the best resolution he can expect is about 90 meters (That's like 97 yards up in the sky or 291 feet) "birds eye view" from the built in maps. You need to get some Topo Maps.

I've already told petepope that in his similar posting Map Send Topo 3D - Help Needed for Compatability http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=181471&hl= but apparently he has found some unnamed people, "They say..." who say otherwise. I'd say, if you can't select "Magellan Crossover" in MapSend as your GPS then you can't be sure that anything is compatable between it and other Magellan er/ah Meridian GPS's. I believe it would be against copyright law if you provide a large useable map of his area but just providing a smidget for the test especially of an area away from his home region should be okay - anyways - any helpers could just go offline and provide him with the test material. (yes still enfingement but not as bad bad as borrowing someone elses music CD). As for using Mapsend CD products with the Crossover - it works with Topo Canada and Direct Route Europe as I have these. Anyone want a sample?

I believe it would be against copyright law if you provide a large useable map of his area but just providing a smidget for the test especially of an area away from his home region should be okay - anyways - any helpers could just go offline and provide him with the test material. (yes still enfingement but not as bad as bad as borrowing someone elses music CD). As for using Mapsend CD products with the Crossover - it works with Topo Canada and Direct Route Europe. Anyone want a sample?

Apparently there is a conversion program for those type of maps that came on the GPS CD for some of the earlier magellan models. They reprocess the map and covert them to xxx.imi files. I don't know what model but I would sure like a copy of that Program.

Another option is to use the "Jpg" display option that is now starting to be found on GPS unit. Just take a snap of the Cache info on your PC screen and take it with you in your GPS for viewing later. Magellan Crossover has this capability. Who said it had to be Family photos only!

Try the procedure found here first before you make up your mind. Note: it will give you limited use. Using POI for Geocaching

More spots to check out on the Crossover. Creating Multi Cat POI files Current Crossover Assessment Mapsend products and the Crossover

I have used the CD versions of Topo Canada and DirectRoute Europe with my Crossover which Magellan claims won't work (BS). When you create your map regions in Topo 3D USA do you save the region to the Harddrive and when you do does it process the region before (asking for your GPS s/n)? Do you have the option of creating an xxxxx.imi file instead of an xxxxx.img file. The " .imi" file is compatible with the crossover outdoor app. Look on your CD and see if there is a separate converter program to convert a region from " .img" to " .imi". I read somewhere that some older M Gps's come with this conversion program on their software CD and runs on the PC. If any of you have it I wouldn't mind a copy. I know it wasn't on my Crossover CD. ezeechair@rogers.com Bu the way I believe they are working away from providing maps on CD. There is more money to be made and easier to control the use of the product via SD/card purchase or regional downloads of the finialized region map product. So if you still can buy or download the CD or ISO images of their products off the Internet before they disappear. Even if you currently don't plan on visiting Canada or Europe you will have that for the future.