SergZak

Fired off email to Garmin MapSource beta explaining the problem. quote:Originally posted by bergie_69:Have you posted your findings to Garmin yet?

quote:Originally posted by Anders: But, how does MapSource know in advance whether the receiving unit can handle the autorouting data or not? When you set up the map set to download, you haven't transferred it yet, hence MapSource isn't aware of it there is a GPS V or a 76S at the other end of the line. Nowhere in the preperences can you set what kind of GPS you have. Anders Did some testing using the GPS V: 1. I downloaded my V's current maps (CitySelect v4.01) from the V back to MapSource. The displayed mapset useage read 14.8MB (this mapset is just under 19mb including autoroute data). 2. I added more maps to equal a displayed 18.8MB of map useage (just under the V's 19MB limit) 3. I tried to upload the mapset I created above to the V. 4. MapSource returned an error message stating that mapset was 5518kb too large to fit in the GPS. This tells me that the autoroute data is being sent automatically with no way to disable it from being sent...the option toggle checkbox is no longer available under the serial port tab but *is* present under the USB port tab. The displayed mapset total does not include autoroute data, even though it is in fact being sent to the unit without any way to disable it

quote:Originally posted by shabbasuraj:So are you telling me that if you use the serial port to transfer data you will also have to install the autorouting data regardless what kind of unit you own? This seemed to be the case the first time I tried the beta version...this was when I was uploading a MetroGuide USA mapset to the GPSMAP 76S. The total map size was just under 24 megs and was the exact same map set I had uploaded numerous times to the 76S. MapSource came back with an error message saying that the data was x amount (x=the amount that the map autorouting data would have used) too large to fit into the GPS. This second install of the beta seemed to have "fixed" (I don't know what/how/why) whatever was screwy. quote:Originally posted by shabbasuraj:Or are you saying that if you use the serial port you have no idea how much memory you are actually uploading? The total mapset size with the beta install that I mentioned above was showing the total size with autorouting data *included* and there was no way to disable it since the check box is now available only under the USB port transfer tab and it doesn't affect the serial port. These problems seem to have cleared up for me with the second install but the issue with the GPS V and autoroute data transfer that I mentioned in my second post above still remains to be seen...

I reinstalled the beta and now things seem to be OK(???)...the displayed map size now does NOT include the autorouting data... But that now brings up another potential issue...I also have a GPS V. Suppose I *don't* want the autorouting data transferred with the map data. The check box to enable/disable the autorouting data to be transferred with the map set now sits under the "save to device/USB port" tab and not under the serial transfer tab (or the v4.09 "preferences/transfer" tab). Is the autorouting data now forced along with the map data to the GPS V? I don't know if I feel like losing my current GPS V map set (and then having to re-transfer it) to find out...has anyone tried this scenario??? (still scratching head...)

Here is one of the "fixes" in the new beta version: quote:9.Changed the process for including autorouting data in transferring data to and from a device. Serial transfers now send the data automatically dependent on whether the user's device supports autorouting. For USB transfers, a check box was added directly to this page so that the user can select whether or not to send the data, since a specific device is not known. The check box previously used to make this selection was removed from the transfer preferences page. I simply do not get this "feature". Previously, all you have to do was check/uncheck the "transfer routing data" checkbox and you could see what the exact map upload size will be with routing or without routing data. Now the checkbox appears ONLY when transferring to the data card via USB and NOT during serial transfer, even when transferring data to a non-autorouting unit. I fiddled with this till I got sick of it and went back to the previous non-beta version. If you want to transfer MetroGuide USA maps *without* routing data to (in my case) a GPSMAP 76S or a Vista, the total map amout will automatically *include* the routing data with no way to disable it. The only time it tells you what the *correct* map size is is when you start the transfer and it will error out stating that the map set is xxx amount to large to fit in the GPS. And no wonder...it's trying to transfer the routing data (even though you don't want it) along with the map set! Either I'm missing something (please inform me if that's the case) or someone at Garmin is! [This message was edited by SergZak on November 11, 2002 at 07:43 PM.]

quote:Originally posted by Anders: I've still no GPS to try it on, so I'm sitting in a corner, shivering and picking on my new calculator (which can be upgraded too!). Anders Watch it with those calculator upgrades Anders...a nasty bug may sneak in. If, after the upgrade it tells you 2+2=22, I think you can assume it's a bug. BTW, I really like all these beta releases from Garmin. It shows they are working on the units and supporting them. Bugs are inherent in any software and telling someone a program is "bug free" is downright silly...unless of course all the program does is add 2+2.

quote:Originally posted by dave and jaime:as for the lanyard for the 330x doesnt that unit have a d-ring on the screw holding down the battery cover? my 315 does and that is where i attach my lanyard, not the hold down for the power/data cable. I have both the GPS 315 and the MAP 330 and both unit's exterior hardware is identical...the MAP 330 does indeed have the D-ring screw where the lanyard is attached.

I don't know, maybe it's just me but I've always been rather unimpressed by the Meridian's screen resolution. I would rather have a high-rez gray-scale screen than a low-rez color screen. And to top it off, the unit apparently eats batteries in a hurry. Again, maybe I'm just spoiled by the high-rez screens on my Vista, GPSMAP 76S and GPS V.

The Vista comes pre-loaded with a Marine POI database which is essentially a "map" that resides in the unit's map memory area. Any map that you upload to the unit will overwrite any map that is currently stored in the unit's map memory (in this case, the Marine POI database). You cannot have both the Marine POI database and another MapSource map in the unit's memory at the same time. You can however download the Marine POI database from Garmin here: http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexVista/download.html Be aware that if you have any MapSource map sections loaded into the unit, they will be overwritten if you decide to re-install the Marine POI database. I don't have a clue why Garmin decided to setup the unit in this way. I hope they will rectify it by having the Marine POI database behave like a MapSource map which can be uploaded to the unit together with MapSource maps as a MapSource map segment

Just a bit of useless info about the displayed unit...the map area shown on the unit is that of San Dimas, CA where Thales/Magellan is located here in Southern CA with the 210 freeway to the east, Arrow Hwy to the south, Lone Hill Ave to the west and Gladstone St to the north. The position indicator is centered on Thales/Magellan. I know this area and recognized it right away.

Although I am able to pick up the WAAS birds here in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I prefer to simply leave it disabled because as you said, it slows processing time down and in my case, doesn't increase accuracy a bit. If it did improve my accuracy, a few feet of increased accuracy wouldn't make any difference while driving anyways.

Unzip the 2.08 firmware to a *different folder* than the default folder where the files usually get unzipped to...either that or delete the files that are currently in that folder. Sounds like you are attempting (not by your choice of course ) to update the GPS V using the same firmware that it already contains. Be sure and run the updater from the folder where the new firmware file is located. The 2.08 firmware file is named 015501000208.rgn

Unzip the 2.08 firmware to a *different folder* than the default folder where the files usually get unzipped to...either that or delete the files that are currently in that folder. Sounds like you are attempting (not by your choice of course ) to update the GPS V using the same firmware that it already contains. Be sure and run the updater from the folder where the new firmware file is located. The 2.08 firmware file is named 015501000208.rgn

I use AutoCAD 2000 at work for drawing/developing parts for the furniture industry (we manufacture bars and barstools/gaming room furniture). From AutoCAD 2000, we run a sub-program called Router-CIM that translates/generates the ACAD drawing into what is called GCode that our KOMO CNC router (four-axis) understands and translates into machine movement and actual part cutting. I never thought it could be used for GPS applications.

I use AutoCAD 2000 at work for drawing/developing parts for the furniture industry (we manufacture bars and barstools/gaming room furniture). From AutoCAD 2000, we run a sub-program called Router-CIM that translates/generates the ACAD drawing into what is called GCode that our KOMO CNC router (four-axis) understands and translates into machine movement and actual part cutting. I never thought it could be used for GPS applications.

Try cleaning the battery contacts/springs in the battery compartment. I once had an instance on my 315 where after installing brand new out-of-the-package batteries, the unit would shut down after a minute due to a low battery situation. I took a look at the contacts after being stumped for a while and sure enough, they were filthy. Give it a try since it certainly can't hurt. Serg

Here's a tip for you GPS V users who would like to pre-calculate a route from a location that you are NOT currently at. The GPS V allows you to do this with the following sequence (my altered version follows this sequence ): With the unit powered on, go to the satellite screen, hit the MENU key, select Use Indoors, hit the MENU key again and select New Location, then select Use Map to pan/zoom (again and again) to find your new location/waypoint. This pan/zoom can get tedious fast, especially if you already know the waypoint/POI that you would like to set the unit's new location to. Here's my alternate method: Know the waypoint/POI/etc of where you would like to tell the unit to be. Power up the unit and go to the satellite screen. Select Use Indoors. From the same screen, hit the FIND key and find the waypoint/POI/etc that you would like to change the location of the unit to. When the waypoint/POI info screen pops up, select Map which will take you to the area map of your selected waypoint/POI. Directly from this screen, press the PAGE key which will take you to the satellite screen. Press the MENU key and select New Location and then Use Map. The pointer will already be centered on the waypoint you chose and you can then simply hit the ENTER key. The unit will now be in the different location that you chose and you can calculate routes from the new location. Note that this only works once per each power cycle. If you want to change the location again, you have to power down and power back up again and follow the procedure above again or pan/zoom to the new location as before. If you have a route calculated from this "new" location and this route is still active when you power down, the same location and active route will still be in the unit the next time you power it up. Sounds a bit complicated but once you do it a few times, it sure beats the pan/zoom method.

Here's a tip for you GPS V users who would like to pre-calculate a route from a location that you are NOT currently at. The GPS V allows you to do this with the following sequence (my altered version follows this sequence ): With the unit powered on, go to the satellite screen, hit the MENU key, select Use Indoors, hit the MENU key again and select New Location, then select Use Map to pan/zoom (again and again) to find your new location/waypoint. This pan/zoom can get tedious fast, especially if you already know the waypoint/POI that you would like to set the unit's new location to. Here's my alternate method: Know the waypoint/POI/etc of where you would like to tell the unit to be. Power up the unit and go to the satellite screen. Select Use Indoors. From the same screen, hit the FIND key and find the waypoint/POI/etc that you would like to change the location of the unit to. When the waypoint/POI info screen pops up, select Map which will take you to the area map of your selected waypoint/POI. Directly from this screen, press the PAGE key which will take you to the satellite screen. Press the MENU key and select New Location and then Use Map. The pointer will already be centered on the waypoint you chose and you can then simply hit the ENTER key. The unit will now be in the different location that you chose and you can calculate routes from the new location. Note that this only works once per each power cycle. If you want to change the location again, you have to power down and power back up again and follow the procedure above again or pan/zoom to the new location as before. If you have a route calculated from this "new" location and this route is still active when you power down, the same location and active route will still be in the unit the next time you power it up. Sounds a bit complicated but once you do it a few times, it sure beats the pan/zoom method.

This isn't an "off the wall" product but something made especially for cleaning/polishing/maintaining clear plastic: http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=BI Look for Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner, Plastic Polish, and Plastic Detailer. You can order the stuff from the above link but you can also find it at your local auto parts store. Here in So. CA, Pep Boys, Kragen and Auto Zone carry the stuff. I've used it for many years and it's great stuff. I use this mainly to remove tiny scratches and to polish clear plastic. I also use KlearScreen http://www.klearscreen.com/ to maintain and keep the screens (notebook screens/monitors/GPSRs/clear plastic stereo equipment lenses) static-free and looking great. This is readily available in So. CA at all Fry's Electronics. Maybe somebody here will recommend what you used in the first place on your GPSR...I'm just adding some suggestions here on what I personally use.

This isn't an "off the wall" product but something made especially for cleaning/polishing/maintaining clear plastic: http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=BI Look for Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner, Plastic Polish, and Plastic Detailer. You can order the stuff from the above link but you can also find it at your local auto parts store. Here in So. CA, Pep Boys, Kragen and Auto Zone carry the stuff. I've used it for many years and it's great stuff. I use this mainly to remove tiny scratches and to polish clear plastic. I also use KlearScreen http://www.klearscreen.com/ to maintain and keep the screens (notebook screens/monitors/GPSRs/clear plastic stereo equipment lenses) static-free and looking great. This is readily available in So. CA at all Fry's Electronics. Maybe somebody here will recommend what you used in the first place on your GPSR...I'm just adding some suggestions here on what I personally use.

Contact Garmin about the click-stick problem and they will repair the unit at their own cost. It's a common problem although not everyone has experienced it. The click-stick is indeed the weak link in the eTrex units that use it. As KD9KC mentioned, there is a way for you to test (but not repair) the click-stick along with the other buttons on the unit. With the unit powered off, press and hold down the click-stick in it's center position while turning on the unit. Keep the buttons pressed (approx 3-4 seconds) until the test screen comes up. Press the buttons and view the results on the screen.

quote:Originally posted by Criminal:Does anybody know how to clear the “recently found places” list from the Garmin GPS V? Th only way I could find is to do a master reset of the unit but then you also lose everything.

quote:Originally posted by Homebru:Thanks to all for the replies. I've been trying to decide between an eMap and the V. From what I've heard, the eMap loading onto the mem chips takes considerably longer. I would think that transferring map data to a data card in the eMap would take approx the same amount of time as it would to transfer the same data to the GPS V using the serial port. You can spend $80 and get the data card programmer and your transfer times will be just a few minutes.

quote:Originally posted by Nimo:So would that mean that you lose waypoints you've put in under a certain map? No. Waypoints tracks and routes are stored in a different memory area from the maps. Waypoints are not stored within the map data area.

I also would've voted for all of them myself...but polls are indeed limited here...answers are five maximum with only one answer selectable.