KevinK7

Two questions: Mapsource TOPO: I must be overlooking something, ...but can't I load all three disks into the computer? (so the CD's aren't needed) ...I haven't quite figured out how to load them all... "...check your GPS unit..." (or a message similar to that), ...and you are prompted to select which PORT it is connected to. I'm using a USB cable, ...however all that are listed are the COM ports? My only guess here is that I may need to reinstall the waypoint manager (and USB drivers) CD that came with the 60csx, ...before I install City Nav??? (and does this mean I need to uninstall City Nav to get around this?) Thanks, Kevin

Sputnik, ...Thanks for the reply... ...The unlock issue was due to the firewall I have installed on the home computer (I should have remembered). The work-around was to visit Garmin's site and manually go through the unlock process. For future reference (other newbies), ...In order to unlock the Mapsource software (in my case City Navigator) you will need the SERIAL# from your GPS unit when you perform the unlock. Kevin

...I'm brand new at all this, so forgive the 'dumb' questions... I'm trying to unlock City Navigator, ...but it hangs up my PC. I did not yet receive my GPSMAP60CSX, ...but was trying to install the City Navigator 7.0 software to my PC (WinXP). Seemed to install fine, ..but when 'unlock wizard' goes to connect to internet, ...it hangs up and I have to power off PC to clear. Bottom line, I haven't been able to unlock the software yet. Do I need to have the GPS 60CSX Drivers/Waypoint software installed first? ...any advice would be helpful Other Newbie questions: Can I load the City Navigator to more than one PC? (ie. My home PC and my work PC?) I've also purchased the Mapsource TOPO, ...does it load 'on top' of the City Navigator maps? ...where I would have both the road detail and topo detail in a map view? Thanks, Kevin

Well, ...after a long debate over screen size, features, use, etc., etc. , ...I decided to 'take the plunge' and purchased a Garmin 60CSX ...a huge THANKS to those on this board who have provided some very helpful and useful information. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get this thing and start using it Thanks, Kevin

...Thanks

...What's the latest version of Mapsource topo from Garmin? ...thanks, Kevin

I had also called Garmin, ...with regard to City Select vs. City Navigator. Pretty much what you said, ...however it's my understanding the City Select is 'going away' in place of City Navigator... I myself am leaning toward the 60csx as well. ...same thing too, ...waiting to see the price come down a bit... Kevin

...your post caught my attention since I'm in a similar boat and looking at roughly the same units. In a nutshell, ...the Garmin units seem really nice, ...I'd just love to see a slightly larger screen (like the Explorist XL), ...however from what I've been reading the Magellan autorouting software isn't as flexible as Garmin's. Additionally (as you noted), ...the Garmin 60csx is brand new and has the latest SIRF technology in it. The problem though, ...is that the prices are pretty fixed (high) right now. I'm curious what your decision will be... Kevin

DrBugs, ...nope, ...still undecided. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one stuck in the decision cycle. I'm still reading as much as I can on the boards, ...and looking at prices. Right now I'm (ever so slightly) sided with the 60csx. Two co-workers have the 60cs which they love (primarily if not soley for hiking). The other factor coming into play is customer service. I've actually called Garmin twice, ...and both times actually talked to a person and all my questions were answered. Sadly, ...on two attempts to call Magellan, ...I waited on hold for as long as I could and had to hang up before I was even sent to a human. I really wanted to ask them more about the explorist XL, ...but not getting through has swayed me from them. With that, ...I'm currently thinking, ...OK, ...a Garmin product. But as I still like the larger screen I started back looking at the M5 (that I originally was considering). ...so I'm curious on Kirt's expertience when he receives his Explorist. ...the only plus here is that by the time I decide, ...maybe the 60csx prices will drop ...?

...How about Garmin's product: http://www.garmin.com/products/gps18/ ...if you already have the 60 series, ...you'll have compatable software too

...this may seem like a 'dumb' question, ...but I'm new at this... I've noticed that ads for Garmin's GPS 18 Deluxe indicate it comes with "nRoute and City Select software ", ..."that automatically guides you with turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts" Does this imply that if you connected a 60csx (via usb) to your PC, ...you would be able to get voice prompting (via PC) were the 60csx is simply the 'GPS'? ...and would it be the same with city Navigator?

I'm still in the decision process on which unit to purchase. I've been considering Magellan's Explorist XL, ...and the Garmin 60csx or Ique M5. I know the M5 is not as rugged as the others, however in considering my primary use, it may serve me just fine. I very much like the functions that I've read/heard about on the 60csx (and the fact that it uses standard AA batteries), ...but the smaller screen is a concern to me. Anyway, ...(for those that have/use the M5) does it do 'tracking'? ...and what might be some features it does NOT have that the 60csx does. ...Thanks, Kevin

That's pretty much the deal. You can specify the destination, and the GPS presumes the beginning to be where you are (on a saved route, you can specify the start and the finish). DirectRoute will figure what it thinks is the fastest way to get there. To "customize" it you have to either veer off on what you think to be a better way and force a recalculation from your current position, or you can break the route down into "subroutes" by chaining to a series of intermittent destination waypoints conforming to the route you want to take. A little cumbersome, but it's a workaround. Garmins, OTOH, allow you to specify via points that create one overall route. It just works more the way a person would want it to work. Another cool thing (that I don't think was included in the other discussion) was that some Garmins (e.g., my Quest) will, for a given set of waypoints, create a "most efficent" route connecting them all. It is confusing, and I think it's hard to fully grasp until you experience it. I'd say to not worry too much about making the perfect choice. Go for whatever seems best, and if it proves a disappointment sell it on eBay or in the garage sale here and try the other one. It's ok to change your mind. Embra, ...Thanks for the post, ...and for all your help on this. As you've noted, I'm begining to see there are shortcomings and some 'workarounds' with ALL the units. I'm also beginning to realize that the decision on what unit to purchase partly revolves around the features it has, ...but moreso in deciding how I plan to use it... Again, ...THANKS for your input. This board has been an invaluable tool in the decision process...

" ...I hear ya' on that one ...to note, ...Embra was commenting on that Direct Route (3.0) might be an improvement for Magellan, ...the link I included above (from Magellan's own site) seems to imply the autoroute is no different than it is today. (?) I'm having a tough time foregoing the larger screen (XL), ...so now I find myself (again) looking at an ique M5 as a viable option (even though the 'ruggedness' of the 60csx in a huge plus) By the time I make a decision, ...a newer product will be out

This may be what everyone has been saying (with regard to Garmin/CityNav and Magellan/Direct Route), ...but I want to make sure I understand this. I was reading the Magellan site ( http://www.magellangps.com/en/support/products/drqsg.asp ) " DirectRoute calculates shortest time street routes. Shortest time street route calculation considers the speed limits and length of possible street paths between you and your destination. The shortest time route is not necessarily the fastest or simplest route. DirectRoute is tuned to provide reasonable street routes, but it doesn’t know about traffic, road construction, etc ..." Does this imply that if you wanted to use 'secondary' roads, ...you wouldn't be able to specify this for the autoroute generated by Magellan's Direct route? ...Where with Garmin you WOULD be able to do so? (Does anyone know of a link to a site that overviews City Nav autorouting such as the link above does for Direct route?) Thanks, Kevin

I'm not the expert here, but I assume the GPS is the same as in other Garmin units, ...and Garmin has a decent reputation. ...I'm still in the purchase mode (and the M5 was/is one of the units I'm looking at)

Thanks for the replies everyone. ...I'm reading every single one of them, ...as I'm still looking into this...

Jack, not much info to add here, ...other than to say, " I agree it's difficult to decide..." Interestingly, ...I believe I've narrowed my search as well, ...to the Garmin 60csx and the Explorist (XL). For me, ...the larger screen on the XL is a big factor. However from what I'm hearing (re: my post -- http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=123011), ...the Garmin does a much better job with autorouting. I'm at the point where I believe I really need to fully understand how each unit autoroutes, ...whether that be continuing to search the web, ...or to get both units in my hands and actually 'test' them. Kevin

Thanks for the reply, ...yes, the link Embra inlcuded (where you two were explaining autorouting) was very helpful) (keeping in mind, I've never used one of these GPS units) I have a couple questions: From the linked thread, etc. Am I correct in that the Explorist (ie. XL) will only allow you to autoroute using 'shortest distance', ...and NOT a route that would be better in a (car,truck, bike, etc.)? When an autoroute is displayed on a Garmin (ie. 60csx) does the highlighted route follow the exact road (and not 'straight line' as seen in some of the Magellan screen shots)? http://www.gpsbabel.org/tips/arcmap.html Thanks, Kevin

...I'm still 'on the fence' with this. Anyone else that has the Explorist XL (or 500 for that matter, ...apparently it is roughly the same) that does use it for AutoRouting, ...just curious to hear from other user's opinions. ...the larger screen is a big factor, ...but I'm concerned that the Explorist mapping (and possibly other features) don't 'cut it' compared to the Garmin (60csx). Thanks, Kevin

...Thanks for the added links ...I've got some (more) reading to do...

Testing...

...Thanks for the reply, ...and the link. It does seem the general concensus is for Garmin based on functionality. I'm wondering for those that have used the 60csx in the car, ...how "readable" is it? ...does it provide text 'messages' for upcoming turns?, ...or just the arrows? (My primary use will be for hiking/outdoors, ...but I would like it be 'useable' in the car.) Thanks again for the reply...

...Looks interesting (I'm soon to purchase a new unit...) Garmin 60csx ...? Magellan Explorist XL ...? DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20 ...may have just been added to the list to choose from...?

Very informative review there ...especially for a 'newbie'