Can I load maps to someone else's micro SD?

[GeoBobC]

Can I load maps from Mapsource onto multiple microSD cards? I know that it will not work with locked products like City Navigator, but what about other products like TOPO 2008?

[Grasscatcher]

Unlocked products...........yes, you physically can.

 

Technically legal to put maps on other cards for other folks? Probably not.............

Edited August 5, 2007 by Grasscatcher

[GeoBobC]

Just curious: what data is written to a card that prevents it from being used on a different unit with locked map products? I recently had a 60Cx with a microSD card that had CN maps written to it. The 60Cx went bad and I returned it to Garmin for repair. They replaced it. I inserted the card in the new unit and when I turned it on, a message indicated that the maps could not be unlocked.

[+S.A.R 29]

Contact Garmin support. They will give you a new unlock code for the replacement. I have had the same issue with a Legend I sent back for repair. Hope this helps.

[GeoBobC]

Yes, I did get a new unlock code from Garmin. Thanks.

[+Sputnik 57]

When mapsource writes a map file to memory, it encodes the number of the unlocked GPS for which the map was written. When you start the GPS, it compare its own number to the number stored on the map file. If they don't match, it reports the unlock message. Navteq is very picky about keeping its hard earned map data properly licensed.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Sputnik 57

[GeoBobC]

Sputnik, is that true only for locked map products like City Navigator? In other words, does Mapsource write a code for unlocked products like Topo and ignore it, or simply not write a code at all?

 

Thanks for the info.

[SergZak]

Sputnik, is that true only for locked map products like City Navigator? In other words, does Mapsource write a code for unlocked products like Topo and ignore it, or simply not write a code at all?

 

Thanks for the info.

 

MapSource only embeds an unlock code into the transferred maps with maps that require an unlock code (City Navigator, Blue Charts etc.). Maps that do not require an unlock code such as MetroGuide, US Topo, Topo US 2008, etc have no such code written to the mapset file since none is required.

[CenTexDodger]

Sputnik, is that true only for locked map products like City Navigator? In other words, does Mapsource write a code for unlocked products like Topo and ignore it, or simply not write a code at all?

 

Thanks for the info.

 

MapSource only embeds an unlock code into the transferred maps with maps that require an unlock code (City Navigator, Blue Charts etc.). Maps that do not require an unlock code such as MetroGuide, US Topo, Topo US 2008, etc have no such code written to the mapset file since none is required.

 

True, but when it builds a mapset, it compiles all the maps into one file. If that file contains both locked and unlocked maps, you would not be able to access any of it in a situation where you put your micro SD into another GPS unit.

[SergZak]

True, but when it builds a mapset, it compiles all the maps into one file. If that file contains both locked and unlocked maps, you would not be able to access any of it in a situation where you put your micro SD into another GPS unit.

 

Very good point...I didn't think of that scenario. In that case, it would seem obvious that the unlock code would be embedded in that mapset file since the code would be needed for the locked mapset. Otherwise, I think it would be safe to say that no code is sent with an unlocked mapset.

[GeoBobC]

So how do the pre-programmed map cards work? Can they be used on any GPS, or does the owner need to register the card first with Garmin?

[+GOT GPS?]

A pre-programmed card can go from GPS to GPS, but the purchaser of the card is out of the money if they give the card to another GPS user, in this case, and also a Pre-programmed card cannot be copied either.

 

In one case the licensed software is on the PC, and in the other case the licensed software is contained within the pre-programmed card. With the pre-programmed card, all you do is insert the card and jump in the car and instantly autoroute, no need of a PC with these pre-programmed cards.

Edited August 7, 2007 by GOT GPS?