+NOV8TR Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I may be traveling to Japan in a few months (business) . I downloaded some free maps for Japan that load into mapsource just fine. So when I load them onto my spare micro SD card, will they work when I get there? As this area is outside of my "base map" area I'm not sure it will work. Anybody out there tried this? I've seen a few caches in the area I expect to be visiting, and would really like to add another country to my list of cache finds! Quote Link to comment
+webscouter. Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 The GPS is a Global Positioning System. Yes it will work in Japan. Quote Link to comment
Smac999 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 stick the Japan maps in. turn on the GPS. scroll the curser till you hit japan. see if the maps are there. Quote Link to comment
+Chuy! Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 If your GPS don't locate maps when you get there, you may have to go through an initiation procedure. In the satellite screen, hit menu, then New Location, then either use the Auto mode or the Map mode to select your relative current location. You may have to go through this procedure again when you return home. When I travel abroad, I use Google Earth to make tracks to upload into my GPS showing routes from the airport to my hotel, caches and other areas I want to visit. Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I found a cache in Japan using my old Legend. You should change the default location on your GPS where you are so it doesn't spin it's wheels for 30 minutes or so. I did it by panning on the world map in map mode and selecting Japan. It's really easy to do and will rapidly speed up the lock in time. Quote Link to comment
+coggins Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) Sorry, but your question reminded me of the following joke: LINK So what maps did you find? There's no telling what will work with the info presented. If you have a Garmin US model, then CN Japan will not work as you don't have the fonts inside the unit to display the text. OpenStreetMaps are sort of in the same pile here, but generally have English along with Japanese text. UUD makes the best set to use with a US model, they have TOPO and roads but are not free. You GPS unit will, in any case work there if it isn't broken. You will want to change the local time zone and maybe the units to metric. As noted above, selecting 'new location' in the sky view should get you a faster first fix once you are there. Edited October 20, 2008 by coggins Quote Link to comment
+NOV8TR Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) If your GPS don't locate maps when you get there, you may have to go through an initiation procedure. In the satellite screen, hit menu, then New Location, then either use the Auto mode or the Map mode to select your relative current location. You may have to go through this procedure again when you return home. When I travel abroad, I use Google Earth to make tracks to upload into my GPS showing routes from the airport to my hotel, caches and other areas I want to visit. That was the answer I was looking for. The maps went into map source (and displayed perfectly)with no problem. This one looks like the best "http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mametaro/kanto-e.html" And this one is less detailed (maybe more non road specific) "http://rwsmaps.griffel.se/" I should be able to load all the maps I need on the same sd card (I still have plenty of room). Cool! now I am not dreading the potential trip so much! Thanks to all who responded. Caching in Japan might be interesting Edited October 20, 2008 by 1XL-on-XR650L Quote Link to comment
+RonFisk Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 This is a little off subject, but not completely. First you should have no problem locating the caches. I wouldn't depend too much on the base map though. Let me know before you leave and I'll give you some geocoins to spread around... Quote Link to comment
+Chuy! Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 If your GPS don't locate maps when you get there, you may have to go through an initiation procedure. In the satellite screen, hit menu, then New Location, then either use the Auto mode or the Map mode to select your relative current location. You may have to go through this procedure again when you return home. When I travel abroad, I use Google Earth to make tracks to upload into my GPS showing routes from the airport to my hotel, caches and other areas I want to visit. That was the answer I was looking for. The maps went into map source (and displayed perfectly)with no problem. This one looks like the best "http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mametaro/kanto-e.html" And this one is less detailed (maybe more non road specific) "http://rwsmaps.griffel.se/" I should be able to load all the maps I need on the same sd card (I still have plenty of room). Cool! now I am not dreading the potential trip so much! Thanks to all who responded. Caching in Japan might be interesting Actually, I mis-worded that. It should read "If your GPS can't lock onto satellites..." But, I think you get the picture. Have fun. When I visited Japan several years ago, I missed out on some caches because my GPS wouldn't lock onto sats and I didn't know about the initiation procedure. I missed out on two other countries until I happen to read a thread about it here. Quote Link to comment
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