Garmin GPS V with MapSource City Select software
 

Hi There,

I have inherited this GPS kit and have been trying to get the hang of it this weekend. I think I have the hang of it, but its seems a little over complicated and lacking in memory. I might be wrong though.

Anyhow, I only have the European map, can I get an worldwide map? Is it expensive? From some of the other threads on here it looks like I could try and download it for free. If I was so inclined.

Now, what I really want to know is, is this kit any good? Is it worth me perservering with it, or should I just shell out for a new one. If so, given that I want to drive to Oz from the UK in a 4x4, what one?

Any answers appreciated, especially as my brain has been fried by the over complications of this set up!

Cheers

Ollie
The Garmin V is a very good robust unit. Its main drawback is the memory limitation of 19 Mb. It’s enough memory to enable you to select the areas around your home town or a few specific cities that you are going to visit but the rest will just be using the base map. (Map size is heavily dependent on the amount of detail. E.g. The London maps take up a lot more space than the Cornwall maps.)

I’ve used a Garmin V on trips from the Middle East to the UK and its fine for direction, location, speed, odometer etc. It does the job very well.

If you want accurate street mapping of every area currently available, you’d be better off buying a newer unit that accepts memory cards. Then you can preload the maps.

BTW, if you are taking a laptop along you can also change the maps on the Garmin V as required, but transfer speeds are quite slow (about 30-40 minutes for a full set).
Stephan

Thanks Stephano
 

Thanks for that Stephano,

OK, well I'm taking a laptop with me, so that should be cool. Do you know how easy it is to get the worldmap?

Also, can you recommend one of the ones with the memory cards? Is it just you highstreet GPS?

Thanks again

Ollie

When I buy a unit it’ll have to be compact enough to mount on a bike (which is why the Garmin V is so good) so I’m thinking about the 60CSx. However there’s also the forthcoming Zumo which looks interesting though probably not for my off-road bike. Being in a vehicle you might prefer larger options with bigger screens.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60csx/

http://www.garmin.com/products/zumo/

I doubt that World Map is supposed to free though I got a copy from a visitor which I am “evaluating”. It doesn’t do routing but the coastlines are a bit more accurate!

If you go to http://www.garmin.com/cartography/ and select ‘World Map’ in the Map Viewer you can actually see what level of detail it provides.

Stephan

PS I should have said 30-40 minutes for a full set of Europe maps. I am guessing but I think the world maps would take less time to transfer.

Very helpful
 

Hey Stephano - thanks for that, jsut the sort of reply I needed.

I now understand my kit more, and have decided to persevere with it for a year or so, until it gets closer to my big trip. In this time I will keep an eye on the technology available, and start kissing @ss at work. It seems to get others payrises :)

Thanks again

Maps
 

Ollie

I am now living in the UAE and just brought a Garmin Street Pilot 2720 and brought the middle east city nav CD.
This unit has been very good out here and i think it would be even better in Europe. There are so many units on the market and as soon as you have one a new one come out. If you need more maps for Garmin units, you might like to try http://www.touratech.co.uk they have a good selection of maps.

Good luck Peter

World Map
 

Hi Peter - ended up buying worldmap from eBay - £15. Just waiting for it to arrive now.

thanks for the advice

Hi Ollie
Ill be very interested in what the world map is like as i might get it Please keep me posted.

Peter.

Will Do
 

Hi Pete,

Will keep you posted, although I'm not planning on going anywhere adventurous for a while, so it will jsut be a gut feeling.

Is it the middle east you want me to check out for you?

Cheers

Not much cop
 

Hi Pete,

I don'tthink you can use worldmap to navigate with. Quite nice if you want to know where major cities are in a country and thats about that I'm afraid.

Sorry ......

The worldmap sucks
 

...so I'm making my own :-)