garmin gps help ?

[devilstoy]

trying to figure a handheld gps to buy , looks like the garmin oregon is really good the newest one has 3d topo garphic maps on it , but its a bit pricey , does anyone know how good this actually is ? and also right now i have the garmin nuvi 200 for my truck , wich is great even in the pine barrens most trails show up on it and i can save and mark spots that ive found , does anyone know how to put actual gps cooridnates into to find a new location ? and is there a downloadable program even if its for the sd card so i can veiw the topo maps on my existing gps withput spending 600 bucks for the hand held one ? any info would be great
there is some downloads on there site http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/maps/onthetrailmaps but i wouldnt even know wich one would be the best for our area and i cant seemt o find if it will even work with mine

 

[devilstoy]

i also just found out on there site that you can take locations from google maps and download em directly to your gps ( i did not know this ) but still trying to figure out how to get the topo maps downloaded on it , but it seems only the nuvi 500 has the topo maps(other then a handheld unit)

also , this is what garmin's website tells you about google maps , but i cant seem to get a dropdown menu from google send , anyone familiar with this ?
Garmin has partnered with Google to allow the tranfer of address and POIs (Points of Interest) from Google Maps to the Garmin device.*

What you will need:


A computer with Internet capabilities
A compatible Garmin Product
A USB cable
Garmin Communicator Plugin
How do I transfer a point from Google Maps to my Garmin unit?

Download and install the Garmin Communicator Plugin
Plug your Garmin unit into the computer via USB
Search Google Maps for the location you wish to send to your Garmin device
Click Send
Select GPS under the Send To: Menu
Select Garmin under the Brand drop down menu
Change or Enter any wanted information in the Name, Phone Number, or Notes fields.
Click Send
Garmin Communicator Plugin will search for updates to the Communicator as well as your Garmin device.
Click Send to GPS
The address you searched for will now be available in the Favorites list of your Garmin device.

 

[MuckSavage]

I have an older Magellan Meridian. I friend has a DeLorme PN-20 that he likes. He just went to an unveiling of the new PN-40. He told me it's a very nice unit.

 

[46er]

I have the Garmin ETrex Vista, the old B&W model and the NUVI 750. I use Mapsource from Garmin to load their TOPO maps to the units memory or an SD card. Not sure if other maps are compatible. I currently have all of ME, NH, VT, NY, NJ and coastal NC loaded on an 1GB SD card.

This link is to a Yahoo group for Garmin GPS equipment, very helpful.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GarminGPSpublic/

Almost forgot, this link is for some YouTube videos for Garmin GPS.

The MapSource download site.

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

 

[Boyd]

I recently got a Garmin Oregon 400t and I like it. The touch screen interface is a huge improvement over the other models, and the processor is noticeably faster (you can scroll and zoom the map quickly). The screen is much higher resolution than any of Garmin's other handhelds, so you see more map detail without zooming in as far.

The PN-40 looks like a very cool product, but the weak link is the screen which is actually rather low resolution. That's a shame considering the kind of imagery it can use. But otherwise I'm seeing good comments on it.

The Oregon is of course limited by the maps which it can use, which must be in Garmin's proprietary format. People have finally "cracked" that format however, and some homebrew maps are floating around now, but I have yet to find a topo of New Jersey. The Oregon also has some new features which their older units did not have, and it seems capable of displaying images (satellite photos, scanned maps, etc) as well as traditional Garmin vector-based maps. But nobody has cracked this new format yet to provide us with tools to make that kind of custom map. But I think it's coming.

The Oregon screen leaves a bit to be desired in bright sunlight. It's readable, but could be more vivid. Evidently this is due to the plastic touch screen and non-reflective finish. I don't find this to be a big problem, but would be happier if it were better.

Yes, you can install the Garmin topo maps on any of the Nuvi's. Just buy the DVD version of US Topo 2008 and use mapsource (or RoadTrip on the Mac) to install whatever areas you like on a memory card (I'm assuming your Nuvi has a card slot). Alternately, you can install them directly to the Nuvi's internal storage, but will be limited by the amount of free space available.

After doing this, on the Nuvi you tap Menu > Tools > Settings > Map > Map Settings and you will see a listing for the builtin maps (City Navigator) as well as the Topo Maps. Check the box next to the Topo's, and uncheck the box next to City Navigator. You'll now see the topo maps.

Note that they are not "routeable" however, and can't give you driving directions. You will also have far fewer menu/configuration options on the Nuvi as compared to a "real" handheld GPS. But the maps will work fine, I use them all the time myself on a Nuvi.

You could also buy the storage cards with pre-loaded maps, but that's not a very good deal. Costs about $80 for just a couple of states, vs about $100 for the entire US on DVD. Plus, with the DVD version you also get the maps to use on your computer, and can load them on more than one GPS.

Garmin has a new series of 24k topo maps which they are gradually releasing for each state. These look like a nice improvement over the regular US Topo which is 100k resolution. They also have fully routable roads and tails. Here's a review: http://gpsinformation.info/penrod/24Kmaps/twofourmaps.html. Unfortunately, they aren't yet available for New Jersey....

Here are my favorite forums for info on Garmin GPS'es:

http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=21
http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=2
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=172
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=4
http://www.gpsinformation.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=22
http://www.gpsinformation.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=4
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

 

[46er]

There is a fellow from Browns Mills selling new TOPO2008 DVD on EBay for around $80; where I bought mine.

 

[gipsie]

I also have an Etrex Vista. It is really good and I am very happy with it, except that the rubber gasket is starting to come off. It is a typical problem and can be fixed easily but is annoying. A friend of mine just bought the Oregon and is very happy with it. The touch screen seems weird to me, but I am sur ethat I can adapt. Christmas is coming ya know....hint, hint.

 

[Teegate]

When I had my eTrex the gasket also came loose, and all my attempts were futile to keep it on.

Guy

 

[gipsie]

When I had my eTrex the gasket also came loose, and all my attempts were futile to keep it on.

Guy

Unfortunately it happens to most of them. Garmin will send you a gasket repair kit if you write them and complain, but glue works well also. It is a shame because it is the HCX and I paid $350 for it. But it is a great unit and I kinda knew about the gaskets from the get go. Oh, well. I wrote a letter to Santa asking him for the new Oregon, but I think he is a little peeved at me for not believing in him all those years.

 

[Teegate]

Unfortunately it happens to most of them. Garmin will send you a gasket repair kit if you write them and complain, but glue works well also. It is a shame because it is the HCX and I paid $350 for it. But it is a great unit and I kinda knew about the gaskets from the get go. Oh, well. I wrote a letter to Santa asking him for the new Oregon, but I think he is a little peeved at me for not believing in him all those years.

Yes gipsie ..... there is a Santa Clause. Hopefully, he will prove it to you on Christmas.

Guy