Messages

I work mostly with street maps, so my answers won't address the subject of overlays or anything of that nature.

1) I didn't know this. Thanks Seldom!

2) Garmin reads all of the binary img file, and separates the maps internally. Your garmin device is basically a computer appliance. I think it's some kind of Linux, but I never really dug in to find out. Think of the '*.img' file as kind of a 'folder' with different maps enclosed.

3) the Family ID (FID) is an identifier (typically) used in commercial maps. They have to be unique for each mapset. Most users don't need to worry about this info, unless they're creating commercial maps.  It will only pose an issue if you happen to find two maps with the same mapset.  This rarely happens, but when it does, something won't work.

4) With respect to 'street' maps, you typically only have one map for a particular region, so you usually turn them ALL on. With Topo and Overlays and such, I'll defer to the other folks' opinion, as I only recently got a handheld unit and you might already know more than I.

In any event, In 'Tools > Setup > Maps > Map Info' (depending on your model) is where you can turn on and off individual maps.

Just my $0.02

Cheers!

-- Smug

I 'finally' got a Montana recently to work with my Topo creations for my region...

But before that, all I had were Nuvi 1390's and 1490's. They 'display' topo just fine. But the battery doesn't last as well as a handheld.

Just my $0.02

Cheers!

-- Smug

Sounds like fun. Thanks for the heads up

I'm running 32 bit, not 64.  My Map Data is typically held in

C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Maps

you might also check

C:\Users\<yourusername>\AppData\Roaming\Garmin\Maps

If they are not in either of these two places, Basecamp/Mapsource may not see them.

Older maps used registry entries to tell the applications where the maps 'lived', so that may also be erroneous.

Read this post (http://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=1713.0) and see if it helps any.

Cheers!

-- Smug

I didn't see any in the maps here, but you can always look at Cloudmade; they have some that are already preprocessed.

http://downloads.cloudmade.com/africa/eastern_africa/mauritius

Just download the 'mauritius.img.zip' file, and install in with MapSet ToolKit (tutorial at http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/).

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

-- Smug

If it says "Simulating" then it's not really locked on to any satellites, but using an internal algorithm to 'act' like it has signal. I use this for demonstrations and stuff. It's not 'real'.  But you will be able to verify if the maps you want are loaded.

Again, not having a GPS62s, I can only say that there is a setting (in the nuvi, it's tools > settings > system > GPS Simulator on/off) to turn that simulation on and off.  Find it and turn it off.  Turn on the unit, and leave it either outside, or as close to your window as you dare.  If it eventually comes up with a dialog box that says "trouble finding satellites, continue searching?" you want to say "Yes" (saying no will invoke the GPS Simulator again). and wait for at least 4 satellites to get a fix on the unit. It very well might take a while.

Just as a passing comment:  The only place I've been where I've 'lost satellite reception' while outside was driving in downtown Seoul Korea, where you can get into a block with 30+ story buildings that surround you.  Anywhere else I've been that has been similar - New York, Tokyo, Manila; no issues. And of course my day to day environment barely has two story buildings. You should be alright pretty much anywhere that is free of any close obstacles.

Satellites use a frequency in the low Gigahertz.  Regular AM radio has a long wavelength that can 'bend' to the curvature of the earth. Most HF and higher (like TV/FM Radio and GPS) uses a higher frequency which results in a shorter wavelength. These signals are more dependent on "Line of Sight", as the wavelength isn't long enough to 'bend'.  Only 4 satellites are needed for a 'fix' (3 to triangulate position, the 4th helps in elevation), so typically no matter where you are, you can see at least 4 of the 24 available.  But it still sounds like you're going to need to re-inventory your satellite dictionary.  Until that's complete, you'll still have issues.

Enjoy the day!

Cheers!

-- Smug

I don't have a 62s, so take this with a grain of salt.

If you sent the maps to the GPS, and the msgbox did not return an error, chances are that they loaded ok.  However, if the maps are not transparent, the built in maps may be "covering" your map.

Find where your 'map info' settings are. In there, you can 'turn on' and 'turn off' a maps visibility. You will be able to check if your maps transferred, and if so, you can turn them and others on/off to suit your desires.

You should only need an SD card if you are using content that is too big to fit in the built in memory. Extra Maps, Tours, and other stuff can go on an SD card, but it's not a requirement.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

-- Smug

Just to reiterate what Boyd said.  I buy new and used Garmins for use out here in Asia. The last time they were used was in the Continental US, so when it rebuilds it's satellite 'dictionary', it has to reinventory all viewable satellites. for here, it takes almost an hour to 'completely' rebuild the dictionary if you do it at one sitting.

Just mentioning.

-- Smug

I have created routable street maps for my area. I would like to copyright this data.

Currently I'm going in circles with the Copyright office, because they say it is not a map; they're expecting an image of some sort.

I'm saying it's not a 'computer program' because it doesn't actually 'instruct' or 'do' anything; it's more like a database or lookup table.

Regardless, there are questions as to which 'category' an electronic map falls under, with respect to the US Copyright office.

Has anyone registered their maps with the Copyright office? Would you 'know' which category these kinds of maps fall under? I'm guessing the same as Google or Bing, but they (USCO) don't seem to know which categories those are in...

Cheers!

-- Smug

Phone numbers don't show on my 1390, 1450, and 1490s  Unless it's in a gpx file. I (erroneously, as usual) thought it was the same on all units. My bad.

-- Smug

Would creating custom POIs as a GPI file be any use? That's how Garmin does enhanced Points of interest...

Also, if you add a phone (using GPSMapEdit) it will show up in your code, but not on the map.  The Address will, but not the phone.  If you want a Phone Number, you'll need to use a GPI file, separate from the map.

Cheers!

-- Smug

You didn't waste any money on the Montana...  But typically Maps purchased on SD are not transferrable to other locations; You'll have to pack the chips you want to use for your trip.

You CAN group several maps into one map file from within BaseCamp or MapSource, but the source for those maps are usually CD Install or Download...

Cheers!

-- Smug

Just throwing it out there....

Have you tried connecting the Etrex to your computer and trying an software update via the Garmin WebUpdater?

It may not help, but then again...

Just wondering...

-- Smug

BaseCamp (and Mapsource, the older app) allow you to view and load maps, add routes and waypoints onto your Garmin device.

Like Seldom said, if they are 'topographical' there might not be much to search. What you may want to do, while you have the map open in BaseCamp, is add a 'waypoint' marking the beginning (and end?) of each desired trail, so that you can find it once you're out 'in the wild'.

I don't use a Oregon, but on my 'Nuvi' Waypoints are held in 'favorites' if created singly (either in BaseCamp or on the device), and in 'Extras' if created by gpi (another method for another discussion).  So if you create a waypoint, and load it on your device but can't find it, remember to look in other areas.

Hope this helps!

-- Smug

I got the same numbers too. They're still not what they're supposed to be, but it seems the data I got from our local public works is not entirely 'accurate'.  Unfortunately out here nothing is computerized, and apparently the numbering scheme is kind of haphazard.  I'm not sure what can be done about this... 

Do you know of any 'standard' for street numbering? I don't think we adhere to one, but I'm sure we'll have to eventually.

And you are correct in that we have to 'split numbers' from node to node, at least those nodes that connect to another street. That's going to be a LOT of nodes, lol!

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Cheers!

-- Smug