Garmin Mapsource

[R90srider]

I agree Gary.

The Garmin units are high quality and the customer service department (located in the US) is excellent! I have owned a few Garmin GPS units and have had very few problems with them. When I have had a problem, a quick call to the 800 # gets a customer service person who has always been very knowledgeable about the product and has in short order solved the problem.

Bob

[Norwood]

Norwood,
Garmin has a system that will give live updates to where you are. NOt sure of the name of it, though. Check out the Touratech website, I think they sell it. Globeriders touring group uses this system for a live Journal and you can follow their tour progress.
On the bit about the map orientation: nor sure what system you are currently using, but I think all of the Garmins give you the choice of map orientation, ie, North up, track up and one other option can't think of it a 2:00 am. I prefer the track up option that way the map is always oriented in the direction I am tracking. ( I don't think good on a normal basis, so I don't need to try and think backwards or sideways why riding down the rode.) I think most nav systems installed in the cars use the track up feature. Your GPS should also have automatic zoom (which activates as you get closer to your waypoint or destination.

The touratech stuff is called QVI, which if I understand correctly is a download maps and can view on your notebook and soforth on the bike.. and you can exchange the data with other Garmin units as well or friend from unit to unit... I was thinking more of a unit that would uplink to Sat.. like a Star-Traxx unit.. Globe ridders uses a Blog and get uploads from rider transponders about every 30 minutes and then post on the Blog for viewing.
The starr-traxx and cell phone track is about from 3 to 10 minutes delay from actual real time. Both have monthly fees.
The bottom line with both the Touratech and Starr-Traxx is the size of the transponder.. about the diameter of a Maxwell coffee can.. in the near future, the transponder will be intergraded into the Garmin unit.. then we get one unit with GPS. XM, Real time tracking, MP3 and Bluetooth cell phone all in one unit...




On my GPS I have the pre-set to auto-zoom, and great feature... I did change recently to a different distance for the auto zoom to kick in quicker.

I have the track set on 3-D UP, there is a 2-D Up and Track North , I think.

It just takes a lot getting used to... when you touch and the screen reverse or your headed West or East suddenly... you really have to focus on the point of the triangle to get your (my) mind functioning.

....
Hope you having a great Thanksgiving... Day 1 In-Law meal OK
Tomorrow... My family meal
Saturday... Family that didn't get here today or tomorrow Meal 3
Sun-Fri next week, a lot of Turkey sandwiches

[Norwood]

How do you do this?

A little GPS question and answer?

Here we go:

Someone gives you the coordinates of N34 05.231 W87 35.817

On you GPS unit... how do you enter them?

[dixieoutlaw]

creating a waypoint

Norwood,
If someone gives you a Lat/Long coordinate, you need to create a waypoint for that position. The following is how you do it on a 276C and if I recall correctly it was very similiar on the GPSIII+. Press menu twice, toggle down to Points (waypoints on GPSIII+) Press Menu, select Create Waypoint, Toggle up to Location (there will be a Lat/Long in this block for your current position), press Enter, Change the Lat/Long to the one given to you, Press Enter, Toggle up to Name, Press Enter, give it a unique name, Press enter, Toggle down to OK and press enter.

Now wasn't that easy, much easier to do on the computer then download to the GPS. but then you don;t always have the computer with you.

Gary

[Norwood]

Norwood,
If someone gives you a Lat/Long coordinate, you need to create a waypoint for that position. The following is how you do it on a 276C and if I recall correctly it was very similiar on the GPSIII+. Press menu twice, toggle down to Points (waypoints on GPSIII+) Press Menu, select Create Waypoint, Toggle up to Location (there will be a Lat/Long in this block for your current position), press Enter, Change the Lat/Long to the one given to you, Press Enter, Toggle up to Name, Press Enter, give it a unique name, Press enter, Toggle down to OK and press enter.

Now wasn't that easy, much easier to do on the computer then download to the GPS. but then you don;t always have the computer with you.

Gary

Gary, I remember that I did that with my SP III (Navigator), for the life of me, I can't make it work with 2720..without first using a computer, then download.

On 2720 Menu twice will give you other choices but no waypoints, if you save a point while on the fly... it will create a number with the coordinates, then you can name it... but if someone gives you a coordinate you need a computer... Addresses no problem..

FIND twice will build a route back home on 2720.

If anyone know something different on 2720... reply..

Thanks Gary..
(cold in the garage, trying to figure this out on the bike)

[Bikebum]

On a StreetPilot 2720, at main menu touch "Where to", then touch "My locations", then touch "Coordinates", then touch "Enter Position" then enter coordinates. To save it touch "Add as favorite".

By the way, the west coordinate must begin with 0, example: W087 35.817.

It looks like that location is Highway 5 and Highway 278 at Natural Bridge.

[Norwood]

On a StreetPilot 2720, at main menu touch "Where to", then touch "My locations", then touch "Coordinates", then touch "Enter Position" then enter coordinates. To save it touch "Add as favorite".

By the way, the west coordinate must begin with 0, example: W087 35.817.

It looks like that location is Highway 5 and Highway 278 at Natural Bridge.

And the winner is: Natural Bridge

Hey I just got back from outside again, I going to catch a cold ... but I figured out a way...but yours is easier... I going back to try it... For some reason I don't see Coordinates on my menu....

but, I saved my location as a favorite, then I went to advance edit and changed just what I saved to the new coordinates and named it... and then it found it...

Going back outside to try your method...

Thanks.... ya'll , be back in a minute..

Don

[Norwood]

On a StreetPilot 2720, at main menu touch "Where to", then touch "My locations", then touch "Coordinates", then touch "Enter Position" then enter coordinates. To save it touch "Add as favorite".

By the way, the west coordinate must begin with 0, example: W087 35.817.

It looks like that location is Highway 5 and Highway 278 at Natural Bridge.

Hey Jamie, back again... the problem is I don't have the "Coordinates" tab

On this 2720, "Where to" .."MY Locations" I get "Favorites" and "Custom POIs" just two choices...

Now I can touch "my locations" then select an ole waypoint, advance edit and change to the waypoint I am looking for, rename it and that will work.

Looks like a call to Garmin support or could it be that I don't have any custom POIs loaded in the unit now and coordinates is "turned off"???

If I have all the components with me I will try and load some POIs and see that makes a difference...

Thanks ya'll

[Wrong Way]

All of this discussion got me wondering why I can't enter a coordinates on my lap top Map Source program. I have only a SP III plus color map with Map Source version 6.12.4 on my lap top. I'm pretty sure I used to be able to enter a coordinates on this program and transfer it to my GPS. I've opened every pull down menu and explored every tab and can't figure out how to do that.

[Wrong Way]

Sorry to bother everyone with this. After I made the previous post I decided to look for any Map Source updates. There was one Version 6.14.5. I downloaded and installed that then decided to have another look. In the "View" pull down menu it has a choice called enter position. I think that will do it for me. May have been there before but I didn't see it. But then again I'm getting old.

[Bikebum]

Hey Jamie, back again... the problem is I don't have the "Coordinates" tab

On this 2720, "Where to" .."MY Locations" I get "Favorites" and "Custom POIs" just two choices...

Now I can touch "my locations" then select an ole waypoint, advance edit and change to the waypoint I am looking for, rename it and that will work.

Looks like a call to Garmin support or could it be that I don't have any custom POIs loaded in the unit now and coordinates is "turned off"???

If I have all the components with me I will try and load some POIs and see that makes a difference...

Thanks ya'll

Don, on the menu screen press "Settings", "About", "StreetPilot" to see what version firmware you are running; Mine is 7.10. You can update the firmware (no cost) from Garmin to get some nice features such a QWERTY keyboard and others.

[Bikebum]

Sorry to bother everyone with this. After I made the previous post I decided to look for any Map Source updates. There was one Version 6.14.5. I downloaded and installed that then decided to have another look. In the "View" pull down menu it has a choice called enter position. I think that will do it for me. May have been there before but I didn't see it. But then again I'm getting old.

Tim, it's not Mapsource that you need to update but the GPS unit firmware. Go to this page to find the latest update for your unit:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/blosp.jsp

[Norwood]

Sorry to bother everyone with this. After I made the previous post I decided to look for any Map Source updates. There was one Version 6.14.5. I downloaded and installed that then decided to have another look. In the "View" pull down menu it has a choice called enter position. I think that will do it for me. May have been there before but I didn't see it. But then again I'm getting old.

http://www8.garmin.com/support/blosp.jsp[/url]

Try: FIND PLACES...then... PREFEERENCES then POSITION....

[Norwood]

Don, on the menu screen press "Settings", "About", "StreetPilot" to see what version firmware you are running; Mine is 7.10. You can update the firmware (no cost) from Garmin to get some nice features such a QWERTY keyboard and others.

Jamie, going to do that, I am in Alabama for a couple weeks, getting ready for Children home ride and for holidays...but all my Garmin attachments are in Chattanooga home... but heck, I got used to using the thing without that...but I am going to update... putting in addresses works find.. just never could put in the coordinates from a prompt menu. I'll get that installed before my next long ride, which will be the Stagecoach Ride In in Stocklton Alabama, I am going to do 100 out of NW GA down the GA line over to 49 to 29 to Bay Minette.

Enjoying our Garmin session....

[dixieoutlaw]

GPS with internal battery

Early on in this thread, the question was asked on recommendations for a GPS,purchase. What ever brand or unit within brands, I would recommend purchasing a unit with an internal battery -preferrabaly rechargeable). I like to take my unit off the bike and take into the tent or a resturant to do some quick planning, alos been know to take it with me in a friend or family members when I ride in to visit with them.
I know some of the Garmin streepilot series only operate from the vehicle battery - my brother has a 2620 or 2720 that is this way and the only way to show him something on it is to go sit in the car. I suspect Norwood's is the same way since he has been freezing his buns sitting in the garage trying to sort some GPS issues. I like doing this in th cozy den.
another benefit of an internal battery is taking the thing for a walk if you break down and since I ride some off road - this is a big plus.
While at it I think I will start another thread on GPS tips and questions.

Gary