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Old 08-27-2010, 07:24 AM   #1
troutchasers
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Buying Garmin Maps Mapsource without GPS unit

We are considering the purchase of Garmin’s North America Street Navigator with MapSource software now. We won’t be purchasing our GPS unit until sometime down the road. Our thinking is we can learn, load POI’s, including all our friends and relatives locations as well as places (parks, rivers to fish etc) on our "wish to visit" list.

This would all be done on the house computer. However, at some point we are going to need to transfer everything from the home PC to a laptop. We are also going to wish to upload all our POI, trip planning and related info to whatever Garmin GPS unit we decide upon.

Anyone see any problems with this logic? We can both become familiar with the world of GPS, Google Earth and POI databases well before we will actually place the unit with data into the TV. Just wish to make sure we are going to be able to actually use the fruits of our learning curve once we embark.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Cheers,

Robert and Kerri
 
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Old 08-27-2010, 08:21 AM   #2
Art-n-Marge
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Unfortunately this is not my opinion. This could be the legal position.

When transferring to the laptop, you may just need to transfer the data files using a USB drive but you'll need to make sure you are aware where the files are located and where to put them so you can use them on another computer. You can also use a network connection but you'll need to be comfortable about setting this up. The GNASN software is a different story.

Check the license agreement to see what it allows on how it's used. Typically most PC software is a single-user license, unlike many virus software that now allows as many as 3 at a time. This infers that only the copy you purchased can only be installed and used on one computer. Does it say you can install it on multiple computers but only used on one at a time satisfying the one user at a time requirement? Does it say you can install it on another computer at all which means you are supposed to uninstall it on the other computer? Not honoring the license agreement is considered piracy. Most companies expect owners to buy a copy for each computer the software is going to be used on.

For example, I have a friend we share map files with for another program, but we each bought our own copies of the software program to run on our two different computers and share our maps by emailing them to each other. I hear that others will often loan their friends the software to install on others' computers but more times than not, this is illegal!

Technically what you want to do is very easy. It is another consideration when doing things legally. Just remember the data files you create are "probably" yours to do whatever you want, but the software may not be. It will all be in the license agreement including where your data stands.
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Old 08-31-2010, 04:31 AM   #3
troutchasers
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In case anyone is ever searching for a similar answer, I received this reply from Garmin's support via email:

"You are actually able to install the DVD on both your desktop and laptop without breaking the license agreement. The unit can be put on as many computers as you want, but can only be loaded to one Garmin device. The Mapsource program is just a mapping program that you can actually plot waypoints and POI's and send them to the GPS. If you get a newer GPS unit you can still send those points over to the newer unit."

Most any newer Garmin unit is going to come with Street Navigator NA Map and MapSouce. Buying the software DVD now will give us a good jump on coming up to speed on learning and building our POI database for use once we decide upon an TV GPS unit. Great News!

Cheers,
Robert & Kerri
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Old 08-31-2010, 05:32 AM   #4
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I have it on my desktop and lap top, garmin map sorce, garmin said it was OK for me to load them both up with map sorce. this way I can work at home and transfer the route to the laptop for the trip.
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Old 08-31-2010, 06:33 AM   #5
Art-n-Marge
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It doesn't sound like you should have any problems based on this posted information. Nothing seems to be wrong with your logic that you can do some things prior to acquiring a GPS unit. There doesn't seem to be any technical or legal issues. User issues will be the only area of concern but can be overcome with learning and practice.
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