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Old 04-21-2013, 07:45 AM   #1
Carl n Susan
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Garmin Express v. MapSource

Garmin, in their infinite wisdom, has released a new automated tool, Garmin Express, for downloading software updates, including maps, to your Garmin device. One of those wonderful, easy to use, intuitive (geek-speak for no documentation), GUI which takes care of everything. Well almost everything.

Some of us use MapSource, a PC (and MAC) based mapping tool (think MS Streets and Trips on a budget) to develop routes on the PC and download them to the GPS when we travel. MapSource uses a copy of the same map loaded on the GPS so there are no (well fewer) surprises with the GPS route compared to the MapSource route. The key to doing all this is saving a copy of the map on the PC when downloading to the GPS. The old tool(s) allowed you to do this.

With Garmin Express, there is no capability to store a copy of maps on your PC. And their technical support folks say that is the way it is. They even have hidden all the old tools on their website so you have to use the new Garmin Express.

Fortunately, the user community has come up with a solution (albeit temporary if Garmin figures it out). The discussion is here at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39280 The old tool for downloading maps and which allowed saving a copy to your PC was Garmin MapUpdater. You likely have a copy of the installer for this tool (GarminMapUpdater_v3.1.14.exe in my case) on your PC in your downloads folder. If not, there is a link to a version (the exact version numbers doesn't matter, just so you have the install tool) available on POI Factory (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39215).

The MapUpdater tools still works and still allows saving a copy of the map. Hopefully this will allow us to continue using MapSource while Garmin comes to their senses and adds the function to Garmin Express. If you are a MapSource user, contact Garmin and let them know you need to "Save to PC" capability!

 
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Old 04-22-2013, 03:49 AM   #2
DonPd
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I asked Garmin about MapSource and this is their answer.

Quote:
quote:Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

Basecamp has officially replaced MapSource. It can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/basecamp

With Best Regards,
Britton H
Product Support Specialist
2nd Shift Garmin Mobile Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
I installed Basecamp ( A Free Download ) and I now use it as I did MapSource. I also imported my routes from MapSource. Once I got used to the way Basecamp works I like it. There are more options to set up in Basecamp. Garmin Express works with Basecamp and will update the map. Basecamp will also works with the map that is installed on your Garmin device.
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Old 04-22-2013, 06:12 AM   #3
Carl n Susan
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I haven't used BaseCamp but I will download it and try it out. I don't see where in Garmin Express there is an option to update BaseCamp maps (just as there is no option to update MapSource maps) on the PC.

How do you get Garmin Express to update BaseCamp maps?
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:49 AM   #4
DonPd
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You can use Garmin Map Updater. I have seen a couple of way to trick Garmin Express into loading the map to your computer but they are more trouble that it is worth. It is easy to use Garmin Map Updater. Make sure your device is connected. When you see view options select it and select where you want the map loaded.

Here is the link to download. Save it to a location you can find again for new maps.

https://support.garmin.com/support/s...00000000000%7D

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Old 04-25-2013, 07:36 AM   #5
Carl n Susan
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I am using MapUpdater specifically becasue it will leave a copy of the map on my PC for use by MapSource (or BaseCamp it seems). My point is that Garmin Express does *NOT* have the inherent ability to do the same thing. The link you provided and the one that I use, both access the Garmin web site to load the program. When (not if) Garmin removes MapUpdater, since Garmin Express is the tool they recommend, then we are out of business.
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:39 PM   #6
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Butch, I had the same problem and Garmin provided me with the procedure to get MapSource updated. I'd have to check but it's probably the same as you have. It sounds like they don't plan to change GarminExpress to update MapSource but I hope I'm wrong on that.

I recently bought a newer handheld Garmin for geocaching and found out that Garmin no longer supports MapSource. Actually, they still support it but will not update it. And some of the newer models don't communicate well with MapSource. So, I downloaded BaseCamp, which is what they now want us to use.

I'm learning BaseCamp and actually kind of like it although parts of it drive me crazy. It's a different concept, a whole new learning curve. Meanwhile, I still use MapSource a lot with my Nuvi although I'm slowly transitioning to BaseCamp. One nice thing about BaseCamp is if your gps is attached to your computer when you are running BaseCamp, then BaseCamp sees both the gps and any extra card (micro-SD in my case) and you can move files around between BaseCamp and the gps. I'm still learning about that, though.
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Old 04-25-2013, 02:49 PM   #7
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One of the things I like about BaseCamp is the ability to set route options separately for each route. Also, can set "profiles" and select those instead of setting all the options individually. I have one profile for "towing" and use that as the base for a route in BaseCamp when we'll be towing but I may go in and tell it to avoid toll roads in some situations and not in others. In other words, I can tell it to start with the towing profile and I can then go change some items in that profile but only for that route.

Butch, I'm not sure how GarminExpress updates BaseCamp maps. It may not do that. I think it will download it from your Garmin, if you tell it to. I think. I'm still learning.
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:00 PM   #8
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Carl, I just emailed Garmin Tech Support to find out whether GarminExpress updates the map for BaseCamp, too.

I know when I installed BaseCamp it said it would "inherit" whatever maps were installed already on my system. And it did. I assume it just uses the same map location that MapSource uses. So, if GarminExpress will update it for BaseCamp it would, by default, also update it for MapSource. For that reason I'm betting GarminExpress does not update it. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I also saw something about BaseCamp can also use any map on any Garmin GPS I have plugged into a usb port on my laptop. What I don't know is whether it copies it to the laptop or only uses it while the gps is connected.

BaseCamp is different but it's pretty powerful. It had me tearing my hair out for awhile. One thing to remember is that there may be multiple copies of everything you do. So if you rightclick/delete it may delete all of them. But you can rightclick/remove from xxx and delete just that copy.

Also, There is no "save as" function. Instead, you "export xxx folder" or "export selected item." The latter functions as the save as feature. The former saves a gpx file by the name of that folder and has all the folder contents (waypoints, routes, etc.) inside that gpx file. Experiment and you'll figure it out. Moving a waypoint is easier than with mapsource but it works a bit differently. I think I have some help info here somewhere. Tutorial type things. I found them with a simple google for garmin basecamp tutorial help. Email me if you want it.
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Old 04-25-2013, 06:40 PM   #9
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Thanks for all the additional insight Steve. I am in a park with crappy wifi and even worse Verizon service. When I return home, I will explore all of this further.
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Old 04-29-2013, 07:21 AM   #10
sreigle
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Here is the reply from Garmin. I do not recall seeing this option in GarminExpress, just in MapUpdater, but next time I update I will check it out. Or maybe if someone else does a map update they could report back whether this option is actually available in MapExpress. It may just be that I didn't expect it in the Region selection area.

-----

Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I would be happy to help you. Please correct me if I am incorrect. You are wanting the mapping from the map update installed on your computer as well as your Garmin unit so you can use the mapping on your computer with out the unit connected to the computer?

To do this please follow the steps below. A link to these steps where also provided in the previous email.

During the Garmin Express map update, to install the maps to the computer:

Windows

Start the map update using Garmin Express
At the "Select a Region" prompt, click Continue
Click the drop-down list at the bottom left of the window
Click Device and Computer
Select a region from the list to install to the internal memory of the Garmin (The largest map region will be installed to the computer)
Click Continue

-------------

Mac OS X

Start the map update using Garmin Express
At the "Select a Region" screen, select a region from the list to install to the internal memory of the Garmin
Click the drop-down list at the bottom left of the window
Click Device and Mac
Click Install
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Old 04-29-2013, 11:26 AM   #11
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As I recall, the "Select a Region" prompt was a drop-down with the various map choices. I don't remember a "Continue" option. I will be back to "real" WiFi at the end of the week and will give it a try then. Maybe they enhanced GE since I used it?
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Old 04-30-2013, 03:11 PM   #12
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I don't remember that on GarminExpress, either. I do remember it on mapupdater or mapinstall, whatever it was. I see both are on my system, still on the start menu and in the c:\garmin folder.

If you or anyone finds out whether that option to install on computer is actually available or not available on GarminExpress I'd appreciate hearing about it.

I see there's a new lifetime map available for my nuvi but I'm holding off on installing it. We're on the road tomorrow and I'm not risking having a problem during the download and not having Emily to guide me to my destination. I'll give it a shot if we have good wifi in our next location.
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Old 05-07-2013, 02:48 AM   #13
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I downloaded the latest map the other day. Think the latest is 2013.40. On a 3 meg dsl it took about 1 hour and 5 minutes. My wife was also on my WiFi downloading music so you might be faster.
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Old 05-07-2013, 12:00 PM   #14
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Paul, did you use the new GarminExpress? If so, did you see an option to also install to your computer? Or just to the gps?

I got notice a new map is available for my Nuvi lifetime maps but am holding off downloading it until we have a better connection. That may be a few weeks. I think 2013.40 is the one that came out in February (my nuvi shows it's on 2013.40) so hopefully the new one is a later version.

I am curious whether GarminExpress has the option to install to computer. If not, I'll still use the old mapupdate for installation.
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Old 05-07-2013, 01:33 PM   #15
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I did not install to computer. To be honest I didn't do anything but follow the bouncing ball. Just the basic stuff. Next update I will pay more attention. And yes, I used Garmin Express.
I think 2313.40 has been available for some time. When I was first notified a new map was available, I tried to install and was told I needed more memory. I finally bought a 5 gig ultra sd card. Little bitty sucker.
I'm a retired IBM main frame tech and memory has come a long way. In the 60s 32K wouldn't fit into a suitcase. Ferrite bead technology.
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Old 05-07-2013, 01:36 PM   #16
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Oops. Don't think they make a 5 gig, 4 gig is what I bought. Class 4.
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Old 05-07-2013, 02:19 PM   #17
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I do not have lifetime map updates for my Nuvi's as I have 2 of them along with 3 other Garmin's. I have used MapSource since I bought my first Garmin and really like it, the new Basecamp I do not like since they have changed all the settings and ways to get to things.
The thing I really hate about it is you can no longer right click and have the option to go to Geocaching.com and find the nearest geocaches. That was really a great feature for those of us who geocache and use our GPS for travel and so on. Now you have the option to find the nearest OpenCaching.com caches, which are Garmin's answer to Geocaching.com.

I am looking at getting the lifetime update for one of my Garmin Nuvi's and will see how it works because I sure want it loaded onto my computer, if that won't happen then I won't be buying it.
Interesting topic.
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Old 05-07-2013, 05:13 PM   #18
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Ed, I still use mapsource for setting a geocaching location for geocaching.com, just like you do.

Also, in BaseCamp you can export to a gpx file that will open in mapsource. You also can import a gpx file or a gdb file into basecamp.

The one thing I really like about basecamp that I wish mapsource had is to set custom route options individually for each route. I use one set for towing routes, another for solo routes where I want to stay on highways, and another for exploring that may include unpaved roads. Etc. In mapsource I have to change it for the whole application but basecamp will retain that info with each route. Supposedly it sends those settings to the gps, but my older Nuvi doesn't recognize it yet so I do have to be careful or my nuvi will recalculate and change my route. So I put enough vias (or basecamp equivalent) to make sure it takes my route.

I still like mapsource but since Garmin is not going to update it and it won't work well with newer gps's I'm trying to learn and am starting to like it. I still use mapsource sometimes, though.

There is a definite learning curve with basecamp. The one that tripped me up the most before I figured it out is that when you click on a folder you see everything in that folder and everything in the subordinate folders/lists as well. Now that I understand that I'm starting to like it.

Also, My Collection contains everything that's in any folder or list below it, too.

And Delete. That one took me awhile. When an item, route, waypoing, whatever, shows in, for example, a list, it also shows in the folders above it. If I say to Delete, it asks if I want to delete from all lists. If I say yes, then it's gone from everywhere. If, instead, I use Remove from then it deletes it only from that folder or list and it stays in the other places. That's handy now that I understand it.

I have a long ways to go but I'm actually starting to like BaseCamp.
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