Mapsource And Autorouting

[alamak]

I tried through the "search" but I did not find the issue : is that true that the GPSMAP 60CSX, if using the maps of the Mapsource metroguide , does not allow the autorouting feature on the GPS ( while on the PC it does work ! ) ? Is there anybody that may address me to (probably already existing) right topic ?

Thanks

[+Chuy!]

That is correct; Metroguide will auto-route only on the computer with MapSource installed. That's why it's the most affordable of the MapSource mapping software. At least Garmin does not require unlock codes, which means you can install the software on as many GPS' as you have. The other maps allow only an unlock code for two GPS.

[+PhntmArcher]

However, there is one version of MetroGuide (MG 4) that will AutoRoute. Although it is a bit older it works quite well and at times I prefer it to CitySelect 7.

[redshift27]

However, there is one version of MetroGuide (MG 4) that will AutoRoute. Although it is a bit older it works quite well and at times I prefer it to CitySelect 7.

 

All routing Metroguide maps WILL autoroute on the GPSr if you upload them using Sendmap rather than by using Mapsource. I have found the best way to do this is to use the img2gps GUI for Sendmap. Basically, select which tiles you want to send to the GPS using Mapsource in the usual way. Save this list as a .gdb file. Open the .gdb file using Img2gps, and send it! Hey presto, routing data is transferred as well. (Mapsource deliberately strips this out as it transfers it.)

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mdipol/img2gps/

[kiwitonita]

Thanks for this excellent tip - I installed IMG2GPS v2.6 and could not figure out the next step. When I clicked Load Folder, IMG2GPS looks for only .img files and cannot see the map selection I've saved with a .gdb suffix.

 

However - on reading the instructions further I noticed the sentence "You can also open a map file (.i2g, .txt or .gdb) by right-clicking the file in Windows Explorer and choose 'Open With', then select IMG2GPS to open the file." That worked perfectly thanks.

 

I'm in New Zealand and have loaded a section of California onto my 76CS. I'd like to practice making the GPS calculate a route between 2 waypoints in Los Angeles but the GPS still thinks it's in NZ. Even with the GPS off & in Demo mode it still thinks it's in NZ and cannot find any roads to start the route.

 

Can anyone tell me how to make the GPS behave as though it is actually in a different place? That would be most appreciated thanks.

Edited May 6, 2006 by kiwitonita

[kiwitonita]

I asked the same question above on the NZ GPS Society forum here gps.org.nz/forums/viewtopic18282 and got the answer. The method is copied to here as well:

 

On the 76CS: Satellite page > Use with GPS off > New Location > Use Map > then zoomed in on a USA waypoint I'd already uploaded to the GPS.

 

I made the mistake of loading the MetroGuide maps with MapSource and so was disappointed to see the route taken by the Go To simulation "car" poke its nose into every side street and take a long way round to eventually (sometimes) get to the destination - even over short distances.

 

However then remembered the advice and loaded MetroGuide to the GPS with IMG2GPS instead and then found the Go To driving simulation worked very nicely indeed.

Edited May 6, 2006 by kiwitonita

[Neo_Geo]

All routing Metroguide maps WILL autoroute on the GPSr if you upload them using Sendmap rather than by using Mapsource. I have found the best way to do this is to use the img2gps GUI for Sendmap. Basically, select which tiles you want to send to the GPS using Mapsource in the usual way. Save this list as a .gdb file. Open the .gdb file using Img2gps, and send it! Hey presto, routing data is transferred as well. (Mapsource deliberately strips this out as it transfers it.)

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mdipol/img2gps/

 

I have heard that when you use this procedure, then you lose some (if not all) POI/address search capabilities on the GPSr. I guessyou have to decide which is more important - searching or routing...

Edited May 7, 2006 by Neo_Geo

[dirtdobbertwo]

I AM USING METROGUIDE USA 4.02 In MY 60cx. old but does autoroute.

Edited May 7, 2006 by dirtdobbertwo

[Alphawolf]

I am thinking that the last autorouting version of MG was 4.01...I know it autoroutes, and I think it was the last one to do it.

[+Alan2]

However, there is one version of MetroGuide (MG 4) that will AutoRoute. Although it is a bit older it works quite well and at times I prefer it to CitySelect 7.

 

All routing Metroguide maps WILL autoroute on the GPSr if you upload them using Sendmap rather than by using Mapsource. I have found the best way to do this is to use the img2gps GUI for Sendmap. Basically, select which tiles you want to send to the GPS using Mapsource in the usual way. Save this list as a .gdb file. Open the .gdb file using Img2gps, and send it! Hey presto, routing data is transferred as well. (Mapsource deliberately strips this out as it transfers it.)

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mdipol/img2gps/

 

Can you and has anyone used this program to load 24k quad maps from USGS?

[peter]

Can you and has anyone used this program to load 24k quad maps from USGS?

Sendmap (and equivalently img2gps) are just programs for sending map data to your Garmin GPS. But the map data still needs to be in the proper vector format so the GPS can use it. So if you're thinking of scanning some USGS paper maps or getting a screendump and loading that to your receiver then these programs won't be of any help.

 

OTOH there are methods for getting digital USGS elevation data equivalent to, or even better than, their 1:24000 series and programs to convert this to a Garmin-compatible format. One good description of the procedure is given at:

http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm

The resulting maps can then be loaded to the GPS with programs like Sendmap, img2gps, or MapSource.

[hitmeupz]

 

All routing Metroguide maps WILL autoroute on the GPSr if you upload them using Sendmap rather than by using Mapsource. I have found the best way to do this is to use the img2gps GUI for Sendmap. Basically, select which tiles you want to send to the GPS using Mapsource in the usual way. Save this list as a .gdb file. Open the .gdb file using Img2gps, and send it! Hey presto, routing data is transferred as well. (Mapsource deliberately strips this out as it transfers it.)

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mdipol/img2gps/

 

Wow, I just tried this & it works awesome with my MG v6. No POI lost, but addresses might have. If I had only read this sooner, I just bought MG v4.01 off ebay for $20 shipped. Thanks for the tip.

[kiwitonita]

Good point about maybe missing info. I've tried it out by looking for street names and POI, food, Lodging etc on a 76CS and iQue 3600. The info appears to be there though the 76CS could not always find the street name - it may be me as I've never tried auto-routing or address searching before - it's pretty easy on the iQue though.

 

Interesting to see when the map sections were loaded via MapSource to the iQue memory card the file size was 10.3MB but when loaded via IMG2GPS the file size was 10.6MB. But there's no doubt about it - the MetroGuide v6 will auto-route very nicely when loaded with IMG2GPS.

[hitmeupz]

I just loaded the same maps on both my legend & 60cs. The legend with mapsource & the 60cs with sendmap. They both had the same POI, but when searching for an address the Legend was always dead on, while the 60cs had missing info. It's all good though, cause you can always search an address on mapsource when you are going on a trip & create waypoints to upload to your receiver & then you'll be all set to navigate, plus the POI works just fine for when you need to find a hotel or gas station to go to.

 

P.S. Oh & yeah the maps are a bit larger when uploading them with sendmap.

Edited May 7, 2006 by hitmeupz

[+ekudragonslayer]

However, there is one version of MetroGuide (MG 4) that will AutoRoute. Although it is a bit older it works quite well and at times I prefer it to CitySelect 7.

 

All routing Metroguide maps WILL autoroute on the GPSr if you upload them using Sendmap rather than by using Mapsource. I have found the best way to do this is to use the img2gps GUI for Sendmap. Basically, select which tiles you want to send to the GPS using Mapsource in the usual way. Save this list as a .gdb file. Open the .gdb file using Img2gps, and send it! Hey presto, routing data is transferred as well. (Mapsource deliberately strips this out as it transfers it.)

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mdipol/img2gps/

 

I have just recently bout the TOPO mapsource, and I cannot seem to get both the Metro guide and topo both loaded through Img2gps. When it gets done loading not even the base map shows up!! I know my card is not a problem b/c i have a 2 GB card, anyone have anyexperience or know whats going on?

[+SteveOr]

I have just recently bout the TOPO mapsource, and I cannot seem to get both the Metro guide and topo both loaded through Img2gps. When it gets done loading not even the base map shows up!! I know my card is not a problem b/c i have a 2 GB card, anyone have anyexperience or know whats going on?

 

You might try MetroWizz instead. I used it to simultaneously download both TOPO USA and Metroguide 5.0 maps into my GPSMAP 60C. It worked great.

[+ekudragonslayer]

thanks, ill try that and see how it works!

[+mblitch]

You might try MetroWizz instead. I used it to simultaneously download both TOPO USA and Metroguide 5.0 maps into my GPSMAP 60C. It worked great.

 

Thanks for the hint. That seems to be just the kind of thing for which I am searching.

Edited April 13, 2007 by mblitch

[+Sputnik 57]

In the words of Ms. Emily Latella, "Never mind."

Edited April 13, 2007 by Sputnik 57