yogazoo Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 http://m.nasdaq.com/article/garmin-to-buy-delorme---quick-facts-20160211-00355 Quote Link to comment
+Mineral2 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 interesting. I wonder if this means that Garmin maps will switch over to using DeLorme data instead of Navteq. On another note - if you're ever in Maine, stop at the DeLorme headquarters building. It's neat, and besides, it's near L.L. Bean. Quote Link to comment
Pacific NW Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Thanks for sharing that info! Wow -- can't say that I saw this coming. It does seem to make sense, though. DeLorme seems to have gotten out of the GPS game, and Garmin's software and mapping leaves something to be desired (a lot, really). Hopefully this frees up money at Garmin for more R&D, and to focus on improving GPS hardware and firmware, leaving the DeLorme folks to focus on producing quality map products. What will be interesting to see is if DeLorme's excellent mapping is offered by way of Micro SD cards in the future, compatible with existing Garmin GPS units. One would think so, as they are vector maps, IIRC. Guess that old phrase, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", applies here. Quote Link to comment
+Lord Cadogan Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I would also like to see some of the features added to the Garmin software. For one, I like the ability to load more than one GPX files and switch between them. Quote Link to comment
+BlackRose67 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The InReach products seem to be the main draw for the acquisition. Quote Link to comment
jholly Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The InReach products seem to be the main draw for the acquisition. Possible, but owning the source for maps has to be awful attractive also. It would be one way to break the Navteq stranglehold on the map products. Quote Link to comment
+BlackRose67 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Seems to be both: Garmin Newsroom One of the most compelling products in the DeLorme portfolio is its inReach series of two-way satellite communication devices. These GPS-enabled devices allow the user to send and receive satellite text messages or trigger an SOS for emergency help, anywhere in the world. In addition to inReach, DeLorme has an extensive library of digital cartography and enterprise GIS software, as well as traditional mapping. Quote Link to comment
+Mineral2 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I once asked Garmin's customer support why, in order to get lifetime map updates on a handheld, you have to buy City Navigator on CD first. It makes sense to just offer a downloadable lifetime subscription with a one-time payment, or at least allow the lifetime subscription update to apply to a digital purchase of City Navigator. Apparently, the issue wasn't laziness or greed on Garmin's end, but licensing restrictions from Navteq (or so they claim). So I'm hoping that if Garmin's mapping products ditch Navteq's data and replace with DeLorme's, maybe they'll be able to implement a more streamlined lifetime update system for devices that don't come with City Navigator pre-installed. Hell, maybe they'll be able to offer lifetime updates to their routable topo maps as well. Quote Link to comment
alandb Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Does the DeLorme mapping suite include detailed road maps for parts of the world other than North America? Like Europe, Asia, Australia, South America? Also, DeLorme Street Atlas USA has never included advanced capabilities like lane guidance, junction view, etc. It seems to me that Garmin would have a long way to go to bring the DeLorme mapping up to the level they have with the Here map products. Quote Link to comment
+ecanderson Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 If Garmin had interest in DeLorme's maps, one would think only (perhaps) topo USA maps. They don't do road mapping outside the U.S. AFAIK. Not sure what the value is there. As others have noted, quite possibly the interest is in the IP related to inReach. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I would also like to see some of the features added to the Garmin software. For one, I like the ability to load more than one GPX files and switch between them. I liked that about the old Magellan Meridian......you could load multiple files and rename them. Quote Link to comment
justAFTR Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 My family and I stopped into Delorme (3/10/16) as we always do when on a weekend getaway to visit the store. It has been permanently closed. Private security was now sitting at front desk and didn't have any information other than it closed last week. No info on if they are going to keep the coin display case either. That IS there, for now. Very sad. We loved the store. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.