Using US Nuvi map with Basecamp

I'm actually a pretty happy camper BUT probably only because I'm techie, know their products/corporate philosophy (over 12 years), have done my research and therefore own units that fit my needs.

I resemble that remark!

...ken...

I can definitely relate to that! This is the downside of having so many choices (usually a Very Good Thing). It's hard to make a good choice when the information is limited or missing. Especially when you either can't get help from the tech support line. Or, worse, get conflicting or bad information from them.

For what it's worth, I have a Magellan RoadMate, the last three versions of Microsoft Streets&Trips, a couple of versions of DeLorme Street Atlas, a copy of DeLorme Topo, a couple versions of iNav's iGuidance, a copy of MapFactor's PC Navigator, and ALK's CoPilot on my laptop and Android phone. I've even tried a couple you probably have never heard of: Navmii and Odyssey Navigator.

For me the bottom line is choice. That's why I keep coming back to Garmin. With a single device I can load maps for almost anywhere on the globe and easily switch among them. Or overlay trail maps on top of road maps. And I can get a host of third-party maps either for specialized areas of the planet that there are no commercial maps available for or for specialized needs in most any area.

That's why I put up with the insanity of their product development, the complete lack of standardization across common features, the generally low competence of their technical support, and the almost total lack of useful documentation and information. ..... Other than that, I love Garmin. :-)

...ken...

Nicely said :)

Along with anyone else reading this thread.

While Garmin does have an FAQ about the different ways to obtain maps it doesn't seem to be widely read and/or understood.

Should I purchase mapping for my GPS on a disc, pre-programmed datacard, or as downloadable content?

Not widely read, perhaps, because it's one of those that you almost need to know the answer in order to find it. It's also not something you'd usually come across when trying to decide on a SatNav.

In addition, when you look online you see that the maps I want are not actually available on DVD/CD, but only as download. Had those maps been available on DVD/CD I may well have found the answer.

...when you look online you see that the maps I want are not actually available on DVD/CD, but only as download.

Bummer. I suspect that's because of a licensing agreement Garmin has with the map data provider. Garmin buys the map data and converts it to their own format for use in their units.

I think that what's happened to Garmin is much like what's happened to BMW. At the beginning, there were the enthusiasts, and the enthusiasts ruled. But the money is to be made off the masses, and the masses are ignorant and/or demand comfort as opposed to performance, which begat the Nuvi.

Plus which, the early devices had limited memories, so it was necessary to learn how to use the interface between the device and a computer. Now it's possible to sell a stand-alone device that takes Elmer Fudd types anywhere they want to go, so long as they are willing to spend lots of time punching at a little bitty screen. It's all self-contained, and it makes millions for Garmin.

Face it, we're in an ever-shrinking minority, but a handful of the developers continue to support us.

Exactly. +1

I don't mind being extinct. Pretty soon it won't matter anyway :)

I suspect that's because of a licensing agreement Garmin has with the map data provider.

Don't think that is the reason; it is a subset of the full CN NA (and that is available on DVD)
More like a logistics thing; manufacturing and stocking DVDs of every possible version is too much hassle...

I'm actually a pretty happy camper BUT probably only because I'm techie, know their products/corporate philosophy (over 12 years), have done my research and therefore own units that fit my needs.

I'm very techie, and have known Garmin's products/corporate philosophy since I bought my first GPSII (15 years ago). I tried to research into mapping when I was choosing the Nuvi, but found getting information almost impossible.

Indeed, I first asked the very simple question ("what product do I need to buy to ensure that I can use UK and US maps on the SatNav and on the computer") last year and have never had a reply, nor two three subsequent requests for information.

That you found a solution that fits your needs is good ... for you. For me, it's not cutting it.

Not widely read, perhaps, because it's one of those that you almost need to know the answer in order to find it. It's also not something you'd usually come across when trying to decide on a SatNav.

Yes, a case of: it's difficult to get an answer when you don't know what question(s) to ask.

In addition, when you look online you see that the maps I want are not actually available on DVD/CD, but only as download. Had those maps been available on DVD/CD I may well have found the answer.

In Garmin's defense, this actually makes sense. It costs a bunch more to package and ship the DVD product than downloads. So it only makes sense to package it as a "premium" product. In this case including all of North America. It would make no economic sense to have multiple DVD products for one continent.

On the other hand, it costs very little for each separate download product so it makes good sense to provide a lot of more focused, and even niche, selections for people who want to keep the cost and/or the map size down. And also for those who want/need instant access to maps of a specific area.

As I mentioned above, "choice" is the primary reason I stick with Garmin. Once you figure out how to wade through their web sites and learn how to read their product descriptions it's a gold mine of capability that nobody else comes close to matching.

It's just too bad the "digging for gold" analogy is so accurate.

...ken...