Using US Nuvi map with Basecamp

Unfortunately with the download option that's the best you're going to get.

It seems so.

I'm beginning to wish I hadn't gone down the Garmin route. This is my third Garmin (and fifth handheld GPS, between them with some 70,000 driving miles in the US), having had to replace my Quest II because the three sets of maps (£500 worth) stopped working on the computer for some reason and Garmin wouldn't help.

I just wish they were clearer on their site how everything fitted together.

Think we need to remember the OP simply wants this for a trip to the US. Download of the lower 49 is about half the price of the full NA DVD :)

The original poster wants to do some planning for the trip in advance and already knows how to us the PC-installed version of Garmin's map products.. Combined with the other advantages of having the DVD product I think it would be irresponsible not to suggest that version as an alternative rather than ignore it based on an assumption of what they want and can afford. My intent is to provide the information and let the original poster decide.

...ken...

I'd agree with that :)

I agree too :)

Some years ago, when Garmin introduced the download map option, I purchased one and was pretty mad that all I got was a gmapsupp.img file. At the time BaseCamp either didn't exist or it didn't work with downloaded maps (which it does now). Garmin exchanged the downloaded map for the CD/DVD version.

I've never purchased a pre-programmed map card. I can see they might have a place but like Ken I suggest CD/DVD maps for most.

It's academic now anyway. It appears the original poster has decided in favour of cost. Not the decision I would make but definitely one I understand and respect. At least with this discussion the OP knows the tradeoffs and can make an informed decision.

...ken...

I'm beginning to wish I hadn't gone down the Garmin route.

I'm not sure I understand why? If you had any other brand could you add maps for a different continent as easily? Or at all? Would you get a free PC-based program for trip planning and other useful functions?

I just wish they were clearer on their site how everything fitted together.

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...

At least with this discussion the OP knows the tradeoffs and can make an informed decision.

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?

Or, in summary, Garmin sucks but others suck more :D

Or, in summary, Garmin sucks but others suck more :D

I must just be in a contrary mood today. :D I was going to agree at first. But as I think about it I find I don't. I don't know that any of them suck more than Garmin.

I think Garmin ranks with the worst of them for things like tech support, documentation, and all those things that go toward helping people understand and use their products. Same thing goes for their utter lack of standardization in their product development process. And don't get experienced customers started on the "quality" of their map update process. Or the online tech support process that looks like somebody grabbed a beta copy of something that was being developed on a mainframe in the 1980's and put it in place so they could say they have something. Or....

.... Or maybe I'm just having a bad day and Garmin really does suck less than at least some of the others. :confused:

...ken...

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.