GPS: GPS and maps

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

The Oregon, Dakota and Colorado devices are now capable to use custom maps!
http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/trail-tech/
"kmz files are read from \Garmin\CustomMaps directory on both the unit's internal memory and on the sd card."
"Each jpeg should be less than 3MB."
"The max number of Custom Map jpegs you can load is 100."

If only they would not have these ridiculous limits (100 maps, # of waypoints/tracs/routes) and had lower power consumption.


-chinoook

Wow, that's awesome. That would be extremely useful. I will wait a while and see if that same software update becomes available for the 60CSx. If not, it's going to be hard to resist getting a Dakota. I really like everything about the Dakota except for the screen's lack of readability in bright sunlight.

100 3-meg maps doesn't sound too limiting, and I have never come up against the 1000-waypoint limit, but 20 tracks of 500 points each is truly ridiculous. Note the Dakota doesn't have this limitation; it supports 200 tracks!

[chinoook]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Wow, that's awesome. That would be extremely useful. I will wait a while and see if that same software update becomes available for the 60CSx. If not, it's going to be hard to resist getting a Dakota. I really like everything about the Dakota except for the screen's lack of readability in bright sunlight.

100 3-meg maps doesn't sound too limiting, and I have never come up against the 1000-waypoint limit, but 20 tracks of 500 points each is truly ridiculous. Note the Dakota doesn't have this limitation; it supports 200 tracks!

You are right. And the Dakota's power consumption is not _that_ bad. Only it has the small resolution screen which again reduces the usability of scanned maps. I am about sure I want to buy the Dakota but I am also sure I will _very_ much miss the display of my vista HCx and also complain the weight of the batteries I will have to carry on long walks in rural China.


-chinoook

[Bryan]

More info on custom maps:

GPSFix: Garmin Custom Maps Officially Available on Oregon, Dakota and Colorado
Garmin.com: Garmin Custom Maps
Garmin.blogs.com: Garmin Makes Custom Maps Free and Easy
Garmin.blogs.com: Creating Garmin Custom Maps in Five Easy Steps

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

These maps don't work with the Garmin handheld devices, right?

Some of the Garmin handheld receivers are available with the China base maps preinstalled. They can only be purchased in China.

eTrex Vista HCx
GPSMap 60CSx