Installing City Navigator NT 2009 to GPSMAP 76CSx

By : Robert Thoms

Garmin GPSMAP 76csx

The Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx adds a whole new dimension to the mariner-friendly 76-series navigators.  GPSMAP 76CSx  is a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, barometric altimeter and electronic compass, microSD card slot, color TFT screen and turn-by-turn routing features that have made the Garmin GPSMAP 76csx Handheld and its counterpart, the GPSMAP 76Cx, a mainstay among serious outdoor enthusiasts.

If you buy new Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx, it included blank card stores up to 128 megabytes (MB) of optional maps or other data. The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet. When navigating on the road, the 76CSx provides turn-by-turn directions to your destination. It also accepts optional preloaded microSD cards with MapSource data for your off-road or marine excursions.

How to install City Navigator NT 2009 to your Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx ? and  What’s the difference between City Navigator and City Navigator NT 2009 ?

For identical years, the map data in the two products is the same. City Navigator NT 2009 uses a more effective form of compression which allows more maps to be stored in a smaller space, but it does require newer units; all the units covered by this FAQ support NT, but double check with Garmin before purchasing.  If you’re purchasing new Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx, don’t have to worry about compatibility/shared unlock codes with an older GPS, there is no reason to NOT get the NT product.

How much space on the SD card to the maps take?  As perspective, the entire US almost exactly fills a much better 2 GB  with City Navigator NT 2009. But before installed please check this System Requirements:

• Includes USB device drivers. Internet access is required for the unlock process. Cable and GPS not included.
• PC: Windows 2000 or newer, 512 MB minimum RAM, at least 1024 x 768 display, 24-bit color monitor, 2 GB free disk space, USB port, USB cable, DVD drive
• MAC: Any Intel-based Mac or PowerPC G3 or later Mac, 512 MB RAM, OS X 10.4 or later, 2 GB free disk space, DVD drive, USB port, USB cable, 1024 x 768 display.

Then  the “Unlock Wizard” to guide you through the unlock process. But you cannot use City Navigator NT 2009 to update the maps on your preloaded Garmin device. To order updated map data for your preloaded Garmin device, visit Garmin’s Map Updates page.

Check out The important things to update Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx

The important things to update Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx

By : Jay

Garmin GPSMAP 60csx

The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx adds several performance enhancing features, The venerable Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx features an insanely accurate, high sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx’s integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you’ve got a unit that is ready

There are some important things you should know if you want to update your Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx like Firmware or Mapping as below:

v GPSMAP 60csx Firmware

• Version of firmware is in my Garmin GPSMap 60CSx ?

¨ To displayed firmware select MENU > MENU > Setup > ENTR > System > ENTR > MENU >Software Version > ENTR

• Upgrade the firmware ?

¨ Use Garmin’s Webupdater software for Mac or Windows systems to upgrade the firmware.

• How much map memory is in use on the GPS? There are a couple of options.

¨ On recent firmware, Go to the Main Menu, then select or press Tracks:Enter:Setup:Enter:Data Card Setup:Enter:Menu:Card Info:Enter

¨ On any firmware, but you can start Mapsource and read maps from the GPS. In the tab for ‘maps’ it will display a total of the space used.

¨ Alternately, you can put the GPS into Mass Storage mode and view the disk usage on it from your favorite computer.

• Why two firmware version numbers displayed?

¨ If you see two version numbers displayed, the first is the main OS of the receiver. The second is the version of the code used by the receiver circuit.

¨ Around mid 2008, Garmin started shipping these models with Mediatek receivers instead of the SirfStar III receiver chips. If there is no letter after the second version or the letter is ’s’, you have a Sirf model. If there is an ‘m’, you have a Mediatek receiver.

v GPSMAP 60csx Mapping

• Difference between City Navigator and City Navigator NT

¨ For identical years, the map data in the two products is the same. City Navigator NT uses a more effective form of compression which allows more maps to be stored in a smaller space, but it does require newer units

¨ If you’re purchasing new and don’t have to worry about compatibility/shared unlock codes with an older GPS, there is no reason to NOT get the NT product.

• How much space on the SD card to the maps take?

¨ As perspective, the entire US almost exactly fills a 1GB card with City Navigator NT.

• The stock Topo maps are 1:100,000. Is there a 1:24,000 product?

¨ 24K maps are available from Garmin, but only as part of their National Parks product.

• Can I use my favorite mapping program like Google Earth, Microsoft Streets & Trips, Delorme, Ozi, etc. to send maps to the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx?

¨ No. Those programs may be able to transfer waypoints, tracks, or routes to and from the unit (the details will vary for each) but they do not send maps.

• Can I make and upload my own maps?”

¨ If you live in an area where Mapsource is available and you place any value on your time, it would be hard to encourage you to roll your own. However, if you’re suitablly determined, you can investigate the ‘map_authors’ yahoogroup and find tutorials for making custom Topo maps for your Garmin. There are some canned maps available on CGPSMapper.

• What free (legal) maps are available for my unit?

¨ Routable street maps for the Garmins are still pretty scarce, but in countries that have free road data and digital elevation models or that have an active OpenStreetMapper community, the options are more plentiful now than even 2007.

Now you can update the firmware Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx correctly with this link

Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS versatile travel assistant

By : Roy

Garmin 350 GPS

Garmin 360 GPS is a versatile travel assistant that’s approximately the size of a deck of playing cards. The nuvi is a portable GPS navigator, traveler’s reference, and digital entertainment system, all in one. Combined with detailed maps, the nuvi provides automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, and finger-touchscreen control – making it easy to find your way anywhere. The unique “text-to-speech” feature calls out turns by street name.The Garmin 360 GPS System also offers a travel kit of useful travel tools to help keep any journey fun: MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, and calculator. In addition, optional software packages such as the Language Guide and Travel Guide can be added for language and content support.

Great unit! Great software and ease of use but as a Real Estate Agent this product lacks a very important feature I need. Garmin 360 GPS would not allow me to enter several destination points prior to leaving the house. For example if I have out of town buyers who want to see 10 homes on Saturday and I want to route myself from house to house, this the Garmin 360 GPS would make me enter each address from house to house. Also didn’t like having to enter my city each time I enter an address. I took it back and bought the TOMTOM GO 910 which is much bigger than the sleek Garmin 360 GPS but has features I need and remembers addresses, cities and streets previously entered. Also has a home docking station for the computer which allows doing everything on a simulated TOMTOM right on the computer screen using a USB port.

Garmin Nuvi 350 is nice.  You don’t need AAA to update you with the streets with the Garmin. You can use Garmin 360 GPS in both the US and Canada and have loved it! When you miss a turn it recalculates the directions instead of just telling you to turn around . This little unit has never lead me astray whether I’m in a big city or out in the boonies.

After lots of comparison shopping and reading many product reviews,  Many people decided that this was the best product. They bit the bullet and purchased online for just under “six Franklins” on August 1st, 2006. I am VERY HAPPY with this product now having it since the 8th of August 2006. The Garmin Nuvi 350  GPS is very easy to use and is very accurate, and most of all very small and extremely portable. I *luv* my Nuvi 350, it is my best purchase I feel I have made since buying my IPOD years ago. Did I mention it plays MP3. That is a big bonus. Personally, I am going to recommend this product to anybody looking for a Navigation system. I love it and I’m sure most people will as well. …Enjoy…

More information  : Garmin Mapsource Topo, Garmin Mobile XT GPS