Garmin 2008 maps?
Discussion
Fredrick
Agree with most of what you've written. With the TMC I treat it as although its not perfect any information, is better than none at all. I have considered upgrading the Nuvi to Trafficmaster, which I believe is a superior information source.
I don't want to go as far as your suggesting and go hardwired. I can understand the need for the FM traffic aerial, although an aerial integrated into the GPS would be nice. What I'd really like to eliminate is the need to have the 12v permanently connected when using the traffic module. The internal battery should have enough power to coupe with a couple of hours travel. Rather than having to connect to 12v everytime you use it.
Todd
Agree with most of what you've written. With the TMC I treat it as although its not perfect any information, is better than none at all. I have considered upgrading the Nuvi to Trafficmaster, which I believe is a superior information source.
I don't want to go as far as your suggesting and go hardwired. I can understand the need for the FM traffic aerial, although an aerial integrated into the GPS would be nice. What I'd really like to eliminate is the need to have the 12v permanently connected when using the traffic module. The internal battery should have enough power to coupe with a couple of hours travel. Rather than having to connect to 12v everytime you use it.
Todd
niva441 said:
What I'd really like to eliminate is the need to have the 12v permanently connected when using the traffic module. The internal battery should have enough power to coupe with a couple of hours travel. Rather than having to connect to 12v everytime you use it.
That is the way the current TomTom RDS-TMC aerial works - using unit power, but unfortunately Garmin have always had a requirement for external power while using TMC. On the 300 series with the external plug in unit (GTM-12 iirc) and even the 600/700/800 series using the integrated TMC/DC cable.It's a waiting game at the moment unfortunately
Frederick, thanks for your informative post. Is it necessary for a complete file to be upgraded, or can elements be updated independently?
I really HATE the TMC system used with the nüvi 660. The clumsy combined fag-plug cable is required because the 660 is a global product and other countries don't use VHF-FM for TMC, I guess? The inline receiver is at a thoroughly inconvenient part of the cable, meaning it cannot be concealed under the dash with a discrete antenna.
Even so, a 'hideaway' box with 12v-to-5v DC convertor and TMC receiver in one unit, connected to an ignition-controlled DC source and with an FM antenna loopthrough plus Garmin output lead to the GPS mount would be really nice to have.
Garmin make great GPS receivers, but the lack of a decent TMC/power hardwired DC convertor is a real disadvantage. When I use my nüvi 660 in other vehicles, I use a simple fag-plug and windscreen sucker mount and leave the dismal TMC thing installed as best as I can in my normal car with a dashboard 'automotive' mount.
I really HATE the TMC system used with the nüvi 660. The clumsy combined fag-plug cable is required because the 660 is a global product and other countries don't use VHF-FM for TMC, I guess? The inline receiver is at a thoroughly inconvenient part of the cable, meaning it cannot be concealed under the dash with a discrete antenna.
Even so, a 'hideaway' box with 12v-to-5v DC convertor and TMC receiver in one unit, connected to an ignition-controlled DC source and with an FM antenna loopthrough plus Garmin output lead to the GPS mount would be really nice to have.
Garmin make great GPS receivers, but the lack of a decent TMC/power hardwired DC convertor is a real disadvantage. When I use my nüvi 660 in other vehicles, I use a simple fag-plug and windscreen sucker mount and leave the dismal TMC thing installed as best as I can in my normal car with a dashboard 'automotive' mount.
nickwilcock said:
Frederick, thanks for your informative post. Is it necessary for a complete file to be upgraded, or can elements be updated independently?
To the end user, it has to be updated completely. To the OEM, they can slipstream the new changes with the old map info.Essentially, when you buy a "new" map, you're buying an old map with new bits shuffled in.
It's like buying a new PC, with new processor and RAM, but finding that the motherboard was made ages ago...
Well, the 2009 update took about 2 hours to load, requiring 2Gb of computer disk space as it did so. So I can well imagine that sending updates via even 3G would be very time consuming and costly.
These map updates are pretty expensive though - surely the prices should be lower now that more and more people are using GPS?
These map updates are pretty expensive though - surely the prices should be lower now that more and more people are using GPS?
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