Best system for Euro trip planning??? Advice please.
Discussion
I am planning an extended driving trip through the Alps. I like to plan the trips in some detail including specific Alpine passes. This is most easily done on a PC and I currently use Route 66 for this.
What I am looking for is the latest and best PC mapping software in which I can easily identify and plan into a route taking in specific passes. I then want to be able to transfer the routes from the PC into an in car sat nav unit.
I am considering buying the latest Garmin sat nav but I don't know if you can buy a compatible Garmin software package for the PC that will allow me to easily transfer the planned route to the sat nav unit.
Can anyone recommend a suite of equipment that will do what I need please?
What I am looking for is the latest and best PC mapping software in which I can easily identify and plan into a route taking in specific passes. I then want to be able to transfer the routes from the PC into an in car sat nav unit.
I am considering buying the latest Garmin sat nav but I don't know if you can buy a compatible Garmin software package for the PC that will allow me to easily transfer the planned route to the sat nav unit.
Can anyone recommend a suite of equipment that will do what I need please?
Search out a utility called itnconv. It has been mentioned on here a number of times, and a Google search should find it for you.
It's a free download that allows you to convert between various Sat Nav formats.
I currently use it to convert pre-planned routes using Microsoft Autoroute to files that I can use on my Nuvi.
Be advised that routes may differ slightly between units, as they have their own way of calculating routes between waypoints. I find it best to check the route on my Nuvi once I've uploaded it, and if there are any small differences, tweak the waypoints in Autoroute to make sure I get the route I want.
It's a free download that allows you to convert between various Sat Nav formats.
I currently use it to convert pre-planned routes using Microsoft Autoroute to files that I can use on my Nuvi.
Be advised that routes may differ slightly between units, as they have their own way of calculating routes between waypoints. I find it best to check the route on my Nuvi once I've uploaded it, and if there are any small differences, tweak the waypoints in Autoroute to make sure I get the route I want.
Thanks for that. It is certainly an option but I wanted to know if Garmin do a software package for the PC as I am going to have to buy one whether it is Autoroute or Garmin and the Garmin one (if it exists),should work well with the Garmin sat nav unit.
I was even considering buying a laptop and using Autoroute with the GPS dongle but would rather not have to drag a laptop around with us.
I was even considering buying a laptop and using Autoroute with the GPS dongle but would rather not have to drag a laptop around with us.
I've got an old Garmin Quest that comes with software for planning routes on the PC and zapping them across to the unit.
If I were buying a unit today I'd go for the Garmin Zumo 550, which comes with PC route planning software. It's also waterproof so will be fine in the Atom!
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135&pI...
If I were buying a unit today I'd go for the Garmin Zumo 550, which comes with PC route planning software. It's also waterproof so will be fine in the Atom!
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135&pI...
Dazren !
Thanks for that. The Zumo appears to do exactly what I need as it has the PC mapping disc as well.
Sadly I do not have the Atom anymore and would therefore have preferred the Nuvi 760 for use in my current and waterproof car! As far as I can tell, the Zumo is the only Garmin model that comes with the PC disc as well.
The Zumo also has a rather excellent "bread crumb" trail feature so that you can see your whole trip (including speeds!!!)on the PC when you get home.
Not sure if you can buy the PC disc on its own and even if you could, I suspect that it is not compatible with the Nuvi 760.
If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.
D.
Thanks for that. The Zumo appears to do exactly what I need as it has the PC mapping disc as well.
Sadly I do not have the Atom anymore and would therefore have preferred the Nuvi 760 for use in my current and waterproof car! As far as I can tell, the Zumo is the only Garmin model that comes with the PC disc as well.
The Zumo also has a rather excellent "bread crumb" trail feature so that you can see your whole trip (including speeds!!!)on the PC when you get home.
Not sure if you can buy the PC disc on its own and even if you could, I suspect that it is not compatible with the Nuvi 760.
If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.
D.
You can buy Garmin Mapsource (or maybe Mapsource is free but you have to buy the mapping data) which is a good trip planning program and is compatible with the 760 (or the 860 - has that come out yet). Personally, I was thinking of changing from the Garmin 660 which I used to have to a 760, but decided in the end to get a Tomtom 920 and to use Google Maps (in combo with a utility found online) for itinerary planning on the PC. As a standalone unit I find the TT is even better than the already pretty good Garmin, but I cannot say how the itinerary creation process compares. With a European trip last week, although I took my laptop I found myself planning the itinerary on a paper atlas, and entering it direct to the TT each day. Easy and effective.
In TT, you can enter waypoints as 'City Centre'. In Garmin, you have to choose a street, unless you do it from the map which is much slower.
There are a few issues with the use of itineraries on TT - apart from the above I do not know how Garmin compares:
You can choose to set each waypoint either as a 'waypoint' or a 'destination'. If you choose 'waypoint', it does not make you go exactly to the spot. Generally this is a big advantage, but sometimes it allows the device to choose a route via a nearby major road when you are trying to force it to go through a village on a minor road. If you set a waypoint as destination, you have to tell the device you have already been to that destination before it will move on.
It does not like circular routes, with a later waypoint near an earlier waypoint - it refuses to calculate. The solution is to set an intermediate waypoint as a destination.
If you calculate a route after creating an itinerary, you then review it and want to change it, you are right out of the itinerary planning section of the menu and have to go back into it - so the trial and error process is tedious. On Google Maps, or I think Garmin Mapsource, you just drag the route and it recalculates instantly.
In spite of the above, I found the TT generally excellent for the trip.
In TT, you can enter waypoints as 'City Centre'. In Garmin, you have to choose a street, unless you do it from the map which is much slower.
There are a few issues with the use of itineraries on TT - apart from the above I do not know how Garmin compares:
You can choose to set each waypoint either as a 'waypoint' or a 'destination'. If you choose 'waypoint', it does not make you go exactly to the spot. Generally this is a big advantage, but sometimes it allows the device to choose a route via a nearby major road when you are trying to force it to go through a village on a minor road. If you set a waypoint as destination, you have to tell the device you have already been to that destination before it will move on.
It does not like circular routes, with a later waypoint near an earlier waypoint - it refuses to calculate. The solution is to set an intermediate waypoint as a destination.
If you calculate a route after creating an itinerary, you then review it and want to change it, you are right out of the itinerary planning section of the menu and have to go back into it - so the trial and error process is tedious. On Google Maps, or I think Garmin Mapsource, you just drag the route and it recalculates instantly.
In spite of the above, I found the TT generally excellent for the trip.
I use a TomTom and I use ITNConv (do a search in PH for it, it's been discussed and how to use it a few times before) and between them you can convert files pretty much from anything to anything, which makes using autoroute software or even garmin software and then converting between the different programs.
My personal preference is the TomTom as I think it's layout and interface is very simple but effective but I think that's just a personal choice.
My personal preference is the TomTom as I think it's layout and interface is very simple but effective but I think that's just a personal choice.
Thanks Guys.
I phoned Garmin yesterday and have discovered that you can buy the Garmin DVD for PC (RRP £140) and use it as a stand alone PC planner like Autoroute. It is then possible to download the routes into many of the Garmin sat nav units, including the 760.
The upside is the simplicity of using compatible products and not having to use an additional program to convert the routes. The downside is the cost.
I cannot use Google Maps as we do not have broadband where we live. Grrrr!
The Zumo 550 for some reason seems to be the only model that comes with the DVD in the package. This seems silly to me as I would imagine there are many who would like to buy a premium in car unit but plan long and complicated routes on a PC. Very few people seem to know of or stock the DVD but I have found a few sources on the net. If you shop around you can buy a disc and a 760 for around the same price as the Zumo package.
Having never seen or used the Garmin PC program, I would be very interested to hear comments from anybody who has, in regard to its quality and ease of use.
I phoned Garmin yesterday and have discovered that you can buy the Garmin DVD for PC (RRP £140) and use it as a stand alone PC planner like Autoroute. It is then possible to download the routes into many of the Garmin sat nav units, including the 760.
The upside is the simplicity of using compatible products and not having to use an additional program to convert the routes. The downside is the cost.
I cannot use Google Maps as we do not have broadband where we live. Grrrr!
The Zumo 550 for some reason seems to be the only model that comes with the DVD in the package. This seems silly to me as I would imagine there are many who would like to buy a premium in car unit but plan long and complicated routes on a PC. Very few people seem to know of or stock the DVD but I have found a few sources on the net. If you shop around you can buy a disc and a 760 for around the same price as the Zumo package.
Having never seen or used the Garmin PC program, I would be very interested to hear comments from anybody who has, in regard to its quality and ease of use.
I can't use Google Earth from home as we can't get broadband out here in the deep countryside. We only have a true dial up transfer rate of about 5kbps!!!!
I have ordered the Nuvi 760 and the Garmin City Navigator NT V9 fully unlocked disc at total cost of £350, which is about the same as a Zuno 550. I should then have a fully integrated and compatible Garmin system. It would only have cost £70 less to buy Autoroute 2007 and the Nuvi.
I am expecting delivery next week so will have a play and let you know how it all works.
Fingers crossed!!!
I have ordered the Nuvi 760 and the Garmin City Navigator NT V9 fully unlocked disc at total cost of £350, which is about the same as a Zuno 550. I should then have a fully integrated and compatible Garmin system. It would only have cost £70 less to buy Autoroute 2007 and the Nuvi.
I am expecting delivery next week so will have a play and let you know how it all works.
Fingers crossed!!!
Before you do anything too complicated, and if you haven't planned to do so already, I suggest you have a read of the PocketGPSWorld website for tips on Nuvi updates and installing POIs.
Most of the POIs here are for the UK:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=POI...
However, look here as well for many more tips on getting the most out of your Nuvi.
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=For...
Good luck!
Most of the POIs here are for the UK:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=POI...
However, look here as well for many more tips on getting the most out of your Nuvi.
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=For...
Good luck!
Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff