Garmin MapSource City Navigator, North America DVD-ROM for Garmin StreetPilot GPS Units by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin MapSource City Navigator, North America DVD-ROM for Garmin StreetPilot GPS Units
Digital camera Review: Excellent product but sneaky Garmin
Summary: 5 Stars
I can see why people are POed about this. I am giving this 5 stars based on the quality of the product, because it is very nice, and not for the sneaky marketing schemes of Garmin, which would get -5 in my book. The base map that comes with a Garmin GPS is rubbish. Not just with respect to it not having any city streets but even the lakes are all deformed and inaccurate. While motoring out of our dock the GPS showed us going over land! City navigator fixed all this and it quite impressive. So ... this software is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE if you are going to buy a Garmin Mapping GPS. This is something that Garmin neglects to advertise since they know you will have to buy the mapping software once you bought the GPS. Luckily I paid half retail for my GPS unit so I am not quite as ticked. The software unlock process is unnecessarily absurd as well.Digital camera Review: Excellent, flexible and detailed software
Summary: 5 Stars
One word for this software. AWESOME
Easy to load maps to the GPS 60CX
Cannot say enough good things about it. Great for car navigation!!
Digital camera Review: Expensive and Time Consuming
Summary: 3 Stars
As others have stated, Garmin GPS units suffer very limited map capabilities without the installation of this fairly expensive software. The City Navigator software should be pre-installed as the default basemap on units in the price range of the Vista Cx.
Before you attempt to install the software make sure you have your GPS unit, USB connection cable, internet connection and at least an hour of free time. Garmin's included instructions leave much to be desired.
My installation process was frustrating and took much longer than anticipated due to the convoluted 'Unlock' process. The process requires that your register an account with Garmin, so that you can redeem your 'Unlock Certificate' for an unlock code using Garmin's Unlock Wizard. Better have your GPS serial number, or have your GPS unit actively connected to your computer before you start the process too. The unlock process may also require you to download the latest version of the Garmin "Mapsource Software", which doesn't automatically install as expected after the download. If you experience problems installing the Mapsource software, try rebooting your computer and then search for the setup file and run it manually, as I had to do to complete the installation.
After you successfully install the latest "Mapsource" software, you can go back to the "City Navigator" DVD and complete your map software installation. If this sounds like too many hoops to jump through - you're right, it is! Garmin could simplify this process enormously.
Once installed, the software seems to work well and is fairly intuitive, but you need to set aside plenty of time to upload your chosen maps to your GPS unit. For instance, if you choose most of the states along the Eastern coast of the U.S. it can take over 30 minutes to upload them to a Garmin Vista Cx.
On a final note, make sure to put the unlock certificate card in a safe place, because Garmin warns you during install that there is no replacement process if you lose it.
Digital camera Review: Expensive for what get.
Summary: 2 Stars
There has been a glitch from the beginning that always want me to start my trips by going around the block first, no matter where I start. Then it starts reminding me that it is out of date, and I can purchase a newer version. Other than that it seems to be standard GPS data.Digital camera Review: Extremely dated information
Summary: 3 Stars
I was surprised at how dated the information on points of interest (restaurants, stores, etc.) was. There were locations identified near us that had closed close to 4 years ago. I was assuming places that closed/opened less than a year ago would be incorrect, but 4 years seems pretty excessive.
We live in an older, established area so the roadway system hasn't changed. Based upon the accuracy of the points of interest, I would be concerned with the currency of the roadway information if you live in a new, growing area.