Comments on: Garmin City Navigator North America for Detailed Maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico (DVD) http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/ Best Garmin GPS System Deals Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:16:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Yatin http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-925 Yatin Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:16:16 +0000 http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/#comment-925 </div> I guess other people don't mind being forced to register before being allowed to use a product. I don't think even Microsoft does that. I got so frustrated trying to get the software unlocked that I felt like throwing the thing away and just taking a loss. As the other guy wrote, it's clear when there isn't much competition. <br/><br/>I found the instructions vague. All Garmin had to do was provide an unlock key with the product and ask for it to be entered, like everyone else does. Instead, they forced me to register, and hinted very strongly that I provide an email address if I wanted my unlock code. They provided an 8 digit code in order for me to apply for my 25 digit code. I couldn't see the whole setup as anything but a process to squeeze me into registering and providing and address, email addy, and full name. I spelled my name in a way that I'll know what junk mail comes from Garmin. So, we'll see if they lied about selling the info or not. <br/><br/>If I can find a GPS unit as functional as Garmin, I'll try them out for any future buys. I don't like being forced to jump through hoops after a company already has my money, but won't deliver the promised product until I do so. I guess it doesn't bother some people to have their info constantly circulating about. I guess other people don’t mind being forced to register before being allowed to use a product. I don’t think even Microsoft does that. I got so frustrated trying to get the software unlocked that I felt like throwing the thing away and just taking a loss. As the other guy wrote, it’s clear when there isn’t much competition.

I found the instructions vague. All Garmin had to do was provide an unlock key with the product and ask for it to be entered, like everyone else does. Instead, they forced me to register, and hinted very strongly that I provide an email address if I wanted my unlock code. They provided an 8 digit code in order for me to apply for my 25 digit code. I couldn’t see the whole setup as anything but a process to squeeze me into registering and providing and address, email addy, and full name. I spelled my name in a way that I’ll know what junk mail comes from Garmin. So, we’ll see if they lied about selling the info or not.

If I can find a GPS unit as functional as Garmin, I’ll try them out for any future buys. I don’t like being forced to jump through hoops after a company already has my money, but won’t deliver the promised product until I do so. I guess it doesn’t bother some people to have their info constantly circulating about.

]]> By: Meurig http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-924 Meurig Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:44:02 +0000 http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/#comment-924 </div> I don't normally write product reviews, but I feel like this product has been over harshly criticized. While the price is high, I think it is reasonable for what you get. I can't get an ADC map of my county for less than $20, so a complete, routable map of the entire US (and Canada) for this price is a good deal. You'll also get discounts on future upgrades which I don't get with paper maps. <br/><br/>The installation process was fairly easy. It forced me to install an update immediately after installing, before allowing me to unlock. I had to manually find and download the update rather than the software doing that for me, but it wasn't too bad. <br/><br/>The unlocking process was flawless. I had to create a myGarmin account, then plug my GPS in using the USB connection. I entered my code that came in the package when prompted and the maps were unlocked for the device. If you have the USB connection you don't need to enter the UID of the device or anything as others have suggested. <br/><br/>Once the maps were unlocked for the GPSr, I selected all the regions and transfered them to a 2GB microSD card I put into my 60Csx. The transfer took about 2 hours but I was transferring about 1.1GB of maps over USB2 so it sounds about right. So in about 3 hours (15 minutes of actual work) I had the product installed, updated, unlocked, and transferred to the device. <br/><br/>I haven't had much time to use the maps on the road, but the product delivers what is promised. If you aren't comfortable with the price, you might want to avoid a GPSr all together and go for paper maps. For me, not having to buy a $20 map for every city I travel to makes it more than worth it. I don’t normally write product reviews, but I feel like this product has been over harshly criticized. While the price is high, I think it is reasonable for what you get. I can’t get an ADC map of my county for less than $20, so a complete, routable map of the entire US (and Canada) for this price is a good deal. You’ll also get discounts on future upgrades which I don’t get with paper maps.

The installation process was fairly easy. It forced me to install an update immediately after installing, before allowing me to unlock. I had to manually find and download the update rather than the software doing that for me, but it wasn’t too bad.

The unlocking process was flawless. I had to create a myGarmin account, then plug my GPS in using the USB connection. I entered my code that came in the package when prompted and the maps were unlocked for the device. If you have the USB connection you don’t need to enter the UID of the device or anything as others have suggested.

Once the maps were unlocked for the GPSr, I selected all the regions and transfered them to a 2GB microSD card I put into my 60Csx. The transfer took about 2 hours but I was transferring about 1.1GB of maps over USB2 so it sounds about right. So in about 3 hours (15 minutes of actual work) I had the product installed, updated, unlocked, and transferred to the device.

I haven’t had much time to use the maps on the road, but the product delivers what is promised. If you aren’t comfortable with the price, you might want to avoid a GPSr all together and go for paper maps. For me, not having to buy a $20 map for every city I travel to makes it more than worth it.

]]> By: Dallin http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Dallin Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:56:45 +0000 http://www.garmingpssystem.net/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-for-detailed-maps-of-the-united-states-canada-and-puerto-rico-dvd/#comment-923 </div> The software is OK, but not great. Other reviews mention its limitations and shortcomings. The main problem is that the unlock process is complex and has draconian restrictions. You don't get an unlock code with the product. Instead you get a certificate with an 8 digit code. Then submit this 8 digit code, in combination with a serial number for a GPS unit, to Garmin in order to obtain a 25 digit unlock key. Finally you enter the 25 digit unlock key. (Got all that?) Since you can't use the maps on a PC unless you also enter the serial number for a portable device, you can't buy this software just for PC use. <br/><br/>Garmin makes good products and I've been a longtime customer. Between work and home I own 7 of their units. But I'm losing my loyalty to them because they're constantly nickel-and-diming us for updates and making us jump through crazy hoops. Avoid this product unless you REALLY need the updated maps (which are not truly up-to-date, as others have mentioned). Instead try finding the old MetroGuide, which was much more user friendly. <br/><br/>Being a software developer myself I can sympathize with Garmin's concern for piracy. But they need to weigh that against the burden they are putting on honest users. I regret buying this product and will start looking at other vendors for my home and business GPS applications. The software is OK, but not great. Other reviews mention its limitations and shortcomings. The main problem is that the unlock process is complex and has draconian restrictions. You don’t get an unlock code with the product. Instead you get a certificate with an 8 digit code. Then submit this 8 digit code, in combination with a serial number for a GPS unit, to Garmin in order to obtain a 25 digit unlock key. Finally you enter the 25 digit unlock key. (Got all that?) Since you can’t use the maps on a PC unless you also enter the serial number for a portable device, you can’t buy this software just for PC use.

Garmin makes good products and I’ve been a longtime customer. Between work and home I own 7 of their units. But I’m losing my loyalty to them because they’re constantly nickel-and-diming us for updates and making us jump through crazy hoops. Avoid this product unless you REALLY need the updated maps (which are not truly up-to-date, as others have mentioned). Instead try finding the old MetroGuide, which was much more user friendly.

Being a software developer myself I can sympathize with Garmin’s concern for piracy. But they need to weigh that against the burden they are putting on honest users. I regret buying this product and will start looking at other vendors for my home and business GPS applications.

]]>