What is MapSource?

It is used to load maps, make routes, waypoints (Pois), etc...

There is a 2009 version available to download for you... Go to mapupdates on the Garmin site: WWW.Garmin.com...

Mapsource:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

I think Garmin missed the mark when they stopped including the Mapsource CD as a cost saving measure.

I use it to manage my waypoints (favorites), and can share them from (Garmin) GPS to GPS. It's also an excellent planning tool to get an idea of where you're going before you punch in the information on the GPS. IMHO, using the computer keyboard is a much more convenient way to enter and manipulate data.

Also, you can check and see if the address really does exist in your map version before you try to go find it. Again, with a larger screen, you can sometimes get close and drop a favoriate if the street you're looking for is too new to be dieplayed.

Joe

I use it on my computer to setup multiple waypoints and plan a route using those waypoints. When my wife and I travel she likes to see different places each time rather than simply traveling the route the GPS might want to plan out.

By using Mapsource, it's easy to plan the trip to go via whatever weird route we might decide to travel and then send the route to the GPS.

I was shocked to find that Mapsource didn't ship with the automotive units. Its been included with every hand held unit I've purchased.

I just submitted a request for the NT 2009 disc. when I get the disc, how do I use it with mapsource?

Installed on your computer, when you install the 2009 update it will automatically be available in mapsource...

I use mapsource to View my routes and make waypoints, the 650 won't do routes but the one you have should. read thru this and it should help you a lot. (hopefully)

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/643

If it is free, why does everything I see on Garmin.com have a price. I have a Nuvi 260 and would like to plan "routes" using waypoints or via points.

The only Nuvis that are capable of importing routes are the 700 series and above. Anything else you can only manage your waypoints in favorites.

Guess I should look at Costco or Sams.

I don't put them in favorites. I create and save them in MapSource as .gpx (each group of waypoints that form a route is a separate POI file), then load them to the unit as a Custom POI file. I find it's easier to manage them that way... when I don't need a certain trip route, I take it out of the active POI Loader folder and place it in a storage folder. Then then next time I update my custom POI's, it's gone... but I still have it available if I want to take that trip again in the future.

I downloaded the 2009 NT Amercia Map that was given to me by Garmin and I don't see the MapSource application on my computer. How do I get it installed on my computer so I can use what ya'll are referring to.

Thanks!

-----
Nuvi 780

Map Source is a seperate program that you need to get from Garmin. I had to get the map update and Map Source disc's seperately.

Is .gpx an equivalent to .csv? Essentially, this is what I want to know: Will the Nuvi 260W accept and understand a poi that I write if it has a .gpx extention instead of .csv?

Thanks.

See this node http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6203

Here is another question to help me decide if Mapsource is for me and otheres with similar Garmins: Will route files made with mapsource function in the Garmin Nuvi 260W if they are loadedf into the device as POI (.gpx) under their own folder?

By the way, I went to Amazon.com to see what they sell under the Mapsource search quesry. There is much to ponder once you see the big assortment of stuff. Price is not cheap. Does anyone have a recommendation for an optimal purchase if I am able to go the mapsource route (pun, here).

Again, thanks

Comments in this thread refer to "free mapsource". The link to one from Topo Maps says it can only be used if you already have the MapSource product. Another thread sends you to a MapSource for Mac which sells for $99. This is more than the Maps. I don't find this MapSource for Mac anywhere else. I know there is "Bobcat" in Beta but I don't see what value this has for a Nuvi 660. Maybe that is true for MapSource also? I am really confused about this set of software. This thread has answered a few of my questions but these I have listed still exist. I use an Intel Mac with 10.5 and a Nuvi 660 ( until the 880 comes out and drops a little in price).

The only format the Nüvi will accept (for Custom POIs), is the .GPI format. It cannot read .CSV files. It can read some information directly from a .GPX file, but it creates Favourites (or Routes) from it.

In terms of Custom POIs, CSV files let you access 6 of the 19 .GPI fields that a GPX file can access (when used in conjunction with POILoader).

No.

Something slightly odd happens if you feed a GPX file containing a route into POILoader - it creates Custom POIs from the Route Point ('shaping points') entries. You could then feed those POIs in, one-at-a-time as VIA points. It's a moot point, whether this is any easier than manually creating Waypoints to do the same thing.

again:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

Download it for free

I'm confused. When I clicked on the above link to Garmin, there is a note that says:

WARNING: This software will not work unless you already own a MapSource product.

I don't currently own a MapSource product, so it doesn't sound free to me. What am I missing?

I came here also wanting to know what MapSource is, but I am more confused now after reading this thread than I was before.

Please. What are we missing?

Karl

Then the program is of no use to you.... If you do own MapSource City Navigator North America NT, MapSource City Navigator Europe, Etc or any other Garmin map product then it will be of use making routes, modifying waypoints, etc. If you own TOPO another product made by Garmin you need to download the patch, if you don't own it, then you just need MapSource..... Does that make it any clearer?

And it is free, it may not be of any use to you but you can download it without owning a MapSource product, but there wouldn't be much sense in doing so....

If you need Mapsource then I think you can download it for free based on this post by Motorcycle Mama

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/12903

Im not sure if I will download it since I was able to create waypoints through google and upload them to my GPS. I cant use the route feature since my unit doesnt support it. Somone please correct me if Im wrong.

Don't you own or didn't you get the 2009 update? That is a MapSource product...

Besides what is this thing about MapSource for Mac??

don't you need Trip and Waypoint Manager to work
the waypoints isn't mapsource just like a base
map

Garmin is working on a product that is code name Bobcat. Bobcat is in Beta development and is available for download from Garmin at no charge. I have been using Bobcat for about 7 months and have found it very stable, easy to use and kind of fun. Like any software product before you download it check to see if you computer meets the mininum standards.

Garmin's Mac site is: http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/

The timing of my nuvi 660 purchase was just a little too late. It came with the 2008 maps when I got it in February and therefore I was not eligible for a 'free' upgrade to the 2009 maps. I decided not to spend the money to buy the 2009 maps. I'll see where I am when the 2010 maps come out next year.

That's what I do with my MS&T, buy a new copy every 2 years. Heck, my Rand McNally Road Atlas is a 2006 edition.

Is "bobcat" available for windows?

Gary I feel ya! I got my 360 on Feb 28th, two days before Garmin's cutoff date for a free upgrade. Like yourself I'm goint to wait and see, no reason to update if your existing maps are able to find everything you need.

The area I live in is pretty established however if you live in a newer area where there is a lot of construction or new business's always opening getting new maps might make sense.

Bobcat is a Mac product only. Mapsource is the Windows product. Please look at the link I posted earlier and it will lead you to the system requirements.

I bought a Refurbished nuvi 750 and
Garmin don't give the free updates to
Refurbished products

Ok. There's a lot going on in this thread that still seems unanswered.

1. What is MapSource? MapSource is a program used to send information between a Garmin GPS unit and a computer. It can contain a variety of mapsets (City Navigator, TOPO, custom maps, etc.) inside it. MapSource is the shell in which the mapsets "live. MapSource can be use to pre-plan routes on the computer. MapSource can be used to transfer routes to the GPS unit if the GPS unit supports stored routes. MapSource can be used to create Custom POIs if it has mapsets installed in it and if those mapsets contain Points of Interest information (not all maps contain this information).

2. How do I get MapSource? If you have a Garmin GPS unit with the preloaded City Navigator maps, you should be able to get Garmin to send you the disk for free by calling and politely asking. Alternately, you can get it by following the links in the thread linked by Mr.BiGG. Be advised that there won't be any detailed maps if you get it by this method. Alternately, if you have the 2009 map update, it should be on that disk or in that file.

3. Do I need MapSource to use my GPS unit or Custom POIs? No.

I downloaded the 2009 update. So there is file stored on my CPU with mapsource?

I don't see MapSource there. Also what about MapSource for Mac's?

In the past when you purchased a unit, like when I purchased my StreetPilot3 a disk came with the unit. The disk would have City Navigator v8 and copy of MapSource. When you installed the disk, MapSource was installed along with the maps.

If you purchased other maps, or received an update like City Navigator 2009 NT it was automatically added to MapSource. At that time Garmin had their own memory cards, they weren’t SD cards. The only way you could install a map for the StreetPilot3 was with MapSource and a memory card either in the unit or with a special card reader that, as I remember, came with a memory card when you purchased it.

It wasn’t as satisfactory a system as now, because the largest card was 128 megs only enough memory to hold maybe a few states… If you were doing much traveling you had to take your laptop and map disks with you…

With the new system and SD cards you can load the whole world into your unit if you like. Well at least as much of the world as Garmin makes maps for. But to do this, to the best of my knowledge, you have to use MapSource. With MapSource, you can select maps from different sources, such as Europe, Australia, and Mexico. When you select download to device from MapSource it makes one map file with the Europe, Australia, and Mexico included….

The file is similar to poi files in that every time you download a set of maps it over writes the previous set.

As stated above, there's no MapSource for Macs. You need to look at Bobcat.

As to MapSource with the 2009 update, the vast majority of users have reported that MapSource gets installed with the map update. You might need to look for it in the Garmin directory on your computer. Or run the .msi installer manually.

You can always count on MM for a concise, accurate response - thanks!

Now, all I have to do is re-read her post a few times to absorb the information. Not her fault - mine. Never having seen MapSource run on a PC makes it a little hard for me to understand. It almost sounds like a shell program that can use any one of a number of maps.

Like any piece of software, I guess I would just have to jump in and get it, start using it, then it would begin to make sense.

Okay, im gonna try that when I get home and report back lol. I would like to edit my poi's

Version that did not include mapsource, most likely because it is not compatible with the Mac...

I guess I can try another option by downloading the files from the MM post

Then you do need it for your gps unit...

Why?

The old Garmins like StreetPilot III or eMap, you had to load maps onto a memory card, otherwise you only had the base map...... And you have to use MapSource to load the maps to that card.

Bobcat only for Macs, at the site it appears to be...

Right, but you don't need to load maps to use the GPS unit even on an old unit.

OK now we're getting to where I had a question. Is Bobcat for Mac what mapsource is for PC? There was a thread some time back that had a Garmin reference to mapsource for Mac using that name. That's where my confusion is. Never having used MapSource, I have no idea how it works.

I'm simplifying, but the concept is similar. Instead of using the Internet, MapSource uses it's own map files. Usually, the map it uses is the same map that you have installed in your GPS. You can buy extra maps like the topo or waterways and download them to your GPS. The same MapSource program works with whatever maps that you own.

You can search for addresses and POI's and you can build a route or save waypoints. Then you can download what you did to your Nuvi. You can also upload the Favorites from your Nuvi into MapSource and manipulate them in MapSource. Why MapSource does not work with POI's and only Favorites and Routes is a complete mystery to me.

In one sense I have to differ with you...When I purchase something I want to use all the functions it comes with. For that to occur with a StreetPilot III you have to use MapSource. You could also use a nuvi with just the base map installed, you don't have to use poi loader or a computer to "use" the nuvi but you are severely limiting its functions. It wouldn’t be as useful, but you are correct it will start and show you the coordinates of your location. Nearby major streets would be available, but it wouldn’t be much more useful as a gps than my cell phone… In fact my cell phone would be more useful…

You can also use a car without fuel, you can sit in it, listen to the radio, on some cars even turn the a/c on, etc but is that really using it?

As I said its all semantics, I agree you can “use” it without maps…

I have the 2009 update but MapSource says it can't find any MapSource products and exits. This is with the unit connected to the computer.