Nroute & Nuvi work?

What are trying to use nRoute for? What do you want it to do? Do you have MapSource?

However, that doesn't necessarily mean it won't ;-). The Streetpilot C5xx isn't supposed to work either, but it does. For that device, the trick is to put it into diagnostic mode (hold the "time" for 7 seconds) and only then connect the cable.

The same trick doesn't work with the Nüvi 310 though - that device only goes into "Garmin USB GPS" mode if you connect the cable, when it is in "Pre-boot" mode (i.e. hold power button as it is booting). You still can't use it with Nroute though - it's as though the gps 'application' isn't running ...all you can do is transfer software (.rgn) files - quite handy for 'repairing' units you've messed up!

The Nüvi 6xx seems to be a strange hybrid of the 3xx and Streetpilot ranges - so, who knows, it might be possible to get it to work - you'll have to experiment!

Incidentally, all these devices have a totally different mode of working, that allows interfacing with PC applications. This is supported by the "Fleet Management interface"
see: http://www8.garmin.com/solutions/commercial/fleetmanagementsolutions.jsp

Basically, a slightly different cable swaps the USB port into a serial port - and then the Unit can be 'interrogated'. I understand that you can write simple messages to it as well - but I've not a chance to play with any of this yet.

My understanding is that nroute displays a large map on a PC (laptop) showing your actual position taken from the GPS.

I don't necessarily have a use for it - first I want to see what it does, and so far it doesn't find the Nuvi at all.

I do have Mapsource.

You're correct, MapSource and nroute are two different animals. MapSource won't display in real-time, nroute does.

You're also correct in that nroute isn't compatible with the nuvi, especially the 350. I installed it and couldn't get it to recognize the nuvi 350. Called Garmin and they verified this was the case .... won't work with the nuvi (350).

RT

I'm pretty sure you have to have NMEA output on your GPSr for nRoute to work with it.

Looks like there is a fundamental difference in Nuvi, in regard to Nroute working with it.

Mapsource has a feature to set the PC clock per the GPS clock - that's not finding the Nuvi 650 either. On the other hand, I can retrieve favorites from the Nuvi into Mapsource.

Sigh. It just feels like obsolete software not designed for new hardware.

Again, I'm pretty sure that it has to do with a lack of NMEA output on the nuvi. The eTrex series and GPSMAP series (new models) would likely work because they have NMEA output.

Your nuvi can transfer favorites back and forth with MapSource because it supports USB Mass Storage Mode.

The difference is whether the software (any software) "sees" the unit as a GPSr (with NMEA and therefore positional output) or as a USB Mass Storage Device (which looks like a drive to the software).

Some units support both. Older units only had NMEA (back in the day before USB.) Most of the modern auto navigators do not support NMEA output. At least not natively.

Mapsource and Nuvi were not included with the GPSrs with preloaded maps. We, users, have pushed Garmin to provide the programs (Mapsource and Nroute) so we can use them in a limited function for handling waypoints. Original purpose of Mapsource was to download maps to GPSrs that could not hold the entire set.

In that case, my c330, older and definitely not USB Mass Storage designed, should work with nroute? Well, the problem is it doesn't. Yes, the software "sees" the unit but can't receive any (position) data from it. Is there any way of making it work?

Thanks for a very interesting forum, BTW!

I've had Nroute working with the C510 - but getting the connection established was far from predictable. It seemed to be very sensitive to the order things were connected / started-up. Also, the newer the version of Nroute, the less likely it was to work (or at least, that's how it seemed!).

I guess I should have been more specific. The c330 does not output NMEA data.

But is that required for nRoute?
This explanation
http://www.gpsinformation.org/penrod/nroute/nroute.html
says: "Sorry, no NMEA connections with work with nRoute, it uses the Garmin format only, but again most newer era Garmin units will work with either serial or USB connections."
Would that be a mistake, then?
Thanks for your speedy and qualified replies, BTW!

Should I be able to manage my waypoints on my eTrex with MapSource as I can manage my Favorites on the nuvi?

I'm not sure if MapSource will see an NMEA device.

Looking at the program seems it would be another fun part of GPS world.

nRoute is as the name tell you (en route!)a software to be installed on your laptop AND in combination with an antenna (for example GPS18. You don't pay for unlocking maps to be used in nRoute! You payed for unlocking when the maps were installed in MapSource) functions as a GPS unit. Why use it? Travellers often use their laptop in the car for different purposes. A laptop GPS takes more space than the traditionally GPS's BUT has a lot of other advantages beside a huge screen. We spend 2-5 months driving in US and Canada every year and nRoute is our primary GPS. The maps installed on MapSource, will automatically show up in nRoute. Lovely thing.
But Garmin have blocked the use of nRoute for new maps, not updates. New maps, both European and US maps from Garmin will in 2009 be installed in C:\Doc.&settings\User\Doc...... and not in C:\Garmin!! What does that mean? It means that the maps don't show up in the register, nRoute can't see them! Pretty smart, but Garmin have something to sell you in stead..... Thats the way to make money!