Need advice on Garmin

[hillbilly]

Fixin to get a garmin and need to know if it comes with map or do i need to buy it or can i download it off the internet? Thanks for the help.

[Circle C]

It comes with a basic map. You can purchase an upgraded topo map, or download one from the web. You will need a microsd card to put the map files on. Then the microsd goes into a slot behind the batteries.

[hillbilly]

does the one that comes on it show the roads and such?

[JDJP]

it shows main hwys, but there is not much detail. it doesn't show small canals creeks or rivers

[lilmisshogdogger]

TRUST ME HILLBILLY YOU WANT THE UPGRADED MAP, THAT THING SHOWS PRETTY MUCH EVERY LIL THING!!!

[Cajunjag]

I got the Mapsource download and it is incredible. Even shows some private roads that are not on any map.

[hillbilly]

thanks

[scdogman]

There is a guy in Arkansas that will load up to 8 states on a Micro SD that fits into the Garmin.  It showed all the little creeks and cuts in the marsh in South Carolina and all the small roads in TX.  The cost was about 25 dollars.

[scdogman]

http://forum.prohound.com/viewtopic.php?t=92533


Above is a link to the guy selling the micro cards. 

[GCPS]

You can buy an SD card that has the entire US topo maps on it from us, we are an authorized Garmin dealer and you don't need to worry about "uploading" it you just put the SD card right into your 220.

http://gulfcoastpetsupplies.com/Garmin-TOPO-US-100K-Map-SD-Card-topoUS100K.htm

[scdogman]

GCPS,

His prices is 25 dollars for a loaded micro-SD with 8 states.  What is the price of the micro-SD and how many states?

[GCPS]

That's not an authorized Garmin card, sounds like he is just copying states from a card he already has, and putting them on another sd card - which is illegal.  It's copyright infringement.  Our cards are from Garmin, include ALL US states, Hawaii , and PR.... and we are an authorized Garmin dealer selling an authorized GARMIN card.  So if his card screws up your 220 and they find out you used some rip off card, you just voided your warranty.     Doesn't sound so great for $25 bucks now, does it.

[Circle C]

Trish,

       I agree with you on the fact that it is likely a copied card. What I don't understand is how a card, copied from Garmin files can screw up an Astro 220?  Have you ever seen or heard of that happening? 

[GCPS]

I don't know what is "on" the card, if it could screw up the mapsource or waypoints, if it contained an unknown virus - but anything not authorized from Garmin does indeed void the warranty.

[slimpickins]

Good information. I was thinking like a tuner/programmer on a truck, not standard so it can void the warranty.

[GCPS]

By the way, you won't find anyone else that has these right now - they are a special order item from Garmin, they take about 6 weeks to arrive.  Most people only sell the DVD, which you then have to put on your computer, and upload it to an SD card - we ordered the actual SD card, already preloaded from Garmin - we expect them in about 3 weeks.  They are a Garmin item, shipped to us from Garmin, loaded from Garmin and under warranty from Garmin.  We only ordered 20 of them, and 5 are already sold - like I said, it is a 3 week waiting time, but is a topo MAP of the entire US.  We are selling them for $89.95 with free shipping.

[Circle C]

I was just wondering.  I have probably a half dozen map cards that I have made (personal data backups )  They are made using Garmin software, and used in a Garmin Astro. I have had one unit sent back to Garmin and there was no discussion about the map card, or it's source.

Slim,

   Think of it more like this...   Burn a copy of an audio CD, then go play it in a buddies truck. It's not distribution, because you own the original, and you are there using the copy of the original, you are not distributing anything. Have you ever heard of a copied CD damaging/ or voiding the warranty on a CD player? Me either.....

   The map card does not change any parameters within the Garmin unit, like a truck tuner does.  It just provides a datasource for the map program. I understand why a truck tuner voids the warranty...especially when Dodge voided the warranty on my silver dually... I don't understand Garmin's position on the matter, it's more like an audio CD than a truck tuner.

I will continue to take my chances, as I see their policy as an empty threat.

[Bryant]

The DVD is much better than buying the card in my opinion but you have to be a little more computer savvy to use it.  If all you ever intend to do is view the maps on the handheld unit while hunting, then the card is far easier to install and definately the way to go.

If you would like the ability to view your hunts and collar tracks on the computer once a hunt is complete, you will need the DVD.

The maps are transferable from the DVD to the Astro unit, but if buy the pre-loaded card they are not transferable from the card back to the computer.

[GCPS]

We have the DVD as well but like you stated, some people are not computer savvy, so if that is the case the SD card is the way to go.  Most guys I know are not viewing the maps on there computer - they want it for the 220 while on the go - it makes it much easier, but we do have the Garmin DVD as well - again price matching available with shipping total price for any other authorized dealer selling them.

[slimpickins]

Makes sense.