Re: Ouch. Did I already overwrite my marine basemap on the Garmin 76C

David Lee wrote:

<snip>
You can't load a marine POI database and MapSource proucts at the same time. The maps appear to be in different formats. MapSource products are uploaded an a .img file whereas the marine POI databases are in .rgn files. .Rgn is the same file-type as firmware uploads so it seems that POI and maps are incompatible with each other and so you can only upload one or other type.

However, you can open .rgn fles containing POI databases using GPS MapEdit, to view their contents. <snip>

The Magellan Meridians may have an advantage in this area then. The marine POIs (lights, buoys, fixed navaids, etc.) are included in the basemap load. With a PC and 15-20 minutes of time, you can change any Meridian back and forth between the standard and marine basemap uploads.

In addition to the basemap, you can fill your SD card with regions files from MapSend products and have any one of them selected for use at a time. You can choose from DirectRoute or Streets & Destinations for additional street level detail and automatic street routing, Topo 3D region files for more topo detail, or BlueNav files for marine navigation.

There will be some variations in the features and capabilities available with the secondary map file between the standard and marine basemap uploads. But you can control the choices fairly well.

I just figured out the hard way (buy buying it) that the Meridian's color display is not quite as good for visually distinguishing details as is their standard grayscales display.

I am not an automatic proponent of what I have bought. I'll give fair consideration to either Garmin or Magellan for a handlhelds. And know that I'll find pro's and con's on either brand. But I'm happy with my Meridians for now.

I'll buy other brands to try if I can return it. It is unfortunate that you cannot generally do that with the somewhat expensive MapSend and MapSource software packages that add the real usefulness to a GPS.

Jack

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Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)
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