Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock

Bruce E. Stemplewski wrote:
peter wrote:
Bruce E. Stemplewski wrote:
Real simple. The unlock software would remove all maps on the GPS and
present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS
that you unlocked.

That would be an improvement, but I'm not sure it would have helped the
original poster. He sold his previous two units without apparently
thinking about the impact on the software (otherwise why not sell the
software along with one of the units?). So he wouldn't have had the
receivers available and therefore has no way to assure that they no
longer have maps loaded.


Well since they don't have this capability, the subject is moot. But if
they had it then hopefully the user would know about it and remove the
maps before sale.

Since the OP didn't bother to check on the current policies before
selling his receivers I see no reason to believe that he would have
checked on your proposed ones either. We'd still have people
complaining about how unfair it is that they can't get a new unlock
just because they forgot to remove the maps before they
sold/lost/whatever their old unit.

Garmin's practice is unfair period. The only reason they can do it is
none to little competition.

Garmin seems to be forced into this type of practice by their streetmap
supplier (NavTeq) - they don't implement it on the topo maps where the
data comes from the USGS. And yes, I agree that NavTeq can only
institute these restrictions because they don't have much competition.
At least Garmin got an agreement that allows for two unlock codes. The
new Magellan streetmaps (DirectRoute v3 - also NavTeq based) reportedly
only allow for a single GPS serial number.


Garmin, NavTeq it doesn't really matter. The fact is Garmin is selling
me the GPS and not NavTeq. Garmin could move to ENC
http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/MCD/enc/index.htm

I presume this would apply to their BlueCharts products rather than the
CitySelect/Navigator being discussed here. I'm not sure what their
current source of marine data is or how it compares to ENC.

I believe there are similar free street maps from the government. I
think this is where NavTeq gets the data in the first place. I guess
the problem with these maps would be routing.

Yes, it's the auto-routing data that is clearly critical. When Garmin
used the government TIGER database directly (i.e. R&R maps) there were
no unlock codes, nor did Magellan have protection for their older
MapSend products that used TIGER data. For that matter, even the
NavTeq-based but non-auto-routing maps used by Garmin for
MetroGuide-NA/Eur do not use unlock codes.

What happens if the honest guy has his GPS stolen or lost and has
already used up his two unlocks across to devices? It's bad enough he
is out a GPS now he is whacked for maps too?

Garmin has been reported to issue new unlocks when presented with
evidence of theft including appropriate police reports. But how does
your solution help in this case? The victim of the loss or theft is
again lacking the devices so he has no way to assure NavTeq that the
maps have been removed and won't be used again.

Never said my solution would solve this problem. You would still have
to deal with it the same way no matter what system you used.

Another method than unlock codes would be to have a chip installed on
the GPS. You need to have the chip installed for a map to work. The
chip could be updated online as you buy new devices. So this would work
if you had one GPS or twenty GPSs. Just move the chip to the one you
want to use that day.

Still doesn't help the guy who has his GPS stolen or lost - presumably
the necessary chip would have been in it. In fact he's worse off
because now he can't use his other GPS receiver(s) either.
And I expect you'd have complaints from people who can't believe that
just because they lost that little chip they now have to buy expensive
new software.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... He has an unlocked GPS with maps on it possibly. ... The unlock software would remove all maps on the GPS and present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS that you unlocked. ... This would probably mean Garmin would have to keep a database of locked and unlocked serial numbers for you. ... You have failed to grasp the fact that the mapsource product can be installed on an infinite number of PCs, none of which need to be connected to Garmin in order to download to the GPS handset, and all of which are capable of being backed up and restored to some previous state where the old unlock key was still valid. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... He has an unlocked GPS with maps on it possibly. ... Garmin to do this they would have to have a way to disable the locks on ... At least Garmin got an agreement that allows for two unlock codes. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS ... But if they had it then hopefully the user would know about it and remove the maps before sale. ... I agree that NavTeq can only ... Another method than unlock codes would be to have a chip installed on the GPS. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... He has an unlocked GPS with maps on it possibly. ... The unlock software would remove all maps on the GPS and present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS that you unlocked. ... This would probably mean Garmin would have to keep a database of locked and unlocked serial numbers for you. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: MapSource unlock query - multiple / replacement units
    ... With the current lock codes there's no need to connect ... particular GPS serial number. ... useable maps on their hard drives, ... The maximum of two unlock codes is already handled by MapSource, so why shouldn't it be possible to revoke one of the codes through MapSource? ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)