GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

Chapter 10: Using GPS Manufacturer Mapping Software173uploading a large map from a PC via a serial cable, it can take hours to transferthe map between a PC and your GPS receiver. GPS receivers that supportUniversal Serial Bus (USB) communications are much faster. For GPSreceivers that use SD or MMC memory for storage, after the map has beencreated and saved to the memory card, it’s just a matter of inserting the cardinto the receiver.After you purchase GPS receiver map software, be sure to check the manufacturer’sWeb site every now and then to see whether updated releases of thePC software are available. You may be able to download upgraded versions ofthe program with bug fixes and enhanced features. Keep in mind that whenyou download the program, updated map data doesn’t come with it.Some GPS receiver manufacturers use different methods for stemming softwareand map piracy. Both Garmin and Magellan use unlock codes on some oftheir map products that require you to visit a Web page and get a code toactivate the program. Some map products (notably nautical charts) havemultiple regions stored on CD-ROM, and you need to purchase an unlockcode for each region you want to access. In addition, programs commonlylink the serial number of a GPS receiver to a map, meaning that the map willwork only with the GPS receiver that the map was originally uploaded to.Reviewing GPS Manufacturer SoftwareGPS receiver manufacturers have a number of software products available fortheir models that support maps. So you have a better understanding of whattypes of maps are available, here are the different map software packagesthat the major GPS receiver manufacturers offer. Read on to discover whattypes of maps you can upload to the three main brands of GPS receivers. Formore information and in-depth reviews of GPS receiver manufacturer mapproducts, including screenshots, visit http://gpsinformation.net.GPS receivers sold in different parts of the world typically have differentbasemaps. For example, a GPS receiver sold in Germany will have a moredetailed basemap of Europe, compared with the same model of receiver soldin the United States.I want to clarify a point that sometimes confuses current or prospective GPSreceiver owners: Each of the major GPS receiver manufacturers has their ownline of map products that all sound pretty similar. Here they are:Magellan (www.magellangps.com) MapSendLowrance (www.lowrance.com)Garmin (www.garmin.com)MapCreateMapSource