MapSource Software Frustrations

[red2kcbr]

Streets, addresses, nothing! I'm sure it's me, since Windows apps and I don't usually agree. I'm an old green-screen programmer, so GUIs don't always sing to me.

I have City Navigator v7, MapSource v6.9.1, USB drivers grmnusb.sys: 2.1.0.0, with a Garmin StreetPilot 2610.

My own address is not found! I mean, c'mon, I just pulled in this repo'ed single wide. Google Earth can see the pit bull chained up in the front yard, but MapSouce can't find my address? Just kidding. My neighbor across the street is as close as it'll get. We built this house a little over 4 years ago. Can't find it. OK, fine, I can live with that.

I work for a MAJOR corporation, but the address as listed on the web doesn't show up. Not the street, not the number, nothing.

Also, the routing seems less than optimal. Preferences are set to use highways, avoid unpaved roads, and calculate for shortest time.

Any ideas? This thing is really pissing me off.

 

[twowheelnut]

Hmmm, try: View, Switch Product To and make sure 'No Map' is not checked. It should be on City Select. Check Map Detail under View, too. Set it to 'Highest'.

Could also be that the software didn't load right... go on line and down load the 7.0 update and see if that doesn't work.

Beyond that, buy a paper map and ****-can the GPS.

 

[markjenn]

You do want to confirm you've got CN selected in the pull-down menu - otherwise, all bets are off.

All the GPS's use one of a couple map databases that are sketchy in currency and have lots of errors, so I doubt it has much to do with MapSource or Garmin. Errors and omissions are a fact of life and lots of 4-yr old stuff isn't going to be in there. If the GPS can get someone to the place across the street, isn't that close enough?

Routing depends a lot on how you have preferences set up. You'd need to define "less than optimal" to comment much further. The big issue I have with routing is that sometimes roads that go through are in the database with small "breaks" and the GPS will never route across the break, even if it means going hundreds of miles out of the way. And in MapSource, there is virtually no way to mix direct and autoroute segments in the same map.

I view MapSource as a necessary evil for working with Garmin GPSs. As a trip planning and routing tool, it flat sucks. I use MS S&T and like it a great deal, but at some point you have to take the routes built in S&T and transfer them to MapSource which is a pain.

GPS's technology is far from perfect. There's a world of difference between indexing a bunch of satellite photos and providing a routable database of a complex, changing road network and glitches abound. One of the many reasons paper maps are still my primary means of navigation. But out in the boonies (e.g., adventure touring in remote regions), knowing where you are is a huge plus and the GPS comes into it's own. For touring on major well-marked roads, I think it's a totally unnecesary, but fun, toy for most folks.

- Mark

 

[afterburn]

Sorry Mark, but you either get very crappy maps in the US or you just don't know how to work the program. I build all my vacation routes straight in Mapsource and if I spend 1 hour working out a 4000-5000km route I end up with a result that makes other people wonder if I spend weeks planning it. It's a great routing and planning tool, though it could be a little faster, especially when handling large, complicated routes.

Also, I find it to have very few errors, new roads are typically present the next year with the new map updates.

 

[afterburn]

Come to think of it, the US maps are public domain whereas the EU maps are commercial. Perhaps that's why I don't get much quality issues with the maps. And that I have to pay $150 for an update.

 

[rickcorwn]

I'm with afterburn here, I use Mapsource for all my route building. I had Mapsourse before I got S+T so it's what I learned on first so I'm more used to it. Wether it's mapping software, GPSs or paper maps they all have their place. For us it's just more tools in the tool box.

GPS and other mapping software are trying to give you a level of detail that will inherently show more mistakes. A minor point, the companies that compile the info that the mapping software and the paper maps are made from intentionally put errors in the data. That way if someone steals or copies the maps they put together they can prove a copyright violation. Bottom line, maps lie. B)

 

[markjenn]

Sorry Mark, but you either get very crappy maps in the US or you just don't know how to work the program.

Oh buzz off, I often teach rider groups how to use MapSource and am on Garmin's beta test team.

- Mark

 

[benneyb]

I'm with Mark on this one - haven't done a great deal with Mapsource yet, only a few local routes and one up to Boston area and back when I got my FJR, but it is downright quirky. Biggest quirk so far? When routing, don't click on intersections as "routing waypoints" (as opposed to the permanent waypoints you can save separately), but click before and after the intersection for best routing. Now that's obvious and user friendly, eh? :blink:

Best place for info on GPS hardware and software usage I've found is the GPS Passion Forum, found here: https://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp

Scroll down to the Garmin unit of your choice, and dive in!

 

[afterburn]

Sorry Mark, but you either get very crappy maps in the US or you just don't know how to work the program.

Oh buzz off, I often teach rider groups how to use MapSource and am on Garmin's beta test team.

- Mark

And your point is? Should I now kneel down and bow? Apparently you don't know how to properly plan a route using mapsource regardless. It is one of the easiest tools to plan a route and definately easier than S&T if you use it properly. If you don't, it can frustrate the hell outta you. But that's still user error. Regardless how good and experienced that user thinks he is.

Benny: you are obviously doing it wrong. Start with the start and endpoint of the route and let figure out a route. It will give you a route you probably don't want, but that is ok. Now use the selection tool (arrow) to click the route and insert a routing point to a road you want to travel. If your routing/road preferences are set correctly, and with a little practise you can create a route in just a few minutes using only a handfull of waypoints that is just want you want.

Do NOT start at the start point and work your way to where you want to end. This will take huge amounts of time to create a route the way you want, including problems like you described, and use up your available routing points in your GPS very quickly.

If you use the autorouting feature like I described above, you can wokr so much quicker than any other software to get your routes it's amazing.

 

[benneyb]

Afterburn,

First, its bennEy. Second, thanks for the tip, but that's exactly what I did. Glad it works for you, but for many others it doesn't. The folks on the GPS Passion forum I mentioned are techheads of the highest order, and have way more experience with these things than I ever will, and possibly you as well. There are a number of large threads dealing with Mapsource/CN stupidity.

And you might not have to bow down to Mark, but don't you think he'd have learned something through his experiences?

 

[markjenn]

And your point is? Should I now kneel down and bow? Apparently you don't know how to properly plan a route using mapsource regardless. It is one of the easiest tools to plan a route and definately easier than S&T if you use it properly. If you don't, it can frustrate the hell outta you. But that's still user error. Regardless how good and experienced that user thinks he is.

Wow, you're really full of yourself, aren't you? I hope this site has an ignore user option.

- Mark

 

[twowheelnut]

Dudes, chill for a bit. Let's see if red has solved his probs with these suggestions. Man, egos! Sheesh!

Luv y'all!

 

[afterburn]

Agree twn.

I have been using Garmin products and mapsource for the last 5 years orso and been making hundreds of routes using it, so I don't need Mark to tell me to buzz off like I don't know what I am talking about.

Anyway, let's move on and all get back in the helping mood (incl myself) instead of the tear each other down one.

 

[Bounce]

WOW. Such annymouseetee!

Been using Mapsource for about, oh, 7 years. When was the original Street Pilot (monochrome) originally released? The Mapsource is the engine. The data sets differ. Originally the Mapsource engine didn't support auto-routing, so it was primarily good only for uploaded additional map detail into the GPS. I haven't used City Select, but have used Metroguide for years and found it to be mostly accurate except when new construction came along before the database could be updated. I also use DeLorme products. I used to use Streets & Trips before I got my first GPS but dropped it like a hot potato when M$ made it clear they didn't give a flip about their customers that needed to upload routes into GPSs. Why support them whent they refust to support me? At any given time, I have Map-N-Go, MetroGuide, and Street Atlas all loaded into the laptop that I haul around on the bike. Each has it's strengths.

 

[stryg8r]

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