Route Planning on Garmin 2720

[ElectricFJR]

I'm already hard-wired with a Mix-It2 amplifier so I don't need bluetooth and I have a Roady2 already mounted so I don't need built-in XM radio, so I'm considering a Garmin 2720 or Quest 2. Since the City Navigator North America NT software comes preloaded in these units, is it possible to use a PC to plan routes and then download them to the GPS? It seems that you would at the very least need the City Navigator CD to install on your PC to do this--does Garmin provide this for free with the 2720 and would this make it possible? I really don't want to be restricted to planning routes directly on the GPS unit.

 

[NYPete]

It's kinda hard to find the information on the Garmin website but it appears that you need this;

for $29.99, details at;

https://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10215%2D04

But, I'd give them a call on monday at 1-800-800-1020 to be sure, they've got a great support staff.

NYPete

 

[skyway]

Actually, if your 2720 unit does not come with any DVD software, you can request for free the City Navigator software from Garmin, mine arrived within about a week. This software will allow you to work offline to pre-plan routes and then be able to upload to the GPS.

The trip and waypoint manager software is not required with the 2720 unit, this software is designed for units that do not have any preloaded information.

Here's what you get for free:

City Navigator® North America v8

 

[NYPete]

It's a little unclear about the units this is designed for but this is the only thing that Garmin says;

MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager will allow you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between your Garmin GPS unit and your PC. Included is a general world-wide basemap, providing basic cartography. The basic map included is for general reference only and detailed maps cannot be loaded to any Garmin unit using this product.

NYPete

 

[skyway]

It's a little unclear about the units this is designed for but this is the only thing that Garmin says;

MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager will allow you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between your Garmin GPS unit and your PC. Included is a general world-wide basemap, providing basic cartography. The basic map included is for general reference only and detailed maps cannot be loaded to any Garmin unit using this product.

NYPete

From the Garmin site:

Trip & Waypoint Manager

"This trip planning disk is designed for use with Garmin units that have no built-in map detail or city point database, such as the GPS 12, eTrex, eTrex Summit, Geko 201 and Geko 301. With this simple, affordable disk, you get the benefit of being able to create waypoints and routes on your PC and then download them to your unit. You can also transfer waypoints, routes and tracks from your outing back to your PC for recall at a later date. You will not be able to download map detail to any Garmin GPS using this product."

All of the current SP model units come preloaded with the entire North America, which makes the Trip and Waypoint Manager software surplus to requirements. The City Navigator DVD will allow you all of the transfer features such as waypoints, routes and tracks for offline trip planning.

 

[ElectricFJR]

Thanks for the help guys. I don't know why Garmin doesn't just include the City Navigator DVD with the 2720 instead of making you ask for it. It looks like they are including it with the new Zumo.

 

[Bike Effects]

Thanks for the help guys. I don't know why Garmin doesn't just include the City Navigator DVD with the 2720 instead of making you ask for it. It looks like they are including it with the new Zumo.

I'm pretty sure they do now.

 

[Rickster]

Skyway -- how'd you go about getting the free copy? did 'ya have to call? or what?

 

[skyway]

Skyway -- how'd you go about getting the free copy? did 'ya have to call? or what?

Phone call to customer service, be prepared for a little wait though.

 

[Scooter]

I'm already hard-wired with a Mix-It2 amplifier so I don't need bluetooth and I have a Roady2 already mounted so I don't need built-in XM radio, so I'm considering a Garmin 2720 or Quest 2. Since the City Navigator North America NT software comes preloaded in these units, is it possible to use a PC to plan routes and then download them to the GPS? It seems that you would at the very least need the City Navigator CD to install on your PC to do this--does Garmin provide this for free with the 2720 and would this make it possible? I really don't want to be restricted to planning routes directly on the GPS unit.

Mine came with the DVD and I can plan routes on my PC and upload them to the Garmin. This works very well.

 

[bmwhd]

I've been using Garmin GPS units for some years now so I already had a copy of Mapsource for my PCs. I use the latest Metroguide US maps to plan and then download them on to my 2720.

Doing it this way can cause the 2720 to claim that the routes don't follow the maps since there are differences between City Navigator and Metroguide maps. However, in practice this is not an issue.

 

[ElectricFJR]

I spoke to the Garmin technical help desk today and was told that they are now shipping the Mapsource City Navigator North America NT Version 8 DVD in the box with the 2720 and this will enable route planning on a PC to upload to the GPS unit (this software has a built-in trip and waypoint manager--the separate Trip and Waypoint Manager software cannot be used with the GPS units that are preloaded with Mapsource software). Garmin is now doing this with all units that are preloaded. I confirmed this with the vendor that I ordered from today--they checked the 2720's in their warehouse and they all had Version 8 software with the DVD in the box. Looks like my problem is solved.

 

[Scooter]

How are you planning to connect the power cord - direct to battery or do you use another device?

 

[chornbe]

I'm already hard-wired with a Mix-It2 amplifier so I don't need bluetooth and I have a Roady2 already mounted so I don't need built-in XM radio, so I'm considering a Garmin 2720 or Quest 2. Since the City Navigator North America NT software comes preloaded in these units, is it possible to use a PC to plan routes and then download them to the GPS? It seems that you would at the very least need the City Navigator CD to install on your PC to do this--does Garmin provide this for free with the 2720 and would this make it possible? I really don't want to be restricted to planning routes directly on the GPS unit.

It works fine with the Quest/II (that's what I have). In fact, I do that a lot. I like the unit, but recalculating and onboard searching is ridiculously slow. I have no experience directly with the 2720.

 

[Bluestreek]

The 2720 comes with a ac power adapter

 

[Aviator]

I have a 2820 and the routing works well. My question is has anyone seen the TourGuide and some place to download a file for that. All the places that Garmin has recommend to go to really don't work or really offer the TourGuide. I was hoping to find something for Gettysburg and test it out there. Any suggestions from anyone?