5 comments about Garmin USB Data Card Programmer for EMAP Deluxe GPS (010-10363-00).

1. Uploading and downloading info to your Garmin GPS using the serial data link may not take that much time if you only use the smaller data cards. However, when you start getting up to the 32 or 64 MB range, the time it takes to use the regular serial link is ridiculous. It took about 10 minutes to fill up my 8mb card using the normal link to my eMap. Not really a big deal. However, when I got a 32MB card, it took over an hour to fill up my cross country trip details. For my next trip, I picked up the USB programmer. I tested it with my 8MB card and a few routes. On the serial link it took about 6 minutes. The USB was done in about 15 seconds. I thought it wasn't working, so after a few minutes of trouble shooting, I realized that not only was it working correctly, but it was working very fast. Very nice.
   Note: The 32Mb card took a little over 2 minutes to completely fill.



2. I really liked the Data Card Programmer on my old operating software Windows 98 & ME. It is very fast and a must if you don't want to burn up batteries when downloading maps. However I have not been able to make it work with my XP software. I have even downloaded the new USB drivers from the Garmin Web site (v 2.5.0.0). The first time I used it, (USB driver version 2.3) my 32Mb card was destroyed only 720Kb was left useable. While Garmin replaced the card and put out a new set of USB drivers (9/19/02), I still cannot get it to work with XP at least it no longer destroys the card. When they get the drivers fixed this is an item to buy.



3. From 22 minutes to 22 seconds! That's the difference between loading one region from my MetroGuide CD to an 8mb data card using this programmer instead of using the serial cable. It took slightly less than 4 minutes to load a 61.4mb file (9 maps) to my 64mb card. That included building the map set, erasing the former map set, transferring the files, and then verifying the files. This same transfer took over two hours in the past. If you are in no rush and you don't change areas much, obviously the programmer is not necessary. You may even choose to get a larger data card for your needs. But if you travel to different places and rent a car, or you plan to make a long trip, save your time and batteries and invest in this programmer.

   I run it on Windows XP. Initially it did not work, but a trip to Garmin's website enabled me to download the latest drivers. No problems thereafter.




4. It would be impracticale to buy a memory card larger than 32 meg without buying this product. I had the 32 meg memory card, and it took about 8 hours to load the maps in using a serial connection (cut the battery life in half while flashing). Now I flash a 128 meg card with the usb programmer, and the total time to load ~127 megs of maps (including indexing time) is about 13 minutes. This was on a 400 MHz Windows 2000 computer. If you have a faster computer, it may be able to index the maps faster. I highly recommend this product.



5. Worked great under 2000 but not XP. Others say differently, so you're on your own.

2 comments about Magellan 00-69032-000 Canvas Carrying Case for SporTrak.

1. I bought this case for a Magellan Sportrak Pro. As advertised, the unit is well padded and combined with the ruggedness of the GPS unit itself, I am sure it would protect the unit against most bumps and falls.
   But the case is quite small and this makes for quite a tight fit. Also, the padding is of some material that seems to have an affinity for my cuticles, so everytime I try to put the GPS in or take it out, I have to be careful not to get my cuticles entangled painfully in the padding.

   The storage for the extra batteries is on the inside of the case rather than an external pocket. It consists of two elastic bands stitched to the inside of the case, not even a pocket. So, after a couple of times of taking the GPS out and putting it back in, the batteries slip out of these elastic bands and end up at the bottom of the case (at which point, you have to fish them out because the GPS won't fit in with the batteries lying at the bottom of the case!).
   I like the broad belt loop that makes it easy to secure the case to your regular pants belt or a fanny pack etc.




2. If you own a Magellan SportTrak series GPS (I have a SportTrak Pro), this is a great carrying case for it. It fits any size belt, it is very secure and has more than adequate padding to protect your unit from damage.

2 comments about SiRFIII Data Logger/USB GPS Re.

1. I bought this device a few weeks ago and I'm really happy with it: the produced GPS data is very accurate and the batteries held more than 30 hours of logging. The Windows Software that comes with it is ok, not great but functional. There are also some open source tools so that you even can make it work under Linux and maybe even Mac OS X (altough I didn't test that myself, I gave up because the USB-Driver made problems under Mac OS X). During a city trip to Munich I was using the DG-100 while taking pictures with my Canon EOS 400D and after this imported the pictures to Gallery2. Now a map shows all the places where I took pictures in Munich, amazing! If you need a step-by-step guide to geotag your pictures with GPS data from this device and how to use Gallery2 to show them on a map, you might want to read my blog on squix.ch Just have fun with it!



2. To be clear: This is a logger, not a navigation device. There is NO WAY to see your position(s) without connecting to a computer! This is by design.
   
   I got the DG-100 mainly (solely?) for geotagging photos. I received it at worked, charged it on my work computer and left it on driving home. It was crazy-accurate, even showing my lane changes. Once I changed the settings to track altitude, I found that the altitude is not very accurate, so I turned it off. I believe that is a problem inherent to this entire category of devices, not this particular unit though.
   
   EDIT: After reviewing log files, the altitude is accurate when you get a couple more satellites. If you filter out logs with only three or four satellite locks, the altitude is fine. End edit.
   
   I geotagged a bunch of test photos, and it took me a long time to get that right. I had to use the Globalsat software to export the GPX file, after which point you can use any software you want to work with that file. The manual wasn't much help to me; I basically had to trial-and-error it. My problem was that the "Export to GPX" was buried in a menu, rather than one of the more obvious toolbar choices (which are KML, CSV, or TXT). Once I got that right, I saved the GPX to my photo folder and used Google's GPicSync to tag the photos. It worked perfectly, and tagged the RAW files as well as JPGs (I use Canon 400D). All in all, within an hour of sitting down with the device I had tagged photos, and now that I know the process, it'll only take a few minutes at the end of each day of shooting.
   
   Edit: The Globalsat software cuts your logs into chunks of between 40 and 65 tags (advertised as 95? I haven't gotten 95 yet). You have to load the files, check them or select all from file menu, then load map points from Map menu, THEN export. This will export the points from all of the files, not just one, to the GPX. Cumbersome, but workable. Also, with Windows Vista the provided Prolific driver failed after I restarted. I uninstalled, let Windows find new hardware and search for the driver on the internet. That driver continues to work. End edit.
   
   Note: Older versions of this software did not export to GPX. Throw the CD that comes with it away and download the latest version, and it works fine.
   
   Pros:
   Charges through USB (also optional car charger)
   Very accurate (to be expected with SiRF III chipset, any SiRF III device should be equally accurate)
   Three fully-customizeable modes
   Push-button manual logging
   Long-life, chargeable batteries, or regular AAs if you have to
   Physically very solid build. I'm not afraid to throw it in my rucksack pocket and go hiking. (Edit: I have since dropped it. The battery cover popped off, but nothing broke and it works. However, I'm concerned that the battery cover is a weak point. I'd like to find out if Globalsat offers parts, so I can get a couple covers to spare. I'm pretty sure I'll drop it a few more times in its life. End edit)
   Can be used as GMouse. Not useful to me, but if you need it, it's there.
   
   Cons:
   Included software works, but is clunky (Edit: after a few days of practice, it's second nature now. End edit)
   Included software does not directly geotag photos (but this is minor, since exporting to GPX and then using GPicSync or other software is very easy)
   No bluetooth

No comments about Magellan 12volt Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter.

No comments about Maptech Terrain Navigator (New Mexico).

2 comments about Garmin BlueChart g2 Vision SD Card, Brownsville to Key Largo.

1. I ordered this item in Feb 2007. The product that I recieved was last year's release of Mar 2006. After varifying with Garmin the latest version is Jan 2007 I returned it for credit. Amazon can't tell you what they have in stock so you just have to wait until they run out of last year's stock or settle for informatin that is a year old.



2. The Garmin BlueChart Vision SD Card I recently purchased was exactly what I expected. The card was received on time as promised and operates great. No problems encountered with this product

No comments about Magellan 16MB Secure Digital Memory Card.

5 comments about Garmin GPS 18 GPS PC/Serial Interface Sensor for OEM Clients.

1. I found this GPS receiver while looking for a GPS to use in a home-built radio position beaconing system (Ham radio APRS for those of you who know what that is). I found the GPS 18 with cigarette lighter adapter and DB-9 serial interface. This GPS was quite literally plug-&-play. I supplied it power using the power connector and plugged the DB9 into my computer terminal, placed the GPS in the open, and a few moments later it was streaming NMEA 0183 position data to my computer. I didn't need to configure anything, no software required. The GPS works well connected to software such as TOPO to provide real time position tracking on your computer, and can also be easily connected to packet modems/TNCs/TinyTrak modules for APRS purposes. The magnet is a little weak, but the unit is light enough that it generally won't be a big issue. The connectors on the ends can be easily cut off for direct connection to a power source or your own homebrew NMEA device. However, you can also buy it with bare ended cables if you are looking to directly connect it to something.
   
   GPS is quick to lock-on, and precise. Has worked like a charm for me. I'm almost certainly going to buy another one soon to use on a semipermanent basis in my truck.



2. I prefer the PC version over the USB because of it's compatibility with everything. Even thought I don't have a serial port in my laptop I actually got a USB-to-Serial converter just to use the GPS18 PC.
   
   Make sure to configure the unit's baud speed by using Garmin's configuration software. It originally comes working at 4800 but it supports 38400. 4800 is too slow to get updated location data and may cause the movement in GPS navigation software to lag.



3. I use this with a couple different pocketPC's and love it. Combined with mapopolis it makes the best address level routing device that I've used outside of a dedicated routing GPS. I've got it hard wired into my jeep with a powered ipaq cradle mounted to the dash and the convenience of using it couldn't be easier.



4. This item was bought for the primary purpose of working in conjunction with the Uniden BCD996T mobile scanner. The scanner has the capability of monitoring statewide trunking radio sites. The Garmin GPS 18 operates by opening and closing statewide trunking radio cellsites, with the use of Long and Lat coordinates. This item is very effective for it's purpose and is highly recommended for those who'll use it for this purpose.



5. I purchased this product for use with a uniden BCT15 gps enabled scanner. It aquires signal fast, even without a clear "view" of the sky. I mounted the gps sensor concealed under the dash, and have never had a prblem with loss of signal. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a good, reliable gps input signal.

No comments about VEHICLE INTEGRATION BOX.

No comments about Garmin Nuvi 710 780 TrueVue Anti-Glare GPS Screen Protector.