[Orrin]

I have been getting familiar with my new 2730 (first GPS) using it in my car. Very happy so far.

Now that I have been using, reading and getting more comfortable with it, I want to set up a route using Google Maps and down load to the 2730. I have down loaded the USB driver and other software from the Garmin web site, but darned if I can figure out how to load it in to my GPS. Any help or tutorials you can recommend would be appreciated.

Or, maybe I don't know how to use Mapsource to build a route. I think this is more than my old brain can handle. I probably damaged a few neurons along the way somewhere.
Thanks

 

[dave in mn]

New 2730, old operator!

Orrin - Your recent post is almost identical to one I was composing in my deteriorating mind! It seems that the users manual assumes I know the basics, but I don't. Need a BASIC tutorial and glossary of terms. Maybe someone knows some links to some instructional material. Good Luck. Dave in MN

 

[Jon]

I put together a little Mapsource tutorial about a year ago for new Zumo owners and it's been enhanced a bit since then.

It's posted over on the 'Mapsource' forum over on the Zumo board - it might help you get started with Mapsource, but if you want to use Google Maps, you're going to have to get a little more creative.

 

[pshivers]

I stole this from a website....
http://gps.about.com/od/gpsmapscharts/ht/google_garmin.htm

1. Connect your Garmin in-car GPS to your PC via its included USB cable.
2. You are ready to search for and upload a destination into your GPS. Open your Web browser and go to Google Maps.
3. Type a destination into the "Search Maps" box in Google Maps. Google Maps has powerful search features, a good reason for using it in concert with your GPS.
4. When you have identified the destination you sought, click on the "send" link (with the envelope icon) in the upper right of the destination map window.
5. A dialog box will appear with the options to send to "e-mail," "car," or "GPS." Choose Garmin GPS. This selection will automatically open a new browser window and start a special "locate" page on the Garmin Web site. This page will show a map thumbnail and your destination address.
6. If the Garmin page successfully located your GPS, it will show a "Send to GPS" button. If it did not locate your GPS, try the "Scan for GPS" button. Click on "Send to GPS," and your destination is now available as a favorite on your Garmin GPS.

Tips:

1. Send to Garmin GPS works in MapQuest, too. Look for the "send" button in the upper left and follow instructions per above.
2. Not all addresses have "send to GPS" data associated with them. This feature works most consistently with business and public place addresses.

What You Need:

• Garmin GPS connected to your PC via included USB cable.
• Internet connection.

It looks like Google Maps can only upload "destinations" and not entire "Routes", Mapquest may be able to do both.... need to go get the 2730 off the bike and hook it up...

 

[Orrin]

Pshivers, Thanks for the links and information. I will put it to good use tonight. Wish me luck.

 

[Jon]

Keep in mind that transferring the waypoints only will force you to create a route on the GPS using these waypoints which will cause it to calculate the route based upon its routing preferences - it will probably not be the same as what you chose in the mapping program.

Another option is to use the HD 'Ride Planner' website. They use an interface similar to Google Maps and will let you download the route directly to your GPS (supposedly - I've never tried it with a StreetPilot).

 

[Orrin]

I had success with Mapquest, but Google maps is another story. I can build a route and when I am done I click on the send icon and can only send to e-mail. Must not have something loaded right. Any more help much appreciated. Many thanks to Pshivers and other for help.

 

[pshivers]

I had success with Mapquest, but Google maps is another story. I can build a route and when I am done I click on the send icon and can only send to e-mail. Must not have something loaded right. Any more help much appreciated. Many thanks to Pshivers and other for help.

OC, It appears Google Maps only works when you lookup a single destination. When you try to route to that destination, the Send To a GPS option is not available.

 

[Orrin]

Paul, that tells me a lot. I am going to call Garmin support On Monday. To see what other options are available if any. I still like the 2730 and can't waite for winter to be over. This winter has been especially rough.

 

[Jon]

Garmin will probably just tell you to use Mapsource - they won't support 'other' programs.

 

[pshivers]

Garmin will probably just tell you to use Mapsource - they won't support 'other' programs.

The interface is writtten by Garmin and they encourage others to use it.

See http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/ for more information.

I almost think this may be Garmin's way of dropping Mapsource all together in the future, something I feel they have been trying to do for years. Remember when the 2730 first came out? You had to beg Garmin for a copy of Mapsource (and the map data) as it was not included with the orginal packaging! (Map Data came preloaded).

But the problems OC is having would need to be handled by Google support as it is how they are using the Garmin API that is lacking the functionality that is being sought on the Google website.