Garmin 2730 question [Archive] - ST-Owners.com Forums

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nunns

01-25-2006, 02:49 PM

Just got my new Garmin 2730 - WOW what a nifty gadget. Got 2 questions that I can't find an answer to:
1. What is MapSource?
2. Is there any way to do route planning on my PC and then transfer the data to the 2730 unit? Is that what MapSource is for?
Sure would be nice if Garmin products could interface with MS Streets & Trips but maybe that will happen some day.
Thanks!
Nunns

Medicine Bear

01-25-2006, 04:13 PM

Hey, Charlie, do you have some suggestions on the freeware/shareware? I, of course, have Mapsource and S&T and would much prefer S&T to do the routing.

TIA,

Fred :03biker:

BTW, the RTE to El Sol de Mexico was outstanding. Since it was your suggestion (from a friend) you've just gotta get there. JR liked the Carne' Adobado, by the way. :)

nunns

01-25-2006, 08:17 PM

Sorry but I'm now more confused than ever about this MapSource thing. The 2730 comes with "MapSource City Navigator" installed on the GPS but there is no software to load on the PC. I assume that City Navigator is the software that makes the GPS function. Is MapSource the mirror of what is on the GPS but installed on your PC? If you have MapSource installed on your PC does it function the same as the City Navigator on the GPS. Can you key-in a route on your PC using MapSource and then transfer that file over to the GPS. The owner's manual is completely silent about all this and Garmin's website wasn't much help either. I did find the City Navigator software on their website but it is a bit pricey. This whole MapSource thing has me spoofed. I feel like I walked into a theatre in the middle of a movie and I can't figure out what's happening. Any help would be most appreciated.
Nunns

Blue STreak

01-25-2006, 08:40 PM

For some reason, Garmin seems to think that people don't care about Mapsource for the PC anymore. The 2720 didn't ship with Mapsource (PC) either, but Garmin got so many complaints about it they now include it in the package.

I'm betting they'll eventually do the same thing with the 2730, but for now they will ship it to you if you call and ask for it.

Louie Louie

01-25-2006, 09:30 PM

Louie Louie

01-25-2006, 09:36 PM

I recently got the 2610 and it has 1 dvd..Street Navigator 7. No Mapsource. Fortunately I have it already!

Louie Louie

01-25-2006, 10:05 PM

I was close...Where did you see it at 890? I've emailed buy.com and well see what they say!

Tim4255

01-26-2006, 03:54 AM

Charlie,

What did shipping cost at getfeetwet.com?

Tim

BeBeep

01-26-2006, 05:54 AM

Charlie,

What did shipping cost at getfeetwet.com?

Tim

I also bought mine from getfeetwet.com and shipping was $18 for 3 day select on UPS.

Tor

01-26-2006, 06:29 AM

Keep in mind that the shareware version of GPSU only let you import 2 or 3 waypoints, which IMO will be pretty useless. If you want to use GPSU in a normal manner w/o restrictions, pay for it ($55 I think) and you can open the S&T mapfile in GPSU, then save it in Mapsource format with all waypoints saved.

rbs

01-26-2006, 06:48 AM

Am confused as to this "S&T mapfile" what is it?

I have used a street pilot for several years now and won't leave home without it, but it is severly limited in it's ability to store map data, so looking to move up to a 2730.

Thanks

Bob

Tor

01-26-2006, 07:31 AM

Maybe not called a mapfile.........the S&T file you save for a route in S&T.

Blue STreak

01-26-2006, 12:46 PM

What is the lowest price available for a 2730?
I just purchased a 2610 from buy.com about a month ago. I am installing a Roady XT and carry an Ipod. Would you suggest I contact them and see wheteher they will allow me to upgrade if I pay them the difference if the price is right? OR Keep my 2610 and roady and stop worrying like an idiot?:(

I think your chances of getting either Garmin or buy.com to do an upgrade are essentially zero. If you HAVE to upgrade, you'll have to sell the 2610, Roady, etc. and buy new.

But I wouldn't recommend it. Check out the 2730 threads on gpspassion.com. There seem to be some real issues with the XM user interface on the 2730. Considering all that's crammed into the box, and Garmin's use of the touch screen, it may be the best they could do, but it sounds much more cumbersome to use.

There's less than 1 GB of memory available to store mp3s, which isn't much. And, of course, it won't play any of the i-tunes songs you've bought unless you burn them to CD and then re-convert them to mp3.

It's not very portable as a replacement for the Roady or i-pod, either. I'm sticking to my 2610 and SkyFi2, especially considering the difference in price.

Louie Louie

01-26-2006, 01:21 PM

I think your chances of getting either Garmin or buy.com to do an upgrade are essentially zero. If you HAVE to upgrade, you'll have to sell the 2610, Roady, etc. and buy new.

But I wouldn't recommend it. Check out the 2730 threads on gpspassion.com. There seem to be some real issues with the XM user interface on the 2730. Considering all that's crammed into the box, and Garmin's use of the touch screen, it may be the best they could do, but it sounds much more cumbersome to use.

There's less than 1 GB of memory available to store mp3s, which isn't much. And, of course, it won't play any of the i-tunes songs you've bought unless you burn them to CD and then re-convert them to mp3.

It's not very portable as a replacement for the Roady or i-pod, either. I'm sticking to my 2610 and SkyFi2, especially considering the difference in price.

Ok...will hang in there. BTW, why dont you think buy.com will do it? Also, I have a Roady XT i got yesterday. It looks a bit small, do you think tha s a good unit for the bike or would you recommend the Sky FI?
Thanks!

macc4s

01-26-2006, 07:35 PM

Is that because the purchased music is mp4? I noticed that even though I put 100 songs in my Garmin mp3 file to transfer onto my 2730, it only took up about 90 of them and I noticed that all of the songs that failed to load in the Garmin were mp4.

Louie Louie

01-26-2006, 08:03 PM

STeveGray

01-26-2006, 09:17 PM

Premier Cycle posted a notice here. ST-Owners.com folk can order the 2730 from them for $890, shipping included. It's been a while since Eric posted that but I assume the price is still good.

Louie Louie

01-26-2006, 09:20 PM

As much I want this farkle I simply need to wait. Just got my 2610 and Roady XT.
Perhaps next Xmas!

SpEd

01-27-2006, 09:53 AM

So basically, the City Navigator North America are the maps you load into the 2610, and Mapsource would still be used to create routes, right? :confused:

Medicine Bear

01-27-2006, 11:07 AM

So basically, the City Navigator North America are the maps you load into the 2610, and Mapsource would still be used to create routes, right? :confused:

I don't know, SpEd. I pull up Mapsource and it has a drop down window allowing me to choose North American City Select, v4.01 or City Navigator, v7. When I toggle back and forth between the two nothing I can see changes except for a minute shift in the map.

Fred :03biker:

Louie Louie

01-27-2006, 11:29 AM

So basically, the City Navigator North America are the maps you load into the 2610, and Mapsource would still be used to create routes, right? :confused:

Yes indeed. I have a 2 ghz memory card and transferred all maps. Therefore, the 2610 is self contained now! However, I could use a lesson or two on creating routes in the software!

BeBeep

01-27-2006, 03:32 PM

I called Garmin today and asked about the Mapsource software. The rep took all my info and said they will mail it out asap. He did not know why they did not bundle it with the units and also told me they have had a bunch of requests for it.

Blue STreak

01-27-2006, 03:36 PM

Ok...will hang in there. BTW, why dont you think buy.com will do it? Also, I have a Roady XT i got yesterday. It looks a bit small, do you think tha s a good unit for the bike or would you recommend the Sky FI?
Thanks!

buy.com: I may have leapt to a bad conclusion. Is the 2610 new and unopened? If so, the buy.com may take it back, although I suspect they'll charge a "restocking" fee. But if it's opened and used, Buy.com won't exchange it because they won't want to sell a used item as new. (I hope.)

The Roady XT should be fine on a bike. (I use a SkyFi 2, though). The only downside I see to the XT is that the buttons are very small. But I don't use the buttons on my SF2 anyway. I have the SF2 mounted on the right side of my dash shelf, and the remote control mounted on top of the clutch master cylinder. I change channels using the remote with my left hand. Works fine, even with gloves on.

jeffmiller

01-27-2006, 05:59 PM

Anyone here have the 2730 AND the XM Weather? If so, does it display radar maps, or just give forecasts and current conditions? About to purchase mine and was wondering if it had that functionality like the chartplotters to show maps.....

Jeff

macc4s

01-28-2006, 01:36 PM

I had to laugh, I took my 2730 out for the first time on the road today and purposely deviated from the Garmin selected route to see how fast the reconfiguring of the route is. Couldn't believe how sour the "recalculating" message was!!LOL!

tricky_micky

01-28-2006, 04:02 PM

BeBeep

01-29-2006, 02:15 PM

I tested my unit out the other day and deviated from the prescribed route just to see what would happen and how fast it could recalculate. It worked very well but got me thinking. Since Garmin has different languages maybe they can have languages AND attitudes. Maybe a New York wiseguy type. Hey you friggin idiot you missed your friggin turn. Now I gotta recalculate I otta pop you one for not paying attention.

I like it makes me think of the good times with my dad. :D

Louie Louie

01-29-2006, 03:08 PM

. Hey you friggin idiot you missed your friggin turn. Now I gotta recalculate I otta pop you one for not paying attention.
:D

lol..Just make sure the 2730 is not loaded w/ bullets and dont let it mug you!

BeBeep

01-29-2006, 03:45 PM

lol..Just make sure the 2730 is not loaded w/ bullets and dont let it mug you!

Only language and attitude software no hardware option!! :D