Converting from garmin to other map formats?

[HolgiB]

First I have to say that it is really great, that there is a free map project for malaysia/singapore. I gave the malsing maps already a try before.

I am not using it for one special reason. The Garmin software its the worst GPS software on earth. I used Navigon, TomTom, iGo, Philips (BMW), Mapking and Garmin. Unfortunately for Asia there are no Maps for TomTom or Navigon. But for iGo, which became among the others the software of my choice. Even with a 2007 map, it is better than using Garmin with an up to date one.

On my PDA Garmin is performing poorly, by visually just taking me 5 years back in time. The functionality is just basic. In europe nobody would even waste a thaugt, on choosing a Nüvi or Garmin XT. Garmin is known there as seller of outdoor GPS for use e.g. on boats or in the desert/jungle. The software for street routing cant compete at all.

For me it would be great to bring your great map into a format which probably could be used from iGo or Navigon. Is this possible?

Holger

[bahathir]

Define "The Garmin software its the worst GPS software on earth."

Before bought my nuvi, I also planned to buy Magellan or Navigon. But, I am not interested in Navigon anymore because it uses "Windows CE:", the not so stable OS for embedded devices. Magellan looks nice, but, no maps for Malaysia. After a month owning Garmin nuvi, I don't feel the Garmin software is the worst. It really fulfill my purpose, getting from point A to point B. The interface is simple, and sufficient too. What else do you want ? . Play movies during driving? No. no. no...Play games? Also No. no. no.

IMHO, Garmin nuvi performance is "par" with other PNDs. Please take some time to read this review.
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topi ... _ID=110142

[wchoch]

any GPS without the map is not use at all
so mfm is the best

[HolgiB]

Well, I am from germany and iGo 2006 is guiding me from the beginning. Without mfm or malsing! A friend of mine baught a Nuvi from garmin. The widescreen one, it was quite expensive. He is using the malsing maps.

One the GUI not all the informations are properly displayed. Like e.g. the driving distance. He is not only complaining about that the Nuvi displays the straight route (direct, no on road) as the distance and after that nothing. Klicks aways, you can then find the info, that the place where you like to go is not 5, its maybe 17 KM away... Together we took a ride. The Nuvi is not really talketive. Without knowing which direction to go, it is impossible in many cases to reach the place. How many times we have here on the highways the split into one, two or three directions? No keep left, keep right or whatever - silence. Then on the right track suddenly "Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back!Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back!" For about 5 minutes. Manual doublechecking on a map, yes its the right way. Then the Nuvi keeps again quiet, at least displaying the road on his nice screen. Big help? This is his daily fun with his Nuvi.

He saw my iGo, I didnt try to convince him. But his conclusion was its million times better. It TELLS me where I have to keep left or right. The driving distance is always displayed as all other information necessary. It has a nice intuitive GUI and is easy to operate. Including a good POI management.

Just take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLqrATvd ... re=related

Yes, its the old version! Checkout the 2008 which should be the one compared with the up-to-date Garmin system. Btw I am using iGo 2006 on a HTC Prophet (aka Qtek S200 or XDA Neo). Its a slow WM5 (or 6) Phone with 195MHz CPU. The Map display, even the isometric, is always fluid. The recalculation of a route, when I take the wrong way takes between 1 - 3 seconds. Never longer! I can zoom and move into the map very fast. Nice when u use it just as a map in your hand. It never crashed and made my phone hang.

With GarminXT I never have a fluid map display. The recalculation takes between 5 - 8 seconds. Too long and slow enough to get even more lost. Sometimes the screen freezes. I dont get enough hints from Garmin, where to keep left or right, leaving a highway etc. ... The map display is as slow, as from Mapking. The map itself might be more up to date, downloaded the last malsing. But it wasnt a help at all.

The problem in malaysia is, that everybody think Garmin is a high end product. Market leader building the best GPS devices available in universe . The cheap devices sold at lowyat.net are from the hardware not worse than the garmin ones. In germany a device from "Falk" is about RM 500. Already a branded product. They rip the people off here, which makes me really angry! Garmin is just one manufacturer between many, but market leader with outdoor GPS. Years they were never interested in building a road GPS. They have to catch up a lot.

Holger

[edchuang (retired)]

Hi Holger,

Try to download MFM map to your GMXT, would like to have your feedbacks on MFM map.

[fancheng]

The problem in malaysia is, that everybody think Garmin is a high end product.

Bro HolgiB,

We knew Garmin is not a high end product . The main problem is Garmin can use free map (like MFM Map & MSM Map and u can DIY) some more update fast .

We knew about iGO is very good system but we can't use any of free map (as I know) . May be one day iGO give us their compiler, we will produce it.

[vanheimer]

e.g. the driving distance. He is not only complaining about that the Nuvi displays the straight route (direct, no on road) as the distance and after that nothing. Klicks aways, you can then find the info, that the place where you like to go is not 5, its maybe 17 KM away....

which Nuvi??, even my 76CSx will calculate the travel distance, not straight line, unless i opt for offroad.

The Nuvi is not really talketive. Without knowing which direction to go, it is impossible in many cases to reach the place. How many times we have here on the highways the split into one, two or three directions? No keep left, keep right or whatever - silence.

My 76Csx also told me to keep left or right... depend on which maps

Then on the right track suddenly "Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back!Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back! Turn back! Turn Back! Turn Back!" For about 5 minutes. Manual doublechecking on a map, yes its the right way. Then the Nuvi keeps again quiet, at least displaying the road on his nice screen. Big help? This is his daily fun with his Nuvi.

maybe the Nuvi just you..

The problem in malaysia is, that everybody think Garmin is a high end product.

you think so?... as far as i am concern,

[ajay]

i donno why your friend's garmin unit behave like that. i think something's wrong with the unit itself & don't blame garmin just because of your friend's unit. i have used garmin software & it tells me precisely which direction to go, the distance, speed etc. no issue for me. btw, people here are providing FREE maps for our country. that's the MAIN thing. u want better map you have to pay for it

[jaguar]

Dear guys,

Without siding either camp... I know what Holger is trying to say.... when he says it displays distance (when you searched for a POI) on first screen, it actually shows the distance "as the crow flies"... which can fool one into thinking that is the nearest food outlet or something.... but, of course, the real info is found after a few more clicks (as he discovered)....

As for the 'turn back' issue.. I bet it is the known 'route recalculation issue' faced by some of us at certain roads....

Anyway, in general, members here and 'there' have also vouched for the goodness of TomTom , Igo , etc.. over Garmin navigation software... and I take it that Holger is merely hoping (like us) that one day... one day.... (don't know when ), we will have access to other compilers to convert and port our Garmin formatted maps over......

I have used a BMW in Germany once (with a built-in 2D map view)... and my oh my... I love the talkative voice which tells me in advance (way before a junction) to keep to left lane or right lane.. I think the more advance Garmin 7xxx series have this lane assistance feature.. but again I dont' know if we need to tweek our maps to make it work ..

Anyway.... all in all.. let's take Holger's request in good spirits ya.... Murry Christmas is around the corner... and Santa is listening (I hope....)....

Let's pray...
1) Someone out there provides a free (or cheap converter software) or a new compiler for other map formats...
2) meanwhile..... carry on our hobby to maximize potential of current Garmin compiler .... currently good enough and probably best in coverage vis-a-vis as compared to other maps.........

[antyong (retired)]

Hi Holger,

I am a fan of iGo too. Unfortunately, mapping tools for igo or tomtom are not available to us. We only have the tools to create Garmin.