City Navigator- CD or SD card??

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:09 pm

I'm looking at buy Garmin City Navigator for my Map 60 CSx. But don't know if I should get it on CD or the SD card. Is one better than the other? Easier??

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:13 pm

cheezehead wrote:

I'm looking at buy Garmin City Navigator for my Map 60 CSx. But don't know if I should get it on CD or the SD card. Is one better than the other? Easier??

The SD card is good and simple but then you will not be able to see the maps or plot things on your computer....I have a card for one GPS and a CD for the other.....I use the software on the computer all the time.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:15 am

cheezehead wrote:

I'm looking at buy Garmin City Navigator for my Map 60 CSx. But don't know if I should get it on CD or the SD card. Is one better than the other? Easier??

I went through the ying and yang on this one. Went with the CD so I could also have it in my MapSource desk top. That's a huge plus for so many reasons. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx.

There was also something involved with checking and getting updates online form Garmin for the CD was a plus vs the SD card (not an option) if I recall correctly.

Hope this helps.

SGH

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:25 am

Sparse Grey Hackle wrote:

cheezehead wrote:

I'm looking at buy Garmin City Navigator for my Map 60 CSx. But don't know if I should get it on CD or the SD card. Is one better than the other? Easier??

There was also something involved with checking and getting updates online form Garmin for the CD was a plus vs the SD card (not an option) if I recall correctly.

Hope this helps.

SGH

Yes that was my understanding as well...the software was updateable (to a point) whereas the SD card is what it is.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-04-27 Posts: 331 Location: Muskego

Having gone through this a couple years ago, you have to install CN on your computer and then upload to your GPS. The map is keyed to your GPS so you cannot install it on another one unless you buy a second license. I believe if you buy a new GPS your have to send your old one to Garmin and they will remove your map and let you install it on a new GPS. And yes, each year you can buy an update for your map.

The SD card is self contained, and goes in your chip slot under your battery. The maps do not load on your computer, they are only on the micro SD card. And you cannot update them. However, you can pass the chip between units without any problem. Since my wife and I both have a GPS, we just take the chip out and put it in the other GPS. Also when we bought new GPSs' we just moved the chip. Personally, I didnt see the need to update the maps as the road ways dont seem to change all that much. And by skipping 3 updates, I could afford another CN on a micro SD card.

I loaded the free maps from Ibycus on my computer, which seem as good or better than CN. If you do not need auto routing, you can load these same maps to your GPS too.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:12 am

SammyClaws wrote:

However, you can pass the chip between units without any problem. Since my wife and I both have a GPS, we just take the chip out and put it in the other GPS. Also when we bought new GPSs' we just moved the chip.

This is the single reason for buying the maps on the card over the CD. If you ever buy a new Garmin GPS, you can use the same maps without shelling out another $100+ dollars for maps.

SammyClaws wrote:

Personally, I didnt see the need to update the maps as the road ways don't seem to change all that much. And by skipping 3 updates, I could afford another CN on a micro SD card.

I always check out the newest maps Garmin has, there is no reason to upgrade every year unless you travel allot. Skipping every couple years is a great way to get more for your money, since more has actually changed.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:17 am

My 1 year old maps of downtown Milwaukee are nearly useless as far as the interchanges go....lots of changes there and my maps are now obsolete. So yes if you travel alot or depend on the maps to be accurate you'll need to update em fairly often.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:25 pm

if it was me, I would go with the DVD Based Maps. If your MicroSD Card goes bad, your dead in the water. If you load from the DVD to your own MicroSD Card, and your MicroSD Card takes a crap, you can just buy a new MicroSD Card, and reload.

Plus you can also load the maps on the PC, and create routes and such.

Justin

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:47 pm

Quick question anyone know where to buy city navigator cheap for a garmin 60cs. i would like to buy one but not at 120.oo being that i am laid off i cant afford that right now.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:26 pm

Team Outdoorsman wrote:

Quick question anyone know where to buy city navigator cheap for a garmin 60cs. i would like to buy one but not at 120.oo being that i am laid off i cant afford that right now.

Software or SD card?

WGA Member Joined: 2007-04-27 Posts: 331 Location: Muskego

Team Outdoorsman wrote:

Quick question anyone know where to buy city navigator cheap for a garmin 60cs. i would like to buy one but not at 120.oo being that i am laid off i cant afford that right now.

I would suggest searching the web. I have gotten great discounts at both Amazon and MegaGPS and would recommend both. Also check out many of the advertisers on GC.com. And while it wouldnt be my first choice, you might want to look at Ebay (buyer beware though)

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:16 am

software perferably my garmin doesnt have sd card.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:43 am

Well, I've had my City Navigator now for 2 weeks. So that's hgow auto routing works! Laughing

I used it last week to get to a hotel in the Cities last weekend and I got there no problem. And I don't know the Cities all that well. I bought a 2nd SD card so now I can switch between Topo & Navigator on the fly.
Thanks to all for the info.

PS - Paid $99 for City Navigator North America at Gander Mountain. Saw the same thing at Cabela's for $119

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:05 am

You can load both Topo and Navigator on the same card, no need to switch cards.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:53 am

One Paddle Short wrote:

You can load both Topo and Navigator on the same card, no need to switch cards.

*sigh* I JUSSSSSST found that out! Well, now I have a back up card I guess. I thought I read somewhere that I need to put them on 2 diffrent cards. I guess I thought wrong! Again!! Embarassed

And it's still only 5% full.