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Thread: Garmin City Nav vs Topo Product

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    Default Garmin City Nav vs Topo Product

    Hi
    I just got hold of Garmin Topo Australia & NZ DVD.
    This has routable street maps that appear to include all urban street detail.
    Given that this is the same price (quoted from Johnny Appleseed GPS) as City Navigator,
    it leaves me wondering why anyone would buy the City Navigator product?

    Surely there’s something I’m missing here. What’s the difference in the street data?



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    Most Garmin products come with lifetime map updates, which essentially means there is no need to purchase the City Nav product separately.

    However regarding the differences, I don’t have the latest to compare, however in the last version of Topo that I used (maybe v5?) I think the street maps were provided by Sensis, while the City Nav were provided by HERE.

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    Hi, The Topo Australia & NZ product I have is v5. A new DVD in unopened package from eBay, so at least only I have seen the product key,
    but it was an interesting half of a waking day trying to get the map image file activated for the GPS unit itself.
    That is a used 60csx. In my opinion the best hiking GPS there ever was, or probably ever will be (with allowances for technology such as GLONASS).

    It expected a version of .Net prior to that which is installed, somehow didn’t qualify a future version, and also failed to install the version bundled with it,
    since whatever they do to install it fails because it won’t install a prior version. So from an ordinary consumer point of view it can’t be installed.
    When installed from another setup (not one that is called in autorun), nothing of Garmin’s works to install USB driver for a GPS unit listed in supported GPS units,
    Garmin’s detector plugin for IE11 can’t be installed, maps can’t be unlocked, unlock can’t even be attempted offline.
    Long story short: Hack tools... but I still saved a buck on the older original DVD.

    The lines displayed on 60csx for streets are thicker and a bit blurry. They are useable, but it’s as if they are done for antialias for higher resolution displays.
    The contour lines display fine, and street lines in City Navigator product appear as normal sharp lines made only of solid pixels (would have jagged edges up close).
    So there is some difference in the way the street data is represented regardless of the street data itself. It might de something desirable for higher resolution displays.
    Last edited by Art; 12-09-18 at 10:35 PM.

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    Default Garmin City Nav vs Topo Product

    Quote Originally Posted by Art View Post
    Hi, The Topo Australia & NZ product I have is v5. A new DVD in unopened package from eBay, so at least only I have seen the product key,
    but it was an interesting half of a waking day trying to get the map image file activated for the GPS unit itself.
    Topo v5 is cracked, and available from this website, at no cost. The latest version for sale is v6.

    As to your original question, v5 likely contains road data from circa 2013-2014. The latest City Nav map (2019.20) likely contains data from 2017-2018.

    As a side, if you purchased a copy of v5 from eBay it is likely a copy the seller has obtained from this site that is packaged to appear genuine.

    Post the eBay seller details here and we will likely be able to tell you if it’s genuine or counterfeit.

    Edit: If not genuine you can put in a counterfeit dispute with eBay and get your money back.
    Last edited by peteramjet; 13-09-18 at 06:43 AM.

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    The biggest likely problem using a Topo map for navigating on major roads or in urban/suburban settings is not any difference in street data it's that it may direct you inappropriately, it's not common that happens in fact it's rare. However I've had topo maps try to send me the wrong way onto roundabouts, hardly a safe practice. You certainly shouldn't try to use a City Navigator map in the bush and although less risky nor should you use a Topo in the burbs or on highways except if it's urgent and no other dedicated street map is available. Used with caution and common sense they're certainly better than nothing on-road though.

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    I doubt very much it’s fake


    At the same time, I wouldn’t snitch on those guys selling burned CD/DVDs on eBay either.
    I’d rather a backup method of getting things to work when the official ways don’t.

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    @Surething Interesting, I’ll have to do some comparison routes across the country.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Art View Post
    I doubt very much it’s fake


    At the same time, I wouldn’t snitch on those guys selling burned CD/DVDs on eBay either.
    I’d rather a backup method of getting things to work when the official ways don’t.
    It's genuine.

    As for comparison routes, it's a bit like Murphy's Law and you can do endless simulated routes without problem because like i said "it's rare" but it'll f*** up when you don't want that in real-time probably. Using it sensibly you'll be fine.

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    Yeah I’ll buy v6, and even the latest City Navigator where I already purchased the burned DVD from one of those eBay sellers.
    For Topo v5 the old Jetmouse keygen worked to provide an unlock code pertaining to my GPS unit ID.
    I’d still much rather keep Garmin’s unlocking process right out of it where possible.

    A new 64st is arriving tomorrow. That will be interesting.
    The 66st should be available within the month, and has wifi built right into it.
    That’s all the hardware needed for good & proper DRM, even if not properly implemented yet.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Art View Post
    I doubt very much it’s fake


    At the same time, I wouldn’t snitch on those guys selling burned CD/DVDs on eBay either.
    Yep, looks legit.

    However, I think we should all report those selling counterfeit items on eBay. It’s one thing to download and use something for occasional personal recreational or test usage, it’s another thing altogether to download it then distribute it for a profit.

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