Paging Garmin Quest owners

I'm thinking of treating myself to one of these[0], and it looks like I
can get one off eBay for roughly half the normal retail price.

1. What's the deal with unlocking the mapping data? Will I be able to
use all the mapping that's on the supplied DVD, or only whatever the
previous owner's installed? How much does it cost to unlock countries,
if that's what I need to do?

2. It looks like the normal mounting kits attach to one of the lever
clamps. The 9R has a screen brace, which would probably make that
unsuitable, but looks like the perfect place to mount it; is there a
suitable mounting system?


[0] I'm quite capable of reading a map, but I like gadgets.

 

RAM seems to be the favourite at the moment - take a look at
http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/.

There's a bigger range of RAM mounting stuff available over the pond -
if you need to buy from the US I'd recommend these fellas:
www.mountinginnovations.com

--
Joe

XV1900 Stratoliner (with added sparkle)
http://www.pikeyjoe.kinghell.com/MyStrat.jpg
PikeyJoe
kinghell.com

 

I've noticed; there are some mug punters on eBay paying over the odds
for second-hand Quests, probably assuming that they're getting a bargain
Quest 2.

That sounds quite reasonable, compared to how much maps for our Navman cost.

Thought as much, but they seem to recommend the handlebar mounts for
9Rs; I shall investigate further.

 

You can unlock the maps on 2 PCs. If the previous owner's done that
already you can only use what's on the Quest, not ideal.

John

 

Ah, right. Something to ask the previous owner, then.

Mind, as long as it's got UK, France and Benelux on it, I'm not too
bothered about anything else for the moment.

 

Depends on how they enforce the "2 PCs" - I'm pretty sure that I've
unlocked the maps for my 2610 more than twice when I was rebuilding my
main computer.

The original Quest will not have enough capacity to hold all of the
above. Not sure about the Q2, but I'd assume the same.

 

Drat. Not even the main roads, without town details?

 

Ah, didn't realise you could do that; that should suit me fine, then.

 

I can get all v9[1] on a 2GB card, I think. Saved using a card reader
rather than going through the 2610, although this shouldn't make any
difference apart from write speed. I use this as a back up to the 256MB
card supplied with my 2610 which I load with the map tiles to use as you
say.

As the 2610 is relatively slow I don't know if this speeds up processing
when calculating routes, as the processor has fewer tiles to chug through
for the data.

My reasoning for doing this is that if a CF card is going to go pop on me
then it may as well be the one supplied by Garmin as I know they will
replace it PDQ, whilst under warranty. I'm not so sure 7dayshop.com have
such a good customer replacement policy...

[1] which seems to be very out of date as far as Lake Garda and the Brenta
Dolomites are concerned. Many newish tunnels, bypasses and junctions
confused the poor thing at times last week. Overall it worked quite well,
especially the advance warning for junctions, as the Italians don't always
give you much/any notice...

 

Well, I seem to remember that I had to drop some of the "new" countries
in Eastern Europe to get it on the card. May have been able to squeeze
it on but it didn't look like it'd fit. And yes, I'm writing via a card
reader as well, don't want to wait for days to have the mapping data on
the device.

I don't think it does, TBH.

I've just got a bunch of cards here that I can overwrite if necessary.

Similar experience in some parts of Switzerland. Fortunately I knew
where I was going anyway and didn't need the imp for that.

 

Ditto here. Although I elected to drop the northern-most parts of the
Scandanavian countries.

I am getting mixed message about whether a 4GB card will work in a
2610. Anyone tired this?