buying used GPS

[waelkhntr]

I just bought a used GPS and attempted to register it today and download a topo map. The web site says that it has already been registered and wont let me download updates or load a topo. Does that mean that I'm the proud owner of a useless GPS?

Thanks,
Terry

[Siskiyou]

From you earlier post I believe you are writing about a 60CSx.   I know Garmin has a phone number for support, if it is a Garmin you might want to call them and find out the story. 

I know that if a Garmin gps that has been registered with Garmin and reported stolen and it is entered in their system they will flag it.  I have heard there is a real problem with stolen gps units being sold on auction sites. 


MapSource USA Topo and Topo 2008 does not have a lock code, there should not be a problem loading it.  What brand of Maps are you trying to load?

PM me.

[waelkhntr]

Its a Gramin 60 CSx. The software belongs to a friend of friend of mine who bought it new. The GPS came form an archery web site that I have belonged to for years. The seller bought it new. It came with the box and all of the paperwork. I have contacted the seller and ask for his assistance. I'm really not trying to get away with anything. The unit is fairly new and at a good price. I was unaware that there could be a problem buying or trading used GPS units. I gave my Garmin 12 xl to a friend and he has not had any problems using it.

Terry

[Siskiyou]

Please let me know what the software label says, name and manufacture.  You do not download Garmin Map Source Topo maps from the internet but from a CD or DVD.

The unit software update can be downloaded directly to your computer and then to your gps without a problem.

[Siskiyou]

Here are the two software updates for the Garmin 60CSx, Create a folder on your computer and name it GARMIN 60CSx.  It can be created in My Documents.

Version 3.50

http://www8.garmin.com/support/agree.jsp?id=1245

Version 2.90

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1629


Question:  How do I register my Garmin device?
Answer:
To register the Garmin device, create an account through myGarmin . To get started, click here. You will need the registration code that came on the yellow sheet of paper in the product box. Follow the prompts in myGarmin to complete the product registration.
Last modified on:  08/29/2007

Question:  What factors should I be aware of if I purchase a GPS unit from another individual?
Answer:
There are several factors to be aware of when making such a purchase: 1.   Warranty service will still be provided only if there is a copy of the original sales receipt. 2.   If the sticker that contains the serial number has been removed from the unit, Garmin will not perform warranty or repair work on the unit. 3.   If you have purchased an STP III or GPS 2610/2650, it is imperative that you get the MapSource software that came with it. MapSource City Navigator is not sold separately. Replacement software for MapSource City Select can be purchased directly from Garmin or from an authorized Garmin dealer. 4.   You will need all related unlock codes for your GPS unit. 5.   Future updates to MapSource City Select and City Navigator will be subject to Garmin's update pricing structure based on the registration date of the unit. Please call Garmin Product Support to have the registration information updated. You'll be asked to submit proof of ownership transfer.


Do you know how to determined what version of software your unit is operating on?

[waelkhntr]

Thanks Siskiyou for the information.
The serial number is still on the unit. I do not have the original sales receipt nor do I have a yellow sheet of paper with the registration code on it. The software that I'm attempting to input is "MapSource" United States TOPO. It is a three disk set. I was attempting to input the disk 1 of 3 version 3.02 Western United States.

Thanks,
Terry

[Siskiyou]

I described the loading of the three disks U.S. Topo in a past post.  You must install disk one on you computer and then you can select a mapset on your computer and transfer it to your gps.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120949.0.html

Be sure and update Map Source after you load Disk #1 of the three disks set.  “IMPORTANT” Be sure and download and run the PATCH.  If the area you are interested in is located on the East disk you are dead in the water if you do not load the PATCH.

Your copy of US Topo is old, but the updates will take care of age, and there is no unlock code required for that software.

I think the following online how to video will be helpful, I wish I had viewed it when I started.  Viewing the tutorial might be a good first step.

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapsourceTutorial.html

What operating system is your computer using?

I did two things that I helped me out when I started and I still use them as a reference:

I downloaded the MapSource Users Guide and printed it out.  I place in a binder along with a printed copy of my GPS manual.

http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/MapSource_MapSourceUsersGuide.pdf

http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf

While I have an original manual I found I liked working with pages in a binder because they turn freely.

[waelkhntr]

Siskiyou,
you have been very helpful, thank you.
I must be confused because I thought that I was to load all of the information from the three disks then access a specific area when I need / want to.  I have only been able to transfer selected areas but not the complete 3 disk set. What im I doing wrong?

Terry

[Siskiyou]

Load Disk 1 (West) on your computer, it contains the operations language for the software package.  East and the Alaska/Hawaii disk just contain maps

Then go to the Map Source update link and update the software you just install.  You can create a folder in My Documents called Map Source Updates and download it to that location.  Once it is downloaded to the folder double click on it and run it.  I like to keep a couple of updates saved in My Documents incase Garmin has a glitch in the latest release and I can go back and fix my Map Source.

Download the Patch and install on computer.

Download USB drivers and install:  http://www8.garmin.com/support/agree.jsp?id=591 on computer.  You need to have the drivers installed so your computer will talk to your gps.

If you are using a computer that has an operating system other then Windows XP, or Vista you need to let me know, because you will need a different software download.

Life gets a little complicated if you try and load all three disks.  You have not identified what part of mother earth your are located on so I need to make some assumptions.  On my primary computer this is how I operate.

Disk 1(West) is saved to my hard drive.

I put Disk 1 in my CD driver when I want to boot up MapSource.  This works for me because most of my activity is in the West.  In the upper left corner of the tool bar is a drop down box.  If you want to switch to Disk 2(East) click on it and select East.  You can then insert the disk US Topo-East or wait until you get a pop-up instructing you to insert it. (If you have not downloaded and installed the PATCH you East disk will not work correctly.)

The next time you open MapSource it will default to the last disk or MapSource Program you used.  If it was East then you need to put the East CD in your drive.

The nice thing about US Topo 2008 is that it is on one DVD and when you load it on to your hard drive you do not need to switch CD’s for different parts of the country.  Frankly because I use the West 98% of the time you will find the West CD in the drive.

I also have City Navigator V8 loaded on my computer and I do not need to use the DVD when I want those maps.  I just select it from the drop down box in the Tool Bar.

I do have all three CD’s installed on my laptop but it is a pain to do so.  I had to fall back and have my wife help me that one.  So I will not be covering process.

Let me know how you are doing.

[waelkhntr]

Siskiyou,
Thanks again, you have been incredibly helpful. I don't know where you gained all of your knowledge and skill with these machines but I'm very impressed. Do you know if there is a way to transfer the stored waypoints from my 12 to the new 60 CSx? I have looked through the user manual and have not found any reference to this question.

Thanks again,
Terry

[Siskiyou]

Currently we are being blessed with a winter storm and the lights are flickering so I cannot reference an earlier post I did on this topic in the last of couple of years so it is not fair to compare.  I am using my laptop, and have the power shut off to the PC.

I am under the impression that you have successfully loaded US Topo to your computer.

1.   Connect the cable that came with you Garmin 12 to the serial port on your computer, the round 4-pin plug to your Garmin 12. 
2.   You have a couple of options but lets select Transfer from the Tool Bar>Receive from Device>You will get a drop down and if it does not show your Garmin 12 select Find Device prom the center box of the drop down.  Your unit should show-up.  (If your computer says it has a new device let it load the software.)
3.   Check the Waypoints box and select Receive. On the Map Source screen on the left you will see the Waypoints appear.  You have a box under Waypoints saying Show waypoints in category:  Select ALL Categories.
4.   If you have successfully downloaded your waypoints you might want to shut the
Garmin 12 off and get it out of the way.
5.   If you are like me you have a few junk waypoints on your gps.  You now have a list of waypoints on your computer and the waypoints are showing on your map.  You might want to delete waypoints what you consider junk.  Select the waypoint you want to delete by left clicking on it with your mouse.  This will highlight the Waypoint.  Right click on the highlighted area and select Delete Waypoint.
6.   Go back up to the Left corner of the Map Source screen and select File>Save As>That should have put you into My Documents>I suggest you create a Folder Called Garmin 60CXs Waypoints.  If you want you can save you Garmin 12 Waypoints in a file in this folder, suggest name Garmin 12 Waypoints.
7.   Connect your Garmin 60CSx to your computer and power it up.  You might get a message saying the computer recognizes new hardware.  Even if you have installed it before let it do it again.  Makes life easier.
8.   This time select the GPS symbol on your tool bar with the up arrow.  You will get a message saying that all data received will be added to the current document.  Select OK.
9.   Suddenly you get a popup saying, “Replace Waypoint?”  This happen because you had a Waypoint on the GPS12 with the same name as one that was downloaded from the 60CSx.  So now you need to make some battle field decisions, do you want to replace or not?  I think it is easier before you get started to check and see if you duplicate names for different locations. If you do rename the duplicate.
10.    File>SaveAs>Now you have a couple of options you can keep your current Garmin 12 file and create a 60CSx file to save the waypoint set in, or you can save them in the Garmin 12 file, right click on it once to highlight, and then left click on it and select the Rename.  Suggest you rename it 60CSx Waypoints 01 –04 2008.
11.     Close the Save As box.
12.     You full list of waypoints are still showing on Map Source.  You now want to transfer them to your 60CSx.  Select the GPS symbol with the down arrow.  Your gps should be showing in the device box.  Check the Waypoint Box and Click Send.  Do not select any of the other options.  For example if you have not selected a new Map Set and Maps have been checked it will download your current Map Set and you will be without.
13.   The software will remove the waypoints currently on the 60CSx and will load the combine waypoint set that you created from the Garmin 12 and the 60CSx.

[Rainman/GA]

Thanks Siskiyou for the information.
The serial number is still on the unit. I do not have the original sales receipt nor do I have a yellow sheet of paper with the registration code on it. The software that I'm attempting to input is "MapSource" United States TOPO. It is a three disk set. I was attempting to input the disk 1 of 3 version 3.02 Western United States.

Thanks,
Terry

The only software that will have to be unlocked to your GPS serial # is Bluecharts, City Navigator, and a few others.  The U.S. Topo (& Topo 2008) and the older Metroguide street maps don't require unlocking.

That said, you won't be able to load the entire Western U.S. topos onto your Csx, even if you have a 2GB card. Either the mapset won't fit, or it will have too many segments (>2012 segments). You will be able to load a subset of the maps, possibly as many as would cover an entire state of choice, maybe more. On my 76Csx and a 1GB card, I was able to load most of the eastern U.S. roadmaps, along with topos from Maine, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.  I was able to get about 25-30% topo coverage for each of those states.  Mapsource will tell you in the left-hand window how many megabytes and segments you have selected, so you can modify your choices to fit on the card you have installed. I have a new 2GB card that I will be experimenting with prior to turkey season.  I'm hoping to get a lot more on this card after I do a few modifications to the Mapsource software.

Siskiyou has very good advice on loading the software.

[waelkhntr]

Rainman and siskiyou, thanks for all of you input. With the information and help I have been able to load the old software and get my GPS up and running. Soon as I have the extra money I will be buying the new 2008 DVD.

Terry