Touring - Garmin GPS users help me out. Map software question

I bought a used Garmin Quest which comes with the base map preloaded and also has the US street map on DVD but I can't find the activation code. So I need to buy maping software but arn't sure which to get. I want north America and Canada. Do you have to use Garmin software on Garmin devices?

I'm a GPS n00b, be patient

Best thing to do is look up "APRS" on Google. APRS stands for Automatic Position Reporting System and was developed for use with Amateur (HAM) radio to enable HAM radio operators to display on a map there position on there own computer as well as other HAM radio operators connected to a wireless wide area network using amateur radio frequencies. Most of this software is free and will work with any GPS receiver. Downloading data from your GPS into most of this software will provide you with detailed information displayed on the maps in the software. The US military and civilian products quickly adopted this idea. Occasionally, I will take my 2-meter transceiver, TNC, Small computer, and GPS receiver with me so others may track my progress and send messages to me as I go touring.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APRS

I don't own a Quest but I can suggest the following. Visit the website.

http://www.garmin.com/products/quest/

According to them, it already comes with the City Select mapping software so you have to buy nothing. According to Garmin, the software should be unlocked already. On some software, the 25 digit activation code is on the back of the DVD/CD.

You can always call Garmin support up to figure it out. They usually are pretty helpful.

Good luck.

The Quest II has all the necessary maps & stuff preloaded. I have a Quest I which requires the user themselves to load the maps. I already had a Garmin 276 which uses all the same maps & software, so for me it was a non-issue, especially as the Quest II was considerably more $$ than the Quest I.

I recently picked up a copy of DeLorme Topo 6.0, and although the user-interface leaves much to be desired, it does recognise both GPS units, and so I'm able to use either application with each unit.

Garmin have good support and software-updaters so that if you have the license (which you should have got with the unit), it is just one click to ensure you have the latest and greatest firmware/software running on both the GPS unit and your computer.

There is also an application gpsbabel (http://www.gpsbabel.org/) which is an open-source application, which enables the user to convert GPS data files (but not maps) between formats.

Hope this helps -

- Wil

Wil,

Just curious, have you used your Quest on a bicycle or strictly as a car unit?

^^ good question blake, cause after I figure out my map thing I gota get it mounted. There were pictures floating around this forum somewhere of someone's quest mounted to their bars. Looked like the optional motorcycle mount that garmin sells. Anyone got the pic?

Wil,

Just curious, have you used your Quest on a bicycle or strictly as a car unit?

I used it in the car in the early spring to try it out for a local potential century; it worked well, but the display was a bit small when mounted on the dashboard, being ~3 ft away from me. It's easier to see when mounted on the bike (only about 1 to 2 feet away), and I've used it for every single ride I've done this season.

It works very well, but occasionally loses the signal (nearly always when heading north, and sheltered from a clear view to the south), but only for a minute or two. I've ridden for a whole weekend (~150 miles) on one charge of the battery.

If I didn't already have the Garmin 276 , I would certainly use the Quest in the car.

- Wil