Customer Reviews

Garmin MapSource MetroGuide North America Map DVD-ROM (Windows)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Wow. This is software is amazingly detailed and simplistic to use. The problem is, you can't use very much of it if you are an eTrex Legend user. The Legend only comes with 8mb of memory and just a couple of counties in Colorado can consume that much memory.

Had I known these maps would take up so much memory I would have opted for a different eTrex to one that was expandable.

I will say however, that this map is right on with detail and street maps. I was amazed at how much information this map has like local ponds, lakes, shopping centers etc.

Really sweet program, just not as efficient for my Legend as I would have hoped.

I was hesitant to purchase this at first because I thought that you had to pay to get each region unlocked, but you don't. When you purchase this, you get access to the entire US for free. So don't let the Unlock codes deter you from purchasing this product, they don't matter. A great product all around.

I've owned a StreetPilot B&W for 5 years and have been extremely impressed with the unit and service by Garmin. When the MapSource MetroGuide CD Version 5.0 came out using NavTech I was excited with the change. When I installed it on my StreetPilot the level of detail is very poor compared to the old software. Both versions have similar detail when the zoom is 3/4 mile or below. Above that zoom the old software has the clear edge.

If you factor in traveling at 55 mph you can imagine how quickly the screen image will change at 3/4 mile resolution. No longer can you see if the smaller state highways will be through roads or dead ends. In my opinion the new map, at higher zoom factors, is no better than a base map without the software loaded.

I've removed the Version 5.0 software from my unit and reloaded the old software. Garmin hopes to have an improved version towards the end of 2004, which realistically will probably be in 2005. I'm surprised they released this software with this flaw.

This is version (according to Amazon), but the current version is Version 7.

Overall, I like this software because the layout and distances seem accurate, but it lacks major roads that have been around for over 7 years in my area. The "update" downloads don't seem to correct those gaps. Also, some street names are old or generic, like "Co Hwy E2" instead of the street's long-standing popular name. Sometimes mouse-hover names differ from (or supplement) displayed names on the map.

We can't expect Garmin to keep up with ALL new roads created by runaway population growth, but they shouldn't be 7+ years behind reality. I often have to correct MapSource with online maps and Garmin should offer free updates with new roads if the downloads wouldn't be too large.

Too Much Information! The product does what it is designed to do, and does it well. The problem is that the map sets take up an astronomical amount of memory! I cannot fit all of the Washington, DC Beltway within the 8MB of my Etrex Legend!!! Nor can I map from the DC area to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Perhaps if Garmin could make the map chunks considerably smaller... Or maybe another product which provides auto-routing with restaurant, lodging and gas info just along the major roadways.

Although Amazon advertises MapSource MetroGuide North America v8 DVD (2006), they only have MapSource MetroGuide North America v7 DVD (old 2005). Unless you want to buy a 2 year old set of maps purchase this product from another vendor!

Check the rebate. To get it you must have purchased a previous version of the software. This is not a rebate at all, it's an upgrade refund. This is not clear on Amazon's front page - you have to drill into the rebate link to learn this. The price is higher than you think!

The software program was easy to load, follow, and install. However, the price for it was too much for what you get

Downloading is fairly basic once the disparate instructions are pulled together. New maps work about as expected, but use near boundaries of original base map versus downloaded detail is awkward. When leaving detail area, the base area is blank until actually entered, i.e., up to half the screen is blank.