GPS from US????

[Pinto]

Hi

I do not have much of a clue about GPSs, having just recently bought my first RIB. After much to-ing and fro-ing I think I have narrowed it down to the Garmin 276c - unless anyone can advise me otherwise!

I realise that there is a huge price difference if bought from the States - can anyone give me any advise as to what to look out for, or any mishaps you might have had with such a purchase that I should try to avoid.

Ta

Viv

[bedajim]

sent you a pm

James

[AndrewH]

James - any chance that you could make your comments public. I'm also thinking of doing the same and there may be others that would benefit from any pearls of wisdom that you've gleaned in this area,

Many thanks, Andrew

[seaquest1]

hi andrew h
and pinto

i bought a screen from the us for a hi spec laptop
worked out at about 300 pounds then nearly 8 months later i got a bill £77 POUNDS from DHL AFTER PHONING DHL TO FIND OUT WHY THEY TOLD ME ANYTHING OVER £18 POUNDS ARE LIBLE FOR VAT AND IMPORT DUTY SO BE CAREFULL BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE COURIER COMPANY OR IT GETS TO CUSTOMS WONT RELEASE UNTIL DUTEIS PAID
HOPE THIS HELPS
REGARDS MIKE

[AndrewH]

Many thanx for the warning - I'll bear that in mind

Andrew

[whiteminiman]

That's the exact model I was looking at too.

However, be VERY careful if you are buying from the USA.

The Garmin GPS are hardcoded (and cannot be altered) with what are called "base maps". There are three versions - Americas, Atlantic, and Pacific.

The Garmin website says this:
********************************
Garmin mapping units come with built-in, permanent basemaps that cannot be altered. These basemaps come in a variety of global designations (ie., Atlantic basemap). Please see your local dealer when purchasing a Garmin mapping unit to ensure that you are purchasing one with a basemap that's appropriate for your location and needs. Factory-installed basemaps cannot be altered.

The Atlantic Autoroute basemap includes Europe, extreme western Russia, Africa, and the Middle East, and covers an area from N75 to S60 Latitude, W30 to E60 Longitude. Also included is a high-level worldwide map with political boundaries and major cities.

The standard map coverage for the Atlantic basemap includes:

1. Oceans, rivers and lakes (greater than 30 square miles)
2. Principal cities and a small amount of smaller cities and towns
3. Major motorways and/or interstates and principal highways
4. Political boundaries (state and international borders)
5. Large and Medium Airports
6. Urban areas greater than 200K

A. Iceland, Great Britain, Baltic States, Denmark, Germany, Benelux, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Southern Africa (up to S20 Latitude) - In addition to the standard map coverage, these areas also include:

1. Small lakes, major streams and rivers
2. Urban areas
3. Railroads
4. Regional arterial roadways
5. Exits for major motorways and/or interstates (Europe Only)
6. Small cities and towns
****************************

So basically, make sure it's the Atlantic basemap and not the Americas.

Cheers, WMM

[codprawn]

Does it really matter which basemap you have? They are crap anyway - most people will want to load the proper ones for their area!!!

[bedajim]

Mine came from the USA, good price standard base map covers the UK but is crap, but you can load the data cards etc and its great, had to go out without it once on the east coast and didn't like it one bit.


I think the base map is standard for all models; you need to buy the data cards or cd anyway

Tip if you buy from Ebay etc check their feed back and email them

James

[tcwozere]

If you buy from ebay, bear this in mind..

To obtain warranty service, an original or copy of the sales receipt from the original retailer is required. Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification, and Garmin will not replace missing components from any package purchased through an online auction.

Thats from their US site, there's no warranty information on the UK site though.. Maybe an idea to get in touch with them to see if Garmin UK view ebay/online auctions with the same high regard..

[matt h]

bought mine from the us, perfect, put uk datacard into it, all ok £300 with 25 postage