flyaudio navigation

Maps for PRIMO are compatible with iGo8.

 

Should you really be sharing map files? They're supposed to be bought.

 

GPSunderground, and many other spots have maps and customizations (3D cars etc).

Please site your reference to this specific map.

 

Indeed they do and whilst the custom 3D cars etc have been created by others and shared (sometimes even 'with' the creators permission), the map files have not. It's pirated data and I'd have thought this site had a strict policy on such.

Rather than my 'citing' anything. perhaps you could supply evidence that any map data for iGO is freeware, open source or otherwise not subject to copyright? Better still, perhaps I'll just ask NNG, the authors of iGO and the ones who paid for the map data to pass verdict?

I'm not looking to create trouble here but it does irk me when data is blatantly shared with zero consideration for the legalities of such.

 

no Darren, he doesn't have the UK maps.....J/K!!!

 

What does that have to do with anything? UK, US, whatever, they aren't opensource!

 

So they are like politicians?

 

Darren, nobody there is sharing maps. Rolf just pointed out that there are sites where useful info can be found.

 

Personally I think there are major issues over the "rights" with regard to mapping, anyway, and some of the charging regimes are frankly immoral. In the UK (and in the US, I believe) mapping is paid for by the taxpayer. The base road maps used by the sat nav suppliers are data that has been created with taxes. Certainly our government has started to face up to the fact that people are being charged twice for the same data, once by paying taxes and again when paying for maps, and are starting to do something about it (although not enough, in my view).

The fact that I have to pay over £100 for a new UK electronic map, when I can buy a printed paper version of the same map (with more detail) for less than £5 shows how twisted this situation has become. When you add in that the paper map will have been printed from the same electronic dataset as the electronic version the whole over-charging for sat nav mapping thing becomes even more apparent.

If new electronic maps were sold at similar prices to the paper versions I don't think there would be a pirating problem. Because the companies involved, including in the case of the UK our own government, are trying to profiteer from electronic map supply by charging high prices fior publicly owned data they have created the whole piracy problem.

Personally I have no problem at all with pirated UK maps. I know that the base data was paid for by UK taxpayers, and as I have paid taxes for over 40 years I believe that I have a right to use this data. I'd happily pay for "added value" data where it's appropriate, but let's not forget that all the useful POI data on electronic maps, like hotels, restaurants, filling stations etc is actually income generation for the map sellers too - they charge the owners of those POIs for the right to go on their map sets.

I believe the story is similar in the US, with the base mapping that all the sat nav makers use being funded by US taxpayers via the USGS. The same may be true in other countries.

Jeremy

 

I don't know why people who want to steal somehow see the need to justify their actions.

You're not paying for the "raw data". You can probably find a raw map in the public domain. You can scan a paper map. You're paying for a map that's been adapted for use in your GPS. Points of Interest. One way streets noted. On off ramp information. Integrated in a way that allows for navigation. Address integration.

GPS makers in the US are offering lifetime maps. For not much more then the cost of one map update you can all you want.

edited to add---This is from NAVTEQ's website:

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A few years ago I read a newspaper article in the NY Times. Navteq has employees that ride roads taking measurements. Noting where exit ramps have changed. One way streets have changed etc.

 

The taxpayer funded UK map dataset that is compiled by the Ordnance Survey, our equivalent of the USGS, contains far more information than just road locations. One way streets etc are all recorded, and the raw map dataset is already in vector format (unlike a scanned paper map). The people who own the locations of commercial POIs (filling stations, restaurants hotels etc) pay to have them included in the dataset, so why do I have to pay again for the same information?

Most sat nav mapping relies on user reports for updates, too, so effectively those who have purchased the maps are also those doing a lot of the updating. In my last job we had a major problem with a mapping error sending heavy trucks down an access road to our site that they couldn't get through, because of a low railway bridge. We spent three years (and a heck of a lot of time and money) trying to get the data in the digital maps changed, to no avail. In the end we paid the local authority to erect special road signs to prevent yet more trucks getting stuck in the access road and needing to be hauled out. I don't doubt that there is some error checking and added data from the resellers, but the bottom line is that the vast majority of the data was provided either by taxpayers or by companies who have paid to have their data included. I don't happen to believe that the digital data resellers are adding enough extra value to warrant the crazy prices they charge.

I have no problem with paying a fair price for map data at all, I just happen to think that paying more than £100 every year for map updates is a rip off. If you are unfortunate enough to be using a built in sat nav, like the one in the top model Prius sold here, then you can expect to pay around hal;f as much again for the annual upgrade (around £190 or about $290 a year, I believe). I'm glad you can get lifetime map updates for a good price in the US, but no such offers seem to exist here for the commonly used map data sets. In fact, one big seller of digital maps here change the map file format from time to time so that old map data sets stop working with their software and you need to buy expensive new ones, whether you like it or not.

Jeremy

 

COSTCO is selling a Garmin nuvi (4.3" screen) for $130 with lifetime maps.

I don't doubt some large chains may supply POI data. Some might even pay. I doubt hospitals, public parks, independent gas stations, small restaurants etc do either.

NAVTEQ complies data from numerous sources including over 1000 geographic analysts.

I doubt the better maps, including NAVTEQ, are complied 100% from public sources even in the UK.

I think you're looking for an excuse.

Different cultures have different standards. Just because you think the price is too high isn't a reason to steal.

edited to add: Garmin sell lifetime maps for Europe $110.

You need to consider the price and availability of map updates before you purchase a GPS.

 

Here in the UK the Garmin map quality and navigation software is pretty poor - it's the system used in my Kenwood and is dreadful when compared to the portable TomTom GPS in my wife's car. TomTom and iGo are probably the two best systems in this part of the world - I understand it's different in the US. Updated TomTom maps of Western Europe are over £100 (more than $150) just for the SD card.

I understand that you guys in the US can get some cracking deals on car audio and sat nav, generally less than half the price we pay over here (an example, the Pioneer head unit that rrolff has sells here for double the US price). I also understand that Garmin, being a US company, has better mapping systems and pricing in the US than over here. FWIW, a single annual UK/Europe map update from Garmin for my Kenwood DNX5220costs £150 (around $225) which just goes to show that there is some serious profiteering going on somewhere.

If we could buy UK mapping at the price that you can (and I've explored buying from the US - the map activation codes don't work on a UK spec Garmin/Kenwood) then, as I've said before, much of the piracy problem would go away.

Jeremy

 

You kind of contradict your point. You claim maps are sourced from government digital maps and company supplied POI. If true there should be virtually no difference between NAVTEQ and TOM TOM (formerly tele atlas) maps.

Garmin makes a few dollars when we purchase a Garmin GPS. It looks like they feel providing reasonable updated maps is part of the deal.

Purchase a Kenwood (Garmin) map and Kenwood has to get their piece. Purchase a TOM TOM map for another device and TOM TOM wants to get more money. You can purchase TOM TOM branded GPS with lifetime maps.

You can steal. Otherwise you could purchase a US Garmin but one that comes with US and Europe maps. My understanding is the upgrade maps will only upgrade whatever maps were included with your unit. My garmin which came with US maps shouldn't accept an upgrade Europe map.

Kenwood is a little different. It looks like the unit will accept Garmin upgrade maps.

Here you gohttp://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B001ELJ9Q0?tag=priuschatcom-20 for a unit that includes North American and Europe maps. Lifetime traffic only works in North America.

or $202 for a unit with a larger screenhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B001U0O7RQ?tag=priuschatcom-20 prices don't include lifetime maps. You'd have to pay around $100 for that.

Not sure if these vendors will ship to Europe.

 

:focus:. This discussion is more appropriate at Fred's house......

 

Good point. I'll stop. I have no objection if a moderator wants to delete any of my posts in this thread.

My point:

People buying a GPS unit (in dash or portable) should consider the availability and price of updated maps when making a purchasing decision. People who have a strong preference to Tele Atlas (TOM TOM) vs Navteq should also consider which map is included (works with) the unit.

Most of the discussions on GPS units in this forum center on how well the BT works, how easy it is to install, which functions can be controlled with steering wheel controls, installation hints etc.

There is very little discussion regarding which maps may be better and which maps are available for the unit.

The PP prefers the tele-atlas maps in the UK. Probably makes no sense for him to purchase a Kenwood unit. I don't think the unit will easily support other maps.

 

You're right, we're off topic.

BTW I've never stolen a map, so I do object to that accusation of theft. I was make a point in principle only. I do disagree with being tied in to high priced stuff and I am envious of US prices (a US Garmin map set for my Kenwood won't work here, BTW, as the UK version won't accept US sold mapping - the map activation codes have to come from Garmin UK).

There does have to be a reason for European mapping being so darned expensive when bought here in the UK, but being cheap when bought in the US. Someone, somewhere, has decided that a high mark-up can be applied here, with the activation code control as a means of preventing me from purchasing purchase of US versions of the same maps at a much lower price.

Jeremy

 

opcorn:

I don't think anyone in this thread was promoting becoming a map 'thief'.

I only pointed people to great support websites for existing GPS (they have many add on features). If you pull down a map - you should be pulling 'shareware maps ' - I'm sure things like voices by 'Homer Simpson' are also not legal freeware...

:fish2: :fish2: