You probably already know you can view most GPS maps on your computer before you send the maps to your GPS, but did you know you can add your geographic position to your laptop screen on those maps, essentially turning your laptop into a GPS! Garmin's MobilePC software or the older version nRoute can give you the ability to see your location on your laptop screen. These software are very similar to the MapSource and BaseCamp software used to manage mapsets, trips, and waypoints. The difference being that you can connect your GPS or USB receiver to your laptop and see your current position on the map on the computer screen. Below we will explain the steps you need to take to turn your PC laptop into a GPS using the FREE nRoute program or the newer MobilePC program.
Warning: Use these programs in conjunction with our map at your own risk. We DO NOT provide technical support for these software because Garmin has discontinued these products and will no longer provide support for these software. If you have a newer GPS, such as the new Oregon, Dakota, Montana, eTrex 20, 30, GPSMAP62s, or Colorado series, the free nRoute program will not receive the signal from these newer devices. Our map coloring and styling may not display like they do on your GPS when using this outdated software.
1) FREE way to turn your laptop into a GPS – Download Garmin's old mapping software nRoute here. This software is basically like MapSource, but the software can receive GPS signals to display your position on your laptop. NOTE: If you have a newer GPS, such as the new Oregon, Dakota, Montana, eTrex 20, 30, GPSMAP62s, or Colorado series, the free nRoute program will not receive the signal from these newer devices.
FREE nRoute program
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Follow Tutorials 1M & 2 to install and unlock your purchased maps in MapSource (You MUST unlock the map for the GPS receiver that you plan to use to receive signal for nRoute)
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Install the program.
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Open the nRoute program
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Connect your GPS receiver to your computer and turn it on. (NOTE: Cannot be a newer GPS unit such as the Garmin Oregon, Dakota, or Colorado)
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Select the mapset of interest in the drop down menu in the upper left corner of the screen – or go to the View menu and 'Switch to Product'
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Your computer is now a GPS, go enjoy that larger screen!
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(Note: To use your GPS as a receiver, the maps you are using must be unlocked for that specific GPS).
2) Garmin's MobilePC (Warning: MobilePC has been discontinued by Garmin and currently doesn't support the colored ownership in our custom Maps, so the maps will not display like they do on a Garmin Handheld)
Transferring Maps from Garmin MapSource or BaseCamp to MobilePC
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Purchase MobilePC software note the system requirements to make sure your computer is compatible. (Recommended: Purchase only the software and not the software bundled with the 10x or 20x USB receiver. You can use your Garmin Oregon, Dakota, or Colorado as a receiver [Nuvi cannot be used as a receiver]. If you don't have a Garmin handheld GPS and don't ever plan to get one, then purchase the MobilePC software bundled with USB 20x receiver)
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Install the MobilePC software on your computer and enter your registration code if you purchased only the MobilePC software and not the software bundled with the 20x receiver.
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Follow Tutorials 1 & 2 to install and unlock your purchased maps in Basecamp (if you haven't already done this) NOTE: Unlock the map using your GPS receiver's Unit ID, see tutorial 2 if you are using a Garmin handheld GPS. If you are using the 10x or 20x receiver, plug it into your computer to get the unit ID by opening Basecamp and looking under Devices on the left side of the screen. Or if using MapSource, go to 'Utilities' menu and select' Get Unit ID'
- Now you can send your HuntingGPSmap to Garmin's MobilePC. Using BaseCamp: Open MapInstall program by going to your Computer's Start Menu -> All Programs -> open 'Garmin' folder -> and select the 'Map Install' program. When the wizard asks you to Select a Device to send the maps to, select 'Garmin MobilePC'. Click Next and highlight the map tiles you want to send to MobilePC (If you need help with this step see Tutorial 1 - Part 4 - Step 8 for more information). Finish the Install Wizard to send the maps. Using MapSource: Make sure your MapSource program is updated to the newest version 6.15.11 or newer. Select the map tiles you want to send and click 'Transfer' -> 'Send to Device'. Select MobilePC as your device and Send the maps over. See Tutorial 1M - Part 4 - Step 6 for more information.
- ERROR - 'The Device was not recognized. Access is Denied' If you get this error it has to do with the permissions settings in Windows Vista and Windows 7. When you open the MapInstall program or MapSource program don't just left click to open the program, right click on MapInstall and select 'Run as Administrator' to open the program (to set this to always Run as Administrator you can right click to select 'Properties' and in the Shortcut tab select 'Advanced' -> then select the check box next to 'Run as Administrator'). Now you should not get this error. Any other errors and you may need to update your MobilePC, BaseCamp, or MapSource software.
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Connect your USB GPS receiver to the computer and Open the MobilePC program. NOTE: If you are using an Oregon, Dakota, or Colorado series handheld GPS device you need to change the interface setting to 'Garmin Spanner' before connecting to the computer. Go to Setup -> System -> Interface -> and select 'Garmin Spanner'. Now you can connect your GPS to the computer to be used as a laptop GPS receiver. With Etrex, Rino, Astro, or GPSMAP 60/76 series GPS units, simply plug in your GPS via USB and turn it on to receive a GPS signal in Mobile PC.
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Move to an area where you can get satellite reception.
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Select 'View Map' and zoom in to view the map. Select 'Browse the Map' to view the 2D map and pan around.
- Important Settings: Go to Menu -> Settings -> Map -> Show Location -> At GPS Location. Also make sure you Datum is not set to something weird (mine was initially set to 'Dutch') - Go to Menu -> Settings -> System -> Datum -> and select WGS84
- Recommended Settings (North Up): Set the map so North is always up on your screen: Menu -> Settings -> Map -> Orientation -> North Up
- Recommended Settings (Map Detail): Change the zoom level at which the data layers initially load. Play with this until you find your preference: Menu -> Settings -> Map -> Map Detail -> Normal or More recommended
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Your computer is now a GPS, go enjoy the larger screen!
