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GPS become more and more popular. Garmin GPS device for auto car is one of the most popular brand in the market.

A good GPS device cannot work without a map. An accurate map is important so it price is expensive too. A region map can easily cost up to $50-$100 USD!

MapCenter2 Free Maps

Too bad if your country don’t have free maps. Fortunately MalSingmaps (official Garmin partner) produce free maps in my country Malaysia, and Singapore, Brunei.

How if you don’t want to pay extra money for map? MapCenter2 is a place where you can find maps created by GPS enthusiasts around the world. It all free for personal use and ready to be use with Garmin receiver. (more…)

Nobody guess right on what software I used in previous post. I’m using Garmin Mobile XT ver 4.10.8 GPS navigation software. It is mobile edition of the famous Garmin GPS software.

GPS is only a global positioning device. Basically, without a navigation software you can do nothing other than geotag. Garmin is leading in GPS navigation software and devices. So I decide to use

Garmin Mobile XT GPS Navigation Requirements

Well, I do not have a luxury 3.5-inch touch screen Garmin GPS. My Nokia N82 2.8-inch without touch screen able to lead me to my destination too. What you need to use Garmin Mobile XT GPS navigation?

• A GPS enabled Mobile Phone, eg: Nokia N82
• Garmin Mobile XT data card
• Map

Garmin Mobile XT data card refer to Garmin navigation software. You can buy at Dell website for $99.99 USD. You may download free Garmin Mobile XT for symbian S60.

But without license key, you are not able to unlock and use in your own mobile phone GPS chipset. You need to get the license key and unlock to use with your own GPS chipset. Once setup finish, continue to load in the maps.

Of course must install with an updated map for places that you want to explore. Many maps are available to download for a fee.

I’m glad that I live in Malaysia. Malsingmaps is distributing Malaysia and Singapore maps for Free! (Yeah, I like Free things) You need to register as free member and download free Malaysia and Singapore maps (~15MB).

You may pay a small fee to get latest updated maps. But for me, the free version is more than enough to help me reach my destinations. Download and extract the map file (.img file) into your mobile phone memory card follow the instructions.

How to use Garmin Mobile XT GPS navigation?

I have proved my Nokia N82 works perfectly with Garmin Mobile XT during my KL Family trip. You should see GMobileXT icon after Garmin installation (I’m using Chinese language in my N82).

Start GMobileXT and accept the agreement to NOT see or use the map while driving. It is dangerous.

Once GPS chipset initiated, Garmin interface pop out. Wait for more Satellite bar. The more bar you get, better accuracy you have. Once your position get detected, you can start tell Garmin where you want to go?

After click on “Where to?“, don’t use “Addresses”. It will make your search harder. Use “Food, Hotels…” function. Then click on “Spell Name“.

When key in your destination, use keyword. Don’t use full address. For example, instead of “Jalan Malim Jaya 2″, you key in “Malim 2″.

It will then list down all similar address sort by nearest location. Click the destination and Go! In some cases, building name and landmark are useful too.

Another interesting feature is its POI (Points of Interest). You may find petrol station, restaurant, hotel, bank, etc near to your current location. Make you like a local even you are foreigner.

My two cents

Garmin Mobile XT is really a handy tool. Worth to give it a try. As slogan seen in advertisement said “The World is in your hand”. Now, I don’t need to worry about direction or map anymore within my country.

Hopefully there will be more free maps to download all over the world. So next time I can travel overseas with my N82 too!

I learned 2 tricks on N82 GPS experience:

• Don’t plug in car charger while your Garmin XT initiating for satellite signal or it will hang.
• Planning! Planning! Always plan ahead before travel. Search and save all places of interest or destination into your favourite list. Don’t need to scratch head and struggling to find the location on last minute. Enjoy driving by switch ON and GO!

Save places of interest in My favourite list.

Do you have experience with GPS device? Please share your good or bad experience. I would like to hear from you.

My trip to KL was fully depend on my Nokia N82 GPS! I have proven it works. Actually, before collect my N82, I have prepared necessary GPS software and maps ready. Once got the phone, I install them and get ready for the places to visit.

Heard some friends said GPS on mobile phone is inaccurate. The GPS won’t respond you in real time during driving speed. After research, I found N82 has improved its accuracy and time of respond with its new GPS chipset.

How N82 GPS Works?

I was confused before use the GPS on phone. The salesman tell me that I have to pay for the GPRS or 3G connection fees when I’m using GPS. But he was wrong!

Basically, N82 build in with Sirf Star III GPS chipset and A-GPS. A-GPS or Assisted GPS is useful to enhances the startup performance of a GPS system. For example, under a clear open air environment, you might get GPS up in a minute (some time even faster). But with help of A-GPS, it is even faster maybe within 30 seconds or less! A-GPS utilise your Internet connection to check with position server and narrow down the search for your position. It can be a GPRS, 3G or Wifi. Hence it make the search faster.

To start using GPS navigation, you will have to get your current location. Turn on your GPS software and wait for satellite positioning detection. Until you got your current location, tell GPS where you want to go. After calculate the routes, it will lead you to the destination. (more…)