Whoever interested in.......... Magellan 3225 GPS

[gonwk]

By the way ...

Does anyone know what is the largest size of SD card that Magellan 3225 can handle? For example 2GB SD card!!! Or is there even a limit size?

Thanks,

G!

 

[loctran02]

Gonwk:
2GB SD max. I do not think 3225 can handle more than 2GB. You can try any file more than 2GB and see what happens...Unless Magellan has new firmware upgrade for this issue(Do not count on it because it said SD slot for backup/restore only)

 

[Bill Kunert]

For those of you using the 3100, magellan has released an update-2.18- for the unit. here are the release notes. It's about 900meg to download.

Maps

Added Hawaii and Puerto Rico maps.
Arrival / Distance / Time Remaining


Easily toggle between arrival time, distance to destination, and time to destination on map screen when routing



Improved Map Screen

New images and icons
Smoother updating of the map while driving.
Split TrueView is disabled when AutoTrueView is unchecked in Map Options
Exits without any POIs do not appear
Improved Auto Night view, with smooth day/night switching, adjusted brightness, more colors and ON by default
Improved vehicle position icon in 3D view

Delete Previous button

Additional functionality enables user to delete previous destinations and previous cities

Trip Planner

Added user selectable optimization of trips.
Improved Address Handling

Previous City list increased to 10
Addresses outside city boundaries are more easily located
Address resolution, especially in streets where gaps exist in numbering, is improved
General fixes, including the display of long addresses
The country (region) name is displayed in the address entry and POI entry
Street list display includes the City name at the bottom of the screen
City list found by the Zip Code, now includes the state name
Home Button can now be set to the current location or an address
Delete an entry from entries on Favorites list

Points of Interest (POI)

Removed duplicate entries for Restaurants
Added new Restaurants
Coffee moved to top of POI list
Search radius changed to 50 miles. If no POIs are found the radius can be expanded to 100 miles.
Added POIs for Hawaii and Puerto Rico

Fixes

Navigation

Route list does not reset after it is viewed
Improved Maneuver List
Removed line between position and destination
Changed ?You Have Arrived" timer from 30 seconds to 10 seconds
Improved route calculations
Eliminated unnecessary reroutes
Reduced number of U-Turns calculated
Removed ?Ding" sound while rerouting
Spelling/ grammar corrections

General Improvements

Trip Computer UI given a new look
Text balanced, centered and constrained throughout
Dimmed checkboxes used on Navigation Instruction Option screen

 

[imported_Dunnomuch]

Originally posted by: gonwk


Q1: Can POI from Magellan 4250 (you know the 6M one) be used on 3225?

Q2: The AAA Info from 4250 ... what is it recorded as? A POI or what? And can it be used with 3225?

Q3: How can I modify your 6M POI to add some Additional info ... such as Restaurants or etc.? What can I use to edit a POI document?

A1: That's what you have if you've already loaded TimeKeeper's. It was from the 3250.

A2: Dunno

A3: You cannot edit the internal POI database file but the Maestro 32xx/42xx come with a POI Editor on the CD that is used to make/edit custom POI files. You can use the free program POI Harvester to easily create your own collections or check out www.gps-poi-us.com , www.poi-factory.com or a few other sites. The Magellan POI Editor can import other formats, not just CSV.

 

[cjt]

Originally posted by: Snodog


As mentioned before the 1.14 firmware models show a green / light green background. the 1.36 model shows a black background.
Very cool.

I'm sure the 1.36 powers up faster and acquires signal faster than my 1.14.


Steve

What do you mean by a black background? My 1.26 firmware has a black background when in night mode. Is that what you mean?

 

[imported_Dunnomuch]

Originally posted by: cjt

What do you mean by a black background? My 1.26 firmware has a black background when in night mode. Is that what you mean?

Ditto the 1.14 firmware.

Originally posted by: Snodog

I'm not sure the 1.36 model is as chatty as the 1.14 was. I recall the limited amount of time I used the 1.14 that it seemed to speak more...the 1.36 is more stoic...For example the 1.14 model would tell me to exit San Antonio Road South (which is where I exit). This AM the 3225 simply said exit right 2miles ahead, 1 mile ahead, 500ft...no exit name. Then it got back with the program by stating I was on San Antonio Road South...very interesting.

Announcing exit names is a user selectable option on the "Navigation Instruction" menu on my 1.14 along with announce street name. I imagine it is the same with the other firmware versions.

 

[cjt]

Interesting. Looks like Radio Shack is now selling a 3225. The description says it includes 6 million POI's.
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-m...-3225--pi-2976096.html

 

[cjt]

And apparently the 6 million POI is wrong. I noticed the customer review for the product on Radio Shack.com:
"This is an excellent unit, however there are 1.3 million PoI (which is not nearly enough) rather than the 6 million that the product description states. This is an important feature, and should be fixed."

 

[WayfarerIL]

That's good news that Radio Shack is also selling the 3225. Strength in numbers => better chances of gettign firmware updates etc. I were concerned since the model is not listed on the magellan website.

 

[sontakke]

Previous Magellan GPS has QWERTY keyboard at least the older 3100 did. The new 3225 from Costco has gone to ABCDE keyboard. It is driving me crazy. Is there any way to get QWERTY keyboard on 3225?

- Vikas

 

[Bill Kunert]

3100 Maestro doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard, it's ABCDE. One of the complaints I've read about Magellans is the non QWERTY keyboards.

 

[Papa Roe]

OK guys, I'm getting ready to by the 3225 from Costco and I want the added POIs as stated at the beginning of this post. However, I'm a little nervous about making these chances to the program. Is it really simple? I seen that some post that if you are running Windows XP there is problems setting it up. And really don't want to go through all that and still have problems.

 

[USMC1985]

Originally posted by: Papa Roe
OK guys, I'm getting ready to by the 3225 from Costco and I want the added POIs as stated at the beginning of this post. However, I'm a little nervous about making these chances to the program. Is it really simple? I seen that some post that if you are running Windows XP there is problems setting it up. And really don't want to go through all that and still have problems.

I had no problems with XP...... It even showed up as the E:\ drive;

- Download the WinRAR program and the 2 POI files
- When running WinRAR, you have to highlight/select both POI files at the same time and then "run" WinRAR, it will prompt you for the password twice and in the end you will have one new file with 6+ million POI's.
- Open your 3225 on your computer with supplied cable and copy old US48.POI file to your computer then delete it off your 3225 unit.
- Copy and paste new 6 million POI file onto 3225 unit.
- Unplug 3225, restart and mine works like a champ....

Really was pretty easy once I realized I had to highlight/select both unexpanded files before running WinRAR....

Hope this helps

 

[Papa Roe]

USMC1985, Thanks, you provided me with the exact information I needed.

 

[cjt]

Has anybody figured out how to install any red light camera files?

 

[sontakke]

I had no problem using WinXP. The GPS showed up as TFAT drive.

Few questions:-

1) Magellan has NO information about 3225 on their website. Even the search returned nothing.
2) Costco store told me that GPS has no return restriction. I am not sure I believe them.
3) If it is covered for 90 days, what happens after that? Magellan is one of the worst when it comes to customer support. If it were not for Costco, I would not even consider this GPS.
4) Anybody else getting very annoyed with "exit three five" instead of "exit thirty-five"?

- Vikas

 

[TimeKeeper]

What did I miss?
Just back from my vacation.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
What did I miss?
Just back from my vacation.

I can't decide between the Magellan 3100 for $129 or Garmin 200W for $199.

POI is NOT important to me.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
What did I miss?
Just back from my vacation.

I can't decide between the Magellan 3100 for $129 or Garmin 200W for $199.

POI is NOT important to me.

Any particular reason you want the older magellan model?
Garmin Widescreen really doesn't provide more "useful" info unless you are doing map browsing.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
What did I miss?
Just back from my vacation.

I can't decide between the Magellan 3100 for $129 or Garmin 200W for $199.

POI is NOT important to me.

Any particular reason you want the older magellan model?
Garmin Widescreen really doesn't provide more "useful" info unless you are doing map browsing.

Because it's cheap?

I would go with the Magellan 3225 for $199 but then it's the same price as the Garmin 200W.

How much of an improvment is the 260 over the 200W?

 

[TimeKeeper]

I would go with the Magellan 3225 for $199 but then it's the same price as the Garmin 200W.

How much of an improvment is the 260 over the 200W?

260 got full NA map +TTS and Minus Widescreen. For me, I do need Canadian map, since I do go up to Van. BC quite often. Nuvi TTS is the best TTS I have tested so far. I almost never look at the screen when I drive w/ it.

I wouldn't call Nuvi 260 best bang for the buck, but I do need the best TTS.

 

[oldcrusty]

Timekeeper,

I bought a Magellan 3140 for my wife for Christmas before I saw the 3225 at Costco. I temporarily have both, doing a head to head comparison. So far they appear identical in function with the exception of some POI's. I have already downloaded your upddate for US POI's and will modify the 3225 if it is the one I decide to keep. I have read through most of the posts and I have found some regarding Canadian POI's. I live in Canada and these are of particular interest to me. Have you ever successfully upgraded the Canadian POI's? If not, without giving away any trade secrets, can you perhaps give me some insight into how you managed to "modify" the US POI's? I have reasonble skills and with a little insight and guidance I would like to attempt the same "modification" for the Canadian POI's. Thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

I would go with the Magellan 3225 for $199 but then it's the same price as the Garmin 200W.

How much of an improvment is the 260 over the 200W?

260 got full NA map +TTS and Minus Widescreen. For me, I do need Canadian map, since I do go up to Van. BC quite often. Nuvi TTS is the best TTS I have tested so far. I almost never look at the screen when I drive w/ it.

I wouldn't call Nuvi 260 best bang for the buck, but I do need the best TTS.

1) What's the cheapest Garmin which includes USA/Canadian maps?

2) What's the cheapest Garmin which offers USA/Canadian maps and TTS?

3) What's the best Garmin which offers the best/newest GUI, USA/Canadian maps and TTS?

Thanks

 

[BenJeremy]

Originally posted by: steve22

Originally posted by: Dunnomuch

I would copy the factory POI file from the 3140 to your PC and copy the new POI file over to see if it worked. It isn't an operating system or interface related file but a database. I can't imagine it would mess anything up if it didn't work. It would likely just give you an error message.

The 31xx series is only a few months older than the 32xx series. I would guess the file formats do not differ. I doubt you could brick it by replacing a single POI file as long as you have the original file and a cable.

One strange thing I noticed today is my US48_POI.POI is 293 MB in 3140, which was only supposed to contain 4.5 million POIs. But the one with 6m POIs uploaded here by TimeKeeper is just 188 MB. May be it has to do with the way POI files are compressed in 3250 ( I think TimeKeeper got the file from 3250?). So, my guess is it will not work in 3140. Sorry Dunnomuch, I didn't/couldn't change my POI file.

My 3140 has 1.8GB capacity with about 200MB free. I am happy with my unit so far, and 4.5m POI is okay for me.

Here is the metadata of POI in 3140:
IMG_NAME = USA_POI.poi
IMG_DATE = 01/03/07
IMG_VERSION = 21
VENDOR_ID = 5
REGION_ID = 3
COMPILER_VERSION = <32
COSMOS_LIB_VERSION = v.0.20
MAP_TYPE = TNDB_POI_MAP
MAP_COUNT = 1
LAYER_COUNT = <29
CATEGORY_COUNT = 29
POI_COUNT = <3800543
IMG_REGIONS = USA_POI_POI
ADDITIONAL_COMMENTS = Data uses NAVTEQ Q3-06
COMPATIBLE_LIB_VERSION = 0.16A
MSF_VERSION = v.0.1
MSF_CREATIONDATE = <01/03/07
COPY_RIGHT_INFO = ©2007 Magallan Navigation, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT_INFO = Magellan Navigation ext-5020
FEATURE_SET = R P I
IMAGE_BB = <124.679 -66.9751 24.5466 49.0022
REQUIRED_MEMORY = 203386
SUGGESTED_MEMORY = 5242880

Metadata of POI posted by Timekeeper:
IMG_NAME = US48.poi
IMG_DATE = 07/02/2007
IMG_VERSION = 29
VENDOR_ID = 5
REGION_ID = 3
COMPILER_VERSION = < 35
COSMOS_LIB_VERSION = v.0.20
MAP_TYPE = TNDB_POI_MAP
MAP_COUNT = 1
LAYER_COUNT = < 8
CATEGORY_COUNT = 29
POI_COUNT = <4810574
IMG_REGIONS = USA
ADDITIONAL_COMMENTS = Data uses NAVTEQ <Q1-07
COMPATIBLE_LIB_VERSION = 0.16A
MSF_VERSION = v.0.1
MSF_CREATIONDATE = <07/02/2007
COPY_RIGHT_INFO = ©2006 Magellan Navigation, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT_INFO = Magellan Navigation ext-5020
FEATURE_SET = R P I
IMAGE_BB = <-180.066086 180.066086 -84.496010 90.031990
REQUIRED_MEMORY = 203386
SUGGESTED_MEMORY = 5242880

As an owner of two RoadMate 1200 units, I'm curious what tool you are using. The 1200 comes with no special software on the disk (only documentation), and I can't find anything on Magellan's site for editing POI files.

There seems to be a "CPOI" (Custom POI, maybe?) directory in the unit's own 64MB flash, and I'd also like to look into how I can use a larger SD card (as another ATer mentioned in his own trials and trigulations with this unit)

Ugh, it's Christmas, and I've got nothing better to do at the moment.... but no info to work with. At least with something that could decipher the POI files, I could write some tools (I'm a software engineer) to make life easier for RoadMate owners. It looks like a great unit that's just lacking some decent support form Magellan.

 

[Bill Kunert]

The 6 meg POI file should work on your 3140. It works fine on my 3100.