Send MapQuest, Google Maps Directions to Garmin
Garmin and MapQuest announced today that coming around April 15th you will be able to create a route within the MapQuest site, and send that route to your Garmin GPS. This functionality joins a growing list of applications and websites that no longer force the user to enter in destinations from the tiny touch screen keyboards found on most GPS devices.
“Our relationship with MapQuest gives our users even more of what they’ve come to expect from their Garmin products — ease of use and an array of options,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Planning a trip, whether it’s to a new restaurant, a business meeting or a family vacation, has never been easier or more efficient.”
The feature will be via USB directly to the device, therefore it should be compatible with the vast majority of Garmin auto GPS devices.
In Addition Garmin announced a similar feature will be available on Google Maps starting tomorrow.
Tim,
It seems as tho Garmin is making a lot of partnership moves lately. Having not been involved
(at least seriously) until fairly recently, is this somewhat new on Garmin’s part? Appears there’s a big push to add features and conveniences over the past 6 months.
I’d say it is somewhat new, yes. However it isn’t unique to Garmin either– as GPS becomes more mainstream companies are finding more ways to incorporate GPS and other location based services into their products.
I can’t find the way how to use this features on maps.google.com . I created a route - so, how to transfer it?
Snix, you can’t actually transfer a route, only the address of a destination. After going to Google maps, type something like “starbucks near [zipcode]” in the search box. Click the ‘Send’ link at the top right of the map, then click the GPS tab. Select which item you want to send, select Garmin as the ‘Make’ and then click the Send button. You will then be directed to garmin.com where it will format and transfer to your GPS (if you have the necessary software installed).
Re routes link to GPS from Google, I cannot find Re sending maps through Google LInk to Garmink,
My link on shows Email and IM, unable to find the GPS link???
I would like to purchase a nav aid for my truck. I go on cross state or country trips and predetermined routes. I want to go my way! Google map works very well choosing a route and allowing modifications that make the route as I choose. Until Garmin provides this feature I will stick with my GPSmap 76.
Phil, Garmin does provide the feature. That is what this article is talking about. Simply create the route in MapQuest, and you can send it to a compatible Garmin device.
Seems to only allow single point down load. I am looking for user selected arbitrary routes with turn by turn instructions. This would allow me to make routes like RAGBRAI in Iowa.
That isn’t correct, Phil. Through MapQuest you are given the option of transferring individual waypoints, or you can transfer the entire route. Through MapQuest you can sent an arbitrary route.
I’m confused. It seems I can transfer a destination I find on Mapquest, and it will show up on my Garmin. But if I try to add a route (I frequently prefer Mapquest’s routes) nothing is added to the Garmin, even though my computer says it has been successfully added. Tim wrote “you can transfer the entire route.” Huh? What am I doing wrong?
Which Garmin do you have? After transferring the route, you need to import the route through the ‘My Data’ function on the Nuvi.
Hi Tim. Thanks for the fast reply. I have a Nuvi 260. I am unaware of a “my data” function–would I have had to add a storage card to get this functionality? There is a slot, but I never added one–didn’t see the point.
The 260 doesn’t support routes, so it doesn’t have this function. Thus you will only be able to transfer locations, and not routes.
Tim, Well…which one should I have bought? Unfortunately, those charts they have which should explain what all the features are available can be extremely confusing. What should I have been looking for? Thanks again for your reply.
In the Nuvi lineup, the 700 series, 800 series, and 5000 series devices support saved routes.
It would be great to download Google Map Routes to Garmin GPS units. (including the entry level models). Google Maps routes are very easy to set up by point and click with the mouse. (No addresses needed). Then with mouse drag and grab route legs to place on road of your choosing. With this I could have my Garmin lead me along my complex route as I planned.
MAPQUEST DOES NOT PROVIDE A DROP DOWN LINK TO SEND TO MY GARIM GPS. HOW DO I SEND TO MY GPS HAVE FIREFOX 3.0
Near the top of the page, next to the Print button.
Tim
There is no drop down menue next to the print icon
I use firefox 3.0…I tried internet explorer and the send icon IS there not when I use firefox 3.0
It sounds like you don’t have the Garmin plugin installed in your FireFox browser.