Want GPS laptop trip planning software > dash GPS ??
I'd like to have a trip planning software program on my laptop that can be loaded onto a dash GPS unit. Is there such a thing? Which, if any GPS, can operate like that?
Forum Discussion
You can (sort of) do this with Garmin. They have a free Trip Planning app that runs on your PC/Mac and will download into Garmin units.
And there is one company that I've found that builds in-dash units that use Garmin GPS - Kenwood. I installed one in my RV. It does use most of the Garmin tools, but sadly it doesn't support Trip Planning. The Kenwood uses Garmin for GPS SW updates and map updates. However normal quarterly Garmin map updates are not directly compatible with the Kenwood units. Kenwood only offers annual map updates for the Garmin units. I have though found a way using Garmin utilities of creating updates that can be loaded and used on the Kenwood. BTW, user generated/custom maps can also be loaded on the Kenwood just like any other Garmin.
I have managed to decipher how to load Point-of-Interest files onto the in-dash unit and programming a trip using waypoints on the in-dash unit isn't very difficult. So as a work-around I do my Trip Planning on my Mac, identify major waypoints and manually program them into the in-dash unit.
And there is one company that I've found that builds in-dash units that use Garmin GPS - Kenwood. I installed one in my RV. It does use most of the Garmin tools, but sadly it doesn't support Trip Planning. The Kenwood uses Garmin for GPS SW updates and map updates. However normal quarterly Garmin map updates are not directly compatible with the Kenwood units. Kenwood only offers annual map updates for the Garmin units. I have though found a way using Garmin utilities of creating updates that can be loaded and used on the Kenwood. BTW, user generated/custom maps can also be loaded on the Kenwood just like any other Garmin.
I have managed to decipher how to load Point-of-Interest files onto the in-dash unit and programming a trip using waypoints on the in-dash unit isn't very difficult. So as a work-around I do my Trip Planning on my Mac, identify major waypoints and manually program them into the in-dash unit.
