Garmin eMap Deluxe GPS with MetroGuide USA Mapping CD-ROM, Map Compatible

Average customer rating: 4.0

Reliable and Accurate
Poor Receive
Best bang for the buck.
Have Emap...Will Travel
good unit ruined by OLD data

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Garmin eMap Deluxe GPS with MetroGuide USA Mapping CD-ROM, Map Compatible

Manufacturer: Garmin
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B000050FGQ

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Product Description

Here's another reason to toss out those paper maps: the eMap. It's the size of a small, flat calculator, contains a 12 parallel channel GPS receiver, and weighs a mere six ounces. Even with its compact style, the eMap boasts an extra-large display for showing even more map data and the same power you've come to expect from Garmin handhelds - even while operating for up to 12 hours on just two AA batteries.The eMap features an internal basemap containing information on North and South America including state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines, and U.S., state, and interstate highways. In addition, the eMap provides exit information for the federal interstate highway system. With the eMap, you will know when you are near services such as food, lodging, and service stations. Designed with everyone in mind, this unit will take you from the car, to the hiking trail, to the beach without missing a beat. Garmin eMAP Deluxe includes a PC Interface cable and an 8MB Data Card.

Amazon.com Product Description

The size of a small, flat calculator, the eMap contains a 12-parallel-channel global positioning system receiver and weighs a mere 6 ounces. Even with its compact style, the eMap boasts an extralarge display for showing more map data and the same power you've come to expect from Garmin handhelds--even while operating for up to 14 hours on two AA batteries.

The eMap features an internal base map containing information on North and South America including state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines, and U.S. state and interstate highways. In addition, the eMap provides exit information for the federal interstate highway system. With the eMap, you will know when you are near services such as food, lodging, and service stations.

With the bundled MetroGuide U.S.A. CD-ROM and 8 MB memory cartridge, you'll be able to easily transfer areas of interest from your PC to the eMap--just select a desired location and download the data. You'll see details like the locations of restaurants, banks, gas stations, tourist attractions, and more. And you can use your GPS to look up street addresses and points of interest, then navigate to them with the help of onscreen arrows and street-level detail.

The eMap features 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbol, 2,000 track log points, 10 saved tracks, and 2 resettable odometers. It also has rising and setting times for the sun and moon, sun and moon position, and moon phase for any day of the year anywhere in the world.

This deluxe package contains the MetroGuide U.S.A. CD-ROM, 8 MB data card, and a PC interface cable.

Customer Reviews:

Reliable and Accurate.......2004-08-19

I've owned a Garmin eMap since December 2000. I have used it on four continents (Asia, North America, South America, and Europe) and in some of the South Pacific islands. I only use the European and US MetroGuide CD sets relying on the built-in world map for the rest of the world. Obviously I can get great detail in a good part of Europe and in the US, with very general information in Canada, Mexico and the rest of the world. I use the eMap when walking about, in cars and trains. The accuracy of marking trail heads, rail stations, hotels and other points I may need help returning to is excellent even without the MetroGuides. The eMap has never failed, never malfunctioned and has always been accurate.

I understand the eMap is no longer being manufactured but some are still in the supply chain. I am purchasing eMap accessories (data cards, cords, map CDs, etc.) while still available as I intend to continue using the e-Map for years more. I wish all the electro-techi stuff I buy worked as well as eMap does. Top ratings from me on the eMap.

Poor Receive.......2003-03-05

Lowrance has a better GPS engine, and do to the fact that Garmin seems to sell maps that are out of sight in cost I use the I-finder, these maps are on a web site for the down loading. I have ran Lowrance and Garmin Side by Side and find the Lowrance will out do the Garmin by about 25 percent. The buy in cost is an issue when you do not have extra money to spend.

Best bang for the buck........2002-12-20

I've been using an eMap since July 2000. This is one of four GPS receivers I own. The eMap was designed to be an alternative to paper map and has some really useful features without the fluff. No barometers, fishing & hunting times, calenders, tide charts, etc.
The display is relatively large and easy to see in a car.
The overall size and shape of the unit is very handy
It will store 50 routes.
Memory cards are available from 8mb to 128mb. I use a 64mb and it holds a bunch.
The external antenna port allows for use when the unit can't "see" the sky. GPS receivers need a pretty open view in all directions to get a good fix. There are times when an antenna makes a big difference with any GPS receiver used in a car.
This unit has waypoint averaging which allows for more accurate waypoint positioning, if you need it.
With Metroguide software installed, it has an option on the map screen called "SHOW NEXT STREET". This feature shows the next street on the map as you approach it. This little goodie is worth the price of admission.
The Trip computer function is great on a trip.
Sunrise & set, Moonrise & set as well as Moon phase are available for any location & date.
The base map data that is in the unit shows principal roads, rivers, lakes, cities and towns. This level of map info is probably enough for some users.
The latest Metroguide USA mapping software may not be perfect,but has been reviewed as the most up to date mapping software available for this type of receiver. All maps go out of date eventually and there are streets in my town that are not on the GPS. But this is supposed to be the most current right now. The new Metroguide has "auto-routing" and is easy to learn and use. We have have created routes on our computer and then "loaded" them into eMap. Loading the routes take seconds. We have done whole vacations this way, and it is pretty cool not to miss turns anymore.
With Metroguide you can look up addresses, intersections and a wide range of "Point of Interest". Eleven categories are in the Point of Interest menu. This is a very comprehensive search function.
There are other mapping software packages available,including Topographical, Roads & Recreation, but Metroguide has more features than the others.
Garmin has software updates available on their website for eMap & Mapsource Software. The current(12/02) version of eMap is 2.75 and 4.10 for Mapsource.
There are cigarette lighter cords and a couple of different mounting options available as well as a bunch of other accessories.
On the downside
The unit is water resistant, not waterproof. (Don't drop it overboard)
The case is not as "armored" as some other Garmin units.
The basemap is not upgradeable.
This GPS doesn't have WAAS. (I have WAAS in two other units and it isn't as wonderful as advertised. Standard GPS accuracy is plenty for general use.)

All in all, eMap has more going for it than anything else I've seen FOR THE MONEY. For me, it fulfills its intended role as an electronic map better than two more expensive units (Garmin Vista and GPSmap 168) I own. Highly recommended!!

Have Emap...Will Travel.......2002-12-04

My wife bought me the eMap package last Christmas (2001), and I've played with this gadget for hundreds of hours ever since. We both enjoy having it on trips. The Find feature is great, altho' not always accurate or up-to-date. The MetroGuide software is upgradeable via the web, and it seems to work well. I was disappointed that you could not get turn-by-turn instructions when creating routes, but you can get almost the same type of behavior by using the TrackBack feature when you do a return trip using Tracks. While traveling, the unit displays your travel direction and speed. The eMap speed indicator showed that my car's speedometer was 3 mph faster than I was actually travelling. Now I gauge my speed by looking at the eMap. This unit is also great for geo-caching. We have geo-cached in several states and even while in Scandinavia. However, the maps outside the US are very coarse, and not dependable...our hotel appeared in the Gulf of Finland on the eMap. I recommend purchasing the mapping software for the specific country you are visiting. As another reviewer mentioned, these units are great when traveling by air. Speed and altitude are displayed, as well as land details as you pass over them. (Not all airlines will let you use a GPS while in flight). I also enjoy the Sun/Moon feature that tracks the position of the Sun and Moon, at adjustable times, dates AND locations. I recommend at least a 64 meg memory chip, which gives you plenty of memory for loading detailed maps. Cigarette lighter cable is also a necessity on trips. Mine was defective, and Garmin sent me a free replacement. The USB card reader is great for loading maps, but does not load routes or waypoints. I also have a holder that mounts the eMap near my shifter. Wish I could place it higher, which I know you can do in some cars with a few adhesive Velcro strips. Plan to use my eMap even more this coming year!

good unit ruined by OLD data.......2002-04-27

The Metromap is using 15 year old data. It misses a LOT of streets.
It is not dependable.

The old data problem does not bother Garmin who sells it. They claim that it is a result of where they get the data. I also own Mappoint 2002 which is VERY current.

The unit is fairly good if it were not for navigating 15 year old roads!

Try another GPS unit [non-Garmin] if you want street level navigation.

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