September 20, 2009 10:03
I'm in agreement with nearly all of the posts here: there are plenty of pro's and con's to using GPSNavX (I haven't tried ENC).
Pro - The service is typically very good and fast.
Con - The service tends to give up rather easily.
Pro - GPSNavX does work with a lot of receivers.
Con - It doesn't work nearly as easy as most other GPS enabled programs, and the integration between the program and a handheld is very limiting.
Let me explain my comments for clarity; I've been using GPSNavX for over 3 years on many PowerBooks and Macbook Pro's. In that time I've had a Bu-353 which worked well, but that was one of the few. I've gone thru quite a few handheld units, upgrading when new features are released. As a low level hack I can usually make my own drivers work for many of these units -BUT I think this should be the job of the software vendor. Why is this program dependent on external drivers???
For example: Route Buddy can identify and log into nearly ANY GPS (handheld or receiver) I plug into it. AND it does so with the native USB cable that comes packaged with the GPS.
Likewise, there are a handful of programs that immediately recognize and are able to transfer data from the host program to the Handheld, such as waypoints. After three years and 5-6 handhelds I've yet to have this feature work on GPSNavX.
My queries to the developer are answered usually immediately and by a real person - that is an amazing feeling. Unfortunately, after a few back and forth emails the developer tends toward the same old response: buy a BU-353. In all honesty the last time I had this conversation with him he offered to send me a free BU-353!!! I declined, but how many developers are willing to go that far to insure customer happiness? He's great in my mind.
Yet, despite all of the Pro's, I think the program is becoming legacy as mentioned above. 4 years ago, running it on an old Lombard I was thrilled, but it hasn't kept up with the times.
An author above states that Garmin does not include Satellite info. Who cares? I want the program to simply connect to my new $500 Garmin Colorado 400c below deck and transfer it to my handheld for use above decks.
So to sum it up: I'm sticking with GPSNavX for now and hoping the developer brings it to a new level. I'd even consider shelling out for a new version that includes the modern features. Why not, no one else has gave away soo many updates. Perhaps it's time for a rebuild that will give the developer a new revenue stream.
I can be reached at kphinney (at) gmail (dot) com for comments - I'm a newbie here and found this while searching for answers to my new connection issues. Great forum All. Thank you.
Pro - The service is typically very good and fast.
Con - The service tends to give up rather easily.
Pro - GPSNavX does work with a lot of receivers.
Con - It doesn't work nearly as easy as most other GPS enabled programs, and the integration between the program and a handheld is very limiting.
Let me explain my comments for clarity; I've been using GPSNavX for over 3 years on many PowerBooks and Macbook Pro's. In that time I've had a Bu-353 which worked well, but that was one of the few. I've gone thru quite a few handheld units, upgrading when new features are released. As a low level hack I can usually make my own drivers work for many of these units -BUT I think this should be the job of the software vendor. Why is this program dependent on external drivers???
For example: Route Buddy can identify and log into nearly ANY GPS (handheld or receiver) I plug into it. AND it does so with the native USB cable that comes packaged with the GPS.
Likewise, there are a handful of programs that immediately recognize and are able to transfer data from the host program to the Handheld, such as waypoints. After three years and 5-6 handhelds I've yet to have this feature work on GPSNavX.
My queries to the developer are answered usually immediately and by a real person - that is an amazing feeling. Unfortunately, after a few back and forth emails the developer tends toward the same old response: buy a BU-353. In all honesty the last time I had this conversation with him he offered to send me a free BU-353!!! I declined, but how many developers are willing to go that far to insure customer happiness? He's great in my mind.
Yet, despite all of the Pro's, I think the program is becoming legacy as mentioned above. 4 years ago, running it on an old Lombard I was thrilled, but it hasn't kept up with the times.
An author above states that Garmin does not include Satellite info. Who cares? I want the program to simply connect to my new $500 Garmin Colorado 400c below deck and transfer it to my handheld for use above decks.
So to sum it up: I'm sticking with GPSNavX for now and hoping the developer brings it to a new level. I'd even consider shelling out for a new version that includes the modern features. Why not, no one else has gave away soo many updates. Perhaps it's time for a rebuild that will give the developer a new revenue stream.
I can be reached at kphinney (at) gmail (dot) com for comments - I'm a newbie here and found this while searching for answers to my new connection issues. Great forum All. Thank you.