This 85 gram, light and compact CLiPtec GZJ160 universal travelling plug adaptor with USB charger port was purchased in Digital Mall at the cost of RM25.
Its 2 main functions are:
International universal plug adapter that supports 150+ countries
High power auto-switching USB charger for any electronic gadgets that support battery charging with USB
I find it to be a very handy travelling companion, as it can be used to convert the power plug from one type to another, and it can also be used to provide charging power for USB devices without the need for computer with USB port.
This adaptor can be plugged into 3 types of socket with its detachable 3-in-1 design as shown below:
It supports 4 international plug standards, namely:
Europe round pin
UK
USA
Australia
this makes it supports for 150+ countries.
Even at home, we can still use it as a USB charger without the need of a computer to recharge the battery in GPS, handphone, digital camera, MP4 player, etc.
After about 1 year of usage, the suction cup mount of my Garmin GPS often fall off after about 1 hour sticking onto the windscreen. Sometimes, it even fall off at shorter time, especially during rainy day.
I found an easy solution to fix this problem. Just merse it into hot water (70-80 degree Celcius) for about 1-2 minutes, and the rubber suction cup will restore its suction power!
If you also faced the same problem, try this solution and share with us whether it works for you or not. If you have other solutions as well, please share with me too.
The new software version 3.00 (2010-05) is now available for Sing/Mal version of Garmin Nuvi 205/205w/255w.
This version will enable multi-language voice resources support to the unit. After successful update, run WebUpdater and you will find more language options available to install into your GPS navigator.
Here are the steps I have taken to successfully updated my Nuvi 255w.
Download the installation file from Garmin's website (link provided at the end of this article). The filename is nuvi255W_SG_v300.exe with the size of 10,976kb.
Remove the SD card (that I use to store additional maps) from the GPS slot.
Connect the GPS to my computer with USB cable and access to its storage.
Rename the file /Garmin/GPX/Current.gpx to /Garmin/GPX/temp.gpx. During the update process, a new Current.gpx file will be created and data in this temp.gpx will be restored to the new Current.gpx. If this step is not taken, you might lost your saved waypoints and/or favourites.
Delete these 3 files from /Garmin/Voice folder:
English_American_Jack.vpm
English_Australian_Karen.vpm
English_British_Daniel.vpm
Don't worry, they'll be replaced with new version of voice files during the update process.
Run the nuvi255W_SG_v300.exe from the computer. It will copy over some files to the GPS.
Safely unplug the USB cable and let the GPS reboot by itself. You will see the message of "Software loading..." on the screen of the GPS while it is performing the update.
In less than half a minute, the GPS will automatically reboot itself after the update is completed.
Now the GPS is loaded with new software v3.00 (successfully updated from the previous v2.80).
Meanwhile, software version 2.50 (2010-05) is also available for Sing/Mal version of Garmin Nuvi 1350/1460 now.
It might halt halfway with this error message: "Multiple products in img, creating TDB aborted, try option -f."
Some of the maps that will give this problem are:
ESRI Thailand StreetMap NT v10.1 (FID = 57)
CN Hong Kong / Macau and Guangdong NT v7.61 (FID = 2082)
I managed to change the "error" into "warning" by specifying the mapset FID when doing the splitting in GMapTool. You can find out the mapset FID by clicking the Details button after loading the mapset file into GMapTool.
Now you can have the whole mapset splitting process complete and the installation file for MapSource created, despite some warning might come out along the process.
The bottomline is, you will be able to open and view the map in MapSource.
The installation program will update gmapprom1.img, gmapprom1.unl and SGMYMAL.JCV in your Garmin GPS navigator.
During the installation process, you'll be asked for the unlock key. The key is stored in the existing gmapprom1.unl file in your Garmin GPS navigator, which you can open with Notepad or any text editor. Just copy and paste the key to the installer when asked.
The size of SGMYMAL.JCV has increased tremendously to 352,764kb. Therefore, we can expect many more road junctions to have Junction View in Garmin with this map.
Version highlights:
Synchronize to Malsingmaps v4.08.
Extending more JCVs around Malaysia
Add new categories of Brand icons
Add more POIs, postal code data and lane information
The critical reliance and important usage on GPS nowadays, both in civil and military, has recently brought up a hot discussion again for the concerns in its threat and vulnerability.
Anyhow, this issue is not new, and has been discussed among technology experts for many years. Just that when GPS usage become more and more widespread, its threat and vulnerability need to be brought to its users' awareness, especially in the military, government and business sectors.
The GPS operation relies on signals from some 30 over orbiting satellites surrounding the earth in the space. In order for a GPS receiver to triangulate its position on earth, it needs to get signals from at least 3 GPS satellites.
GPS signal is known to be exceptionally weak. Each satellite transmits a signal equivalent to the power of a 25W light bulb from an distance of about 20,000km away. Such a weak signal can be readily interfered with or denied by unintentional or deliberate radio wave interference.
Portable GPS jammer devices such as the one shown in the diagram below have been made available for quite some times.
Some car security system and transportation logistic system make use of GPS to keep track on the position of the vehicle. It has been reported that car thieves make use of GPS jammer to disrupt the GPS signal and defeat the vehicle tracking system, therefore render the vehicle unlocatable.
Employees who drive vehicles that are tracked by their companies can also make use of the GPS jammer to hide their tracks.
In Germany, it is believed that some drivers are using GPS jammer to evade GPS-based road charging system.
Robbers can also easily spoof the GPS signal and guide the target vehicle to drive to their trap location.
Imagine what would happen if terrorists make attack on the GPS function of air traffic and/or naval traffic.
Beside its global positioning function, GPS is also used as a time server for time synchronization in certain infrastructure. This function can also be defeated by the jammer, and time critical system could be hacked in this way.
The GPS signal used by the US military is different from the civil signal, and is encrypted. However, it is also vulnerable to GPS jammer and subjected to interferrance from the enemy.
Imagine a GPS dependent missle being mislead by the enemy to attack on wrong target, or worse still, to attack to ally target instead of the enemy.
By intercepting the GPS signal, the position of military GPS user could be exposed to the enemy.
In the video below, you can see the GPS jammer in action and how it defeated the civil and military GPS.
So, what can we do to minimize the threat to GPS? Beside waiting for the US to strengten on the signaling, when we want to make use of GPS, also use some other alternative methods so that GPS could not be a single point of failure.
Garmin has released Malaysia Audio v2.20 for Sing/Mal version of Nuvi 205/ 205W/ 255W/ 760/ 765.
This update will replace the /Voice/Malaysia__.vpm file in the GPS storage and will improve voice guidance of Malay language. The new file size will be increased to 1,550kb from the previous 1,197kb.
Garmin has made available MalSingMaps (MSM) Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei NT 2009.40 for free update now. The update file SgMyMal_2009.40.exe has the size of 164,515kb.
The installation program will update gmapprom1.img, gmapprom1.unl and SGMYMAL.JCV in your Garmin GPS navigator.
During the installation process, you'll be asked for the unlock key. The key is stored in the existing gmapprom1.unl file in your Garmin GPS navigator, which you can open with Notepad or any text editor. Just copy and paste the key to the installer when asked.
The size of SGMYMAL.JCV has increased to 199,587kb from the previous 199,430kb (for MalSingMaps NT 2009.30).
The ESRI Thailand Street Map (TSM) NT v10.0 for Garmin is released and available in both English and Thai language.
Enhancements in this version include:
Added more than 1,000 images of new Junction View
Updated approximately 500,000 Point-of-Interests (POIs) for the whole country that have been either opened and closed from the past year by actual field survey
Added and updated about 10,000 kilometers of road data
Added the exits in Highway Mode for major roads, not just the highways
Added entrances and exits on major buildings and landmarks
Added local voice navigation for all 4 regions of Thailand (for compatible devices)
Added about 10,000 of new telephone numbers
Improved map data quality
Miscellaneous improvements
Known issues to this version of TSM:
Some of the functions including the address search, junction view, etc. only work in the Thai language version of the map.
Searching for a place by using the “near…” button function might cause certain model of GPS to unexpectedly shutdown or reboot by itself
The new software version 2.80 is now available for Sing/Mal version of Garmin Nuvi 205/205w/255w.
This version will:
Synchronize to English v5.30
Update GPS firmware to v3.90
Here are the steps I have taken to successfully updated my Nuvi 255w.
Download the installation file from Garmin's website (link provided at the end of this article). The filename is nuvi255W_SG_v280.exe with the size of 10,672kb.
Remove the SD card (that I use to store additional maps) from the GPS slot.
Connect the GPS to my computer with USB cable and access to its storage.
Rename the file /Garmin/GPX/Current.gpx to /Garmin/GPX/temp.gpx. During the update process, a new Current.gpx file will be created and data in this temp.gpx will be restored to the new Current.gpx. If this step is not taken, you might lost your saved waypoints and/or favourites.
Delete these 3 files from /Garmin/Voice folder:
English_American_Jack.vpm
English_Australian_Karen.vpm
English_British_Daniel.vpm
Don't worry, they'll be replaced with new version of voice files during the update process.
Run the nuvi255W_SG_v280.exe from the computer. It will copy over some files to the GPS.
Safely unplug the USB cable and let the GPS reboot by itself. You will see the message of "Software loading..." on the screen of the GPS while it is performing the update.
In less than a minute, the GPS will automatically reboot itself after the update is completed.
Now the GPS is loaded with new software v2.80 (successfully updated from the previous v2.70).
Quite disappointedly, there is still no ecoRoute feature in this v2.80 of Nuvi software for Sing/Mal 205/205w/255w units.
Today I'm going to compare among the map of MalFreeMaps (MFM), MalSingMaps (MSM) and City Navigator (CN) by viewing exactly the same location with the same detail setup. Then it is very obvious to immediately figure out which one is better.
Maps used for comparison (click to enlarge them):
MFM 091019
MSM NT 2009.30
CN Southeastern Asia NT 4.50
The order of the maps below will always be MFM, MSM then CN. Here we go!
First we go and take a look around Mid Valley Megamall.
Then we go to smaller place, like Teluk Intan.
How about Melaka?
Lastly, we look at higher place, such as Cameron Highlands.
Now, do you agree with me on the following?
MFM and MSM have far more POIs than CN.
MFM has more beautiful map than the other two.
MFM uses better and more precise icons to display the POIs.
MFM has more detail lane coverage, especially in smaller town such as Teluk Intan.
Firstly, you need to create a new directory in your computer to store the generated files (output of this conversion process). In the example here, I'll create C:\Garmin\MalSingMaps.
Under the Files section of GMapTool, select the mapset file by clicking on Add Files.
Then, you must specify the full path of your installed cGPSmapper in the Options section.
Continue to the Split section.Click the Directory button and select the new directory you've just created. Make sure you choose to create files for MapSource. You might also want to compile the preview map.
Click the "Split all" button when you are done. Make sure there is no error and the process completed successfully with a "Done!" message.
To install the map for MapSource, run the install.bat script in the output directory.
Now you should be able to open the map in MapSource.
If the map is locked, you need to unlock it by saving the unlock code in MapSource before you are able to see the map. You can do so by going to Utilities > Manage Map Products > Unlock Regions. Click the Add button and paste in your unlock code for the map.
The freely downloadable Garmin South East Asia (SEA) Travel Guide Version 2.00 (百变东南亚) supports both Taiwan and Sing/Mal version of Garmin GPS navigators.
This travel guide covers 5 famous tourism attraction places, namely Angkor (吴哥), Bali (巴厘岛), Hong Kong (香港), Macau (澳门) and Singapore (新加坡).
There are 5 files inside the compressed SoutheastAsia.zip:
AngkorTravel.gpi
BaliTravel.gpi
HongKongTravel.gpi
MacauTravel.gpi
SingaporeTravel.gpi
You just need to connect your GPS navigator to your computer with USB cable, and unzip those 5 files into Garmin/POI folder of the GPS storage.
To access the travel guide, tap on Where to? > Travel Guide.
The travel guide will recommend you the places to visit, eat, stay and shop. Information such as address, phone number, brief description, opening time, and photo(s) are available for the point of interests (POI).
You can tap the photo on the upper left to enlarge it to full screen. Tap on More button to show more information about this POI in the travel guide.
The installation program will update gmapprom1.img, gmapprom1.unl and SGMYMAL.JCV in your Garmin GPS navigator.
During the installation process, you'll be asked for the unlock key. The key is stored in the existing gmapprom1.unl file in your Garmin GPS navigator, which you can open with Notepad or any text editor. Just copy and paste the key to the installer when asked.
The size of SGMYMAL.JCV has increased to 199,430kb from the previous 155,439kb (for MalSingMaps NT 2009.5).
This version of map supports all the features in Sing/Mal version of Nuvi 255w, including Speed Limit indicator, Junction View, Lane Assist, highway coming exit junctions info, etc.
Version highlights:
Synchronize to Malsingmaps v3.05.
Add more Speed limit information
Increase junction view display to 667 locations in Singapore and 704 locations in Malaysia
If you are charging the battery of Garmin Nuvi 255w using a USB cable connected to your computer, there is a way to know the charging has completed, although not so straightforward.
You need to firstly unmount the USB storage(s) in your Garmin Nuvi 255w detected by your computer.
If you are using Windows, right click on the Safely Remove USB Device icon in the taskbar and select "Safely Remove Hardware". Then click the Stop button follow by OK button. Your Garmin GPS will reboot by itself and go into normal operating mode which you can use it and navigate as usual.
Now, slide the Power key on top of the GPS to the left to switch it off. If the battery is still charging, it will show the message "Charging Battery. Slide the Power key to turn on." before the screen turn off. If the battery is fully charged, it will show "Charging Battery completely. Slide the Power key to turn on." instead.
In fact, the GPS is not off when it is still connected to the USB, only the screen is turned off. You can always slide the Power key again to turn on the screen, and slide again to check for the charging status.
From the message, you'll be able to know if the battery charging has completed or not.
Garmin ecoRoute is a new feature for their GPS navigators which is made freely available to compatible units via the WebUpdater service.
This feature allows users to find more fuel efficient routes when navigating and even track their fuel usage. With ecoRoute, you may be able to save petrol and money by adopting smarter driving habits and finding more fuel-efficient routes.
After ecoRoute is successfully installed, a new Route Preference called "Less Fuel" will be added to the GPS unit. There will also be Fuel Report which tracks fuel usage over time, and Mileage Report which monitors mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis.
ecoRoute is available for US version of nuvi 255w. However, an email from Garmin Support confirmed that it is currently not available for Asian version of nuvi 255w, which includes the Sing/Mal version, Taiwan version, India version, etc.
For Asian version of Garmin GPS, currently only Nuvi 765 and Nuvi 1460 are ecoRoute supported.
Let's hope that it will eventually be made available to our Nuvi 255w in the near future.
The mapper community supported Malaysia & ASEAN Free Maps Project (MalFreeMaps) releases a new version of free map covering Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei for Garmin GPS every Monday morning without failure.
Today (14 Sept 2009) they've gone to another milestone by releasing an improved version of map with a new versioning scheme, also with new coverage to Indonesia.
The new version is called MFM-Garmin 090914 with the following additional features from the previous version:
Link to NavNet map in Kalimantan
Coverage of Southern Thailand (coming soon)
Optional Chinese POI
Improved SG Postal Code & Address map with instant search result
New POI icons
New POI categories with custom icons (coming soon)
New MFM map generator with option to generate either Full or Lite version
Topo contours are added into Full-version map
New multi-language installer
No more error when uploading map through Mapsource
The Garmin Nuvi 255w GPS navigator does not have much multimedia function, but it does have a decent Picture Viewer, enabling us to use it as a digital photo frame. Its 4.3" screen is good enough for this purpose.
If your digital camera can store photos into SD card, what you need to do is just to take out the SD card from your camera, and slot it into the Nuvi 255w. Then, switch on the unit and tap on Tools > Picture Viewer.
The screen will then show 9 thumbnails of the pictures found. You can navigate from one screen to another by tapping on the up/down arrow keys.
Tap on the picture to show it fully on the screen. Tap it again and you are able to show it in Full Screen mode, as well as enlarge or reduce its display size.
When displaying a picture, tap on the Info button to see the info of the filename, camera make and camera model. You are also given an option to use this picture as your Garmin nagivator's startup screen when power on.
In the thumbnail display screen, you can also tap on Slide Show to auto show the pictures one by one.
If you are planning to buy a Garmin GPS navigator, either the Nuvi, Fitness or Zumo, there is a place for you to check the price offered by various vendors in Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei.
