ok guys. i did my search and tried to read up on it as much as possible. i am trying to learn the differences between mapopolis and routis software. no no no, not which one is better, but how they both work. mainly with paying for new maps. all everyone seems to talk about is which is better, but not how each works.
for routis, they seem to have a newer version coming out later this month that fixes a bug. what bug was it? i also learned the routis software can be used on a latop with a small extra device (forgot the name). now my main question is...ALL of the maps and software u will EVER need is on the CD that comes with the routis bundle, am i correct?
so if i wanted to use a map in NV for instance, i just pop in the CD in my computer, and load it onto the pda or SD memory, and im set?
for mapopolis, i keep reading about paying for yearly subscriptions, etc etc. which i find quite stupid. so basically when u receive your mapopolis bundle, all u get is the equipments and directions and password to download all the maps online? so u basically receive no maps but u have to download online? now, i think its ridiculous BUT the only logic i see from that is u always get an updated map if roads change. so in this way, do u just go online and download the map u need onto your comp, then load it onto your pda or sd memory, and off u go?
well, if these observations are right, let me know. again, if im wrong, or if im missing something important, let me know. so far, the main difference i noticed is how u get your maps.
Well your observation of Mapopolis is incorrect. When you get your UserID you can download entire US map on your laptop burn a CD and thats it!
and just before your subscription is about to end do the same again... that means you are better off with Mapopolis as you can down as many maps as possible in one year and that will work will work years to come... The maps never expires...
With Routis business model you can get the CD and you are done... for any upgrade you need to order another CD...
TheNewGuy, the Mapopolis approach is more flexible, but it has led to confusion. Basically the model is the same--you pay for mapping software and/or maps. (BTW, hardware is a separate issue, and is pretty straightforward - you buy it.) To get the mapping software you can either buy a set of CDROMs from someone with software and maps and use them as much as you want to as long as you want to or you can download the free software from Mapopolis and pay for access to the maps. During the access period (one year) you can download any map you have paid for, as many times as you want, and you can use that map for as long as you want to. In that sense, the two models are exactly the same--you can use out of date software and maps as long as you want to do so.
In the CDROM case, if the company comes out with a new version, you may be able to "upgrade" for a fee, or you may have to buy a whole new set of CDROMs, depending on the company and how they decide to support their customers. For Mapopolis, if they release a new version of maps and upgrade their free software to use only that new version of maps, then you may be able to "upgrade" to those new maps if Mapopolis continues to offer credit for the unused time on your previous purchase, or you may have pay for a full new set of access time if either the time has expired or Mapopolis decides to cease giving that credit.
In either case it works the same--when a new version comes out, you pay for it, if you want it, or you can continue to use the old stuff as long as you want to.
Originally posted by JakeRich During the access period (one year) you can download any map you have paid for, as many times as you want, and you can use that map for as long as you want to.
I saw prices next to maps on Mapopolis.com -- are you saying that if you buy the $90, you have to buy individual maps? My assumption was that for the $90, you get unlimited access to download any map off their site for one year. Help! :)
Again, flexibility. You can either pay just for the map you want, or you can pay for the bundle--the bundle price is much lower map for map than the price per map. But, if all you want is one city, or county, then you don't have to buy the entire US just to get that one map.
Originally posted by skiatomic
[B... My assumption was that for the $90, you get unlimited access to download any map off their site for one year. Help! :) [/B]
For any given price on the website, you get access to download any map you have paid for for a year. So, if you bought just the Washingon, DC map, NC variety today, you could download the Washington, DC map, NC variety until a year from today. If you bought the entire US, NC variety today, you could download any county, any state, any time you want for up to a year from now as long as it was the NC variety map.
Basically, I pay $90 for the software, and $X for the maps that I need... and once I pay that $X for those maps, I can get updates of only those maps... is that how it works?
Originally posted by skiatomic NC != North Carolina?
Basically, I pay $90 for the software, and $X for the maps that I need... and once I pay that $X for those maps, I can get updates of only those maps... is that how it works?
"NC" is a Mapopolis version code. It has nothing to do with the state of North Carolina.
The software -- that is, the Mapopolis program itself -- is free. You can download it from their website. Updates to the program are also free.
Your $90 is for the maps, and gives you a twelve-month time frame to download all of the U.S. county and state maps you want. The maps do not expire (although older maps may not work with newer versions of the Mapopolis program), so at the end of the twelve months you will not be able to download more maps but you will be able to keep using the ones you've already downloaded.
Alternatively, you can choose to download only those county maps that you want, paying for each map separately. However, the last time I was on the Mapopolis website, it didn't appear that they were selling the individual "Navigator" maps (the ones that have spoken instructions and dynamic re-routing) individually (I'll have to check into this.) -- they did list the "Platinum Plus" maps, which will show your location if you have a GPS unit attached to your Axim but don't give directions or dynamic re-routing.
Ahhh, excellent! I understand now. I am running a few demo maps right now (in Harrisburg, PA for a business trip... VERY helpful!), so I see how it works. Thanks for being patient with me, much appreciation for your help :)
90 bucks give you access to all the US maps, if you only want to download and use OR maps because thats where you live then thats fine. Later if you need CA maps you can go back and download them to use. Or you can just pay a smaller fee to get just the OR maps, if you dont plan on traveling anywhere this might be the way to go. I dont have mapopolis but some of their maps dont have routing or voice prompts so if you want a GPS navigation system you need the navigator series i believe. Now you are probably more confused lol
haha, im actually 50/50 on routis vs mapoplis. its just when i order the mapopolis bundle from buygpsnow.com, i get a free mount. but i can just order the routis bundle from deluo.com and get a mount off ebay.
anyone know of any discounts or websites that sell a routis bundle for a good price, let me know. mapopolis seems a bit confusing for me. i kinda get your explanation. but if routis and mapopolis are just about even in performance, i might as well choose the one thats easier for me to learn.
I've been using Mapopolis without the GPS attachment all this week, and it's got a little bit of a learning curve to it. If you can wait another week, Routis 2004 will be out with added 3D view (if that's something that you might want) and I think they have POI (points of interest - restuarants, gas stations, hotels, etc.).
Mapopolis has been working all right for me, but I don't have anything to compare it with :)
I'm waiting on Routis 2004 to see what kind of reviews it gets... good luck!
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