PalmOS Setup Guide to use Malsing maps

Previously GPS Navigation using PDA in Malaysia is only possible using a PPC via Pocket Map Viewer and Garmin iQue. Now Garmin has released a PalmOS version of its iQue software - Ver. 2.20 as of Aug 05, 2005, we can finally use our PalmOS PDA for GPS Navigation. Other navigating applications for PalmOS such as Mapopolis, HandMap & Tom Tom do not have the updated maps for Malaysia.

So now you can view and navigate on your PalmOS PDA, using the best possible collection of maps of Malaysia, available from http://www.malsingmaps.com. These maps are regularly updated, at least twice a week. That is more often than Malaysians have sex! (2x a month for guys, 4x a month for girls!!!!! – Durex Global Sex Survey 2005)

Contents 1 Using Garmin Que 1.1 Installing iQue 1.2 Installing the Basemap 1.3 Installing the local maps 1.3.1 Install local maps using PatchIMG 1.3.2 Install local maps using MapSource 1.4 Configuring the iQue 2 PalmOS compatible BT GPSr 3 Garmin Mobile XT for Palm OS 4 Alternative of using PathAway 5 Forum threads

Using Garmin Que

You can install Que in PalmOS PDAs such as;

• Sony Clie UX50
• PalmOne Tungsten T3
• Sony Clie TH55
• PalmOne Treo 650
• Sony Clie TJ37
• PalmOne TX
• PalmOne Tungsten E2

The map setup/upload is similar to PocketPC.

Installing iQue

• First download the iQue software for Palm from this link, http://www.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00378-00 .
• Before installing, backup your PDA first. Please make sure that you have more than 2MB of free memory on your PDA.
• Execute the software and install it on your PDA by hot syncing it.
• To save space on your PDA internal memory, you may want to copy all the *.vpm files into the SD card in Palm/Launcher using a card reader or Card Export.

Installing the Basemap

• Download from http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=461
• Use Winzip to extract GMAPBMAP.IMG from the above file. Copy GMAPBMAP.IMG directly to a folder in the storage card of your PDA, created from root directory and named as Garmin (SD:\Garmin\GMAPBMAP.IMG)
• Use a card reader to transfer this file.

Installing the local maps

• Download & Unzip the garmin maps (*.img) from MalSingMaps (from Downloads Garmin Mapsin either City & Country Maps or Mapsource Installers) to a working folder in your pc.
• Upon execution, the maps are usually placed at C:\Garmin\MalSing\
• To transfer the maps into your PDA, there are 2 methods possible;
  1. Using PatchIMG
  2. Using MapSource

Install local maps using PatchIMG

• PatchIMG is the GUI interface for the Sendmap20 program, an application for uploading of custom maps compiled by cgpsmapper.
• Install PatchIMG in your pc (available from malsingmaps.com Downloads Utilities).
• Using PatchIMG, open up all img (map) files that you want to include into your PDA (except for malsing_mdr.img).
• To overcome a Sendmap20 bug which disallow you from address searching for the second placed map, put a blank map in the 2nd position. Using a web browser, you have to save the file using File -> Save to create this blankR.IMG when pointed by the url below. (http://www.malsingmaps.com/mappers/wsian/blankR.IMG)

Note: If you are getting the img map file using malsing mapsource installers, please remember NOT to include MalSing.img and MalSing_mdr.img in the patchimg list.

• Click the option "create gmapsupp.img“ and click sendmap button to generate the gmapsupp.img.
• The generated gmapsupp.img will be placed in the folder where you last open the img map file in PatchIMG (most probably at C:\Garmin\MalSing\).
• Copy gmapsupp.img directly to a folder in the storage card of your PDA, created from root directory and named as Garmin. (SD:\Garmin\GMAPSUPP.IMG)
• Use a card reader to transfer this file. Reminder: You have to follow this folder name strictly. Any other name/folder location will cause iQue to show no local maps!

Install local maps using MapSource

• If you bought a Garmin GPSr, a CD-ROM may have been included. Install MapSource using the CD-ROM.
• You can download the latest version of MapSource from http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209
• After installing the latest maps from MalSingMaps, using the MalSing installer, start up the MapSource application.
• Using the “Select Map” tool , select all the maps that you want to upload and press the “Send To Device” button

• Under “Device”, select iQue (your HotSync id), SD card & Maps.

• Hot sync your PDA and all these maps would be transferred into your SD card as GPSMAPSUPP.IMG.

Configuring the iQue

• Run the MapQue software, goto Que -> Preferences -> Map -> Detailed Maps
• Now you can view all the available img, and you can un-tick to hide a specific area map temporarily.
• Now you’ll be able to view the maps on your PDA.
• You may want to reset your location on the map by running the QueGPS software, select the following command on the menu;

Option> New Location> Use Map, then select your current location.

• To navigate, you need Garmin BT GPS.
• Pair the BT GPS with your PDA, configure & select the appropriate port so that the application can communicate with the GPS.

PalmOS compatible BT GPSr

To navigate, then you need a BlueTooth (BT) capable PalmOS PDA, such as Treo 650 and Tungsten T3. Why? Because the PalmOS Que version will only work with Garmin Bluetooth GPS such as;

• Garmin GPS 10
  • RM950 from RReef, Low Yat Plaza,
  • USD150 = RM551+ shipping (FedEx) USD28=RM103 total RM654 from here,
  • about RM680 from Singapore

• Garmin Mobile 10 @ Garmin GPS 10x (available November 2006) - http://www.garmin.com/products/garminmobile10/

• Garmin Mobile 20 @ Garmin GPS 20SM (available November 2006) - http://www.garmin.com/products/garminmobile20/

You can also enjoy the autorouting feature of malsing maps. The limitation is that you can only use Garmin GPS 10 bluetooth GPS receiver. There is no PalmOS version of GPSProxy available and therefore you can't pair it with other non-Garmin SIRFIII GPSr.

Garmin Mobile XT for Palm OS

Garmin Mobile XT for Palm OS is also available now. It is the successor for the Garmin Que software. However, Garmin Mobile XT will only navigate with a Garmin Bluetooth GPS receivers as mentioned above. If you don't have a Garmin Bluetooth GPS receiver, you can still install the Mobile XT software and read Maps in you Palm, but you won't be able to navigate. Check for compatiblity of your Palm device at the Garmin Website.

Link to donwloading Garmin Mobile XT software for PalmOS

Alternative of using PathAway

An alternative PalmOS application to (sort of) display Malsingmaps is PathAway and it is not free. And you won't have any autorouting capability. The process is rather tedious as it involves converting the Malsingmaps into raster BMP images. But once converted you may share the images with the rest of your PalmOS buddies.

Forum threads

• Powerpoint File of PalmOS GPS Navigation by drtamil on 9 July 2006, provides newbie friendly description of GPS technology and specifics of using malsingmaps on Palm PDAs, please refer to his zipped presentation [1].
• Mapopolis on PalmOS PDA by drtamil, provides info on how to use Mapopolis on your PalmOS PDA, for GPS Navigation in Malaysia.