HumVee

I just discovered that Garmin is offering BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscriptions for use with their newest generation mapping handhelds: Colorado, Oregon & Dakota!

The subscription will be $30/year per device (it sounds like it will be locked down, like City Navigator is). Has anyone had direct experience with this service yet, and can report back? One of the things I love most about Google Maps and Google Earth are the satellite (or aerial) images. Having them on my handheld would be cool, too. I know that some die-hard GPS users will consider it needless frivolity, but I think the ability to see terrain images as well as topographic maps would actually aid in identification of landmarks, etc. I don't yet own an Oregon or Dakota, but this offering gives me one more reason to do so....

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HumVee

Doh! I should have read the little notice on the BirdsEye website that says that it will be available starting March 2010....

Here's more details from the BirdsEye page:


Features:

• Transfer an unlimited number of satellite and aerial images to your device with this subscription and free software BaseCamp.
• High-resolution sub-meter color satellite imagery captures the world in brilliant clarity and detail.
• Allows you to layer the Garmin vector maps on your handheld (such as TOPO 100K, TOPO 24K or City Navigator) with BirdsEye Satellite Imagery for a real-life view of roads, buildings and terrain.
• Makes it easy for hunters to perform preseason scouting, determine placement of stands and locate game pinchpoints.
• Helps hikers and campers find trails/trailheads and clearings for camping areas.
• Lets geocachers determine the terrain type around a cache and identify parking areas close to the caches.
• Allows travelers to view tourist hot spots and landmarks from an aerial view to make excursions memorable without getting lost.

Requirements:

File Information
The file size of this download varies based on amount of area selected. Downloads may be stored to internal memory or SD card.

Use with 1 Device Only
This subscription may only be used with 1 compatible, registered device. The device must be registered in myGarmin to activate the subscription on that device. Please purchase additional subscriptions for additional devices.

Download Times
Not for use with dial-up Internet access or satellite Internet providers. Download times may vary based on area selected.

Product Compatibility
Check the Products tab to see whether this map is compatible with your Garmin device. Map subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Expiration Date
The subscription lasts 1 year from the activation date. You will need to renew subscription after 1 year.

Minimum Requirements
You must have Garmin's free software BaseCamp (version 3.0.0 or later) installed on your computer before you can use this subscription. You also need a myGarmin account. If you do not have one, we will require you to create one during the purchase process.

PC

• Windows XP SP3 or newer
• 1 GB RAM
• at least 1024 x 768 display
• USB port
• Internet access

Mac

• Any Intel-based or PowerPC G4 or later Mac OS
• OS X 10.5.8 or later
• 1 GB RAM
• at least 1024 x 768 display
• USB port
• Internet access

iamasmith

What I don't get is how they trademarked the name BirdsEye.

If they do an emergency location service at some future point is it likely to be called Findus?

MTalvola

There's already a vegetable/food company with that name.

Boy howdy, though, if Garmin gets this up and running smoothly. DeLorme had better take notice as that was their niche with the PN series handhelds. Garmin could hurt them...gravely...IF they don't screw it up.

HumVee

The food company is called "Birds Eye," with a space. Believe it or not, when it comes to trademarks, that makes a difference. However, I did find a bird watching app for iPhone called "BirdsEye." So maybe there's legal issue there, and one or the other will have to change their name.

I've done a little bit of reading, and it looks like the satellite & aerial imagery for the Delorme PN series has considerably more features. The PN series has always held a tiny market share compared to the Garmin handhelds - but I'm glad they're available as an option and to help spur innovation and competition. I had actually considered the Delorme PN-40 before settling on my Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx. Ultimately, the availability of maps and the breadth of enthusiast support for the Garmins caused me to choose the latter. But I did many of the features of the PN-40, including the satellite imagery capability....



In addition to satellite/aerial imagery, the Delorme MapLibrary service (also $30/year) offers the following:

• USGS 7.5-Minute Quads
• NOAA Nautical Charts
• USGS High-Resolution Cities
• Black & White Aerial Imagery
• 1:50K Canada Topographic Map Sheets

Still, BirdsEye is a new offering from Garmin, and hopefully it will continue to add features and value over time. I wonder how big the files are going to be for any given area? I don't know what "sub-meter images" means, unless it means you can make out details of objects under a meter in size...but I'm guessing the files will be pretty large. When I get around to purchasing my Oregon or Dakota, I'll need to pick up a 16 GB or maybe even a 32 GB microSD card to go with it!

MTalvola

I actually bought the 60CSx and PN-40 from Amazon.com at the same time as my intention was to send one back. I just couldn't decide without actually having them in my hands and no one around here sells anything but the most basic GPS units. I kept the 60CSx because I just flat out didn't like the PN-40 once I got to actually use it. Lots of people complained about the small screen and a lot said it was fine. Again, I just had to SEE it in person and it was definitely too small. The real kicker was I just didn't like the interface/menu structure. Seemed too clunky and primitive. Maybe I'm just a retard, but I tried to calibrate the 3D compass several times and the calibration failed every time. I didn't even get to the digital imagery stage. I probably didn't give it a fair shake, but I was impressed enough with the 60CSx outright that the PN-40 went back after both had a few outings in the woods.

The only reason I considered the DeLorme was because of the satellite/aerial imagery. I'm really glad to see Garmin getting into something like this for my next GPS handheld purchase. But, that will be a while as I tend to use my units for years before upgrading.

HumVee

I read a lot of reviews, and saw the same kind of mixed opinions as you did. It appeared to me that a lot of the really positive reviews came from first time users that really had nothing else to base their opinion on. Not that it's a bad thing, necessarily - people should be happy with what they purchase when it does what they need. But I weighted my decision on professional reviews, and reviews from experienced users. Also, I went to a local retail outlet for REI, and found a PN-30. Handling that unit and a 60CSx side-by-side was enough for me to decide on the Garmin products.

MTalvola

I did the same thing with reading everything I could, but the most important review was MY review "in person". Other things I didn't like reading, but never got to test "in person" were the claimed short battery life and accuracy problems. I didn't do any hard core geocaching or anything with it. Just some trips around known loop-type hikes and it seemed to track along pretty well. The 60CSx really blew me away with its accuracy when laid out and zoomed in on Google Earth. I don't think you can even do that with the DeLorme PNs because only Garmin and Magellan show up on my latest version of GE.

iamasmith

Not sure old Clarence Birdseye would agree. I think the company is descended from his original 'Birdseye Seafood Company Inc'.

HumVee

Well...Garmin wouldn't be the first company that had to change a product name due to trademark infringement! As I recall, Cisco owned 'iPhone' before Apple did!

Regardless of what the satellite / aerial imagery subscription service is (or will be) called, I'm still interested in the product! I look forward to seeing some in-depth reviews on it in the coming months....

iamasmith

I'm going to wait and see what people report about it.

The custom map feature is somewhat limited and not as efficient as the purchased maps so it will be interesting to see what sort of detail level and area can be covered on a map install.