I have a Kenwood 8120. The HU has navigation using Garmin software. I had an Eclipse HU that used Magellan Nav software. Is it possible to change the nav software from Garmon to Magellan in my Kenwood HU????? Appreciate any assistance!!!!

 

It’s not possible to change to change the application software from Garmin to Magellan in your Kenwood device.

I understand your question since you can change software applications (including navigation products) on a computer. That’s because the application software does not address the hardware directly, but instead sends commands to the operating system (MS Windows for example), and the OS addresses the hardware. For example I have a marine charting application that runs on a laptop computer. I can connect any handheld GPS that supports a USB connection. The only thing the GPS unit does is send position to the application software, which then uses its software and its mapping database to draw the chart and the boat’s position.

That’s not the case with dedicated navigation devices (such as your Kenwood device). The navigation device has proprietary hardware (it’s CPU for lack of a better term), and the application software addresses the hardware directly. You cannot change the software to that from a different manufacturer.

Just curious… Is there something about the Garmin software that you do not like?

--Spike

 

OP, what Eclipse HU did you have that used Magellan? I owned 2 Eclipse nav units and they both used Navteq. I thought that all Eclipse units used Navteq, except the recent portable release that use TeleAtlas (TomTom) which is model AVN4430.

 

^^ I believe he is asking about the application software, and not the mapping database (Navteq or Tele Atlas)

Or… maybe he doesn’t know the difference between these?

--Spike

 

Gotcha!

 

As the 2nd poster said it can not be done. Not even is there was a hack for it. The programs have a pre-programed device list, which I know 99.99% that the kenwood dose not have any of those. Why do you want to do this anyway? I love my garmin I have 3 of them.

 

^^ …Very good and accurate posting. I agree with your statement about Garmin application software. It’s lightning fast and very intuitive.

Eclipse uses Magellan application software while Kenwood uses Garmin application software.

The big difference between Magellan and Garmin on the application software side is the map display (but not the mapping database, TeleAtlas or NAVTEQ).

Magellan has a rich display (looks like a Rand McNally maps for lack of a better description) while Garmin goes for a more animated and plain look. In other words, Garmin goes for speed and performance while Magellan concentrates on a rich display (which of course has a performance cost).

Magellan, TomTom, and Garmin bid against each other for control of the mapping database companies (TeleAtlas and NAVTEQ).

--Spike
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EDIT: Changed TomTom to Magellan on most points.