Magellan Professional MobileMapper 6 Frequently Asked Questions
MobileMapper 6 is an entry-level mapping device from Magellan. It is an affordable and easy-to-use, yet professional GPS/GIS receiver based on the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, and it provides a complete set of all necessary features and applications for productive data collection and mapping.
Windows Mobile 6 is a Microsoft Windows operating system designed for mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones or handheld PCs. The Windows Mobile 6 is the latest available version from Microsoft, released in 2007.
MobileMapper 6 has Samsung S3C2442B43 CPU which is running at 400 MHz.
The MobileMapper 6 comes with two types of internal memory:
• RAM (Random Access Memory), very fast but "volatile" in that any program or data stored in RAM disappears when the computer is turned off
• Flash memory is stored on an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) where the programs are permanently stored, but this memory is upgradeable
MobileMapper 6 includes 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of Flash memory. It also has an SD (Secure Digital) card slot for external memory cards. These cards can be used for storing maps for display on the MobileMapper 6 and for GIS data collected by the MobileMapper 6.
Up to 4 GB SD (Secure Digital) cards can be used with MobileMapper 6. They can be regular SD or SDHC (SD High Capacity) cards. We recommend use of SanDisk SD cards.
To check memory used and the available size, tap Start > Settings > System > Memory. Storage information provides details about the Flash memory and Program about RAM memory.
There is also Storage Card tab provide similar information about the inserted SD card.
You can press the Power off button on the right-upper side of the unit for 5 seconds ("long press") to shut it down (Soft reset), or press the Reset button on the top of the unit with a stylus to perform Hard reset.
Process as following:
• Switch the units On
• Press and hold the OK button (the middle button of the navigation keys)
• Press the Reset button at the top of the device
• Wait until the unit restarts the operating system
The unit will have the initial / default configuration now.
Windows Mobile devices keep the current date and time in volatile memory. Thus each time the user switches the unit off (long press of the Power button) or removes the battery, the date and time information is lost (the backup power of the unit will keep date & time for about 30 minutes, allowing you to change batteries in the field without loss of date and time. If a new battery is not inserted in 30 minutes, date and time will be reset). Therefore after switching the unit on for the first time each day, the user has to enter this information again.
Thus we recommend that during your daily working session, you do not switch the unit completely off (long press on the Power button), but rather switch to Suspend mode (short press on the power button).
MobileMapper 6 ships with the following applications (among others):
• ActiveSync
• Bluetooth manager
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Notes
• External GPS (GPS COM port configuration)
• File Explorer
• E-mail messaging
• Internet Explorer
• Office Mobile: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Pictures & Videos Viewer
• Windows Media Player
The following Bluetooth profiles are supported:
• Serial port profile (SPP) - to perform RS232 serial cable emulation
• Object push profile (OPP) - for simple file transfers between mobile devices
• Dial-up networking (DUN) - for modem or cellular phone connection
No, MobileMapper 6 does not have any Wi-Fi driver implemented.
MobileMapper 6 provides an e-mail client (tap Start > Messaging). It allows one to easily configure an e-mail account and get connected to the Internet through the Bluetooth connection to a cell phone (see Getting Started Guide for more information). The e-mail tool also allows you to attach files to your e-mails, e.g. a file containing collected data.
Yes. The rechargeable batteries can be used instead of regular AA batteries. In order to optimize the use of these batteries, please select the following option: Start < Settings > System > Power -> Battery Type -> Rechargeable Battery
No. Rechargeable batteries have to be recharged outside the unit in a specific charger.
Yes. The USB cable provides the power from the PC, thus the batteries are not used even if they are inserted into the unit.
MobileMapper 6 can be powered for up to 10 hours of operation, depending on temperature and the use of the product: backlight on and off periods, backlight brightness, applications used (e.g. Bluetooth) as well as type of the batteries used (rechargeable vs. standard AA).
Yes. Either the USB cable connected to a PC, or the AC power adapter (optional accessory).
No. The current Windows Mobile 6 implementation does not allow the changing of the unit hard keys / buttons mapping.
You should follow the steps below:
1. Tap Start > Programs > Notes
2. Select Menu option at the right bottom corner of the screen
3. Select Options—
4. Tap Global Input Options link (blue underline string)
5. Choose Options tab
6. Change Voice recording format parameter to 44100 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo (172 KB/s). This parameter allows a user to set the voice recording sampling for the correct voice quality input.
MobileMapper 6 provides real-time, 2-5 meter accuracy with SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) corrections.
The current release of the MobileMapper 6 does not output data to any external device The MobileMapper 6´s GPS engine can output the NMEA 0183 V2.2 data to internal software:
- GGA at 1Hz rate
- GSA at 1Hz rate
- GSV at 0.2Hz rate
- RMC at 1Hz rate
However, when running the Mobile Mapping application, the following NMEA messages will be utilized:
- GGA at 1Hz rate
- GLL at 1Hz rate
- GSA at 1Hz rate
- GSV at 1Hz rate
- RMC at 1Hz rate
- VTG at 1Hz rate
The MobileMapper 6´s GPS engine will output the NMEA 0183 V2.2 data. The configuration of the GPS port is: 9600 baud rate, 8 bit, no parity. It appears in the operating system as COM1 (physical port). COM1 is a two way port, that allows one to manage SiRF GPS engine by means of SiRF control commands.
It is also possible to configure a GPS program virtual port e.g. COM2 port (tap Start > Settings > System > External GPS). The virtual port is one-way only, thus the GIS application will be able to read NMEA data, but will not be able to send SiRF control commands.
Note: If the virtual port COM is used by any application, the physical port COM1 is no longer available until the virtual port COM is free.
Because it is an open platform Windows Mobile 6 device, MobileMapper 6 allows you to choose the software that is right for you.
• Our own Mobile Mapping application (an updated and modernized application with similar feature scope as the one from MobileMapper Pro or MobileMapper CX) is available either in a bundle with the MobileMapper 6 device or purchased separately.
• We are also providing MobileMapper 6 bundles with DigiTerra Explorer software (worldwide offer).
• We offer MobileMapper 6 bundles with ESRI ArcPad software (for the US market only).
When you enter the Mobile Mapping activation code, all characters will automatically appear in upper case. Note that the Mobile Mapping software does not differentiate between upper and lower case characters, thus the activation code will be accepted in either upper or lower case.
The Windows Mobile operating system needs a small amount of processing time in order to fully store your activation code. If it is necessary to turn off your GPS unit directly after entering your code, use suspend mode (i.e. short press on the Power button). Do not put the GPS into full shutdown mode or remove the batteries. This will assure the activation code has been properly stored.
MobileMapper 6 is an open platform allowing one to install theoretically any Windows Mobile 6 compatible software, whether a mapping application or not. Our ProCommunity web site (http://procommunity.magellangps.com) provides a long, but not exhaustive, list or different 3rd party applications that are compatible with our platform. Magellan Professional 15/05/2008 Page 7 of 7
Mobile Mapping application is set by default to use SBAS corrections. However this can be changed (no SBAS use) in Mobile Mapping Menu > GPS > Use SBAS option.
It is not possible to do this at this time. We plan to support raw data logging and postprocessing function in the near future.
No, it is not possible to use corrections other than SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS or MSAS).
If this car navigation application has been designed for Windows Mobile 6 then it should be possible to use this application for car navigation purpose.
The MobileMapper 6 platform provides e-compass, g-sensor and barometer sensors. However, no application or manager is yet provided by default to access and use them. Such applications can be designed by 3rd party developers. To facilitate this design Magellan is offering related APIs (restricted to our Business Partners only).