Question about using mini-map mods and guide to gear when you're a new level 99

[OMGWTFLMAO]

Hello all, I just came back last month. I'm really enjoying the game a lot.
I always see myself looking at the map but I have to go through all menus and I can't see or control my character when looking at the map. I've seen people on youtube videos with mini-maps. Will it get me in trouble if I mod in the mini map like others did? What would you recommend if it 's ok to use a mini-map?

Finally, I just reached level 99 smn. Is there a guide that would help me figure out if there are decent gear I could acquire as soon as a reach level 99? Aside from the sparks gear, I can't find any good and most recent guide. I'm trying to complete the promathia missions so I can upgrade my af armors but it's taking too long. I was wondering if there are gear I could quickly get by myself aside from the sparks gear. Don't get me wrong, I'm still trying to finish the promathia missions. It's just that the sparks gear doesn't look good on my character. Also, any level 99 rings, earrings (sparks gear aside), belts, and mantles I could acquire by myself ?

Thank you in advance.

[LilG]

The people on youtube are using a windower program that lets them display a minimap while they can run around. Using 3rd party tools is against the terms of service,but as long as you're not telling people that you're using it, you're not likely to get a ban from a GM.

Windower programs are useful to add other various things such as being able to see a targets HP as a %,or being able to have an XP bar to see how close you are to levelling up.

I can't tell you where you'd get the program but it's easily found if you google it.

Try the guide to summoner on FFXI.AH it's written by experienced Summoners which will give you information on how & what to gear your Summoner up for.

Personally,I never used the sparks set for my Smn,I tended to use a mix of AF1-3,before reforging them or getting the basic gear from Audolin content. The earring/belt/cape from Abyssea are good for smn too, they should be easy to get,though I'd recommend bringing a THF as the drop rates aren't great.

The Balsam Staff that you can buy off the AH,it's decent until you can get better equipment from other content.
Rings I'd get the evoker's ring,that still has it's uses for -perp cost,the Fervor ring boosts Ifrit's bp,others I can't remember off the top of my head.

If you can get into a group for Ambuscde,you can get a cape for SMN there,though you need to augment it eventually for better stats.

The only useful sparks item would be the Eminent satchet which lets your avatars ilv become 115 so pre-Audolin mission fights will be a breeze. There are other satchets that lets you boost your pets ilv upto 120,though some are annoying to get.