City Navigator North America NT 2009 Update information

M M Once again, you have made it very easy for everbody to see what is going on with the upcoming update.
Thanks for sharing. Paul

Be aware that there appears to be a typo with the dates listed on the site. It reads May 1, 2007 and August 22, 2007.

I'm quite sure that those are intended to be 2008 dates so nobody get too excited about that. Just a typo.

And for those of you in Canada, there is a matching page on their Canada site.

I think you are right about the typo in the dates I got my unit Sept 2007 and it came with the 2008 maps and I didn't expect to get a free update for 2009 maps but reading all the posts I wanted to make sure.Here is what Garmin sent back.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.
You would have to purchase that optional update if you are interested in it. Since your unit is registered, you will receive a email once the update is available for purchase.

With Best Regards,
Shawn O
Product Support Specialist
2nd Shift Automotive Team
Garmin International
800-800-1020

Thanks MM,

The link you mention doesn't include the nuvi 750 as a compatible GPS, but since the 700-series now has the City Navigator NT map, I assume this is the update that a 750 requires. Yes?

Never having updated a nuvi before, how does this work?

-I assume I should start by making sure I know my unit's serial number and the new software's unlock code
-Will the update overwrite my unit's internal older version or will it go on to a SD card? If it can do either, is there a preferred method? I'd think overwriting the unit's older version would be best, but then, why should a newbie think he's right?
-If loading to the nuvi's internal memory is a good option, will it simply overwrite the older version or will I need to delete the older version first to make room for the new map which I assume to be around 1GB.
-Nothing from the update will load to my PC's hard drive, yes?
-Any other warnings/suggestions for a first-time nuvi updater?

Yeah, someone on another site pointed that out. The website guys got lazy in their updating of the page. I'm sure that the 7xx series is compatible.

How it works is you purchase the DVD and you run the installation program on your computer with the GPS unit attached via the USB cable. You will enter the unlock code that you get with the DVD. You won't need to know the unit's serial number as this will be read from the unit.

The installation program will overwrite the maps on the unit itself. And if you have MapSource, you will be able to update the maps in it as well from the same DVD.

Your Favorites and other user data should not be affected, but it's always a good idea to backup the whole unit to your computer before doing something major like this.

Be sure that your unit is registered on the myGarmin website.

Neat. Thanks again. Given your quick and frequent responses, are you online always at home or do you actually get out on the road and use a GPS now and then?

So with Mapsource on my PC (Trip & Waypoint Manager and Topo 2008, but not City Navigator), the Update DVD will update my nuvi and add City Navigator to my PC? Or will it add the new map to Mapsource only if an older version of City Navigator is there already?

If you do not already have Mapsource on your computer, you can install it to your PC from the DVD if you want. I'm assuming they will do it the same as the latest 2008 DVD's.

Also make sure you have a reason to pay the money. Once the update is available, view the new map on the Garmin site and make sure the currently missing streets are in the update.

Edit: You answered MM as I was typing. It will add the City Navigator map; I was installing from scratch, so I can't tell you HOW.

Since the 2007 date is mentioned several times on the page, I'm wondering if they just changed the title of last year's product and did not update anything else. Especially since it's also missing some of the newer models, too. I guess we'll find out the exact dates when Garmin releases their schedule.

One thing to note is that being compatible is NOT the same thing as it working on a particular Garmin.

While I am not crystal clear on this since I have never updated my nüvi 200, my understanding is that an update will only work on a unit that already has that set of maps installed.

So note on the list of compatible units that it lists the nüvi 200. HOWEVER the nüvi 200 does not include Canada and Alaska from the factory. So if you try and load this Map Update on it, I believe it will not allow it since the Maps do not exist on the unit to begin with.

I am guessing if you buy the FULL price version of the maps and install those, then maybe you can later use update DVDs.

I mention this in case there are other ones listed on the compatible list that are also factory loaded with the full North American maps, this update may not work.

If in doubt, contact Garmin before buying.

PT

I'm not looking into upgrades or updates, but as many here have said, back up your unit first if you are planning to upgrade. Anything can go wrong. Wouldn't hurt to do it.

I'm sure there is a way to update the 200 without first laying out money for the full NA maps. Garmin wouldn't be that illogical.

Thanks MM for that link.

I have not checked other sites for pricing yet, if it's even out there at other sites yet, but that's a much better price than I've gotten for past updates by at least $20.

Thanks again.

Tim

What makes you think that ?

Tim

It will definitely be cheaper purchased from a vendor OTHER THAN Garmin. Garmin will sell it for the suggested retail price. And they themselves will tell you this.

I recieved my latest unit Garmin 760) Feb 2008 will they honor that with a free update. I wonder??

I wonder if all you out there wanting free updates also expect the car companies to retrofit your new vehicles that you bought 1 to 3 months before the new cars came out with all the new features for next year’s model.???????????
I guess it's the old something for nothing syndrome!!

H Hannah
Nuvi750 IQUE3600

No, they won't because you got the unit BEFORE the map set came out. Now, if you needed to upgrade to 2008, then yes, they probably would.

Someone asks a legimate question and you seem to always slam them for wanting something for nothing. If it is available, why shouldn't they want it?

And you are mixing apples with oranges to boot. If the car company finds something that is wrong and needs to be fixed, they send out a recall. If the maps are out of date when you get the GPSr, then it should be updated by the company.

'Nough said. Let's just answer the questions and not batter people.

Canadians will save $24.04 but only $10.04 for US people!! However, the price is the same in US and Canadian currencies ($US/$CAD 59.95)

Want it? Ok fine, they can want it. Entitled to it? No.

No, because the maps are not defective. Outdated does not equal defective.

Car companies issue recalls for DEFECTS but do not provide free updates for upgrades. Try taking your non-ABS braking system car back to the dealer and demand your free upgrade to ABS and heck, put on the AWD as well. Don't cry when they laugh at you.

Seems you are having trouble with the produce bag and figuring out which are the citrus.

For some reason, people have it in their heads that software is free. That if you can download it or if in their minds (they falsely believe) it doesn't cost the company anything to make a CD, DVD or provide the file, then they are somehow be entitled to it for nothing.

So you are the discussion police now? 'Nough said will be when people stop discussing it.

PT

This got me to thinking and I may find it in the FAQ somewhere but I figured I would post for others to see..How do you find out what version of maps I have on the Garmin? Is there an about screen like in windows??

On my nuvi, touch:

Wrench/Settings/Map/MapInfo

Thanks Craig...I had found it in the manual but I figured I would post it here so others could check thier units..

And I will not be commenting on, or responding to, anything you post from this point. You are not worth the read or aggrivation.

Settle down boys, don't make me put you in a time out....

Miss POI

I just take excetion to people belittling others when they are looking for help/clarification.

You don't have to worry about me commenting on anything he says from now on. I will just ignore his posts.

HOw does gpscity know the release date if Garmin doesn't know?

I called Garmin yesterday and spoke to a supervisor who claims they don't even know the release date other than late April.

I have really appreciated all the information presented here and have a few questions...

1) I recently purchased a C330 and at the bottom of the yellow sheet with the Reg code it has an Unlock Code. What am I supposed to be able to use this for?

2) I am seeing a lot of references to MapSource. What is it and how do you get it?

3) I checked my map version on my GPS and it is v8. Is that the 2008 version?

Thanks for any help.

Welcome to the site.

1. The unlock code is used to 'unlock' the maps. Register your unit with garmin.

2. Mapsource is a mapping software that is loaded on the PC. It is a good product for backing up your favorites to the pc and checking routes without using the unit. There are other products that do this as well. If you get the update, you will have the mapsource software on it. You will then need to download the latest update from garmin. This can be tackled when you get the software.

3. V8 is not the the 08 version. If you call garmin support (after registering the unit), they will probably give you a free update. However, I would wait a month and try to get the 09 update. No guarantee that you will get it free, though.

Also, you will probably only be able to load a region of the update (Lower 48 or Canada/Alaska) since the C330 is a little short on memory. It is a great unit, though.

Hope this helps.

gpfoster,

Thanks for the welcome and the information.

I have registered my unit with Garmin, but what does "unlocking" the maps do for me? I had the impression this was to activate a new set of maps, but why would they give me a code initially?

Do the 2008 and 2009 updates have that much more information that they wouldn't fit in memory? Is the v8 map a subset of the full North America maps?

I am enjoying this unit but I can see that I will likely want to upgrade to a more full-featured unit in the future.

Thanks again,

Mike

In the event you need to re-load the maps or add others.

Yes, they are quite a bit larger. The updater will inform you that you can only load one or the other.

You still have plenty of room for POIs.

I love mine, but I did just order a second unit (Nuvi 750).

You might want to consider becoming a member here and downloading the redlight cams. I know the DFW area has quite a few.

I just got an email from GPSCITY that my copies of the 2009 updates DVD are shipping out via FEDEX to me.

I should have them soon.

Funny, so many vendors do not have it in stock, but a select few do have it.

Kinda weird.....

Tim

Is that from GARMIN directly or what?

It's Garmin software. But it's typically less expensive to purchase it from a separate retailer.

I can hardly believe it has been almost a year since I bought Garmin's top of the line Nuvi 680 and became a POI Factory member. The V.2008 map upgrade and all the new models that have come out since then is just unreal.

I am looking for a reason to upgrade the map. For me, there are 2 new errors in my 2008 city maps that were not there in v.8. Are the maps better. Any new features of note?

i just got my nuvi680 about a month ago should i get it free?

If you go to your my.Garmin.com site, it will tell you what map updates are available for your unit and whether you are eligible for a free update.

Note to other posters, I've never seen Garmin put out a list of changes in the maps. You would have to use the MapViewer on their website (once the 2009 maps are put on it) to see the changes in the areas in which you are interested.

First, no one is "entitled" to anything. Garmin is usually extremely good about taking care of their customer base, but I also know for a FACT, that there are a lot of people that abuse the generosity, especially when it comes to mapping updates. The C 330 recently sold for $120 at WalMart, and the mapping update was more than half that price. Garmin has an obligation to the stock holders to make a profit, and giving away mapping will not be profitable. Of course, there is the exception, and if you purchased a unit, and it is out of date, you will most likely get the update at no charge.

The date you see on the site is the EXPECTED ship date. Garmin doesn't know when the mapping will be released, and from my understanding this is because of Navteq. It is a labor intensive project to get the mapping released, and the date given on the GPS City site is EXPECTED, not a firm date.

While I agree with some of the things that were said about being entitled (a word I can't stand) and other comments, I do think we need to be a little more diplomatic. I don't always agree with posts, but I try to be nice about my disagreement. I also know that Garmin has to make a profit, and the cost of hte map updates is insignificant, at least compared with the cost of my cell phone, the cost of updating an in dash unit or other costs that I pay monthly. With a GPS, there is no monthly charge!

Mike
You were told right. There is a lot of good info and downloads here plus good members with lively discussions. I have learn a lot here and learning more every day. After you register let me know. and this is why. Last Feb I got my first GPS a Garmin c330 from Wal-Mart I found out a few days latter on this site they no longer make the c330. And that Garmin will not up date the c330. But I met a member here who had gotten a extra map update 2008 and sent it to me for free. Right about the time the map came in by UPS my c330 went dead Garman told me to send it back and they sent me a new c550 with there 2008 map already on it. I will do for you that was done for me sign up to this site. you will learn a lot and it will be a good move on your part. Then contact me and I will get this Map update 2008 with the product key to you by UPS

jolleyr c550

I respect your point of view hautedawg but unfortunately our society is predominantly a society of "entitlement" and short attention spans. More people in my opinion are more concerned with their rights than their responsibilities. That is just the way it is.
Anyway, regarding the updates, I did order my 2009 Map update from GPS City last Wednesday and received it on Friday so the updates can be had right now if you order from a vendor that has them in stock.
Garmin does need to make a profit I agree but I also like the fact that other GPS makers are developing their own innovations which will make the marketplace more comptetitive and better for the consumer.

Garmin support told me that last year they gave the new maps to people who purchased they units in April and while she coudn't guarantee the same would happen this year she felt there would be no change.

This was important to me because I wouldn't purchase the unit so close to a release date without feeling fairly certain I would get the new maps.

Certainly Garmin benefits from giving new maps as it keeps their revenue source alive. People keep buying the old stuff knowing they will get the free update.

In a way I agree with you but do you think Garmin wants all these units with 2008 maps sitting idle while people wait for units with the new 2009 maps?...I think an inexpensive means to keep their cash flow going and getting rid of the older units with an inexpensive DVD is the right way to go...It is a very tricky and no real fair way to establish a cutoff date for purchases. I just bought two 750's this month and I EXPECT to get the new maps free of charge...

Purchase the unit now if you like. REGISTER it next month. You will get the free upgrade.

Here is the answer I received the other day from Garmin in an email...

Please note that map updates are NOT free of charge, maps are $69.99 plus tax and shipping where applicable, If your unit was purchased and registered after March 1st 2008, and you have City Navigator North America V8 or City Navigator North America NT 2008 installed on your unit, you are entitled to one free map update for 2009. If your unit already has City Navigator North America NT 2009 preloaded to it and your registered you are NOT eligible for a free map update for 2009. If your unit was purchased and registered prior to March 1st 2008 with older mapping preloaded to it you are not eligible for a free map update, you must purchase the map update if you choose to update your Garmin product. **********

************For customers that own the Streetpilot C330 units wanting to update there units with the new 2009 map update, you will be able to update your unit, however, your unit is very limited to the amount of memory that it contains, therefore when you order a map update you will be given the following options to update your unit: Update just the LOWER 48 STATES, OR JUST THE CANADIAN PROVINCES with the bordering US STATES, OR JUST A WEST QUADRANT OF THE MAP, OR JUST AN EAST QUADRANT OF THE MAP UPDATE, you will not be able to update all of the mapping on this unit because of its limited internal memory. ******************

*********Canadian Customers are encouraged to order these map updates thru a local dealer, if ordered thru MyGarmin the updates will be charged applicable duties, taxes and or fees**********

I asked Garmin to clarify their free update policy since their prior response only said to look at the website (my.garmin.com). This email, I clarified the (simple) question and specified that vendors are already shipping the update (!).

Compared to other users, I got a different response on April 24th:
"Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I will be more than happy to assist you. At this time we do not know if marketing is allowing any free updates. We will not know this until the product officially releases (end of April beginning of May). I would recommend that you email us back or contact us by phone the first week of May to see if that update is possible. "

Why is this some complicated? Well, having bought a nuvi 360 on March 27th (and oh stupid me, registered it the same day), I can return it to Costco for a refund and get another if they decline. Garmin is definately not gaining anything with poor customer service. I've been a Garmin customer for 5+ years and the 2008 version of the maps is one of the worst. It see one way streets when there are none, etc.

I have written them regardiong my recent purchase and an update for my Nuvi 760. They responded and seemed to indicate that they would provide the update for free but I purchased mine Feb 28. I'll report what happenned once the map is out

I called Garmin support today (4/24/08). Basically, one must connect their Nuvi unit to a PC. Using the Garmin Web updater software, it will determine when the Garmin unit first connected with the Satellites (i.e. first turned on). If it first connected after 3/1/08, then the maps will be auto-upgraded to NT 2009, for free.

If you have registered your unit, you should get an email from Garmin last week of Apr/first week of May noting 2009 maps are available (got to wait for availability from Garmin's web site). If you haven't registered, as mentioned above, the Web updater will determine if your unit is entitled to a free update.

Hope this helps

A reliable source with a fair price is fine.