2009 MAP UPDATES

just downloaded and uploaded the 2GB 2009 map. Hopefully it will have everything I need this time around.

Just installed mine the other day much better but still missing alot of new streets in my region.

I also just ercently bought the 660 but I keep checking the website to see if I qualify but I haven't seen any updates available yet.

I'd say that either your device came with the 2009 update on it, or you haven't registered it yet. If the latter is the case, you have to register it, and in doing so, you'll get the opportunity to download the update, or pay $10.00 shipping for the DVD.

Joel

Is additional software like mapsource, etc required to update the maps?

No. Everything you need will be in the file (or on the DVD).

Bought a garmin 350 a few days ago. free update to 2009 map. need some time though.

How do I know if I qualify for the 2009 update? Where is the best place to pick it up at?

When you register the unit on the Garmin website it will tell you if you qualify for the 2009 map updates. Here's the link https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces

Thanks, that helps out alot! The 2009 update is on its way.

I have two nuvi 660's & thought I remember hearing you could purchase one unlock key to update both.

Anyone know of this?

jckl

I thought Nuvi 350s (and 650s) were officially discontinued. Are they still offering free 2009 map updates for these units? I've ignored some pretty good deals to get a second 350 or maybe a 650 because I thought they were not eligible.

Nope. Starting with the v2008 maps, you need to purchase an unlock code for each unit onto which you wish to update the maps.

Unlock keys are keyed to the serial number of the unit, so the same unlock key wouldn't be able to update two 660's (unless they had the same serial number). I heard at one time Garmin allowed the customer to request two different unlock keys for one purchase, but I just checked my my.garmin account and all I can find is a FAQ about one unit unlock per update. The FAQ says you can purchase additional unlock codes for maps (I presume without buying additional media) but I haven't seen where you can do so for the City Navigator NT maps for the automotive GPSr's.

(edit) sorry, replies crossed.

I ordered a refurbished nuvi 200W and it came in yesterday. It qualified for the 2009 map update, but when I tried to upload the map onto my gps, I got a message saying I didn't have enough free memory. I need something like 38 MB. I went to the store and got a 2 GB SD card and put it in, but I'm still getting the same message. Am I going to have to delete a bunch of voice files, or is there some way to use the SD memory?

You need to just run or execute the upgrade file (should be named rmu_cnnant2009.exe if you downloaded it) to install it, it cannot be just copied on to the unit or the SD card. The map file is over 1GB in size after it has installed so it will replace the existing file during the install.

You probably do need to delete some voice and vehicle files in order to make room. The updated maps are slightly larger than the previous version. And the 2xx series has limited space.

You can put some of the maps on the SD card if you wish, but it's more work. It doesn't happen automatically.

I deleted some languages like you said, and it worked fine. It will be hard to live without luxembourgish, but I think I'll manage. Thanks for the help.

Just bought my new 780 2 weeks ago, equipped with the 2008 maps. When I register with Garmin and ask about the 2009 maps, it offers to sell them to me. I thought I was eligible to receive these one time free of charge. If this is correct, how do I get these new maps?

You need to call Garmin. There's a glitch with some of the 7xx models. If you call, they will fix it and you should be able to get it for free. But you need to call.

Hi I just joined the Garmin family recently after buying a Nuvi 200w. It replaced Tom Tom five that integrated with my Pda.

Waht do you you all think of Garmin's set up and functionality? Part of me is missing my Tom Tom...

Btw...can we load POI data directly onto our SD card?

Tim

Garmin's "functionality" is great - understanding that you bought the bottom of their line of GPS devices (well, I guess the standard 200 is the bottom). There really isn't a whole lot of "functionality" in the Nuvi 200 line of devices. If it accepts an SD card, yes, you can load POI data to it (using POILoader).

Joel

Bought a 660 two weeks ago preloaded with 2008 map.
And I noticed that Garmin web site officially move the 660 to the discontinued product page.

However, I can still upgrade to 2009 map for free.

I installed the 2009 maps on my StreetPilot550 and haven't noticed anything different. I live in a pretty rural community with lots of streets that have only existed for the past few years. They still aren't showing up. Neither is all of the new retails. It's frustrating that -- with all of today's available mapping technology -- it still takes the GPS map-makers years to catch up.

I've had a GPS now for like 4 years. The 2009 update, as far as I can tell, is the most useless of all of them. I'm not seeing ANY differences between it and 2008, New areas that weren't on the maps last year still aren't.

Maybe all the updates are on the east coast?

I just purchased a nuvi 350 and when I registered on the web site, they updated me to the 2009 maps with no charge.

I have purchased a Previously owned Nuvi 260 that has the 2008 maps. I have updated the firmware to 4.40. My question is,.... will I need some type of coed number for the 260 GPS that was previously owned and registered in order to up date to the 2009 maps from a DVD that I purchased from Garman ???

First, if the unit was registered by the previous owner, then the previous owner needs to contact Garmin to transfer the ownership to you.

Then you will be able to register it in your name.

The unlock code for the previous maps should be transferred to you with the ownership transfer.

Well here we are at almost 800 replies on this topic and we are still getting about half the posters reporting that they successfully downloaded the 2009 map (whoopee, works just like Garmin said).

Then there are about 25% that it doesn't work for them because they can't be bothered looking at the Garmin website for proper instructions. Fortunately for these first day posters there are people here with the patience of Job to answer them.

And then there are the 20% that sucessfully downloaded their FREE 2009 map and then gripe that it wasn't worth it because they found a still warm asphalt road in their neighbourhood that is STILL missing.

The remaining 5% of posters have had actual legitimate questions relating to the original topic so that should amount to about 40 legitimate post and replies out of the 800.

I think few people realize the monumental job of updating all the new roads in North America EVERY YEAR and then providing this minformation for free. Besides, if you already know the new road is there why the "heck" do you need a GPS to find it anyway?

I also do not think most people appreciate the phenomenal job even the simplest GPS does to get you there flawlessly 99% of the time for an unbelievably low price in a package smaller than a deck of cards. It is truly a marvel of technology. If the software ever does make an error that 1% of the time, it will almost always still find your destination but it just may take the route my wife would have taken you on previous to buying our Garmin. In my opinion, if I had a GPS that worked flawlessly...I definately couldn't afford it!!

As for the gripers that say there is no value in the 2009 upgrade, I strongly disagree. I have yet to find a missing main road and if I do, I just might have to phone and ask for directions arrrrrrrg!! That's how I did it before Garmin.

What I HAVE discovered in the 2009 map is a HUGE improvement in the POI's. Many of the businesses that had been out of business for decades have been removed and many recent new one's are now included, at least in my town (Chilliwack BC) anyway. I am very GRATEFUL for the 2009 Map Upgrade and especially GRATEFUL that it was for FREE!!!

Thank you Garmin.

Regards
Ian

PS: I will probably not PAY for a map upgrade until I start to notice that the POI's are getting stale. And probably by then I would have upgraded the whole unit anyway.

Okay, my husband bought me a nuvi 260 for my birthday. It does not have the bypass in my hometown that has been opened for over a year so I figured it needed a maps update. I went and registered with garmin and it did not tell me that I had anything FREE coming, so I paid for the 2009 maps, still downloading. Anyway, I tried to call Garmin and ask them and ask them about it and the wait time was 30-35 minutes...I am figuring Monday morning is a bad time for them and I am at work and cannot sit on the phone for 30-35 minutes. Should I keep trying to call them to try to get the map download for free? Or is it just too late to get the free update?

When was the unit purchased?

Thanks Motorcycle Mama for the reply about buying used Garmin GPS units. It looks like I am now screwed as the previous owner has registered the unit. I tried to register the Nuvi and Gamins' link informed me that it was all ready registered. I purchased this from a nephew that is a young man who was not careful with all the documentation that he had and is not able to recover the information. I was unaware that all of this registration was required by Garmin from one owner to another,...what the heck is all this about ???

So now I have a Nuvi 260 that I cant up grade and have spent $78 for Gamins new 2009 City Navigator DVD that I cant install into my Nuvi without some unlock code that I supposedly cant get now because I cant transfer the original reregistration information because it is lost ???

I went home on my lunch hour and set the speaker phone up and waited on hold for 30 minutes, but it was WELL WORTH IT!

I got a hold of Garmin and somehow my unit did not get registered, even though I went through the whole process, the lady got me hooked up, giving me a credit for the map update and gave me a new product key but I can continue the same download (Yea, as it has taken a day and a half).

Sooo, I am all set to go, well, that is if my husband ever gives it back to me. He got it for my birthday but he is starting a new job and took it to find his way around where he is going to be working! HA!

Excellent. Glad you got it sorted out. Here we have another example of Garmin's great customer service.

Glad to hear you now what all us Garmin owners know - their tech support is really the best. Now, your husband gave you a BIRTHDAY PRESENT that he won't let you use?? Return the favor, and buy him a Nuvi 750 for his birthday - then promptly take it, and give him the 260!!

Happy Birthday!!......... Joel

Erm.. first, 2009 maps are not free for many people. Second of all, there are roads in my area that are 5 years old that aren't on the 2009 maps. Third of all, there are still roads that have NEVER EXISTED on the 2009 maps on the way to a friend's house. Fourth, if the road is there, but not in the DB, then the GPS will not use it to route on, which can be a huge issue.

Aside from all of the good advise that I received on this post for which I appreciated,.... I will have to add that the updated 2009 City Navigator North America NT DVD that I received today was installed on my Nuvi 260 with no problems. The only code needed for the install was the 8 cypher product key code that was on the 2009 CNNA, DVD and no other action on my part or the previously registered owner was necessary,....what can I say other than it worked for me with out the explicit steps that were out lined in the above Motorcycle Mama post. Thanks MM for your response.

Is whining and griping from behind the safety of a monitor (and hopefully finding answers) what blogs are all about...?

I wonder if Garmin will start making 1/2 year updates for the Road Maps like they do for the BlueChart maps ?

what is the most recent map out there now... i have 2 c550's and one has o8 map and the other 09

I downloaded and tried to install It failed couple of times and finally suceeded.

It took longer to install the 2009 maps then it took to download. Nice and easy.

when will 2010 map be Available

Mostly likely March, April, or May 2009.

There has been major construction in my area over the past year and a half. I don't want to update unless the new roads and changed exits are on the maps.

Is there anyway to find if this info is on the updates prior to purchasing?

Map Browser at
http://www8.garmin.com/cartography

The latest map is up. I have noticed it takes Garmin
a month or so after a new released for the above site to include the new map.

Not sure why anyone is worring about the 2010 update most still can't decied if they want the 2009 update yet.

why well 2009 has been out awhile and i hate to update my 2008 with 9 and a month or 2 later the 2010 version is out

The only reason for the comment was out of sone 729 or so comments the release date for the 2009 was mentioned a number of times and still people ask over and over if is out or should they update. The question sounded more like someone that just joined the group. Nothing was ment but just a comment. I have 2008 on my 660 and am not even thinking about updating before 2010