Map source

They should fix you right up. They did me. You might need to call more than once, I needed to call twice as the first rep wanted $150.00. Next call rep walked me through the whole process $0.00.

Mapsource is software to work with the maps you have. Buying a Garmin GPS with its preloaded map and installing Mapsource will not put that GPS map into your computer to be used with Mapsource. But a map update (free or otherwise) that will update your GPS to a newer map or buying an additional map (Garmin's Topo, for example) will also both install that map to your GPS or memory card and put it on your computer to be seen by Mapsource.

...Or, as the other user suggests, getting Garmin to mail you a DVD copy of the the map you already have on your GPS will allow that map to be installed on your computer to be Mapsourced.

So they would send me the DVD of my pre loaded software free of charge?

Question - when i got the 2010 map to download to update my garmin 260W. I launched the update later by clicking on the file download to my computer. If something goes wrong and I need to re-update will it relaunch and recreate the mapsource. I already remove the installer, map source using control panel ad remove function. but the original download file is still on my computer.

You should save the original downloaded file and you probably will want to save copy somewhere else (DVD, flash drive, etc) in case your hard drive fails.

I was hoping someone with the experience of going through this would answer.

But since no one's answered yet, I'll give it a shot. I've not been through the experience, but I've read a lot here (possibly try a search for something like--mapsource map dvd free) that some folks have gotten a free or steelpy discounted copy of the map currently on their GPS to be used with Mapsource by calling Garmin. Others have had worse luck. I don't know if your chances increase by being pleasant, persistent, repetitive or whatever with the Customer Service agent. Good luck.

On the other hand, if you ever plan to upgrade your map or buy the numaps lifetime map upgrade, that will solve the issue for you.

It looks as though you have a nuvi 500. Have you registered it? If it's new, you may find that you're entitled to a free map upgrade for both your GPS and Mapsourced computer.

When I got my 660, I called garmin and ask if I could get the disk for Mapsouce so I could manage my waypoints and routes. They sent me the disk for free then. More chance if you are in a polite mode and friendly one.