Got my new Garmin, should I update maps yet?

 

Just got my new Garmin 255WT (Best Buy Black Friday deal). I haven't powered it up yet...I read that for the first 60 days I can get one free map update?

When was the last update released, and does anyone have an idea when the next one will be? Trying to decide whether I should update immediately or wait. I guess I'll also have to see what maps are currently on the device when I turn it on the first time (I'll do it indoors so it doesn't get the satellite lock to start the 60 day timer.)

Update...

The last update was November 19. The updates have been about 3 month apart but not exactly. The differences from one update to the next are not normally that great. Your call if you want to wait for the next update and not use the GPS.

I would go ahead and use it now.

I bought a 255W on November 29, 2009 and it had 2010.10 on it. Yours probably has that version also. I updated on December 1 2009 and got version 2010.30.

BTW your 255W will lock onto satellites indoors. Mine does even in the basement.

satellite lock

seems like the newer units have a stronger signal than the older ones.

youre better off waiting

youre better off waiting till later

that's strange

my 765T, certainly a somewhat newer model, rarely gets a sat signal indoors in my apartment.

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— (Garmin nuvi 765T) — "people who say money can't buy happiness, don't know where to shop"

recertified 765t

I purchased a factory recertified 765t on Amazon, is the map update available for me. Same 60 days?

Yes.

I bought the same refurb unit a few weeks ago--just go to the Garmin website and register it and then you can upgrade the maps.

Note: on my refurb, Garmin had to reset my map upgrade because the unit has acquired a sat signal 6 months before I bought it. All I had to do was email a copy of my bill of sale from amazon, and they reset the unit to allow the latest maps.

Good luck!

NP

--
In times of profound change, the learners will inherit the earth while the "learned" find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists...

Garmin releases the new maps

Garmin releases the new maps in april so if you don't turn on your gps until march you can get 2011 you have 60 days from the time you first let it find a satilite

Thanks

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I don't want to wait until March to use it, so I'll have to forgo the 2011 update (for now) smile

I just told a friend

I just told a friend who bought a new 255wt from Best Buy on Black Friday to wait to update his maps.

Turn on the unit, enjoy it. Make sure it works. The new map download takes hours to complete ... and occasionally messes up the GPS if you disconnect too sound, etc.

So, I guess, is what I recommended to my friend (and to you) is go ahead and uae your new GPS ... and after the "early hour" break in period, after you know it works and works well ... then update the map BEFORE your 60 period is over.

--
Garmin 205, 260W, 1450LMT, 2460LMT, HEREwego for iPhone ... all still mapping strong.

Strange, but true

Victor2525 wrote:

Garmin releases the new maps in april so if you don't turn on your gps until march you can get 2011 you have 60 days from the time you first let it find a satilite

I was expecting that my brother in law would pay for the upadate to his c340. It was 18 months old, and had never been registered.

After registering, he got a free update, even though he had used the unit for 18 months already.

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Ted in Ohio, c340, 1490T with lifetime maps

Map updates

I've purchased seven Garmins, 3 for me and the rest as gifts. I've been able to get free updates on each of them as long as I do it within the year I purchased them.

You can look in your settings to see if you have the latest software, if so, then wait to call for your update.

I usually buy the $10 CD, it loads faster and I don't have to worry about the PC freezing during an online download.

--
Originator of Keeping Your Windmill Alive. Live in MA & have a cooking website. 6 yr. member. http://kitchentoysmakecookingfun.blogspot.com/

Free Map Update within 60 days after satellite lock

I don’t know about the other types but for the nuvi, which is the type being discussed, Garmin says this:

Garmin Site wrote:

You will qualify for the free map update only if (i) you register your nüvi or zūmo online at http://my.garmin.com within 60 days of first acquiring satellites while driving with your device

RE: https://my.garmin.com/maps/nuMaps.htm

There's no time like the

There's no time like the present, especially since I doubt you want to wait 6 months just to get even "newer" maps. Honestly, the newer maps will probably just have newer sub-divisions and things like that, since most places don't really get new roads very often (new sub-divisions around Memphis are popping up everywhere though).

One of my friends works for Orkin, and he calls me all the time asking about where houses are because they don't show up on his GPS since it's in a new community.

Something to consider

I purchased a 765T for my birthday last September. I also purchased the nüMaps Lifetime update for significantly less than what Garmin charges. In fact it was about $10 more than buying a full update. It allows for 4 map updates per year. If I use it once this year and once next year, after the big updates are out, it's more than paid for itself.

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Garmin nüvi 765T, nüvi 350

updates

I purchased a c340 from the goodwill this week for $10 went to garmin to find out about upgrades had 2008 maps reg ser.# got free 2010 map download works great looks brand new.

garmin nuvi 350 , garmin streetpilot c340 , delorme earthmate lt40

free updates for older units

The older units (namely the cxxx series and before) mentioned in this thread that are getting "free" map updates (despite being years old) after registration don't use Garmin's new method (Ifix) for determining first satellite acquisition. As long as these units have not been registered with Garmin, they all have a very good chance of qualifying for a free map update.

Newer units base the eligibility for a map update on the Ifix value or first satellite acquisition.

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nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

Update

I just got the Nuvi and did the updates this past week. It takes long but I figured in my part of the country the roads don't really get added often.

Update

Does the POI database get updated in the same timeline as the maps?

Got a new 255WT too. I jot

Got a new 255WT too. I jot it in the calendar and will do a update near the 60 days dealine, in case a new map comes out in the next little while. I should find out how much a map update really is. It could well be more expensive than what I paid for the 255WT.

Would like to be able to save route but it's acceptable for the price

Got a new 255WT too. I jot

Got a new 255WT too. I jot it in the calendar and will do a update near the 60 days dealine, in case a new map comes out in the next little while. I should find out how much a map update really is. It could well be more expensive than what I paid for the 255WT.

Would like to be able to save route but it's acceptable for the price

Garmin 255W

I bought one on blackfriday deal. Mine was 2010.10 and now after updating its 2010.30
Its working great. updates are a life time ongoing thing. so if you wait for march to release 2011 update, then there is no meaning of buying GPS device. Anyway after few months after march again there will be a new updates. so my advice is register it and get 2010.30 update.start enjoying your GPS.
who knows after 1-2 year where the device would be!!!!

Wait

I would wait until close to the end of your 60 days. I updated my 855 right away and a week later they came out with another update.

--
Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

Map Version

Where can I look on my unit to find the current map version number?

go to setting >> Map >>

go to setting >> Map >> about...it should be there

Recent Release

There was a update just posted like a week or so ago. You have until Feb to update if you register now. So I would wait to register it with Garmin in 2010. You can go to different places and wait read when the lastest release has been posted and then register and update. So what if the GPS say's the shopping center is on the left when it's really on the right! wink

As long as the loaded maps

As long as the loaded maps are fine, there is no compelling reason to update them. So delay first fix until 2010, to get the 2010 maps for the one free update.