Garmin Lock

Question: How does Garmin Lock work?

Answer:
Garmin Lock is an anti-theft feature. You can set a 4-digit PIN (personal identification number) that you enter every time you turn on your nuvi, Streetpilot, or zumo. After you set your PIN, you can also set a security location. The security location is an actual physical location that your unit stores in case you forget your PIN.

To enable this feature follow the steps below for the specific series unit that you have:

For the nuvi 300/600 series, StreetPilot c500 series, zumo 400/500 series:

On the Menu page, touch Settings (wrench icon).
Touch System.
Touch Garmin Lock.
Follow the directions on the screen to set the PIN as well as the security location.

For the nuvi 200/205/400/500/700/705/800/805/5000/1000 series and zumo 220/660/665:

On the Menu page, touch Tools (wrench icon).
Touch Settings.
Touch Security.
Touch Garmin Lock.
Follow the directions on the screen to set the PIN as well as the security location.

For the nuvi 3700 series:

On the Menu page, touch Tools.
Touch Settings.
Touch System.
Touch Garmin Lock.

Write down your PIN and keep it in a safe place. If you enter the pin incorrectly by mistake, unplug the unit from any power source and turn the unit completely off. Power the device back on to view the pin code entry pad and enter the correct 4 digit number. If you cannot remember your PIN, you can always return to your security location to unlock the unit.

NOTE: If you forget your PIN and your security location, Garmin Product Support cannot unlock the GPS over the phone. You must send the device to Garmin for service. Please contact Garmin Product Support for further assistance.

On occasion it's taken me 3 attempts to enter the security code correctly on my 660 and I haven't been locked out.

IIRC recently I read on the forum it's not a good idea to have your security location at home. Should someone steal your unit they might just locate your home and unlock the unit. Maybe place your security location at another location, maybe work , etc. Just a thought!

My "home" is an intersection about a 1/4 mile from the house. My unlock position is in the drive.

I thought you can just power off and on again and try again.

Just another case where Garmin lock causes the owner problems, but I've never seen a case reported where it prevented theft or caused a stolen GPS to be returned.

If a theft was prevented, it did not happen and wouldn't be reported, would it?

Does not seem to be any problem to re-enter the PIN if incorrect on previous try.

Voice instruction continues even when locked.

Will not unlock to nav screen if on USB Charger Power.

It will automatically unlock when approaching within 100' of 'secure' location, but still won't allow a change of PIN or turn-off of 'lock' without correct entry of current PIN first.

Sometimes I can by pass lock screen by saying "Voice Command" and go to View Map.

On other unit, when you power on the unit, sometimes it will by pass the lock screen without enter PIN and you can re-enter different PIN.

This is a bug for all Garmin unit since many years.

Thanks. Turning off and then back on again worked for me. After 15 years of using aircraft gps I am still having problems coming to grips with some of the quirks of these retail versions.

So that was you flying down the road.

LOL just had to say it.