Report Stolen unit.

I had mine stolen a few months back. Make sure you file a police report, not that they'll get it back, just makes the paperwork part easier.

I dont have an answer for you on the subscriptions, but there there are tons of threads here about reporting stolen device to garmin, and my experience and that of others is its sort of a "out of luck"... Hopefully they're more helpful on the MSN subscription.

Sorry that happened to you! I have a pin code on mine now - on the philosophy I might as well make it useless to someone else. Still the GPS would be gone, but at least its worthless to them!!

photomatt,

Thanks for the info.

Unfortunately, the unit was a Nuvi 780 and is a slightly older unit which does not have the PIN Lock capability.

So what they have is a very usable unit that even has the very latest maps on it.

I wish there was a way to make it blow up remotely like some sort of James Bond weapon.

In lieu of that, I wish there was a wasy to send a signle to the unit and render it completely useless. It would make me fell better.

Smash and grab is an every day occurance in big cities.

That has absolutely no effect, the thief isn't going to try to use it and leave it when they find it locked, and they are not going to smash another window to put it back after they find it locked. Taking the GPS out of the car before the thief eventually does is the way to prevent theft (and broken windows), not pin numbers.

those pin numbers are not foolproof either. I believe that once you are within range of your home setting the unit can be activated.
I have also experienced the unfortunate departure of a Nuvi that was just four months old, but I purchased a better one and now remove it from its mount everytime i leave my vehicle.
The world is filled with opportunists that are ready to take your last dollar and not bat an eyelid over your demise.
Dust off and move on is my motto; Can't keep a good man down.
Sorry to hear about your loss.

I will definitely recommend getting a Garmin Beanbag mount for your next GPS. Will not leave telltale sign of the circular mount mark on the windshield and you can just keep it out of sight once you have reached your destination.

The crook doesn't know that, if they see an empty mount there goes your window, they will asume you own a GPSr and it still somewhere in the vehicle.

I use a bean bag mount,and when I take my GPS out of my car I put the bean bag mount under the seat stops from what flaco said from happening.

Noone expects to get it back, but it may prevent it from being pawned or sold. Certainly not as good as preventing it from being stolen, but its one more step. Just like car locks arent "THE ANSWER" - its just one more step, one more deterrent. If they were ALL locked with PINs, they wouldn't have as much illegal aftermarket value.

+1 on the beanbag too.

Yup, the beanbag is another bulky mount, harder to hide than the smaller suction mount. I use the suction mount, mount it on the high tinted part of the window next to the rear view mirror. Easy to read the GPS, easy to tap the screen without an overextended reach, doesn't block the view of the road, and any ring from the suction cup is concealed nicely by the tint.

And of course I never leave the GPS in the car.

The sorrow of not taking your GPSr with you at all times, or at at a minimum putting your junk in the trunk.
one of the reasons we all buy insurance is for just such a thing, so get the window fixed and make a claim for the Garmin. It doesn't really matter what mount you use, if you leave the GPSr it in the car you will eventually have it stolen. Make sure you remove the windshield mount and wipe off the suction ring left behind, then stow the mound in the glove box. And if a bean bag or friction mount is being used put it in the trunk with the other junk to get it out of sight.

These simple steps will save your Glass, GPSr and a headache!

I too kkep it high on the windshield. The 1 problem i have is in the summer it falls alot because the windshield gets so hot.

That is assuming you disregard best practices and set your Security Location to your home address. If the device is stolen from your car, it is easy enough to take your insurance and/or registration cards that have your address on them. My own Nuvi 765T has a Security Location seventeen miles from home with no reason that anyone would find for me using it. It just happens to be a random location chosen along my commute.

Mine is high, right next to the rear view mirror. The power cord wraps around the mirror mount post before heading down to the dash. So in the rare (for me) event that it does come lose it just drops an inch or two and dangles safely, does not drop and smash the screen.

I do not even bother with the PIN. It's gone, its gone. I guess maybe there is a slight chance the thief might put it back once he finds out it's useless, LOL.

I believe if you have a police report, that shows your GPS (with serial number) was stolen, Garmin will allow you to transfer lifetime map subsciptions ... I could be wrong .... don't know about traffic, but it's worth a call.

I also get a kick out of those who warn "don't set your home location to your home ... the bad guys will come straight to your home."

Well, I gotta wonder how many of those fearmongers have a garage door opener, license and registration papers (complete with your addresses) in their glove box of the car or strapped to the steering wheel column). I mean, you are required by law to produce those papers when a cop asks.

I find it hard to believe that some junkie (probably) who breaks into your car to steal your GPS is going to be thinking about anything except using the GPS to find the nearest pawn shop.

I find it hard to believe that some junkie (probably) who breaks into your car to steal your GPS is going to be thinking about anything except using the GPS to find the nearest pawn shop.

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Not sure about junkies, but around my house thieves are specifically targeting vehicles with GPS. They steal the vehicle, use the GPS to "go home" AND often use a garage door opener to gain easy admittance (if attached garage). Their favorite hunting grounds are ice arena parking lots. They know the victim is going to be busy for a couple of hours.