Stolen Nuvi

 

Someone broke into my car last night and stole my 755T and about $10 in quarters (for parking meters). Of course I have it password-protected, so I guess I'll keep an eye out for someone pulling up in front of my house to get it to work.

Anyway, the issue is what to buy as a replacement. Requirements:

- 4.3 or larger
- Lifetime maps and traffic
- TTS
- Lane-assist
- Plays MP3 POI sounds

I'm perfectly happy not to get the bleeding-edge model in favor of something more affordable.

What do you kind folks suggest?

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

mp3?

If the ability to play mp3 audio is truly essential, then buy another nuvi 7x5T model like the one stolen. A quick check of current models offering mp3 capability include only the 7x5T series and the 295W. If Lifetime maps aren't part of what you buy, just budget the extra bucks needed for a separate numaps lifetime purchase. You have many more options if you're willing to give up mp3 audio.

Use the Garmin comparator to check off the features you want to see what models meet your needs:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

Alternately, Amazon's listings for most nuvi models have a chart allowing you to comparison shop.

I'm sorry to hear of your theft.

Replace?

If you liked your 755, I suggest buying the same model.

--
1490LMT 1450LMT 295w

You reported it

to Garmin and police? Garmin will have the stolen units ID on file and refuse return if someone tries to send it in to get the password removed.

--
Mike

Haven't yet reported it, but

Haven't yet reported it, but will do so when I am working from my desktop, where all the info is stored. Thanx for the reminder.

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

1390 LMT?

755T is ~$130
1390LMT is ~$180 or about $50 more for lifetime maps

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

No mp3 on the 1390!

No mp3 on the 1390!

--
Nuvi 3790LMT, Nuvi 760 Lifetime map, Lifetime NavTraffic, Garmin E-Trex Legend Just because "Everyone" drives badly does not mean you have to.

Review

AJBoots wrote:

755T is ~$130
1390LMT is ~$180 or about $50 more for lifetime maps

Here's a pretty thorough review with lots of comments from others

http://gpsmagazine.com/2009/06/garmin_nuvi_1390t_review.php

No custom routes

on the 1390T. I would go for the 14xx or stick with the 755T. If the only thing you are using MP3 for is POI alerts, you can easily switch to WAV alerts on the 13xx or 14xx models. But if you use it for music or audio books, stick with the 7x5.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Get the same unit

When my nüvi 760 was lost/stolen I replaced it with another 760. I use the unit to listen to books from audible.com and also books in .mp3 format. The new units don't offer that functionality. I was very happy with my 760 so I replaced it with the same thing. I don't care that it's not the latest model. It does the things I want it to do.

--
GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

Which Brings Up The Question..

DefMan wrote:

to Garmin and police? Garmin will have the stolen units ID on file and refuse return if someone tries to send it in to get the password removed.

Which Brings Up The Question.. "does anybody know if Garmin would contact the Police with the returners (thief's) name and address because of the know theft report, or would they just let the obvious slide?"

Nuvi1300WTGPS

--
I'm not really lost.... just temporarily misplaced!

Sorry to hear of the theft.

Sorry to hear of the theft. I've seen several cars with smashed windows at various parking lots. This is the time of the year for thieves to hit cars hoping to find gifts in the cars.

Be very careful!

Was your Nuvi in plain sight or was it in a glove box?

Did they break your window or did you leave it unlocked?

--
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work

Garmin lock, so you don't have to take it with you

nuvic320 wrote:

Was your Nuvi in plain sight or was it in a glove box?

Does that matter? The important thing is that the Garmin was locked, so now he can enjoy the pleasure of knowing the thief will have to work harder to use it, or maybe has already smashed it in disgust. If it was "hidden" then you are just rubbing salt in the wound pointing out that it was taken anyway, how cruel.

Obviously AJBoots thought it might be likely that the nuvi would be stolen, that is why Garmin lock was used to protect it. One can only hope that he or she left the car unlocked, so the thief did not have to break an expensive window to get the GPS.

info

Thanks I was just getting to ask to some advice on a newer model

--
Sly

Garmin Lock

I am a belt-and-suspenders kinda guy, so I lock my car and lock my Garmin. The folks who grabbed my GPS also stole a bunch of quarters, which were not in plain view. The start-up image is an official-looking warning banner with the text "Stolen GPS. Tracking activated. Call xxx for reward." (Not that I am expecting anyone who stole it to call, but perhaps someone who finds it after the miscreant discards it as useless...)

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

i think garmin does not get

i think garmin does not get involved with the law enforcement as far as stolen units are concerned. however they will not fix/repair stolen gps units.

Garmin and law enforcement

neoneo wrote:

i think garmin does not get involved with the law enforcement as far as stolen units are concerned. however they will not fix/repair stolen gps units.

Garmin has a special "contact us" guide for law enforcement, essentially directing that all requests for data from Garmin come via snailmail on official letterhead.

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

Just ordered a refurb 765T

alandb wrote:

on the 1390T. I would go for the 14xx or stick with the 755T. If the only thing you are using MP3 for is POI alerts, you can easily switch to WAV alerts on the 13xx or 14xx models. But if you use it for music or audio books, stick with the 7x5.

Now I need to see if I can convince Garmin to let me use my just-purchased/used-once lifetime map subscription on the new unit. (Yeah, I know, but wish me luck anyway.)

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

Second the 765T

I second on the 765T. I have one and should something happen to it, I would definitely go for another one. The newer devices lack some of the features I wanted the 765T for.

BTW, I understand that if you had lifetime maps on the stolen unit and you send Garmin a copy of the police report, they will transfer your subscription to your new device. Never tried it myself and hope I never have to.

--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.

no they won't

Aardvark wrote:

BTW, I understand that if you had lifetime maps on the stolen unit and you send Garmin a copy of the police report, they will transfer your subscription to your new device.

No, they won't transfer the subscription. They will offer a discount, but hold to the terms of their agreement that it is for the unit not the subscriber.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Please keep us up on how

Please keep us up on how Garmin/Police interaction works out. Do PD follow up or just another case?

No, Garmin will not transfer

Box Car wrote:
Aardvark wrote:

BTW, I understand that if you had lifetime maps on the stolen unit and you send Garmin a copy of the police report, they will transfer your subscription to your new device.

No, they won't transfer the subscription. They will offer a discount, but hold to the terms of their agreement that it is for the unit not the subscriber.

Garmin might offer discount for the next map only.

Map update

dtran1 wrote:
Box Car wrote:
Aardvark wrote:

BTW, I understand that if you had lifetime maps on the stolen unit and you send Garmin a copy of the police report, they will transfer your subscription to your new device.

No, they won't transfer the subscription. They will offer a discount, but hold to the terms of their agreement that it is for the unit not the subscriber.

Garmin might offer discount for the next map only.

New unit is a refurb. Connection to Garmin results in an offer of a free map update before Feb 22. Can anyone point me to the place on the Garmin site where I can determine what the latest map version is? All the other files on my refurb unit seem to be pretty much up to date. The map version is 2011.10.

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

2011.30

AJBoots wrote:
dtran1 wrote:
Box Car wrote:
Aardvark wrote:

BTW, I understand that if you had lifetime maps on the stolen unit and you send Garmin a copy of the police report, they will transfer your subscription to your new device.

No, they won't transfer the subscription. They will offer a discount, but hold to the terms of their agreement that it is for the unit not the subscriber.

Garmin might offer discount for the next map only.

New unit is a refurb. Connection to Garmin results in an offer of a free map update before Feb 22. Can anyone point me to the place on the Garmin site where I can determine what the latest map version is? All the other files on my refurb unit seem to be pretty much up to date. The map version is 2011.10.

The current map is 2011.30 and won't likely be replaced with a newer map until next February some time. If your free update expires on the 22nd, you could either update to 2011.30 now--or wait until the late teens in Feb to see if a newer map is offered making sure that your update is completed before your free offer's expiration.

Thanks

Thanx, Craig.

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

Recommend the 855

AJBoots wrote:

What do you kind folks suggest?

Sorry to hear about the theft.

I would consider buying the nuvi 855. It is chock full of features, including mp3, audio books, and voice commands. It was recently discontinued (not sure why--there is no direct replacement feature for feature) and is being significantly discounted at stores.

Stolen GPS

In San Francisco they were breaking out windows and stealing gpsrs and much more. If you left a tell tale such as the suction cup ring on the windshield and left your car parked on the street sooner than later they broke out a windshield or sideglass and pilfered whatever. Not uncommon for them to be stolen.

--
John_nuvi_

I think it's the quarters.

I think it's the quarters. Who steal GPS these days, so cheap.

..

sorry for your loss. i had that happen to me. actually lent it to a friend n it was stolen from her car. nuvi 660. got it for $600+.. i got a 765t thereafter.

--
A pedestrian is someone who thought there were a couple of gallons left in the tank.

To Be Released

Garmin is releasing a 2360LMT that has almost all of the bells and whistles as their highest priced models. Suggested retail is $299.99, but should be lower after the release. Santa just got a 255WT for our Son that cost $80. This is a good model with lots of capabilities without paying a lot.

2360LMT

panama wrote:

Garmin is releasing a 2360LMT that has almost all of the bells and whistles as their highest priced models. Suggested retail is $299.99, but should be lower after the release. Santa just got a 255WT for our Son that cost $80. This is a good model with lots of capabilities without paying a lot.

I am waiting for the 2360LMT. Have been checking Costco but they don't show that they have it in stock.

--
3790LMT; 2595LMT; 3590LMT, 60LMTHD

2360LMT

Waiting for the 2360LMT here as well.

Sorry about the theft, but I like your idea

"The start-up image is an official-looking warning banner with the text "Stolen GPS. Tracking activated. Call xxx for reward."" That's a great idea! What banner did you use? I think I'll set-up my new 1490 LMT the same way. If you're still looking for a new unit and can do without the mp3 player, the 1490 unit has been on sale for under $200. The 5" screen is great and the bluetooth works seamlessly.

Look here for help

willasa wrote:

"The start-up image is an official-looking warning banner with the text "Stolen GPS. Tracking activated. Call xxx for reward."" That's a great idea! What banner did you use? I think I'll set-up my new 1490 LMT the same way. If you're still looking for a new unit and can do without the mp3 player, the 1490 unit has been on sale for under $200. The 5" screen is great and the bluetooth works seamlessly.

Gary Hayman's site
http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/page7x5.01.htm#...

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

Phone number a good idea?

If they didn't have your location before, won't they have it when they turn it on and see your phone number? A reverse lookup at any of the YP sites will provide your address.

I think I read somewhere that your "home" location should be somewhere close to your house, like an intersection, where you can reset it but won't let the thieves know where you live.

Rich

--
Rich Nuvi 255W, 2597LMT

Just give a cell # or email

While cell #'s can be traced it is much harder than a landline. Most people breaking windows in a car to steal contents are not going to waste time trying to use other tools to locate you. Many are looking for fast cash. You could always use an email for contact.
The reality is many people have enough pieces of paper in their car so if the thief really wants your address they'll have it if they look around.
If you do your best to hide the fact that anything valuable is in the vehicle, park in a good location where as many people as possible are always nearby you reduce the chances your vehicle will be the "choosen one".

don't insult honest people

willasa wrote:

"The start-up image is an official-looking warning banner with the text "Stolen GPS. Tracking activated. Call xxx for reward."" That's a great idea! What banner did you use? I think I'll set-up my new 1490 LMT the same way. If you're still looking for a new unit and can do without the mp3 player, the 1490 unit has been on sale for under $200. The 5" screen is great and the bluetooth works seamlessly.

"Tracking activated" is completely bogus. If I see that why should I even believe anything the owner says, such as the reward? I've posted this before, but I'll say it whenever I see such nonsense advocated. There are honest people out there. They very well might return your GPS. I've never found a GPS but I have returned more than one lost cell phone, and I did so by simply having the phone "call home" and telling the owner where he or she could pick it up. A thief isn't going to return it anyway, and you have to be pretty nieve about technology to beleive "tracking activated". I have a splash screen on my own GPS, with my real name, phone number and e-mail address, just in case I do manage to lose it.

If I found a GPS I would try to return it. If the owner failed to provide contact info and he was in my area I would even try to have the GPS guide me to his home. But if going home took me to the middle of a cornfield somewhere, or to a local police station, I would stop trying. And if I powered on a GPS to return it and was insulted with a "Tracking Activated" screen, I wouldn't return it even if it did have a name on it too. I would just wait to see how well his tracking worked.

Stolen GPS

When my unit was stolen Garmin was very helpful, including reactivation of the maps on the replacement unit and the reinstallation.

FWIW, I only hope the person who paid $35.00 to the thief for my unit got so pissed that it would not work that they went back and shot the son of a bitch between the eyes! It would serve them both right.

it seems

Frovingslosh wrote:

don't insult honest people

the only one insulted is you.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Warning banner

I found a website where you could create the text within one of several graphic formats. Can't find it now, of course

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

Just make a JPG file

AJBoots wrote:

I found a website where you could create the text within one of several graphic formats. Can't find it now, of course

I put several pictures on my Nuvi 255w. Somewhere in there, when I was viewing it, there was an option to replace the splash screen with one of my pictures. You could just use the jpg file you created as the splash.

--
Rich Nuvi 255W, 2597LMT

Getting a GPS back

Ignoring the superior tone of your post, I understand you do not have your GPS locked and you have included your home address as part of the contact info. I understand how that would help if you were to lose your device, but not if it were stolen, which was the topic of this thread.

--
DC Area, Nuvi 2797

I know how you feel. I got

I know how you feel. I got hit twice.

Innocent people mostly become victims.

--
Garmin Nuvi 2555 LMT, Street Pilot C340, nuvi 265WT, Mio Moov 300, nuvi 255W, Navigon 2100 (Retired)

you talkin' to me?

AJBoots wrote:

Ignoring the superior tone....I understand how that would help if you were to lose your device, but not if it were stolen, which was the topic of this thread.

I think this was directed to me. No. I don't have my home address on the splash screen, but that's mainly for space reasons. With my real name and real home phone number it would be easily enough to find (it is in the phone book) or someone could just use the GPS "home" feature.

Yes, the topic was about a stolen GPS, but I think the response you object to was regarding the suggestion to put a deceitful "Tracking Enabled" message on the splash screen. In addition to the problems that I already mentioned, if someone stole the GPS and was foolish enough to believe the tracking message, I expect their first reaction might be to smash the device to prevent the GPS cops from zeroing in on them and all of their other loot. So even in the event that they were caught, your locked GPS would likely to be smashed. Call it superior, but I don't think it is a good idea to lie to people and treat them like fools, even if they are.

And I don't really expect that my splash screen is likely to have my GPS returned to me if it is lost, although it seems better than nothing. But I don't leave it in the car. You apparently thought yours might be stolen, so locked it but left it in the car anyway. If you hear a superior tone in my suggesting that people should be honest and not try to con others, then perhaps you'll forgive me when I hear a superior tone in someone saying that his GPS was stolen, he expected it, but he can take satisfaction that the lock feature was enabled.