Garmin Releases Automated Updater for Lifetime Map Owners

Installation of 2.0.2 was uneventful on Windows 7.

@kch50428

It probably will be but I can't check that as I don't have a MAC. I'll drop Garmin a line to make sure both OS versions are updated but I can't believe one is and not the other as it would put the version numbers out of wack. Probably just a delay in loading the MAC version on their servers. I'll let you know.

UPDATE FROM GARMIN MAP TECHNOLOGY TEAM

Sorry, should have clarified that. There isn’t an updated Mac version. The bug fixes were PC specific so we didn’t need to build a new Mac version.

Thanks for the update.

A number of users, both here and on other forums, are reporting that the new program is reporting that there are available map updates when, of course, there isn't.

I passed this on to Garmin and just received the following note from them:

"That is definitely an issue in both versions. We have pinpointed the problem and are currently testing the fix. If everything goes as planned, we should have a new version tomorrow morning (July 20/11).

Please pass along my apologies for the annoyance."

Apparently they have resources to fix this minor glitch but not the more major problems.

I assume you mean major problems with firmware on the GPS. If so, you should be aware that the firmware folks and the map technology people are a completely different areas within Garmin. For all I know, they may not even be in the same physical location.

Maybe the Map folks could be assigned to the software teams but then all heck would break loose when a map update was late.

I'd sure like to see more resources applied to fixing the firmware problems though.

3 versions released within 1 week

Thanks for the headsup, just recently picked up a 1450lmt on clearance.

Bet their under the gun to get all the little kinks out before the next map update.

I'll look into it. Thanks for the FYI

I'm with you both on this one. I've been burned by too many pieces of software that were "Better" or "An Improvement". Guess I'll just wait and see.

I do thank you t923347 for letting us know.

I aggree with trigon, I'll wait to see if they finally get it right. Too many new and improved versions have been worst than the version replaced.

later installed it on my mac.

Thanks for the heads up on this. This is just what I was looking for. I do not always have time to update while on the road, now just plug it in and it will do the rest.

we will get to see if this new system works.

Updater says there is an program update, then aborts when trying to update. Typical.

Not the case on my laptops. Went smoothly.

Just saw a post that indicated City Navigator Europe 2012.20 is now available. Looks like folks with Europe maps will get an opportunity to try out the new updater program.

Probably should update to version 2.0.3 of the new updater program first however.

With the release of CN Europe 2012.20 we are getting the first chance to use the new lifetime mapupdater program.

I received a question from a person who has a Nuvi 775 with both NA and Europe maps on the device. He also has a 3790 with NA maps on the unit and lifetime Europe maps held on an SD card. He asked, how do I setup the updater so I only need go through the long Europe map file download once, and yet still be able to update both devices?

Garmin's response was:

"The best configuration would be to have the 775 set up as a device only install. Set the 3790 up as a computer only install. The updater will choose one of the devices to go first. Once the download for the first device completes, it will download any additional files needed for the second (there will be some).

In general, the Lifetime Updater will behave similar to the current Garmin Map Updater when the “Leave installation files” option was used on a previous run. That is, it will always check first for valid files locally and use those instead of re-downloading."

Hope this helps others that have mulitple units.

So far - the program plays well with Lion - won't know more until there's a map update - but it loads OK.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks. D/l'd and installed on W7HP w/o a hitch. Recently purchased lifetime maps and updated... will see how this all works when the next update rolls around.

Thank you for the heads up!

I installed it, tried it out and uninstalled it. I could not see the point in having an application running all the time that at most, downloaded an update four times a year. I'll check here and on Garmin periodically for updates.

What Aardvark said.

Good find.

Thanks

Some additional input: I would find this tool more useful if Garmin were doing something close to real-time updates. The current North America map image consists of 153 maps segments with names such as "AUSTIN, TEXAS", "CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY", "BUFFALO, NEW YORK", etc. Obviously these segments are being updated by the cartographic group all the time. If Garmin moved to a semi-real-time update where say on a weekly basis the latest segment updates could be downloaded and merged into your map image, that might be useful. It would at least approximate the updates one receives using a smartphone with 3G/4G service where the latest changes are available the moment they are downloaded.

However, sticking with quarterly updates does not seem to be worth the effort of having a dedicated application running. Even Windows Update, which is running in the background on Windows systems, gets more updates than once a quarter.

I was hopint to try this out before I went on vacation.

Did notice one thing with the new update.It shows maps up to date and no option to download the last update like before.

Will be interesting to see how quick all of us will get the new maps that jucout.
Wonder if there will be geographic differences in terms of who gets it the soonest.

In the map updater program, if you're on the main screen, you'll see there's a button that says "check for updates." If you already have the latest maps downloaded, it then gives you the option to re-download the most current map update.

I seen that before on the first update that came out. This time(latest update) after the icon showed up and I click on it.It show the update was current.Before the new update I got screen showing update needed and when I clicked on it you had to click on check for update and you had option to re-download last update.A false alert about update being needed.

How much it affects CPU usage

It shows 0% usage.

That's correct, it should use no more resources than the Microsoft or Windows Update process uses.

Also, as I posted on the first page of this thread, you should not notice a Background download if you are actively working on your computer. It is no more resource intensive than a download of a security patch by Windows Update.

I see that the updater downloads only the necessary files specific to a particular GPS model.

Meaning JV files, 3D files, or VR files (for 800 series). Does the program leave those model specific files on the PC for future re-installation if needed or will they have to be re-downloaded? And once the D/L is completed, do you merely hook up each unit to install the updates on each GPS ?

I'm still fuzzy on how you register each device you have a lifetime map subscription for?

Thanks.

I personally don't like these programs running on Windows startup and remaining resident/always running. You can use msconfig (from Start>Run>type in "msconfig") or any number of startup disabling programs out there to do this. The program you'll want to disable is GarminLifetime. When I need to run the program, I'll do so myself, thank you.

From what I've seen so far (posts and e-mails from folks with 2012.20 Europe being installed) it does in fact leave the 3D and TrafficTrends files on the computer. Can't comment on the VR data however.

I agree. Why have another program constantly running on your computer if updates occur only 4 times a year?

Thanks for the info...

To add additional devices with LT maps have the device connected to your PC. From the main screen click on "Settings" / "Devices" / "Add New"

Give the device a friendly name and then click "Search for Device". I don't have any more to add right now to see what the next screen will be but its pretty straight forward from this point.

I set my 3 devices so the 2nd device checks for updates 2 days after the 1st and the 3rd GPS checks for updates 4 days after the 1st GPS spreading them out through the week.

the answer for me. I have 8 Nuvi's and this thing is driving me nuts, can't wait until all need new maps!!

I only have one nuvi with lifetime maps. I downloaded the update program and told it to check for updates but I have seen nothing different with my computer. What does it do to drive you nuts? Mine isn't doing anything. Is there some settings I need to change?

@t923347 ,

I just switched to the 2nd and 3rd GPS units I installed to check their last update and they were 15 days ago and 13 days ago.

Curious, I thought it was supposed to check for updates weekly?

I keep the 1st GPS on the main screen most of the time and manually ckeck for updates occasionally.

I only have one unit with lifetime maps and, like you, check manually so I can only go by what I've posted from Garmin.

I'll question them again as I really don't think it checking on the schedule they mentioned, even for a single unit.

Well know for sure next week when 2012.20 is released.

Just ran my Norton start up report and all items were low usage except the Garmin automated updater. It used medium resources. I stoped it from opening at startup in my Norton and will check for updates manually, and watch here for new maps.

Where is the setting in Garmin Startup Manager to stop it from running at startup? Can not find it.

Run msconfig and remove the checkmark beside the Garmin Lifetime Updater entry. Reboot your PC.

Good

Running it now, and it seems to be working fine on Win7.

It's downloading @ 1.8MB/sec on my machine.

Just realized that I had downloaded maps on my PC, but still needed to install them on my 205T. Where's my head ? I guess I've seen too many peaople on vacation, and really need mine !