Web updater vs Garmin communicator

 

Is the wed updater download program different from the Garmin communicator used to register new devices? Thanks

--
Garmin Nuvi 260W Garmin Nuvi 1490T If you think knowledge is expensive, try ignorance.

Garmin

Garmin Communicator is a "plug in" that is downloaded to your PC and works with your Internet Browser to allow Garmin's servers to communicate with the Nuvi. This allows for the device to be updated with new maps and software ranging from firmware, GPS software to voices through your myGarmin.com account

I think what your asking for is the difference between Webupdater and myDashboard. Webupdater is a software program, available from Garmin, that allows you to update firmware on your Nuvi and selectively update all other software but not maps. myDashboard, does require that you have the Garmin Communicator installed, and is available through your myGarmin.com account on the Garmin website. myDashboard updates the same software that Webupdater does, but doesn't allow you to select or see what is being updated. It simply says that there are updates available and then downloads and installs them.

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Re Webupdater vs communicator

Two years ago I was able to register my garmin and all I had was the updater. I went to register my 1490 today and it kept asking for me to install the communicator plug in. I hate plug in on my computer. I was wondering if there is a way to register without installing the plug in.

--
Garmin Nuvi 260W Garmin Nuvi 1490T If you think knowledge is expensive, try ignorance.

Nope

jamstyle wrote:

Two years ago I was able to register my garmin and all I had was the updater. I went to register my 1490 today and it kept asking for me to install the communicator plug in. I hate plug in on my computer. I was wondering if there is a way to register without installing the plug in.

Nope, Communicator needs to be installed to register a nuvi, update software or update maps. I suppose you could always uninstall it or turn off the add-on after registering your unit. It would be needed again for any map update, though.

Are you sure that you used Webupdater in the past to register a Garmin device? This seems odd to me.

I have never used

I have never used communicator. Always use webupdater. My 260W was registered just by typing in the serial # and whatever was asked for. That was it. That's why I was surprised when i logged in I was asked to install communicator in order to register the 1490.

--
Garmin Nuvi 260W Garmin Nuvi 1490T If you think knowledge is expensive, try ignorance.

Older Nuvi

Older Nuvi's were registered by accessing the Garmin website and going to the registration page.

For some time now, registration of a device has been through a facility called myGarmin.com. In order to use this facility you need to install the plugin. With the plugin installed you also gain access to software updates via myDashboard, as well as map updates, etc.

As I said before, Webupdater is a software program that allows you to update all the various software on your Nuvi except for Maps. There is nothing in the Webupdater program that would allow you to register your device using it.

I think the plugin is like an active X plugin in Internet Explorer. It doesn't take up any memory or doesn't do anything other than sit there waiting for you to login to your myGarmin.com account. At that point it allows the Nuvi and the website to communicate with each other. To the best of my knowledge there is no way to turn it off or delete it once it's installed, although there is probably a registry entry that one could find and alter. On the other hand I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to install it or turn it off (if that's possible).

jamstyle, do you ever plan on updating the maps for your 1490. If so, you'll need the plugin installed unless you want to pay extra for the DVD and live without Junction Views and any other extra map features, which I don't believe are available on the disk version.

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

I got the plugin and the

I got the plugin and the communicator works fine. I can disable the plugin if I want to. You can enable and disable it from the browser settings. I have to use communicator for the registration and map updates. I wont need a map update until next year because in NJ where i use it mainly the 2011 map is Ok until 2012-13. My next task is the free up space for next year map update. Right now i have 312MB free space. I am not sure how much I will need for the full map update. Does anyone know? I will use the instructions that was posted on here-freeing up space.
Thanks everyone for our response.
PS - I still want to know how much more free space I need for my next map update.

--
Garmin Nuvi 260W Garmin Nuvi 1490T If you think knowledge is expensive, try ignorance.