Ever shrinking map update

First, your statement doesn't correlate with what Garmin now states about what map coverage comes with the 1300LM; i.e., coverage includes "U.S. (lower 48 states + Hawaii) & Puerto Rico maps," so there may be a bit of an issue here right from the start.

The nuvi 1300 has very limited internal storage space compared to other models:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34375

That said, there are two options to increase your coverage:

First, (after a total nuvi backup, of course), you can delete unneeded voices, help files, text files, vehicles, etc., then try re-installing the current map (or simply do your file deletions now, then wait for the next map update due in about a month). With unneeded files removed from the nuvi, you may be able to install more of the available map update.

Second, by installing map updates to your GPS and computer, you can install to the nuvi what Garmin lets you do, then install the remaining map segments to a SD card used by the 1300LM using MapInstall. A search of the discussion threads here at The Factory should give instructions for adding map segments (or maybe even installing the entire map update) to a SD card that can be used by the 1300LM.

ripoff

The OP tittle should have been "The ever expanding map of the US" not the "Ever shrinking map update"

You get what you paid for

How's that? Can Garmin help it if there is more road data now than there was 3 or 4 years ago when the 1300 was new or that there are additional POIs to include?

Sure, in hindsight they should have put a larger internal storage module in the 1xxx models but that's all water under the bridge now. They provided an SD card slot so for about $10 you can add map updates on the 1300 forever.

Put map on SD card so that when you can replace your gps & keep your map.

i have both the 1490lmt and 255w.

so i can load the new maps from the 1490lmt onto sd card and put the sd card into the 255w?

a workaround to get lifetime maps on a non-LM nuvi?

No you can not put the maps for your 1450 on an SD card and use the card in your 255W. The maps for the 1450 are locked to that device and although you maybe able to place them on an SD card, they will not be unlocked and usable on the other device.

And sometimes if you pop the SD card out and then right back in it won't reconize the SD card map anymore.

.

This means I need to mark each of my SD cards as "750" and "760" so I won't mix them up.

Another bookkeeping hassle.

I load my cards for my 3790, and 775 the same way so if need be, they're swappable.

The point I was attempting to make was you can't have a single Nuvi with lifetime maps and use the map files in any other Nuvi that doesn't have a lifetime subscription or one that you haven't purchased a one time update for.

You can, of course, download a map update once, and use those files on as many Nuvi's as you want, as long as you've purchased some sort of map update product for each unit.

The unlock codes for the various authorized devices are contained in the downloaded map files - so if you purchased a map update for your (insert model number of navigator here) and THE SAME map update for your newer (insert model number of other navigator here) the cards will be interchangeable.

Otherwise if you try the purchased map update in another navigator for which the specific map product was not bought it will come up with some variant of a 'map locked' message.

Umm, not true, unless I'm misunderstanding you.

Prior to 2010.40, maps used UNL files with the map unlock codes within them to authenticate the maps. The 25-character map unlock codes are generated using a hash of the GPS receiver's serial number and the map's internal ID number. Since the serial number is unique for every device, regardless of whether the map is identical or not it is impossible to switch SD cards between devices and have the map on the card work.

The firmware will read the map unlock code from the UNL file and extract both the device serial number and map ID from the map unlock code. The firmware will then compare the results with what it reads from its ROM and the map. A mismatch means the map will not function. The pre-made SD/MicroSD cards Garmin sells with maps on them are read by the firmware in the same manner. They however can be used on any device with a SD/MicroSD slot because the UNL code was generated using the SD/MicroSD card's serial number in place of the GPS receiver's serial number.

As of 2010.40, Garmin has changed their map authentication to reduce reliance on the UNL file. The UNL file's biggest weakness was that it was stored as plain text, meaning anyone could read one, or devise a tool to create one. Garmin's GMA authentication is a digital certificate that works with the UNL file to determine that a map is properly licensed. In simpler language, it's an added file to ensure you can use the map, and thus you cannot move it between devices and expect the map to work.