I've just bought 3490LMT. what to install first?

This is a great site for newbies and old timers alike. Check out the FAQs. Lots of good information there.
1. Make a back-up copy of your 3490.
2. Go to Garmin website and check for software and map updates available.
3. THe most popular downloads are Mcdonalds, WalMart and rest areas.
Good luck with your purchase.

Welcome to the site.

Since you are new, you may want to go through a couple of the Beginner Education FAQs.

To make it easy, when you click on the first link below, hold down the "Cntl" key as you left-click. That will open a new "Tab" in your browser in the "Tab" bar. Click on that 'Tab" to do the first FAQ - leaving the "Tab" you are now reading open and available to click on and return here.

The first link makes sure settings on your computer are such that you can do more advanced POI loading.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30393

This next link helps you get a backup by attaching your GPS to your computer. As spokybob just said, (NEVER do anything to your GPS until you have a backup)
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30394

Definitely take a look at the FAQ's, you will a lot and most of your inital questions will be answered and if you have a question, the users on this site are more than happy to respond to any question you have about your unit. It is one of the best if not the best GPS site on the Net.

Hi lala77.

The very first thing to do ?

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE FILES.

Then if something goes wrong whilst updating firmware or maps, you can restore the original files.

I can't tell you how many posts I have read from people who somehow managed to delete some critical files from their GPS and had to send it back to Garmin for repair.

Then, I'd update the firmware, then update the maps, then add any POI files you are interested in.

I think the best POI files are the RLC and Speed Camera files.

I do not know what other units have but Walley world, Sams, Target, Best Buy etc are already on my 1490/1450 so putting them along with fast food places is a duplication and a waste of space.
Most of my POIs are about places to visit and see in areas where I plan to be in.
What one wants on a Garmin depends on what the person thinks he/she will use.

Of the 50 closest Mcdonalds, my 1490 is missing 3 of them. Mahoney's file lists them all.

The poi's for the other locations you list are more up to date than what is on the gps.

welcome, newbie.
please let us know when you are able to update RLC and speed camera data.