Garmin Programs

Wow, I love it. What a great question to see it all in one place. OK, my answers (which can be greatly elaborated upon by others):

Garmin Express: Garmin's "latest and greatest" memory-resident program installed to a computer. It tries to be an all-purpose program to update firmware, maps, extra vehicles/voices, etc., etc. but oftentimes fails to properly update some Garmin models--when owners call Garmin to ask about the problem, Garmin suggests using GarminMapUpdater instead. Many complain that it currently doesn't allow map updates to computer to be used by BaseCamp and MapSource.

Garmin Lifetime Updater: the first memory-resident computer program installed to a computer to help Garmin device owners know when a new map comes out--and to do the map update. A "feature" of Lifetime Updater is that it'll notify you of a new map update about 1-2 weeks after you hear the news here at The Factory.

(You didn't ask, but...)
GarminMapUpdater: the non-resident computer program used to update City Navigator maps on Garmin devices. Preferred by many here at The Factory because it seems to work for everyone.

MapInstall: a computer program that can be used to transfer all or partial maps from a computer (as used by BaseCamp and MapSource) to a Garmin GPS device. It's used a lot when older nuvi models can't install a large map to a device where MapInstall will install to a SD card for use by the device the parts of a map that previously didn't fit; i.e., you try to install a new City Navigator map update and are told you only have room for either the Lower 48 states, some northern states and Canada, etc. Now that many nuvi models can have a full City Navigator map update installed to a SD card by the Garmin update process, MapInstall is not needed as often as before. MapInstall is also the program used to copy non-Garmin but Garmin-compatible maps from a computer to a nuvi or other device. For many, this is how topo maps are installed to a device.

Mapsource and BaseCamp: two computer programs used to display Garmin maps on a computer. Also can be used to import/export Favorites from/to a nuvi or between GPS models. Also can import/export and display tracklogs. Mapsource (and probably BaseCamp) can be used when showing a portion of a map with or without tracks, waypoints, Favorites, etc. to switch to an identical area in Google Earth (assuming the computer has Google Earth installed). If a Garmin device can do "routes," Mapsource and probably BaseCamp can export a route to a Garmin device. Mapsource is no longer supported but it's actively being used by folks like me who see no need yet to learn how to use BaseCamp.

WebUpdater: A non-resident computer program that offers and installs firmware updates, new voices, etc. to Garmin devices. It's a preferred program by many here since it works. A feature of WebUpdater over myGarmin is that WebUpdater tells you what updates are available and lets you select or not select each individual update.

myGarmin: a website used by many to update maps, firmware, etc. on their devices. Generally used with a Garmin device connected to the computer. When signed into your myGarmin account, you'll see a list of your registered devices, be told of map updates available, etc. (In the past when updating maps, myGarmin used GarminMapUpdater--now it uses Garmin Express.) A "feature" of myGarmin is to tell you that your device has updates available and lets you install them, which is great, but maybe not the best use of your time and internet bandwidth if the update being installed is a revised Mandarin Chinese voice, text, traffic and help files, BUT you don't speak or understand Chinese.

I'm sure I've overlooked a lot of features and may have said a couple things that will need to be corrected by others.

1. Garmin Express - a program to allow you to install maps and all other software, backup the device, transfer items from one unit to another etc. Great idea but so far all the bugs haven't been worked out.

2. Lifetime Updater - Garmin's first attempt to automate map updates for units with Lifetime maps. Never worked well and I don't think it's being worked on any longer.

3. Mapinstall - a program that allows you to pick which map regions to compile and install on your GPS or SD card. Not often needed unless you are installing extra maps (topo, 3rd party, etc.) or don't have enough space on your GPS for a full map installation.

4. Mapsource - a piece of computer software that lets you use Garmin maps to create routes and waypoints that can then be transferred to your GPS. Although still available, it is no longer being updated by Garmin.

5. Basecamp - the successor to Mapsource with added features like being able to use the maps on your GPS instead of needing a copy of the maps on your computer like Mapsource did.

6. WebUpdater - a computer software program that allows you to find and install all available updates to your GPS except maps. Garmin Express will be the successor to this program.

7. MyGarmin - your personal account on the Garmin website with details of your GPS, whether map updates are available etc.

8. Other Programs:

Garmin's Mapupdater - Garmin software which allows you to download and install available map updates to your GPS, SD card, or computer. Often used instead of Garmin Express because it is less error prone.

POIloader - Garmin software to allow you to install Custom POIs files, like the ones found on this website, to your GPS.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/37552

Thanks, canuk and jgermann. It's great to see such a great glossary available.

All in one place.

Added those of your definitions not already in the glossary to it.

Thanks

Thanks for your adding those items and for putting that great list together.

However we have winners.

Great Question and GREAT Answer. I've seen lots of these programs being discussed, but didn't really understand 1) the differences, and 2) why there has to be so many choices. I'm a firm believer in KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) and all the update choices don't support that philosophy. Add to that the varying degrees of effectiveness of the various choices after the last update and...

Look at all the badges next to the names this week. Way to go! Great question and responses.

I just got a newer, 5" nuvi 50LM, that came with free lifetime map updates. Of course, it says the first thing to do is hook it up to the PC and download the Lifetime Mad Updates app so I can stay current.

QUESTIONS: Do I really need that app? Or can I just use the normal Map Update in it's place?

The Lifetime Updater program has been discontinued. Your current choices are Garmin Express and Garmin Map Updater. My advice is to use the latter.

Are you sure it didn't suggest you get Garmin Express, that's what happened when I first hooked my 3797 up. As alandb says, Lifetime Updater is discontinued. Garmin wants you to use Garmin Express but I still prefer Garmin MapUpdater.

My poor memory! I hooked up the new nuvi 50LM last night to register it and the instructions did reference Express. It took longer to register than when I got my nuvi 200 way back when but I'm all set.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

PS I was surprised to see this model came with it's own micro-SD card pre-installed. Both that it came with the unit and that it was a "micro" instead of normal SD.

Just checking since you mentioned "normal SD". Was it a micro in an adapter?

plugged into the nuvi with no adapter.

Must have been a special deal between Garmin and the dealer since I know of no Nuvi that comes with an SD card installed. The specs for the 50 from the Garmin website read:

Accepts data cards -- microSD™ card (not included)

Or maybe he got a unit that was previously purchased, then returned with the previous purchaser accidentally leaving their microSD card in the unit.

@ZenHiker: I'm not surprised. Switching to a MicroSD card is both a space savings and cost cutting measure on Garmin's part. The actual MicroSD slot is probably a penny or two cheaper per unit than the equivalent SD card and allows them to make the device thinner.

Perhaps the only places standard SD card slots are found these days are in some digital cameras and on laptops.

I remember when microSD was first introduced, I remember reading that it was meant to be for devices that the user seldom had to eject the card from. It was (compared to the standard SD Card format) pretty "micro". Now you see microSD being used much more than standard SD Card.

I wonder how much smaller these things will get before people need to use tweezers to handle them.

My sis bought a GPS from QVC. I registered it and added some stuff on the microSD. After a week or so she returned it. She didn't know I had put in a card.

I bought this nuvi 50LM because it was an Amazon "deal of the day" and came with free shipping (only $95 w/lifetime maps sounded good to me)! It was not supposed to be re-furbished and appeared brand new out of the box. I'm as amazed as the rest of you about the mirco-SD.

I'll have to take a look at what's on the card before I do any map updates.

Joe Shmoe's birthday party pics maybe???

Jut bought mine from Staples. It looked new and it had the micro SD card already installed in the slot. THe Micro SD card did not have any data on/in it. With coupon used, paid $95 including free shipping from Staples.

When I downloaded 2014.10, I finally ran out of room on my 255. I selected the option to download eastern USA and that did fit with room to spare. Because I didn't have my SD card installed it didn't offer me any options for sticking stuff there. Today I decided to download 2014.20 and to my surprise, it only offered me the eastern USA even though I would have had space with the SD card to download everything. I used Garmin Express for the downloads. I noted in the discussion above that the Garmin MapInstall program might allow me to download the whole map to my computer and piece it out to the 255 and the SD card. Do you know if that is the case?

I also own a 255W and have just a region on the internal memory.

Use Map Updater and you will see the option for all of North America or just certain regions. Select all of North America with the sd card in your unit and you should be good to go.

Report back if you encounter problems.

Cheers

Garmin Map Updater PC:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.exe

Garmin Map Updater Mac:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.dmg

Thanks, I will try that next time I am on that computer.