New Nuvi-Old Traveler

1. It is probably possible to charge it this way, but why would you do this when the device will charge while using it for navigation with the regular (cig. lighter) power adapter? The device may go into mass storage mode rather than navigation mode if you plug directly into the USB (or it may not) ... just try it and see.

2. I think you could use the full NA map SD card ... just uncheck the installed map in internal memory so it will be forced to use the map on SD card. SD card maps are not update-able. You would probably be better off getting a different nuvi with the full NA map rather than buying the NA map SD card.

I would only buy a SD card of NA only if I planned to drive to Canada or Mexico. Lifetime maps of the lower 48 are free.

I use the cigarette charger for the XM radio which is the closest to where I put the GPS. So the remaining charger thats close is the USB.

Living in a border town between US & Canada my wife and I often go to Canada to shop or have a meal. Since 9-11 it has become more of a hassle but we still go to Toronto for shows.

Thanks for the replys

Unless you can find a used SD card map real cheap, I still think you would be better off buying a different nuvi that has US and Canada lifetime maps. A new SD card map will cost $80 or more. For about $90 you can get a refurbished nuvi 56LM (at Newegg or TigerGPS) with US + Canada lifetime maps. You could probably sell the 52 to someone who doesn't need Canada maps and recover some of the cost. You would be money ahead and have a newer/better nuvi.

One other thing to consider would be loading just the provinces you normally travel in from Open Street Maps onto an SD card and using them as a supplementary map. The Garmin will route over the OSM loads but will not provide verbal instructions on the same level as the US maps.

You could also buy a splitter for the cig lighter to allow you to plug in multiple items, like your XM and GPS.