Check your maps! Lession learned the hard way!
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  15 years
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Ugh
I had gotten everything ready or our trip back east. All of the points of interested that we needed were created and loaded into my Garmin, the power cable was ready to go, and then I made a fateful decision... I updated my maps.
Since I had recently updated my maps on another computer, when I tried updating the maps on a second computer, I simply selected the "Computer Only" option. The maps on my GPS was current, right?
All is good, so we left on our trip.
The first indication of a problem was when I looked for the power cable. It was no where in sight. I must have left it at home. So much for my plan to leave the unit running for our entire crossing of the country, even during stops.
We get to Chicago, and I fire up the GPS, tell it to navigate to the our hotel and... WTH? No local streets! Grrrrr!
After making our way to our hotel, with my wife trying to give the turn by turn while scrolling Google Earth on her phone, (Boy am I glad I made that kml file as a backup!) I finally realized where I made my mistake. That damn map update!
Luckily I have an SD card with a number of topographic maps on it, popped that into the unit and at least had the local streets to aide in navigation. Less than optimal, but sufficient to get us around our destinations.
Not my most trouble free use of my GPS. My two takes aways from this are:
1) Be sure you have packed every cable you need. On our return it was sitting right where I left it, ready to be packed...
2) ALWAYS CONFIRM the maps are installed if you do any updates. When you assume...
My maps are now up to date on my unit once again, and yes, I confirmed that!
Why didn't you just use
Why didn't you just use Google map turn by turn navigation to guide you to the hotel? No manual scrolling needed.
As for #2, my advice is NEVER make any major changes shortly before going on a trip unless you like surprises.
Rehearsal
Always make sure things work before you go on a trek.
Several days before you leave on the trek.
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.
Paper
When I worked for a marine navigation company with the latest technology available, the ships always had paper charts. Even with the Garmin GPS and Google Maps on my phone, I still keep a road atlas in my vehicle as a backup. Old habits die hard...
Yup
I still keep a road atlas in my vehicle as a backup. Old habits die hard...
Me too
Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20
Atlas? You better believe it!
Always have an Atlas in my Pickup!
No detail is lost when I zoom out with my reading glasses!!!!
Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA
always have plan B
My plan B: smart phone (google map, co-pilot in case no cellular coverage)
Plan C: paper map
Plan D: ask around
Almost the same
My plan B: smart phone (google map, co-pilot in case no cellular coverage)
Plan C: paper map
Plan D: ask around
I am nearly the same:
Plan B: Google maps
Plan C: Call destination and ask for directions.
Garmin Nuvi 2699 with 2017.30 Maps
every thing
every thing works well when you don't really need it, on long trips garmin my updated maps work fine "until" then I fall back on my gps in the smart phone "until" then I fall back on a Walmart papper map lol.
GPS and maps
When my 3790 crapped out on me just west of Kansas City I was lost. I cannot navigate by the sun too well. Finally saw a sign to Lexington. Headed that way. Caused me to drive some very long extra distance.
Now carry my ancient 855 as back-up as well as paper maps just in case.
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.
Backup Plan
I have Garmin Viago on my phone just in case, just very hard to see the screen at my age.
Garmin Nuvi 765T, Garmin Drive 60LM
rocknicehunter wrote:UghI
Ugh
I had gotten everything ready or our trip back east. All of the points of interested that we needed were created and loaded into my Garmin, the power cable was ready to go, and then I made a fateful decision... I updated my maps.
Since I had recently updated my maps on another computer, when I tried updating the maps on a second computer, I simply selected the "Computer Only" option. The maps on my GPS was current, right?
After reading your details it appears that you never updated your GPS. You just installed maps on your second computer. I am not sure why you were installing maps on two computers.
If you have more than one Garmin devices, only then install maps on computer (computer and device) to save time for the next device otherwise just select Device only for map up[dates.
I always go out on the road to test the new maps so that if there is any issue, it could be fixed right away.
Secondly, if you have a smart phone with data then you could survive without your Garmin. It may not be that convenient but will do the job.
Iphone XR, Drivesmart 61,Nuvicam, Nuvi3597
Change can be a bad thing
I never make changes to something right before a long trip. All maintenance has to be done and tested for at least 100 miles before leaving on a long trim. This is really important when traveling thousands of miles on a motorcycle. If an update came right before I leave, it can wait until I get back. It is better to travel on something in a known condition.
d
...
I always check the map version after updates and "view map."
Michael (Nuvi 2639LMT)
changes before an important trip
I never make changes to something right before a long trip...
I intended to do updates and POIs long before a trip from the East Coast to Seattle, Vancouver, and Calgary. Behind on everything, the updates were done the week before leaving. I didn't even think of it! After finishing up, I realized what a risk it was! Happily, it all went well, THIS TIME!
dobs108
.
Sometimes looking at a paper map beats the heck out of scrolling around on the GPS (or phone) screen.
thanks
thanks
CB radio
~snip~
Secondly, if you have a smart phone with data then you could survive without your Garmin. It may not be that convenient but will do the job.
Same for a CB radio, although not as many folks into using them these days.
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
Don't ....
Don't wear new running shoes in a marathon.
Don't make GPS changes before a trip.
Don't spill red wine on a white sweater.
Hopefully you went to Al's #1 Beef in Chicago.
Backup
Always good to have a backup, be it paper map or smartphone. When I update GPS maps, I'll key in a known address to be sure it works.
Thanks for the Tip ---
this info is helpful.
RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot
I'm guilty of this as well,
I'm guilty of this as well, always want to prepare and update everything, only to see it go wrong on a trip.
Yep
Not the results I was expecting. At least we did have backups...
Drivesmart 66, Nuvi 2595LMT (Died), Nuvi 1490T (Died), Nuvi 260 (Died), GPSMAP 195
Check your maps
Hmmm.. never had that problem, but now I'm going to check the map to see if it's good for a new area that I travel to.
Thanks
Knock on wood
Never had an issue like this happen after an update.
Long ago.
The GPS wanted to take me down a cow trail. It was easy to tell the difference. When I stayed on the road she recalculated.
GPSmap76Cx handheld, Nuvi 2557LMT, Nuvfi 2598LMTHD
Never had this happen either but....
I always fire it up after an update to make sure map info is there. I don't take it for granted.
Yes
Agree. Always check the map info after the update to make sure it is there.
me too
I always fire it up after an update to make sure map info is there. I don't take it for granted.
I even go as far as opening a map program up on my PC and pick a spot somewhere in the country and have the address pop up and put that address in the Garmin to see if it finds it and looks the same on both maps.
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
Good point...
Just downloaded the latest.. No problems I can see...
Bobby....Garmin 2450LM