Garmin City Navigator North America NT v 2008 Upgrade Free from Garmin

Just wanted to add to the discussion that I too have contacted Garmin via email (mySupport ticket). Sent my email on Monday and got a reply on Tuesday. Rep who replied told me that he put in an order for me for the 2008 map update and I should get it within 3-4 weeks.

I'm happy.

I read through this message string, and contracted Gasrmin Tech Support to get the free Mapsource City Navigator North America 2008 update. I installed the software, but the maps are locked. Garmin tech support emailed the unlock code to me, and I went through the unlock wizard, but the maps are stillk locked. I have a nuvi 660, but I'm not even to the point where I can get the maps to unlock to transfer them. Has anyone else experienced unlocking problems?

One last thing, I get an error near the end of the installation regarding my USB driver. When I check the driver, owever, the status is that it is working.

Thanks for any ideas, Carl

looks like I'm going to have to get it.

I think I figured out the problem. I have a nuvi 660 with City Navigator NorthAmerica V8 Deluxe. After I contacted Garmin tech support and told them what I had, they sent me City Navigator North America 2008. I think they should have sent City Navigator North America 2008 NT. I'm trying to notify Garmin now to see how they respond.

Regards, Carl

I just spoke to Julie at Garmin ordering support re: getting a free upgrade of my nuvi 660's City Navigator North America NT v8 to v2008. I bought and registered it on Mar 15. She told me that free upgrades would only be available for units bought on or after May 1st. Otherwise, it's full price with no offered discount, even though my NT is only 4 months old. That's an equivalent price of $210 for a year. I declined to order the upgrade.

The upgrade price should be $70.00

Guess I'm going to have to call and be on hold for a while. My email request was answered with:

"Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

I would be happy to assist you. Since your unit was purchased in May, unfortunately it would not be elgible for a free map update. Mapping upgrades are the only unit updates offered by Garmin, which are not offered for free. These upgrades are available every 12-15 months on average, and are offered at a discounted upgrade price of $69.99 I have added a direct link to our website to the "Map Updates" area, for your convenience.

http://www8.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp

Go figure!! I guess it's a case of who answers or is in the know. The saga continues.

I have a refurbished NUVI 350 that I purchased the first week of February. I had a minor problem in acquiring satellites so I emailed CS describing the problem. As a throw in question I said that the unit was only a few months old and asked if I am eligible for the free upgrade. After 5 days of emails back and forth with mine being very polite, complimenting and thanking the cs rep for his genuine help and kind assistance in overcoming some problems with ID#'s etc. I was told that he had ordered the upgrade for me.

I guess it all comes down to how one presents a problem to cs, showing respect, the proper gratitude and acknowledging the help and assistance provided can be very rewarding.

I am sure that when a cs rep receives a compliment and acknowledgement of their efforts to help you, they are more inclined to extend themselves to provide an extra bit of attention to a person that shows respect for the efforts that are routinely taken for granted or even worse, dismissed by the customer.

I just got confirmation from Garmin Techsupp that I am entitled to an upgrade and that it will ship in mid August.

I was told that if you purchased your Garmin witin 90 Days of the announcement date of July 12, 2007 you would qualify. I bought mine on 4/30/2007, so I just made it.

All I had to do was send them a copy of my receipt, in my case it was the packing list.

Happy Navigating.

Does anyone know if V9 only updates the maps or does it also update the section that finds local Banks, Restaurants, ATMs and atractions?

That data file is updated, but remember that doesn't mean that they are all corrected. Corrections will only occur on those locations that Navteq was made aware of. I don't believe they check on the 6 million POIs individually.

My 660 was purchased and registered May 12. I helped my son buy on in June. Garmin (very nicely) is providing the free update for both units.

Yes you would be correct and a savings of $70.

I talked to Garmin yesterday about a Nuvi 350 I purchased in mid February 2007. They said the unit had to have been purchased in the last 90 days to qualify for a free upgrade of the software to NT 2008.

Read my above post and try my method, it worked for me
Double Tap

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information within Garmin itself. Some of the people at Garmin never heard of a 90-day policy. They are going on a case by case basis for all I know. They guy I talked to never mentioned 90 days either. I didn't get a free update since I purchased my unit last November. He just said that mine was too old to qualify.

Well, I ended up buying the map update from the same guys that I had bought my unit from and they sold it to me for $65 incl. S&H. And I will get it on Monday.

I talked to Sales Support (Option 1 on their phone answer system) and had no hassle at all. They just said, "Yes, we are doing that" and asked when I purchased my unit. All I had to do was fax a receipt/invoice to 913.440.1796 and attention it the rep I spoke to.

Now we will see if it actually arrives. No real doubt that it will.

I received my new Nuvi 370 earlier in the week and e-mailed Garmin Support a couple of days ago. They had me send them a copy of my receipt, and told me that I should receive the update in 14 days.

Peter

I did not get a refernce number and never gotr my 1st order of the DVD that I needed .. I caled back after about 2 weeks and they didnt know anything about it.. I was then giving a Tra cking number and then I got the DVD within the week.. Get a confermation number but BE VERY nice about it..

Well, I tried a second time, by email, to get the update and:

" Thank you for contacting Garmin International, I would be happy to assist you. Yes you do qualify for the free update.

I placed an order for you today. Your order number is XXXXXXX. Please let me know if I can provide additional assistance.

With Best Regards,"

Guess it IS who you get to read your request. My Nuvi 660 was purchased on 5/15/07 and registered on 5/18/07. Both requests were worded exactly the same. Saga concluded; I'm a Happy Camper.

Can anyone comment or advise please, I tried a new subject several days ago with the following but I got no response so I am trying in this subject forum.

Since I posted this, I have sent a second e-mail but still not received any reply.

I purchased a Nuvi 670 end of June 2007.

E-Mailed Garmin 19th July ago about upgrade, to date no reply.

Phoned Garmin Europe (I live in the UK) and was told under no circumstances are Garmin giving free upgrades. I would have to pay and the cost would be approx £50 with a two week wait.

I did state about the comments on this site but the very polite young lady stated it was news to her about free upgrades. She fully understood my reason for asking but there was no chance. She checked with her supervisor and said they do not know of anyone anywhere getting free upgrades no matter when the unit was purchased.

Any one any advice on what to do next or is it that Garmin Europe taking a different stance to the USA.

Hi Kingstonkelly,

which map update were you calling about? City Navigator North America 2008? What do you currently have on your unit - North America maps or Europe maps? The lady you talked to might not know about the free policy as it may just apply to NA maps...

Hi mnontheroad

The 670 comes with North America and Europe maps pre loaded, I bought this unit because I am touring the USA in September and I thought I would get the unit with both sets of maps loaded.

I asked the lady for the new North America update but she did state NO and as far as they are aware No one anywere is getting free updates.

I wonder if the map base is different when you have both NA and Europe loaded on and if updating the NA maps might wipe out the Europe maps? What is the exact verbiage for what you have installed? Do you show two lines for NA maps and Europe maps or is it just one line combining the two?

I spoke to a very nice rep. named Valerie. She told me she would credit me half the price of the updated version. I think that is quite equitable, realizing that there was no hassle in getting this reduction. I told her I knew her company could not do this for me every year but I felt that since I had just bought my 360, It was a very nice thing for customer relations.

Since most of my software has annual subscription fees...this one was pretty cheap!

Thanks mnontheroad

AS far as I am aware the maps are loaded seperate and I have seen on this forum people with the 670 who have received a free update for the N/America maps.
Lots and lots of users on this forum are saying how good the response is from Garmin, I do not know if it is just Garmin European or me, but I have not received any reply to either of the e-mails I have sent. the first was 19th July and the follow up 27th July.

Kingstonkelly,

I would call back again and see if you get a more helpful rep. Lots of people have posted here that they had to try a couple of times before they got someone who sent them the update for free. I personally had to call them up to get mine - e-mail didn't get my anywhere. Stress the fact that you know of other people who have got the update for free from Garmin. Also, you may have mentionedt his earlier but when did you buy your GPS? Can you still return it?

I came home for lunch today and I had a little package sitting on my porch.
I got my free 2008 update DVD!

Got a 370 last week. Spoke to tech support and sent them all the info. Got an email stating that the DVD is apparently on its way. Will have to wait and see if it gets here

I email customer support, and they had me fax a copy of my receipt, and they are sending me the upgrade! Thanks for the info!

I received a free update today as well. I started a different thread about it:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/5223

Hi,
I just found a rep from Garmin who put me on the list to receive the update, after I faxed my receipt. I had to call two or three times before I found someone who was willing to offer it.
Does anyone know if this update will install on the PC in Mapsource as well, using the same unlock code? Also when I update my C330, there probably isn't an option to backup the older map files on the unit to the pc, in case something goes wrong? It would be nice to be able to revert to the older map set in an emergency.

Thanks all for advice.

I phoned a different Garmin Europe number and spoke to a lovely young lady; she said "Yes you are entitled to free upgrade." She asked me to hold whilst she got some details and then came back and said "Sorry but No the system is saying you have to pay" But she then said this is due to change soon, so send me a letter detailing what we have spoken about and a copy of your receipt for the Nuvi 670.

All sent and now I wait with baited breath and fingers/toes crossed.

Yes Yes Yes, I got e-mail from Garmin confirming I can have free update as long as I send in copy of receipt, this was sent yesterday.

A box was at my doorstep this am..Maybe a week TAT from teh time I logged the problem to the time I recieved my Disc...

Big Atta Boy to Garmin!

A question to Garmin is why the full DVD version not included from the get go in teh box with the unit? Seems like it would be cost effective instead of logging a call and extra postage?

All I can tell you is that Julie at Garmin told me anyone who purchased a Nuvi after May 1st would get the 2008 upgrade free. I purchased mine May 6th. I RECEIVED MY NT 2008 UPGRADE TWO DAYS AGO, IT WAS FREE, AND THEY THREW IN FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING.

Frank seems to be right. I'm on the phone with Garmin support (Canada) right now and Shawn in the Tech Support department just agreed to send me free upgrades. I faxed the receipt while I was on the phone, he got it...done deal! Units have to be registered though....but if you have the yellow bit of paper with the serial number and registration code that can be done at the same time (one of ours was not registered).

Hope this works well for y'all too!

Glenn.
Airdrie, AB Canada
www.greatnewscanada.com

I just installed the 2008 Map Update for my C330 without any problems. I don't know if this will interest anyone, but since my unit has less memory then some, it gave me the option to install lower 48 states or Canada and some of the states (not sure which). It installed the files on the computer first, then updated the C330. I was pleasantly surprised it updated my mapsource product too, without overwriting the previous map set. So I have several versions of mapsource to compare map updates easily. I can view details in the Canada maps on the pc in this update too, which might come in handy. I plan on writing a special email thanking Garmin again for the free update. If people would do this, perhaps it will re-inforce Garman's free update policy in the future.

I just purchased a Nuvi 370 and received my free NA NT 2008 update today. After installation of the NA update, I show Europe NT v9 and NA NT 2008. They show on two separate lines, and I can select either or both to load on start. Installing the update for NA did not wipe out the European maps.

I just got the free maps update yesterday for a Nuvi 660 that I bought a few weeks ago. It took about 2 weeks to come. When the customer service person decided to send it to me, he gave me the feeling more like it was a special favor rather than a policy. (I was complaining to him that my street was not showing up in the maps even though this street has been here for over 25 years. The update now has the street.)

I've asked this question in another thread, can you load the lower 48, later change to the Canada maps, then load the lower 48 again? We plan to travel in Canada and would want those maps, but would want to re-load the lower 48 for travel in U.S. Hopefully I'll get my update soon! Thanks for your help...

I have had the same problem. Neither the PC nor the GPS were updated. I tried again using my wife's computer & it resulted in the PC maps being updated, but not the GPS. Oddly enough, the "MY GARMIN" section at Garmin.com shows the update & registration as complete.

I'm leaving on a trip next week, & will explore further with tech support when I return.

I received my Free Upgrade DVD yesterday and loaded it during dinner. It did take about an hour, or so, to load, but, all is well.

Thanks, Garmin, I really appreciate the support.

Purchased my NUVI 350 May 3rd 2007 with old Version 8. Emailed Garmin at techsupp@garmin.com and requested a free upgrade to V-2008. I was notified in couple of days that I would be receiving latest upgrade as soon as I emailed proof of purchase. Scanned my receipt into email and sent same to Garmin. Told my one free complimentary upgrade was in the mail. Jake

Ok so I was going to visit a friend in Hastings, MN and thought it would be a good idea to look for food joints near his place. Guess what - when I search for a food places near Hastings, MN on my Nuvi 350 (I have the 2008 NT maps) it does not find Hastings!! However, if I browse the map and start scrolling I see it on the map along with the associated streets and such but it doesn't show up as a city. Would anyone else be able to validate this?
Thanks!

I have a c330 and was able to find Hastings using search. Have you tried this multiple times with the same results??

Hi Walleye1,

I have tried this multiple times and every time I search it never brings back a match for Hastings, MN. Are you using the 2008 NT maps on your C330? When I had the V8 NT maps I was able to find it.

Thanks for checking!

yes, sorry. I have NT V8. I read your post incorrectly. My humble apologies.

I got my 650 yesterday and realized it didn't have 2008 maps. I emailed support last night and the response I got said that if I wait until August 24th the new maps will be free - there's no indication of how or why they will be free, that's all it says...so guess I will wait and see

I would call them, cause they are giving out free ones now.