how do i get for free the download of the gps map update 2008 navigator nt for usa?

The update is not downloadable free or otherwise.

You will need to call Garmin Support and request the update disk.

When did you purchase your unit?

i purchased the gps on march 2007 and i still have loaded the one that came with it

Generally, Garmin has been honoring free updates to v2008 on units purchased after May 1. You can get more information by searching on this site for "map updates".
The new maps are similar to purchasing a new map atlas (hardcopy) in the store each year. Most people go for several years before updating as the changes are not that great unless you live in an area with a lot of new roads. Even then, it may take several years for them to appear.

Yes, my area has new roads . thanks

Yeah, you would need to purchase the update, then. It can be found for less than $60 on the internet.

But I would check the Map Viewer on Garmin's site first to see if the maps have been updated for the areas in which you are interested.

Hey MM, I just bought the north America NT update 2008,from ProVantage.Is there anything that I have know before downloading it to My Garmin 7200 GPS. Is it Automatic or do you have to remove anything from the GPS if that,s at all possible?

P.S Just got back from New York and am glad to see you Back.

Richie

Thanks scooter.

It should be fairly automatic. The update will overwrite the GMAPPROM.IMG file on your unit and create a new map file. You don't need to do anything to your unit beforehand.

If for some reason it doesn't autorun, look for the MSI file on the disk (this is the installer) and run that file.

i could not find the address of a friends home in virginia, their street is new, relatively 3 years old, i just got a nuvi 660 a few days ago but sad to find out when i entered his address my GPS could not find it, i dont know why Garmin sells GPS with an outdated maps, in this case its map is just the same what my friends old GPS have, i tried to do it in the internet @ mapquest and it gave me the directions...
just for the sake of trying, look for:
DILLWYN CT, WOODBRIDGE VA 22193

My question, is that North America NT update 2008 covers most of all new street across the country? or its just a waste of money?

Try to make sure you enter the right city reason i say that for example if i enter an address according to the mailing address my gps wont find it either i have to put the right city in here is an example 2333 lockhaven rd cleveland ohio is wrong
2333 lockhaven rd brookpark ohio is a suburb of cleveland and this is right then the gps gives the right location hope this helps

Thanks for the info MM. You sure are a sharp Momma, and again its good to have you back.

Richie

I had time the other day to mess around with my 660 and stumbled upon the map info and it stated that I had the 2008v map update already. I was about to call Garmin and request the update...I would have looked stupid. So check your maps first before you call.

Call or email garmin and if you purchased your GPS recently they will send it free with proof of purchase. Otherwise you have to buy the update.

yes i did enter the right address as the GPS prompt me on what data to enter but no direction was available so i tried looking it in mapquest @ the web and it gave me the direction, this is the complete address i tried to get direction:
15308 dillwyn ct
woodbridge, virginia 22193

my family and i are scheduled to go there on the 1st week of september from new york.

Sometimes the GPSr doesn't recognize the spelling i.e. "ct" or Court, for example. Also, map information is as up to date as Navteq supplies. Sometimes streets are not reported for several years. In that case, you need to report it to Navteq for investigation and possible correction the following year.
My suggestion, if you know where the street is located is to zoom in on it with the map and then see if the street is actually there. If it is, select it and save as a favorite. Then you will be able to see how it is spelled. A little convoluted, but then you will know if the street is present in the maps or not.

sir mkahn, good day, you know, as i input the street name "dillwyn ct" the gps would prompt me to choose 2 streets,dillingham sq & dillon ave, inputing dillwyn ct is to no avail, it stops in the selection of the 2 streets,

scrolling it in the gps map the farthest i could go is the 2nd to the last street which is lake terrapin drive then after it there is no more road network going to dillwyn ct.

maybe what i could do is drive up to lake terrapin drive then proceed using the print out of mapquest that gives complete driving direction

One thing to remember is that Garmin gets its map data primarily from Navteq. If Navteq doesn't include the streets in their update, it's unlikely that Garmin will have the street. And even if Navteq has it, it still will take some time for Garmin to take it and incorporate it into their products. How fast the data makes it into the maps depends upon a variety factors. Who and how the data gets reported, if they are able to verify the data, etc. It can be anywhere from 3 - 7 years or more until the streets make it onto the maps. Priorities come into play as well. Large interstate construction projects, for example, would have a higher priority than small residential areas.

This is why I always advise people to never rely on a single device, method, or means for navigation particularly in areas with which they are not familiar. Also, have a back up which can be in the form of local knowledge, a paper map, directions from any internet service, etc. The GPS unit should be thought of as a co-pilot and not as an auto-pilot.

All of this information is very helpful. Thanks.

Hi bopphim,

There's a way to find a specific place, even if it's not on the Garmin's map. Providing you can type-in an address in the Google Earth.app and "get a result" on Google Earth, you can use those "coordinates" on your Nuvi 660.

Using Google Earth, I typed (DILLWYN CT, WOODBRIDGE VA 22193) and it showed these coordinates:

Lat 38.62113
Lon 77.35977

Then enter these coordinates into your Nuvi 660 using the format:
"h ddd.dddddº" for these coordinates, then select "Show Map".

Please let us know if this works for you...

Regards,

Tailspin

thank you sir tailspin. you're great.
i found it & saved it in my favorites

actually theres no dillwyn ct in the gps map but it has leatherback road and lake terrapin drive which leads to the exact address.

to MM, i agree with you never to totally rely in a single device specially to places not familiar, thank you maam, this serves a lesson for me.

to everyone here, thanks a lot