Map upates from the Garmin website

DZB,

I purchased a 680 in mid December. It had old maps on it. Garmin shipped me (free) new maps on Dec 21. As of yesterday, no maps have arrived. I called Garmin again yesterday, (Jan 19)and they apologized and said they were sending me another copy. They said they were out sourcing the maps and could not tell when they actually hit the mail. They said I should get new maps in 2-3 weeks from now. Wow.... kinda slow.

You think Garmin is slow! Try Magellan and see what happens!

Wow, what maps did you have to have Old Maps in mid December?

When I said "old maps" I may have overstated it just a little. However, they were "not" the latest issued by Garmin. My 680 came with City Navigator North America NT version 8. I know City Navigator North America 2008 version 9 is the most recent. Version 9 is what Garmin said they are sending me free. I appreciate them updating my maps even if they are a little slow.

OK. I thought mid December would have had that. Interesting. Did you buy it from Garmin or a store? If it is a store, poor rotation.

You should definitely receive the updated maps I would say.

I'm wondering how I would check for this. Under Map info it just shows "City Navigator North America NT 2008". No version is given.

I just bought my 650 less then 30 days ago and I just assumed that it would have the latest version.

I bought a nuvi 750 on 12/26/07. It came with the most current City Navigator NT North America V9 already installed. I requested the DVD via email and received it completely free(even postage) in about 3 days! I wanted it primarily for the Mapsource software. Guess I was lucky. I've been impressed with their prompt support etc:)

JDNick,

When you check your unit and see the "City Navigator North America NT 2008" it is version 9. Version 8 does not have the 2008 number in the title.

NT 2008 is v9... that is the latest version. There were a lot of 3xx and 6xx series units sold before Christmas on sales, and many of those were actually older units with the v8, 2007 maps on them. Don't know if they were just sitting around in a warehouse or what, but Garmin has been updating them for free if you bug them about it.

Thank you both for the clarification. It didn't make sense that it could be out of date that quickly.

I got the City Navigator North America NT 2008. when i install, they ask me pay for $75 dollars for unlock code. I don't want to pay, but anyone know whaen they will be on sale, i feel $75 is a lot of money from me, because i don't use every time when i drive.....

Since you purchased your GPS unit long before the map update was released, you have to PAY for the update if you want the updated maps on your GPS unit.

If you don't want to pay, don't install the update.

Received my unit for Xmas. Is a Nuvi 250W. How does one determine what version the maps are on this unit. I did contact Garmin via email and they indicated that they would send me a Dvd with the MapSource program. Reading here; I get the impression that it is possible that a map update will be included with the program. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance.

If you go to Settings > Map > Map Info, you will see the map version.

CN North America v2008 is the most current.
CN North America v8 was the previous version

If Garmin is sending you MapSource on disk, it will likely include the latest maps, but it will not be a disk that can be used to UPDATE the maps on the GPS unit.

I've seen this quoted on the Garmin website as well - and it's intrigued me for a while ?!?

Is it just that there are no unlock codes for it? (other than one for the PC, presumably).

Or maybe it only contains the Mapsource version of the map (the xxxx_MDR.img) variety.

Yes, the unlock would be necessary in order to load the maps to the GPS unit.

Plus, the full version disk (to my understanding) doesn't have the installer program needed to overwrite the gmapprom.img file.

Presumably, with an unlock code, you could create a mapset in MapSource, send it to the SD card where it would become gmapsupp.img, rename it to gmapprom.img with the corresponding .unl file, remove the existing gmapprom.img and replace it with the new file, and the maps would work.

The MapSource on my computer contains many .img files.

Thanks for the information.

I wonder if that's all there is to it - ie that there's no program on there to perform those few steps for you.

I'm just shocked by the price.
You'd actually just be better off purchasing a new GPS every few years then purchase the updated maps every year.

Maybe, but I'm not so sure.

Considering that you can get the map update for under $60 (US) and most users will be fine updating the maps very two years instead of every year, that works out to only around $30 or so per year. Much less expensive than most GPS units.

But I'll get the DVD anyways.

Does anyone know if CityNavigator 2008 DVD is good for anything else?

Possibly a coaster?

Uses for MapSource besides upgrading maps

1) Backing up Favorites.
2) Creating Favorites on laptop
3) Having a really nice map on my laptop that does NOT need a network connection.
4) Examine complicated routes on my large laptop screen instead of my itty bitty Nuvi screen.
5) Oh yes ...a nice coaster

I am sure there are some more.

I have the NT 2008. I was surprised on a Christmas trip to the Florida panhandle that a main road that has been in existence for two years is not in the program. It is the route from Mexico Beach to Port St Joe, route 98. They closed a shoreline section and made it go inland for about 8 miles. The GPS had no idea that there was a road where I was driving. I'm wondering how they do updates and how they can miss something like this.

I've also found that two Wal-Marts are not where the GPS says they are. It is off by about 1 mile on one and 2.8 miles on the other.

Dean

...and showing that route on Google Earth.

Navteq creates the maps for Garmin, you can report your findings here http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/secured/submi... and hopefully they will add your addition to the new maps when possible. Navteq updates there maps every few months but in order to keep the price down to a reasonable level, Garmin receives the updates once a year.

OK, I reported the road re-route. But it seems to me there ought to be a better way for them to have received this 2 year old information.

I feel the same. Seems a bit archaic for all the technology being used. I know confirmation would be necessary but why can't they provide a base program to enter a route you have traveled say with logged in coordinates and submit it to them. I have a whole suburban area that isn't mapped and it's been there for three years. Now I have to struggle to make a map that works.

Update:

Just receive in the mail today my DVD "City Navigator North America 2008 NT" free from Garmin. Installation to my 680 went smooth and thanks to Garmin for their update to my nuvi purchase.

(Don't know if this was the Dec 21 order or the Jan 19 order???) Not important.

I received my DVD today from Garmin. I attempted to retrieve my map information following your instructions. Just one problem; under settings; Map; there is no "Map Info"!

The reason I would like to know this info now; is because I have looked at the maps that came with the DVD and I find that they are no different than what I have on my GPS now. Looks like I have another useless DVD for my collection.

When I got my FREE 2008 map update it only took about 3 weeks. They also said it would take a long time because they were back ordered but the DVD came quickly. It installed perfectly on my c530 thanks to REDBARBERS instructions.

Took only 10 days; but what good it is; is another question!

I bought a nuvi 750 on Jan 28 2008. Mine came with Navigator NT North America 2008 installed. Is there a difference here between V9? I would like to know.

No. v2008 and v9 (for the CN NA maps) are the same thing.