Garmin

Garmin On-The-Road GPS devices occasionally can receive additional voices or updates to voices. Many new Garmin devices come from the factory with only two voices: Samantha and Michelle. This FAQ will attempt to keep current with the latest English language voice versions.

NOTE - Map Update 2015.30 was the last update where Garmin made the Large JCV file available for download using the procedures detailed below. This FAQ will be updated when and if Garmin again makes the large file available for download.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find Product and Unlock codes for your maps

Login into your mygarmin.com account by going to
https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/login.htm
and entering your username and password

In the Garmin screen that appears, click on the link "Manage Maps" which appears in the center of the screen under the heading "myMaps" or click the Tab "myMaps"

If you have an old garmin with poorly updated maps and no lifetime mapupdate available, a map from open street map may be an option.

I have successfully extended the life of my almost ten year old garmin, free and legal.
Here I will describe the steps I did and as always: Do a backup before you start to play around!

Part one: Order a map.

What are Smartphone Link and Live Services?

Sometimes referred to as "Smart Link", Smartphone Link (*) is an app from Garmin that pairs a compatible Garmin device with a compatible smartphone. This will give your unit access to Garmin Live Services (**). While some Live Services are free, premium content will require a one time purchase.

With every new version being released, the maps are continuously getter larger and larger in size. Even though you have a 4GB or larger SD card installed within your device, it may still not work.

The following series will not function using a map file that is larger than 2GB :

o nuvi 300 Series
o nuvi 600 Series
o nuvi 5000
o StreetPilot c500 Series

When doing a map update, you may be informed that your device doesn't have enough internal memory to load the full coverage of preloaded mapping. When this occurs, you can install a specific region with coverage that'll meet your needs.

Listed below is a list of states and or provinces for the various regions of the North America update that was obtained from Garmins FAQ section:

Updated 7-30-23.

What is the difference between Door to door and logical addressing?

Door-to-door navigation, or point addressing, is a premium map feature where addresses are given a precise location. This provides a much greater arrival accuracy. Over 80% of the addresses in our North American maps are included in our point addressing data.

Can my Garmin Learn my driving behavior?

Garmins "learn" your driving habits over time. If you typically drive over the speed limit on a stretch of road, the nuvi will take this into account when calculating ETAs. Conversely, if you usually drive at a speed lower than the speed limit on a stretch of road, the nuvi will take that fact into account when calculating ETAs.

What is myTrends and how does it work?

The myTrends feature is available on some Garmin devices: nuvi 55, 56, 65, 66, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2407, 2408, 2507, 2508, 2707, 2708, 3400, 3500, 3507, and 3508, and 3700 series, the LIVE 1695 and LIVE 2300 series, zumo 390 and zumo 590 and the dezl 560.

There are several kinds of Alerts
1. Speed alerts
2. Along the road proximity alerts
3. TourGuide proximity alerts

In order to receive an alert,
1. your device must have alerts enabled.
2. you must have Custom POIs loaded (see note below)
3. your volume level must be sufficient (and not muted) to hear the alert

Many Garmin automotive GPS devices now offer school zone alerts. These alerts are amazing in that they alert in various ways depending on day-of-week and time-of-day.

Release Date history for North American map

2010.10 - Apr. 8, 2009 (Wed)
2010.20 - July 30, 2009 (Thu) => 113 days
2010.30 - Nov 19, 2009 (Thu) => 112
2010.40 - Jan. 21, 2010 (Thu) => 63

2011,10 - Apr. 21,2010 (Wed) => 90
2011.20 - July 28, 2010 (Wed) => 98
2011.30 - Nov 11, 2010 (Thu) => 106
2011.40 - Feb 16, 2011 (Wed) => 97

2012.10 - May 18, 2011 (Wed) => 91

Which devices have built-in School Zone alerts?

As of 8/28/2014, the following devices have built in School Zone alerts

nuvi 55, 56, 65, 66
nuvi 2447, 2448, 2457, 2467, 2468, 2497, 2498
nuvi 2547, 2557, 2567, 2568, 2577, 2597, 2598
nuvi 2757, 2797, 2798
nuvi 3587, 3597, 3598
RV760

Note that these devices are not able to disable the school zone alerts.

Test out Junction Views

Note that there are now several types of Junction View - a PhotoReal Junction View and a BirdsEye Junction view. The Photoreal version shows the upcoming interchange from the perspective of the driver of the vehicle. Bird’s Eye junction view offers a detailed view of interchanges, looking down as if from overhead (ie., from a bird's eye)

Accessing routes on a nuvi LIVE dezl Camper/RV or zumo

Routes can be created by programs such as BaseCamp or MapQuest may be transferred to certain models of nuvi, LIVE, dezl, Camper/RV, or zumo devices. The routes must then be imported before they can be accessed.

Check out Garmin Junction View

Many users have complained that they have never seen a "Junction View". That may have been true, but, with each map update, there are more and more "Junction Views" being added. Indeed, there are now two "Junction View" (.jcv) files available. Usually, one must download the large "Junction View" file separately from the map update.

For general discussion about Garmin GPS history or to report new models or updates to the list, please use the Garmin GPS Model History Discussion Thread.

What you need here is:

• A Garmin GPSmap 60CSx unit with the correct USB cable

• Garmin Basecamp

Items in BOLD denote physical or electronic buttons
Items Italicized denote menu items or text labels

The steps in Basecamp:

1. Start Basecamp.

2. Start the GPSmap 60CSx. Wait until the satellite search page starts up.
   

What you need here is:

• A Garmin GPSmap 60CSx unit with the correct USB cable

• Garmin Basecamp

Items in BOLD denote physical or electronic buttons
Items Italicized denote menu items or text labels

The steps in Basecamp:

1. Start Basecamp.

2. Start the GPSmap 60CSx. Wait until the satellite search page starts up.