Upgrading a Garmin... who's been there?

[kwitcherkicken99]

How and what do I need to do?

I bought DH a Garmin for Christmas last year and I know that the maps needed updating (it came with maps that still had a certain landmark on the map - it was demolished 2 1/2 years ago...).

 

[scrapquitler]

It might not be worth it. I was going to update our Garmin, and the price of the map upgrade was just crazy (I think it was like $80?), I looked at DH and said we could almost buy a brand new GPS on Black Friday for that price. We haven't updated the maps yet (three years since we bought the GPS) and haven't had an issue yet.

My Mom did upgrade the maps on her TomTom, again, $$$$$$$$$. Seems ridiculous to me that they charge so much.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I think you normally get one free upgrade when you purchase a Garmin...I know we did.

You just need to go to the Garmin Website...and you'll need a usb cable to go from your computer to the GPS (I think some may have bluetooth)...and follow the directions.

You can also download new 'cars' for free.

 

[Geoff_M]

You get one free map update within 30 days of registering your Garmin on their web site. If you haven't registered yours, then you still have a free update coming. You'll need the UBS cable that should have come with your GPS (however, if you don't have one, it uses the same type of UBS cord used with many digital cameras). Go to Garmin.com and follow the instructions for registering your unit and then follow the instructions to check for firmware and map updates. It'll likely take a long time to both download the map data to your PC and then about an hour or two to update the map data on the GPS itself. Before the download gets started, you'll also need to install Garmin's map updater software on your PC... again, just follow the directions.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Cool!

I know we haven't registered it yet.

What irks me though, is them selling newer models with ancient maps!!!