Map Updates via SNAIL MAIL!!?? Ok - with the modem age upon us and every other vendor supplying web updates, why has Garmin regressed 15 years?
383188
You should chill out. You sound like someone who was raised on microwaved food and too much television. My update DVDs only took two days. They were massive files. I was thankful that I did not have to download them. I have had absolutely no problem with Garmin's customer service either. Probably has something to do with the polite tone I used to address them. I had no problem with the updates wiping out my favorites, but I will say that it warned me to back them up. Maybe you missed that same warning? How would you like it if someone circumvented customer service and bothered you with a petty issue like this? The actual IT people have a lot more to do than listen to your complaints. Also, why must the IT people all have wives? Did you ever think that in the "modem age" women would be allowed outside of their houses....Heaven forbid we let them work in IT at Garmin! Cheers, Bkcraft PS Nice extended use of punctuation. You wouldn't frequent MySpace, by any chance, would you?
183356
I just called Garmin. The person who answered the phone said that if you get a unit with V8 mapping data you will be sent a free update when they become available at the end of July 2007 [or maybe early August]. To get the free update, don't order it through ordinary channels. Call customer support and talk to a person. He reassured me that it won't matter who I happen to talk to when I call back; this is the new policy. It tool me 10 minutes to get through at 10:40AM PDT. As soon as they announce the update, at which point the rumor of the new policy will have spread far and wide, i'm sure wait times will increase, but there's a finite number of units covered so it'll settle down if you wait a week or so. They also told me to expect substantial improvements in the map data and POI data of V2008 over V8. This last statement, of course, should be taken with a grain of salt. -dk
1764091
By now, you have probably talked to Garmin. But in case you haven't, the answer is (or at least "should be") yes. Download Garmin's Webupdater and plug your unit into the computer. As well as the map update, you will also get any firmware updates that might have been released since you bought the unit.
630379
remember your tomtom or garmin wants you to buy or warez map updates $79-109 a year? Remember Garmin's MSN FOREVER $129 option has no service guarantee past about 4-5 years from now? FOREVER service with a no-guarantee after a year?? Sounds more like 4 years for $129. Say if you were to take an update for the maps $89 a year and then pay their $129 MSN LIVE one-way traffic deal. 4 years - $89,$89,$89,$89,$129 = $10 a month. WOW amazing. Dash gives you map updates often much more frequently than a year. Guaranteed. They don't just roll out a new map when the map makers do; they patch what is there and when you complain; they fix it. Garming 660 $399? Dash $399? - we'll call it even but we all know dash is way cooler being openmoko and that it will get haxored due to GPL of source and that nifty ethernet/usb dev port. The API and SEARCH (yahoo local!) and GEORSS are the killer man. I cannot tell you that someone that knows yahoo pipes; xml; a little perl or php can overload the fields of information (or get an API dev key) and make some applets that are going to be so cool. You just gotta trust me until the NDA is lifted alot of cool ideas that are home-grown. That already exist and have been working for a while; written by beta testers are going to RAWWK!! your socks off.
2137503
The last software upgrade for this model on Magellan's website is from 2010. The last map update I could find was from Dec 2007 (see http://gpsinformation.net/allory/magfeat.htm#rm3000). So yeah, I would say that the gps upgrades on both map and software sides are obsolete (4+ yrs old)
579414
Reformat your computer's hard drive to reinstall the mapping software? That is totally unacceptable. No software installation, of any type except Windows itself, should *ever* require such drastic action. And any decently-designed update software should not fail to the extent described, even if interrupted for any reason. There are always fallback and recovery strategies for software upgrades where the unit can at least operate minimally even if interrupted at the worst possible time; interrupted at any other time should simply have the update not take effect and leave the unit in the previous state. This is standard for any modern software. I have inherited a 700 and am looking for experiences upgrading to the version 6 maps and software, and this is sounding really crazy. It appears that Magellan's software is an amateur effort, support is handled by the lowest bidder, and Magellan would rather get your cash now than keep you as a long term customer.
213156
Well, it is the updated model...with the features mentioned, plus speed limits for major roads and an indication if you are exceeding it. The maps aren't up to date (at least on mine ordered in Oct. 2012) If you have a memory card that fits the unit you can upload new maps. I had to buy one. I found that (once I had the memory card) the first download of maps took less than an hour when I used the 800 number--unlike the 4 to 5 hours mentioned on line. (I had registered the GPS online.)
1255572
it seems absurd to me that they all dont just come with lifetime maps... that said -- then why would anyone buy the update! heck ive driven all across this land with decades old maps.
722697
Garmin should really provide that USB cable for updates. What is the point of allowing people to get updated maps if there is no USB cable?
885690
My guess is that they will be behind by one version at least. I've never bought a GPS that didn't need an update after purchase. Easy to update via web access and generally free initially at least.
869808
Although I haven't tried recently, I have nut been able to todays my maps in the past and understand that others have had the same problem. Personally, I think Amazon.com should throughly investigate the problem with a thought toward discontinuing the Magellan product line if the promoted updates are not made readily accessible.
1128183
Mike, I agree what Garmin said made no sense, but it is working today. So who knows what really happened. Where did you get those other updates for the traffic receiver?
630378
Map updates are rarely needed for the lifetime of the GPS... I would NEVER EVER pay a monthly fee... Ripp-off
342290
Try reading thru the 19 pages of this discussion group to find out how to get the free map updates from Garmin, if you know the trick.http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=87789&whichpage;=1
1496699
I have found that traffic updates are only in larger cites. The Garmin will receive them they are there.
1289881
go to the gps find inf and look for 2008 version if sucessful it will show up there. I felt the same way you do and by using these updates in NC and SC I have not seen any updates. So you probably were sucessful as I was in two cases first getting the updates installed and two getting ripped off by Garmin see my rating and discussion. Good Luck.
1004703
I would update the maps when you purchase it. I am still using mine with a few small glitches in the maps and it isn't a big deal, but I would update them if I were going to Europe. When I was in Italy in 2012 they worked flawless!