Garmin map update

[cat843]

After 5 or more years my Garmin GPS (auto, not marine) is making too many mistakes. Possibly because I have been too cheap to update it ever with a new map. I went to do so and was shocked to find it was $49 for a one shot update or $89 for a lifetime. The cheapest new Garmin at Walmart is $99 and more (about $20) for lifetime map.

Is there any place to get a bargain upload of a map? Or just buy a new one with LM.

Then there is the size, I think it was 5" or 6" or 7". With the 7" almost double the 5".

 

[Quattro Pete]

I would just get a new one. The new Garmins have faster CPUs, so they respond quicker, IMO. Amazon sells the 55LM, currently for $110, but if you wait, it often goes on sale below $100.

 

[LotI]

At 5yrs old, just replace it with a LM version. Processor speed is worth the upgrade alone.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: cat843
Or just buy a new one with LM.


If you're purchasing at Walmart, get this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-nuvi-55LM-5-GPS-Navigator-with-Free-Lifetime-Map-Updates/36370857

It's carried in local stores, and remember that they'll match their online price should it be different on the shelf.

 

[gathermewool]

Do you have a smart phone? I have two garmins and prefer my phone and Google maps over both. The maps are almost always right and the clarity and accuracy of the voice commands make it so I rarely even need to look at my phone (I have a suction cup holder, by often place it on the steering column of rentals.)

If you don't have a smart phone, have an older, less capable smart phone, or simply like to have a dedicated GPS, then definitely buy new with lifetime maps (not traffic.) IME, the traffic is late to help and late to update, so I've always ignored it on my Garmin, when I do use it.

 

[cat843]

I have a Nexus 6 smartphone but the Garmin GPS can always get a route regardless of cell signal. Something a smartphone cannot always do.

 

[Wolf359]

I would wait til Black Friday and pick one up then or pick up a refurbished one. One annoying thing about the new ones is that the routing doesn't seem as good as in the past. Amazon has the refurbished Garmin 2597LMT for $110 now and you can get the slightly cheaper 2595LMT for $98 right now.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Do you have a smart phone? I have two garmins and prefer my phone and Google maps over both. The maps are almost always right and the clarity and accuracy of the voice commands make it so I rarely even need to look at my phone (I have a suction cup holder, by often place it on the steering column of rentals.)

I had my first smart phone few months ago. I do use Waze whenever I go anywhere now.

This is the only app I had been using since I have my smart phone. I didn't download any other app yet.

I think my Samsung Galaxy XXX came with usual apps such as email and others, but I didn't use any yet.

 

[javacontour]

Open Street Map maps are free and will work on Garmin units.

That's how we added maps of Italy and Canada during recent trips.

If you can put an SD card in your unit, you can use the OSM maps from the SD card.

 

[cat843]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
Open Street Map maps are free and will work on Garmin units.

That's how we added maps of Italy and Canada during recent trips.

If you can put an SD card in your unit, you can use the OSM maps from the SD card.


Do I want xxx.pbf or xxx.bz2 format?

Looks like I can download North America in either format?

 

[javacontour]

You need the img file for a Garmin.

If you visit http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ you can enter the country you desire maps and download the maps generated for you.

I believe they will provide a zip file that contains a file called: gmapsupp.img

That's the file you want. That file goes in a directory on your SD card named either Garmin or Map depending on your unit.

Or you can try this pre-made map that is about 3.6G http://daveh.dev.openstreetmap.org/garmi...07.gmapsupp.img

If you need smaller maps, you can pick img files that cover only part of the US.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Do you have a smart phone? I have two garmins and prefer my phone and Google maps over both. The maps are almost always right and the clarity and accuracy of the voice commands make it so I rarely even need to look at my phone (I have a suction cup holder, by often place it on the steering column of rentals.)

I had my first smart phone few months ago. I do use Waze whenever I go anywhere now.

This is the only app I had been using since I have my smart phone. I didn't download any other app yet.

I think my Samsung Galaxy XXX came with usual apps such as email and others, but I didn't use any yet.


Why have a smart phone then? You don't need a ton of apps, but a few should be understood and used, to justify having one.

My parents have smart phones but have no clue how to use 95% of the features. I've shown them a few simple "swipe, tap, save battery" type things, but they don't care. Might as well be a dumb phone with a nice screen.

 

[raytseng]

You do not need a ton of apps to justify a smartphone.

Most of your killer apps are built in.
Web browser, music/media player, camera, maps.

Plus youre talking as if a feature phone is a cheaper and easier option that is the default option The market for feature phones is small so you get like 3 choices per carrier. They are harder to buy than getting a smartphone.

Its like trying to buy a car with manual transmission, vs automatic even though manual "should" be simpler cheaper and easier to make, it's actually the custom order that ends up being more expensive