OT - Garmin GPS anyone??

[gamjohn2]

My wifey got me a Garmin c550 for Xmas this year. While I am impressed at the features, I am a little disappointed about the outdated POIs. There are places (i.e. restaurants, houses) that have been there for 1 to 2 years and it isn't preloaded on the unit. Kinda disappointing considering this model has only been out for a few months. You would think that it would have the most current maps when it was released, but I digress.....

Can someone tell me what I need to buy to have the latest info to upload onto the GPS?? I tried looking on the Garmin website, but there are a few different options and I don't want to buy the wrong thing. Thanks in advance for the help.

gamjohn2

[theonew]

When I got my Garmin streetpilot several years ago I was able to get one free map update. You should check and make sure that the map software that came with your unit is what it was advertised to be. From the Garmin website you should be able to order the latest map software, the last time I looked it had to mailed on a DVD. Then in order to unlock it you need a code which if it wasn't mailed with the DVD, can be gotten via their website. If you aren't eligible for a free update, it will cost you a few bucks.

[Qube]

Don't forget that updating POIs are free if your source the sites. As said, you are entitled to one free map update IF you purchased a locked MapSource product ON or AFTER the release date of an update.

[Tiger]

That's normal for the map. New development are notorious for not appearing in the GPS map. We have GPS in our Acura 2005 and we were trying to find a home that has been there 4 years... nope, not there.

It doesn't matter which GPS you buy... the maps are at least a couple years behind.

[winfred]

id go with a laptop and delorme street atlas, they keep their maps up to date and you have the usefulness of a laptop when not gps-ing usually costs about the same as buying a stand alone nav unit too unless you allready have a laptop then it's cheep :D

[cmk]

There is a pretty good dev community for hacking various units.
You may want to check sites like:
http://gpsinformation.net/gpsmapper/gpsmapper.htm
http://www.geopainting.com/en/
and create custom maps from other data sources (USGS, NASA, ...).

[gamjohn2]

After more research and reading, it appears that my Garmin unit does have the latest map updates that the company offers. That sucks!! My next question is does anyone know how often map updates are released?? And if so, how far behind will the new map be??

gamjohn2

[DaCan23]

With most Garmins you can add to the POIs yourself via a file you can create.

Updated maps & stuff are available on Garmins site, and there should be a USB cable that came with it to update the unit if theres no memory card. My friend bought all of North America for his C320 for like $15.

I'll be getting the Garmin C530 soon.

The C530 & C320 are the best bang for the buck.

[Jay 535i]

I have the c330, which is similar to yours, minus a few goodies.

I sympathize. But a POI that does exist but isn't in the system, you'll discover, is not half as annoying as a POI that doesn't exist but is in the system.

I once had to try four damn Thai restaurants before I found one that was actually there.

Still, I love the thing. Now, my kingdom for an OE-looking installation of one of these units in an E34.

[gamjohn2]

Still, I love the thing. Now, my kingdom for an OE-looking installation of one of these units in an E34.

Jay535i,

This is the mount that I am going to use (already ordered). Since it's illegal in CA (and MN, for that matter) to mount anything on your windshield, I figured this is the best alternative. I am going to use the permanent disk and attach it to the dash lip between the dash vent and the dash lip above the radio. I really like the adjustibility of the ball mount system that it uses. I ordered two to mount in both of our cars, making the swap between the two seamless.

gamjohn2

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/gmn/EC.GMN.0101074702.JPG

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Garmin-Dash-Mount-for-the-StreetPilot-C550-010-10747-02/sem/rpsm/oid/154288/catOid/-13100/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[Jay 535i]

Thanks man. I like the idea, but I'm not crazy about having a permanent "I have a GPS in my car -- rob me" sign on my dashboard. Even though the suction cup sucks, I like that I can take it off and hide it. Didn't know they were illegal in places.

My thinking is to mount it down by the shifter and make some kind of faceplate for it, then run an external antenna up to the windsheild through the dashboard. But I'm too lazy to worry about it, really.


Jay535i,

This is the mount that I am going to use (already ordered). Since it's illegal in CA (and MN, for that matter) to mount anything on your windshield, I figured this is the best alternative. I am going to use the permanent disk and attach it to the dash lip between the dash vent and the dash lip above the radio. I really like the adjustibility of the ball mount system that it uses. I ordered two to mount in both of our cars, making the swap between the two seamless.

gamjohn2

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/gmn/EC.GMN.0101074702.JPG

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Garmin-Dash-Mount-for-the-StreetPilot-C550-010-10747-02/sem/rpsm/oid/154288/catOid/-13100/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do