How to Update the Maps on Your Garmin Nuvi GPS

 

When it comes to reliable in-car navigation and routing there’s only really one name in the market, and that’s Garmin.  They are the world leader in satellite navigation and GPS – and it’s easy to see why this is the case.  They manufacture easy to use GPS devices that contain reliable maps and directions, and most of them come with features that are simple to operate no matter what your level of expertise.  The Garmin Nuvi truly is one of the 21^st century’s must have gadgets and serves millions of car journeys every day. 

However, as with any GPS the Garmin Nuvi does have one flaw, and that’s the need to update the maps on a regular basis.  No matter which model you own, it will never be truly 100% up to date with the latest routes and directions because new roads are being built every day.  The Garmin maps are physically stored to the GPS memory which means map updates are a necessary task if you want your Nuvi to be as fresh as the day you bought it.  This is how you update the maps on your Garmin Nuvi GPS.

Register Your Garmin Nuvi

First thing you will need to do is register the Garmin Nuvi GPS on the myGarmin website.  This is Garmin’s customer portal.  Registration is free and means you can access details on your GPS device including the all important map updates available for your model, software updates, new content, and problem solving using their dedicated customer support section.  Registering is simple, you simply connect your Nuvi via the USB cable it came with to your PC and then enter your details on the myGarmin website.  The system will then synchronize your GPS with their database once you have entered in the serial number of the product – this can usually be found on the rear of the Nuvi.

Check for New Map Updates

Once your Nuvi is registered you will need to click on the “maps” tab in the top navigation.  MyGarmin will automatically know what region or country you use your Nuvi GPS in and so will present to you a number of different map updates options.  New Garmin map software is released every three months so the chances are they will already be an update ready and waiting for you.  As an example, users in the United States will see the words “map update available” which will then let them download the newest version of the City Navigator NT for North America maps.

Downloading New Garmin Maps

Within the map section you will need to choose the map updates to suit you.  It could be that you will be able to download free Garmin map updates but this is only available for customers who have owned the GPS for 90 days or less – so the chances are you will need to pay for an update.  There are two options available for paid updates; Garmin nuMaps Onetime and nuMaps Lifetime.

Choosing the nuMaps Onetime option means you can download a one-off software update to the Nuvi GPS and this typically costs around $50 US Dollars.  The Lifetime offer is more expensive at about $90 Dollars, however, it is far more economical as it lets you download new maps updates for the lifetime of the GPS.  With their being 4 Garmin map updates every year, it means your Nuvi GPS will always be as up to date as possible with new roads, directions, highways, intersections, and millions of updated points of interest files.

When it comes to the actual download process, you will need to install a small piece of software to facilitate this – it’s called Garmin Map Updater and your PC will do a check to see if you already have it installed.  Once you have the software loaded (which is free), the new map data will download to the GPS and with today’s Internet connection speeds should take no longer than one hour at most.

Thanks to: Article Courtesy of Team at GPS Bites, a website dedicated to all things related to GPS.  Currently GPS Bites have a Garmin Update Discount Code available, meaning you can save money when you buy Garmin Map Updates from the manufacturer’s official online store.

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