PullMyFinger said:OK, I don't understand this. I just registered my Nuvi 200, however, the way the communicator "registered" my product is basically connect the GPS to my computer and then it just automatically registered. It didn't even ask for my purchase date. And then, when I finally got to the link for downloading the map, it's trying to charge me for $69. What the heck??

By the way I registered the device on my existing account that I had a previous purchase.

The way I understand it, is that Garmin looks at the 'date' your GPS was first turned on and used, even before you registered. There is a small file within the GPS unit that stores this information, and so when you hook it up to your computer and register, this 'date' file is transmitted up to Garmin.

One story I am hearing is Garmin is allowing free updates for purchases on and after March 1st. Another story is free updates within 30 days of first use. Some people are calling Garmin support and complaining, threatening to return the unit, and then getting the free update. Others have not been as successful when calling.

PullMyFinger said:
I see what you are saying but looking at my registration info, do you think somehow garmin thinks that my GPS was first turned on in March of 1999?? Should I complain about this?

I would call them tomorrow.

By the way, some of the ones who are not getting the free upgrades, are offered a 50% discount of the price for the upgrade. $30 or there-about.

Can you install the new map to an SD card?
GeorgiaBulldawg said:I updated my Nuvi tonight with the new map load, and there were some roads that had changed, but others are still wrong as before. Not much of a difference for me.

And because the new map update was so large, it had to delete some of my extras, like my extra voices I could choose from in the audio portion. It told me about this deletion after the update was completed. It also told me I could go to Garmin and download these extras again if I still wanted them.

Jes1 said:
And, I am pi$$ed off!!
I got a Nuvi 660 on Feb 14, 2008 and a C500 on April 1, 2008. I just went to the Garmin site and they want $69.99 for the download.

Jes

Why? That's been their policy for as long as i can remember. You're only elligible for a free upgrade if you "buy" an old rev unit after the new software has been released. Sometimes they fudge a few days grace period, but otherwise this is nothing new.

GeorgiaBulldawg said:PullMyFinger said:OK, I don't understand this. I just registered my Nuvi 200, however, the way the communicator "registered" my product is basically connect the GPS to my computer and then it just automatically registered. It didn't even ask for my purchase date. And then, when I finally got to the link for downloading the map, it's trying to charge me for $69. What the heck??

By the way I registered the device on my existing account that I had a previous purchase.

The way I understand it, is that Garmin looks at the 'date' your GPS was first turned on and used, even before you registered. There is a small file within the GPS unit that stores this information, and so when you hook it up to your computer and register, this 'date' file is transmitted up to Garmin.

One story I am hearing is Garmin is allowing free updates for purchases on and after March 1st. Another story is free updates within 30 days of first use. Some people are calling Garmin support and complaining, threatening to return the unit, and then getting the free update. Others have not been as successful when calling.

Is this new? I thought from other posts, as long as you havn't registered you'd get the free update once you registered. I'm wondering if I should register my 250 to try and get the update.

inurface said:The way I understand it, is that Garmin looks at the 'date' your GPS was first turned on and used, even before you registered. There is a small file within the GPS unit that stores this information, and so when you hook it up to your computer and register, this 'date' file is transmitted up to Garmin.

Is this new? I thought from other posts, as long as you havn't registered you'd get the free update once you registered. I'm wondering if I should register my 250 to try and get the update.

Yes, that is why you HAVE to put the "communicator" program on your computer before it will determine if you qualify for the free maps or not. In the past, if you simply did not register until the new maps were out you could get them for free - every time. With this new "technology" they will know when you started using your GPS and not allow a free upgrade unless you actually should get it. I don't know when they started building this into their GPS units or which units have this "feature" but I would assume all the current models do.

Dennis

sam19777 said:For those who need the 2009 Map for free, just go online and search "Garmin 2009 map" (about 2.2Gb) and "GarminUnlocker" (about 40Kb)

Just downloaded the unlocker from bittorent. Will try it this weekend.

i bought a nuvi 660 on 4/11/08 and was reassured by garmin on two occasions that if i purchased after march 1 it would qualify for the free update.
I checked at work through my garmin account and the free update was available for 60 days.
I obviously couldn't download this @ work so when i returned home i logged in and it stated that my only option was to purchase for $69.99.
I phoned Garmin and spoke with 2 supervisors that mention they would cut me a break and offer it for $30. They hinted that the policy
was new within last 24 hrs not to offer free update to nuvi 6XX users.

My Nuvi 660 will be returned. Never will i deal with garmin again.

GeorgiaBulldawg said:I updated my Nuvi tonight with the new map load, and there were some roads that had changed, but others are still wrong as before. Not much of a difference for me.

Anyplace you find an error you should goto navtech.com and report it. This is the only way they know about the problem.

Any way to tell the maps were updated for your area? I find these so-called release dates to have new streets omitted for years... The 2008 version does not have streets made in 2005 in my area, for instance. Hate to spend money and get the same old crud as last year.