This is also an old issue. I first bought a 2610 (AKA dinosaur) in 2004. Checked their online map preview when they published their next couple of annual updates, and none of the not-so-new streets in some of our burbs were added yet. Although I saved a cool $79 each year I did not update, I started to wonder...

I finally gave in to the 2008 update (I could not find the map preview in their site this year). Much to my surprise, those (now aging) streets are sill missing in action!

I suspect it will probably be a couple more years before I update maps again, if they still publish this version.... But I'm still happy with the unit and have no plans on jumping to another brand anytime soon.

vegetation said: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.

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)

$69 can buy a new 2009 unit. They are trying to rip us off. DAMN GAR-MEAN !!!!

Is there a link? There are hundreds of 'Garmin 2009 map' sites!

iSeeInPics said:Before you do anything DO THIS FIRST!
philosofy said:Try going here and enter the serial number to your Garmin GPS. It should tell you if your up to date or not.
One question I have is whether this will tip Garmin off to people that haven't registered yet (like me) because we have been waiting for the new maps to come out.
After numerous emails to Garmin CS they would not give me a free upgrade. I did this link and BAM ... free! Thanks philosofy!!

OR, wait until the 2010 update comes out and get your one-time-free update then!

Seriously, the 2008 update is only like 6mo old!@# I think it came out around Oct/Nov.

I ordered my Nuvi 670 on 4/26/08 and registered it yesterday. As soon as I registered the unit, I was directed to a new screen that said I was eligible for a free upgrade and asked if I wanted it sent to me. I responded yes and was informed it would be mailed to me. Same thing happened at the end of last year when I purchased and registered a Nuvi 370.

Took a while to download, but got mine free. Just registered today, didn't have time to install yet but hopefully all goes well.

same here.. just registered 650 and it never even asked me when I bought it, just wants 69 for Maps.

FatherTed said:GeorgiaBulldawg said:raider73 said:mahyar1 said:When I log in they try to charge me $69 too

If you just registered today, I would wait a couple of days and then try it again else wait a couple of weeks. I registered mine 2 wks ago and there was no update available but when I logged in today, the update was there. Maybe they need time to update your account.

They just released the update to everyone on May 1st. After you register, then you can check using your unit's s/n, to see if you qualify for a free update. It will tell you immediately now.

FYI, some of the Garmin GPS units will not qualify for the free upgrade, because they are at their end-of-life. Even though there are stores that are still selling these models, there is not a free map upgrade path for these models. One report I have seen indicates that GPS units within the 300 and 600 series are affected. One guy reported he ordered a model 660 on April 11th from Amazon.com and he does not qualify for the free map upgrade. Others are reporting similar issues with model 350's.


I can (so far) attest to that. I have a 660 which I just registered on 4/28 (told them I bought it on that date as well) , and today it is NOT offering me a free update.

Will check t
his weekend when I register my 760.

I called tech support this morning and got the same answer. No free update for the 660. From what I've read so far on different forums, Garmin will not offer the free map update for the nuvi 300 and 600 series, regardless of when you bought it (I bought and registered my 660 yesterday). Yet Garmin is offering it for those who bought the 260 and 700 series (and possibly some other models).

Well that stinks. Nothing in the product descriptions mentions about this "secret list" Garmin has. It makes no sense that the 260 is eligible while the 660 isn't.

MrFish said:I called tech support this morning and got the same answer. No free update for the 660. From what I've read so far on different forums, Garmin will not offer the free map update for the nuvi 300 and 600 series, regardless of when you bought it (I bought and registered my 660 yesterday). Yet Garmin is offering it for those who bought the 260 and 700 series (and possibly some other models).

Well that stinks. Nothing in the product descriptions mentions about this "secret list" Garmin has. It makes no sense that the 260 is eligible while the 660 isn't.

I followed the procedure for my 370 and was only offered a free update for the Europe Maps- they are sending it out to me and it should arrive in 4 to 6 weeks.

I'm guessing your theory is correct.

I bought my Nuvi 680 from Costco at the end of March and this is what I see under mygarmin:
Product details for your device are:

Product Name: nüvi® 680

Registration Date: May 2, 2008

Serial Number: xxxxxx

Registration Code: xxxxx

First Satellite Acquired: Mar 25, 2008

And I qualified for the free 2009 map upgrade:

City Navigator North America NT 2009 Deluxe Unlock
Region: City Navigator North America NT 2009, Deluxe All Regions, Apr 08
Code: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Unlock Code: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date Unlocked: May 2, 2008

I downloaded the 2gig image last night and installed on my Nuvi 680 today with no problems. I also made sure to copy all the contents on the Nuvi before doing anything as a backup. If my Nuvi for some reason get borked up in the future can I use this downloaded image to reinstall or should I have opted for the dvd to be sent to me instead?