Garmin updates maps

Since Garmin came out with its latest GPS update package in April there's been a lot of discussion on the various GPS user forums. Here I'll try to provide a condensed summary of some of the issues raised, and questions asked and answered, regarding the 2009 Garmin City Navigator North America map update.

What new information is provided on the Garmin 2009 map update?

Apparently a lot. In its City Navigator North America 2009 Update Garmin provides enhanced coverage for over 60 major metro regions in the US and Canada, and nearly 6 million updated points of interest--such as gas stations, parking garages, hotels and restaurants and ATM locations. A few users have reported extended and more accurate information on speed limits. Overall reaction by Garmin users has been (predictably) varied. Many find significant improvements from the 2008 maps, while a few complain that "my street is still not there" and that sort of thing.

Is the new Garmin update worth the price? Why isn't it free?

The second question there is silly. Garmin pays a lot to have this information collected, they can't turn around and give it away. That said, there's always a certain amount of grumbling about the cost of annual GPS updates in general. Whether or not the expense is worthwhile depends on you--how much you use your GPS, and much you care about having the best and most up-to-date information. It's worth noting that the Garmin updates are cheaper than those offered by most other major GPS manufacturers, and far less than what the car companies charge to update their preinstalled units.

What if I just bought a Garmin unit that came with the older (2008) Navteq GPS maps?

At this point you're probably out of luck. There was a grace period during which Garmin was offering a free upgrade to customers who had recently purchased certain units with 2008 maps prior to the 2009 release, but that has now expired. Most new Garmin GPS units purchased and registered with Garmin after March 1 should come with the 2009 maps installed. But apparently there are some exceptions--models currently or soon-to-be discontinued will still come with the earlier maps and are not eligible for free upgrade. Still, if you think you have a good case for why the 09 update should have been included with the price of your unit, it might be worth contacting Garmin. In some cases apparently Garmin has at least offered discounts to customers, depending on the specific situation.

Is the 2009 map update compatible with my Garmin? Are different versions available?

The 2009 Garmin update comes in "NT" and non-NT versions. The NT edition is compatiable with most newer receivers, including all Garmin Nuvi series units, and many Street Pilot units including i5, c330, c340, c530, c550, c580, 7200, 7500, 2720, 2730 and 2820. The NT also works for zumo 450 and 550, GPSMAP 478 and 496 and Quest 2. The non-NT edition is for most older Garmin units. Before purchasing the update Garmin users should check on the company's website for availability and compatability information. Just go to the maps page on the Garmin website and enter the serial number of your GPS unit. Also be sure to check your device's memory, as certain units may require a memory upgrade to store the entire map update. Garmin notes that only regional (east or west) GPS updates will load for StreetPilot c330, StreetPilot c530, and StreetPilot i5 units. Installation of a 128MB SD card will allow these units to load the entire 2009 map update.

If I purchase the Garmin update, can I install it on more than one GPS device?

No. Garmin has a strict one update - one device rule, enforced by activation checks requiring a serial number. There's no way to hack this--and anyway to do so would be illegal.

Is there a difference between the download and DVD versions?

No, you can update your Garmin maps either way. Customers report download times ranging from 2 to 20 hours for the complete 2009 map update, even with a high speed connection. Don't try this if you're on a dial-up, or even a slow DSL! To avoid download complications many people find the disk more convenient. Online retailers such as Amazon sometimes provide better deals on GPS map updates than if you order straight from the manufacturer. I'll add to this as new information on Garmin updates and the Garmin City Navigator 2009 package comes to my attention.