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Hi,
I have been using my "new" laptop GPS since April and have been having a good time plotting routes and getting to know my way around the system. I was an absolute GPS novice and it has been a bit of a learning curve.
My issue: I set up my nRoute and registered my (2008 South Africa City Navigator) maps with an old donated Garmin 18X USB unit. I now have bought a Garmin 10x Bluetooth unit that I would like to use from this point on. I travel often to South Africa and the smaller/wireless unit just makes more sense for travel.
I contacted Garmin this afternoon and was told that I could not get a second unlock code for my new unit without buying a new set of maps. I understand the reasons why – but does anyone know of a work around? I will be using the same laptop/nRoute/maps as I did with the older set-up. I just want to upgrade my unit…
System - Dell Mini 9 with Runcore SSD/2 GB ram/WinXP
Thanks in advance
Alan
I have been using my "new" laptop GPS since April and have been having a good time plotting routes and getting to know my way around the system. I was an absolute GPS novice and it has been a bit of a learning curve.
My issue: I set up my nRoute and registered my (2008 South Africa City Navigator) maps with an old donated Garmin 18X USB unit. I now have bought a Garmin 10x Bluetooth unit that I would like to use from this point on. I travel often to South Africa and the smaller/wireless unit just makes more sense for travel.
I contacted Garmin this afternoon and was told that I could not get a second unlock code for my new unit without buying a new set of maps. I understand the reasons why – but does anyone know of a work around? I will be using the same laptop/nRoute/maps as I did with the older set-up. I just want to upgrade my unit…
System - Dell Mini 9 with Runcore SSD/2 GB ram/WinXP
Thanks in advance
Alan
Hi Alan,
Sometimes you have to call Garmin customer support two or three times until you find someone who isn't stupid. They can sell you an unlock code to use your 10x with those maps if they want to.
Tip: don't go into a detailed discussion. Simply ask to buy an unlock code to use your 10x with your City Navigator South Africa maps. Have the serial number of the 10x handy as well as the product code for the maps.
There is another option. Do you have a MyGarmin account? If not, create one and register your maps, your unlock code and your 10x. Then you can go to "Manage Maps" from your MyGarmin main page. You'll see your maps listed. If you click on the "Details" link under the name of your registered maps you'll see a number of options on the left side of the next page.
One of those options is "Unlock additional Garmin unit".
I have this option on all my registered maps going way back to City Select North America v5.02. That was released back in 2003. That was back in the days when you could get a second unlock code for free. Sometimes the old days really were better.
Don't let them grind you down. Either do it online through your MyGarmin account or phone again and don't ask if you can; just assume you can buy the second code and ask what information they need in order to sell you one.
Just for your own self-assurance, here's the official word on unlock codes from Garmin's site:
...ken...
Sometimes you have to call Garmin customer support two or three times until you find someone who isn't stupid. They can sell you an unlock code to use your 10x with those maps if they want to.
Tip: don't go into a detailed discussion. Simply ask to buy an unlock code to use your 10x with your City Navigator South Africa maps. Have the serial number of the 10x handy as well as the product code for the maps.
There is another option. Do you have a MyGarmin account? If not, create one and register your maps, your unlock code and your 10x. Then you can go to "Manage Maps" from your MyGarmin main page. You'll see your maps listed. If you click on the "Details" link under the name of your registered maps you'll see a number of options on the left side of the next page.
One of those options is "Unlock additional Garmin unit".
I have this option on all my registered maps going way back to City Select North America v5.02. That was released back in 2003. That was back in the days when you could get a second unlock code for free. Sometimes the old days really were better.
Don't let them grind you down. Either do it online through your MyGarmin account or phone again and don't ask if you can; just assume you can buy the second code and ask what information they need in order to sell you one.
Just for your own self-assurance, here's the official word on unlock codes from Garmin's site:
Quote:
Your MapSource coupon or registration code is valid for use only with your Garmin GPS unit. This agreement provides a one-user license, and it is illegal to share this data with others. If you own multiple unlock compatible Garmin GPS units, please purchase a unique unlock code for each unit. (See our Unlock FAQ page for further details.)
Hi Ken,
Thank you for the quick and detailed response.
Well...I tried those options yesterday. The on-line "unlock additional Garmin Unit" link is not active. Following the "manage maps" links I can get to the page where I found the link to unlock additional Garmin units but the link is inactive. Errrrr!
Eric R at Garmin was at first not very sympathetic but once he found out I had a 2008 map he said that Map DID come with a second unlock code. Only problem was that when he tried to unlock it the only option he has was to sell me a new unlock code for…..$119! Hummm…seemed excessive to me. I’ll give him credit – he tried to help and I am not afraid to admit I was not the happiest caller he had all day.
He did escalate my call to his supervisor who hopefully will be calling me back this morning. Armed with your new information about the official Garmin policy on second unlocks I feel better about my chances.
Let you know what happens,
Alan
Thank you for the quick and detailed response.
Well...I tried those options yesterday. The on-line "unlock additional Garmin Unit" link is not active. Following the "manage maps" links I can get to the page where I found the link to unlock additional Garmin units but the link is inactive. Errrrr!
Eric R at Garmin was at first not very sympathetic but once he found out I had a 2008 map he said that Map DID come with a second unlock code. Only problem was that when he tried to unlock it the only option he has was to sell me a new unlock code for…..$119! Hummm…seemed excessive to me. I’ll give him credit – he tried to help and I am not afraid to admit I was not the happiest caller he had all day.
He did escalate my call to his supervisor who hopefully will be calling me back this morning. Armed with your new information about the official Garmin policy on second unlocks I feel better about my chances.
Let you know what happens,
Alan
Hi Ken,
Success!
Alan
Success!
Alan
Quote:
Originally Posted by alan
Success!
WoooHoooo!!!
...ken...
Frankly Garmin was real considerate this morning - Kudos to them (and also to you for bailing me out for the 3ed time!)
The system worked great last month in SA - wonder how I ever existed without it...now waiting for an update. Many street names are changing over there.
The system worked great last month in SA - wonder how I ever existed without it...now waiting for an update. Many street names are changing over there.