I've been bugging Garmin tech support about the availability of the latest maps in Mobile PC and also asking when we will see some of the bugs in Mobile PC fixed. I got the following information items after an exchange of about three emails with tech support.

Item 1. The current version of Mobile PC that is shipping from Garmin contains the 2010 maps.

Warning: if you buy anywhere but direct from Garmin you must check with the seller to be sure you are getting the version with 2010 maps. There is no difference in the part number so you can't tell from that. (That's not intended to be a pump for Garmin. It's just a simple fact you need to be aware of.)

Item 2. There will be an update to Mobile PC released sometime before the end of the year.

...ken...

Just to prevent confusion, I assume this only applies to those who buy the latest copy of Mobile PC (software only). Of course, the program costs about the same as the map updates anyway.

Did you get any idea of what may be included in the update? Anything related to better internal GPS recognition? Maybe, better use of screen real estate for small screen devices.

Terry

You know what dealing with tech support is like, especially via email. It's like pulling teeth to get anything useful. You really need to ask only one question at a time in simple, one-syllable words and short sentences.

Here's what I got about the maps:

I asked how I could tell if I was going to get a copy of Mobile PC with the 2010 maps (part number hasn't changed). Here's what I got:

I pointed out that the latest version on the update page is still 5.00.60 and that's the version I was running when I reported most of the bugs I've reported. Here's what I got about the program update:

I know it's not a lot of information but I was pleasantly surprised at straight simple answers rather than the usual dancing you get. I wonder what answers I would get if I phone and talk to someone else? .... hmmmm.... It's supposed to be raining tomorrow. Maybe I'll fill my mug and give them a call.

As far as updates for the hardware versions, the maps are unlocked to the GPS receiver so I assume you can buy a map update as soon as it's released.

I'm pretty sure it's cheaper to buy a new version of Mobile PC software-only than it is to buy the City Navigator map update. It's $59.99 for a copy of Mobile PC software-only. Last time I got a City Navigator update (2009 version) for my iQue it was $75.

EDIT: For the benefit of those who think they might be getting cheated because the map update product is more expensive than a new copy of Mobile PC complete with up to date maps, you're not. It's two different things. The City Navigator map update comes on DVD and includes the Mapsource program and a set of maps that you can use with Mapsource for much better trip planning than you can do in Mobile PC. Mapsource has loads of other handy features as well. You can't do a lot of that stuff in Mobile PC or can't do it as easily. And if you already have Mapsource installed you cannot use the Mobile PC precompiled maps with it.

...ken...

I wonder if this is the same update that was available a while ago for the users who got the Garmin Mobile PC w/ GPS receiver version? I never registered with Garmin so maybe I need to pull my receiver from my car to see what they offer.

Registering would be a good idea. Often when you register a device you find that you qualify for a free downloadable map update.

If you go into TOOLS > Manage My Data > Map Sets and click on the "Built-in Maps" bar it will give you a display page that tells you what map product and version it's currently using.

...ken...

Yep! My first post to this forum so if I am in the wrong place please move me to the correct thread.



I have had Garmin Mobile PC 20x for a week. My first attempt was to download the newest maps. Garmin queued me up and I launched a download of 2.02 GB under their download manager.

My maximum connection speed for download was 681.8 KB/sec average under ISP tests. My download speed under the download manager was 81 KB/sec. Obviously the drop in download speed was due to the throughput of the internet or possibly even Garmin's site. (So what good is a high speed connection?) I downloaded 90% of the file in 5 hours. Then to my amazement the download speed dropped to 8 KB/sec forecasting over 100 hours to completion. I made 4 attempts with one of them starting at 11 PM and running to 4 AM ( across my ISP's NON fair share period ) with the same result.

Then worse --- when I attempted to Pause the download under the download manager and resume it again (again late night), the download manager told me that the source file size had changed and I would have to start all over

This download was of a free update that is due to expire for me on 10/28/09. Garmin does not provide a CD of this update. So unless I can somehow manage to obtain a much higher throughput for my downloads, I'm stuck with what came on my original CD. Oh, I can by the new map for $119.00 on CD.

Rod

Hi Rod,

:welcome: to Laptop GPS World.

Sorry to hear about the difficulties to download the map update. I hope it will eventually download correctly for you. Could you please tell us if there is any year number printed on the DVD (or inside the DVD box), anything that would indicate the version of the map data? Perhaps you see © 2007 Navteq, or © 2008 Navteq, or © 2009 Navteq printed on the DVD? The one I got in April of 2008 had © 2007 Navteq printed on it.

The CD indicates;

DVD 1 of 1. 2009.
Then copyright 2008 Garmin ...
Then copyright 2007 NAVTEQ.

Those are the only dates on the CD

As a side comment the CD indicates "map data provided by" dmti <- a logo.

Rod.

Rod, that seems to be the same DVD version (map data version) I have. And by the way, coincidentally, I just started my Garmin Mobile PC and I saw for the very first time the above "Map Update Notice" appear automatically.

Hi Rod,

I ordered an update DVD from Garmin the other day for $10.00 - cost of shipping. Will advise when I receive the disk.

Brad in Moab, UT

You know,

I thought that I remembered seeing something like that $10.00 offer but I could not find it again. So I called Tech support. That is where I was told that there were no CD for the free update.



If you can tell me how you indexed that $10.00 deal, I would be much appreciative.

Rod

Rod,

High speed internet connections are sure overrated, especially the premium versions that give you huge amounts of bandwidth. Most download servers will throttle their output based on how busy they are and how much bandwidth is available at the server end. And most ISPs do some form of throttling when they see file downloads happening, too.

I have a basic highspeed service (1.4Mbps download) and I've rarely found a server that could send the data fast enough to give me the full bandwidth on download.

SnoBear,

That free update DVD will still cost you money when you get it. As far as I know the only way you can get the free map update is to download it. When you install that DVD it's going to install a program called Mapsource. When you run Mapsource it's going to ask you to unlock those maps that were installed with it. There are a couple of ways you can unlock them but in both cases it's going to cost you money to buy the unlock code.

Unless you can persuade Garmin to give you a free unlock code because you can't download the free update. Please keep us posted.

...ken...

I think a new activation code is posted when the upgrade becomes available. I'm sure that was how it worked for the Nuvi but it was a while ago. You should ask Garmin or, at least check your account on My Garmin.

Terry

Hi Terry,

I'm guessing on this upgrade stuff. I have the software-only version so there are never map updates available for it. I have to buy a new version to get the new maps.

I do know that the "free" upgrade DVDs need unlocking, just the same as the full-priced non-upgrade DVDs because that's the way I get upgrade maps for my Garmin iQue 3600. The only thing "free" about them is that you don't pay anything to get the DVD (I normally pick mine up from GPS Central when I'm going through Calgary so they're truly free ... no shipping cost). But you need to pay Garmin for the unlock code. The maps don't work without one. That cost me US$75 when I upgraded City Navigator NA from 2008 to 2009.

If SnoBear is hoping to use the upgrade DVD to upgrade the maps on his Mobile PC, the thing I don't know is whether he'll be able to get an unlock code for free.

I have no experience with unlock codes showing up on their own in the MyGarmin account for any map updates but I've never qualified for any free map downloads on any of my devices. ....

.....After reading that last statement I should be very clear. ALL of my unlock codes are on MyGarmin account. But they did not show up there until I unlocked the maps, then Mapsource transfered the unlock codes to MyGarmin when the maps were registered.

I keep a paper copy of the unlock codes (printed from MyGarmin) around as a backup.

...ken...

For the Nuvi, there are unlock codes on MyGarmin for all the updates I have received. I don't have the Mobile PC hardware version that was eligible for an upgrade so I can't say if it would be the same. However, it is certainly worth checking your account if you have been notified of a free update.

Terry

Hi again,

When I logged in to MyGarmin, I was notified of an upgrade being available until sometime in mid October. I was given the option of downloading or ordering the DVD for a $10.00 shipping fee, which is what I did.

We'll see what happens when I try to install....

Will keep you posted.

Brad in Moab, UT - for the moment

Well based off of the time limits posted for the upgrade. I'm registering today.

Hi Guys,

The rest of the story ....

Received the DVD (With product key) and tried to install. No Joy!

Called tech support - the DVD does not support Mobile PC, only the download. Don't know why it was on option for me to order.

Refunded my $10.00 shipping fee and I'm out in the weeds.

If I come up with a Net connection with any speed, I'll try to download. Next version (2011) will be compatable on the DVD.

Brad in Moab, UT for the moment.

Interesting information! The DVD would probably work with MapSource and you could create an image for Mobile PC from MapSource. Maybe the problem is the product activation can not work with the 20x associated with Mobile PC. Or maybe the techs don't know what they are talking about.

Terry

It's always nice to know a product developer things of the future of the product.

Hey SnoBear,

How about some details of what happened when you tried to install the update DVD?

Did it tell you that you have to have a previous version of City Navigator already installed in order to install it? If so, there's probably a way around that.

Let us know exactly what happened when you tried to install the update and perhaps we can help make it work.

...ken...

Ken, you are right about requiring MapSource but I don't think that is the message SnoBear gets.

I bet the message was about connecting a GPS. However someone else on the site pointed out that you can still install the map on your computer. You browse the DVD, open the Windows folder, open the MSI folder, and click on the CNNANT20xxUpdate_ENU.msi file. It will install the map files on your computer and they should be usable by MapSource once you have acquired that program.

Terry

Attached Images

Mapupdate.jpg (40.4 KB)

Terry, if SnoBear doesn't have a previously installed version of City Navigator maps I don't know if it will even get that far.

In any case, I'm pretty sure the MSI installer will install Mapsource as well as the maps. My update disks have always included the latest version of Mapsource (latest at the time the disk was burned).

...ken...

Ken, I just completed the install of my old CNNANT 2009 update DVD on a computer with no Garmin products previously installed. You are correct though in that it did include MapSource.

Terry

Just to clarify, did you do this using the .MSI installer package on the disk, NOT the Setup.exe or Autorun???

...ken...

Sorry, yes that install was using the MSI file listed above. I accidentally purchased that disk last year before I had a Nuvi.

Terry

Hi again

When I did the setup routine, I had a choice of device to install to - GPS20x or Garmin Mobile PC. After entering the Product Key (Included with the DVD) either device gave an error message.

"An error occurred when quering your Garmin GPS for information. Please insure Software is current and retry the setup"

This is with the GPS plugged in to the laptop.

With the GPS unplugged the following error message was provided.

"This Garmin GPS is not eligible for this update because a previous map version is not installed."

The 2009 version is installed and working fine. I tried the download option from the DVD setup and after pulling it all down the install failed with the previous message.

Oh well ...

Brad in Moab, UT for the moment

I have the following additions to add to my previous post here...

Garmin has a bubbling pot of customer relations problems boiling on its stove. There are several reasons for this. They are related to Garmin's Download Manager, one's ISP and the 2.02 GB size of the download.

Starting with Garmin.

The map verison 2010.2 is the one under discusson here.

First, their Download Manager does not manage. It restarts the down load --- even if you click on the 'pause' button which changes to 'resume' and then click on the resume button.

Second, their $10.00 CD does not contain the map. It contains the Download Manager. The Download Manager is downloadable from their site. If you cannot download the manager, are you going to be able to download the map???

Third, the map cannot be obtained on CD.

Fourth, the map download cannot be split into smaller chunks.

Fifth, you cannot use a 3rd party download manager.

I gleaned this information from Garmin's tier 2 technical support at 1-800-800-1020.

Now for the ISP.

I will describe my connection. From that you can evaluate yours with respect to this 2.02 GB download.

I am a simple home user with a home user contract with Hughes Net. My ISP to Desktop download speed unfettered by Fair Use Policies is around 650 KB/sec measured. Fettered by the Fair Use Policy my measured download rate was 45.8 KB/sec. My contract gives me 700 KB/sec. My contract also allows 200 MB/day before the Fair Use Policy kicks in. The Fair Use Policy does not apply to me between 1 AM and 6 AM CST -- 5 hours.

So I start this 2.02 GB download at 1 AM. The initial download rate is 120 KB/sec. This calculates to 4.67 hours to finish. But as we all know that is not what is going to happen. After 30 seconds the download rate averages 65 KB/sec ( see graphic below ) and now I am looking at 8.63 hours to finish. My 5 hour window is blown away. I managed to get 90% of the download down when the Fair Use Policy kicked in. Now the Download Manager is estimating over 37.4 hours to complete the download with the download rate at around 1.5 KB/sec.

I complained to my ISP. They responded by removing the limit. They then told me that once I had downloaded an additional 200 MB the Fair Use Policy would again kick in. Beyond this they told me they could not remove the limit again until 30 days had passed. Oh, wow! That was a big help.

So fair warning.

Back to Garmin.

Tier 2 technical support did manage to provide me with ( not yet received ) a CD with the 2010.1 version (2010.2 as the download) of the map on it no charge. That was their best shot.

I hope that this saves a smattering of trouble for someone out there.

Rod

Attached Images

free 2010 map download rate.JPG (30.9 KB)

I guess some of us have better luck at downloading than others. I have downloaded at least 4 map upgrades for my Nuvi from Garmin. Each was around 2 Gig and took 2 to 4 hours depending on the time of day. I can't comment on their download manager as I didn't try pausing it.

If you actually received a DVD rather than a CD, I think it would include the map data. It seems a waste to use that much space for a small program such as the manager itself. When you explore the disk, what are the files on it?

Terry

I received my CD yesterday. Unfortunately I do not drive in Europe. Garmin is sending a USA map. More in November...

Rod

I have had a look through this thread as I am interested to update my Garmin Mobile PC maps. It is some while since I last posted. I am running 5.00.60g with City Navigator Europe NT and City Navigator North America NT maps - by the way, is there a newer software version of Mobile PC and if so how do you get it (I am aware of several irritating bugs that I work around which Garmin do not appear to be fixing)? I had to buy two 20X GPS heads and I start Mobile PC with a batch file that loads either the Europe or US maps into GMAPPROM.IMG. The maps are City Navigator Europe NT 2008 and City Navigator North America NT 2009. I have newer versions of both of these running in my Nuvi 775T so I would like to update Mobile PC to keep it in sync. I have not seen any Mobile PC software for sale for some time now so I had assumed that Garmin had given it up. I am interested to hear that you can buy it now with City Navigator North America NT 2010 - the only concern I have is whether a new software only version would work with my existing 20X heads? I had a load of trouble with Mobile PC maps registered to one head before - I was unable to get both the Europe and North America maps to work with one 20X which is why I am the proud owner of two - I don't want to buy any more!!!

I was considering buying updates to the City Navigator maps before I read your posts. I had read that it was best for Mobile PC to buy new (non-update) versions of the City Navigator NT maps and install these but I have not moved forward so far in case this doesn't work and I just waste my money buying maps I cannot use.

Any advice would be much appreciated. I have found it completely useless asking for help from the UK Garmin Support in Southampton - I think they know considerably less about it than I do and I am certainly no expert.

Julian.

. I was wondering whether I should buy new (non-update) versions of the

I hope that this does not make a 'duplicate' post. My first attempt seems to have gotten lost. What did I doo!!

Garmin's 2010.20 'free' map download is now installed on my Notebook under XP Home. Why?

The thanks go to Todd Wade (Advanced Certified Software Support Specialist) at Garmin.

The download was blocked due to insufficient space on the hard drive. Todd informed me that I needed at least three times the 2.2 GB size of the download on my C: drive. I scrounged up 7.8 GB out of my 40 GB drive and that was that. Also --- the download manager also worked as it should with the additional space.

Of course, given my track record, that was not to be the end of it. I could not get the software to install. Explicitly following the on screen instructions I consistently ran into the following error message after I clicked on 'Install'...

Why? In the sequence of steps I was instructed to ...

1. Turn on your Garmin GPS
2. Connect your Garmin GPS to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Click Next.

As long as I did exactly that, I received the error message. Again Todd figured out the problem. Do not do 'exactly' that. Do not connect the Garmin GPS to your computer.

So doing the 'opposite' ... Not connecting the Garmin GPS to my computer allowed the installation to complete.

I told Todd via email this:
Todd's reply was:
The new map added 100 MB to the old map.

That's it for me. Until something else pops up I'm out of here.

Take care folks.

Rod

So are there any other updates with the new maps? I'm using iGuidance right now in the car and want to switch to Garmin (so it's more wife friendly - she has a Nuvi in her car) for my CarPC. The biggest issue so far has been no OSK without having to do a bunch of work to use some aftermarket software to get an OSK.