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...