I got some really great advice here yesterday on the ins and outs of Garmin Mobile PC, the Garmin Bluetooth unit, that is included, other GPS receivers, etc. For which, many thanks.

I have a Nuvi 650 which I bought one or two years ago and I have never updated the maps.

If I buy the Mobile PC package, will I be able to install the new City Navigator® NT street maps on both my Nebtook PC (the one I will use with the Bluetooth GPS receiver) AND on my Nuvi?

If not, If I buy just the updated City Navigator® NT street maps for my Nuvi, will I be able to install them on my Netbook and use them with the Garmin (or any other) GPS receiver?

See what I am getting at? I am trying to dope out if there is a way to buy the City Navigator® NT street maps once and install them on both the Nuvi and my Netbook.

Many thanks.

Garmin only allows you to unlock a map to one device with each activation code you buy. You would need 2 activation codes (about the same price as 2 copies of the map) to unlock the same map to your Nuvi and Mobile PC.

You could use it on the netbook with MapSource and nRoute but that would require the use of GPSGate plus another conversion program.

Terry

What Terry said.

Garmin does not make it easy. To do what you want you would need:

Year 2010:

- City Navigator North America 2010 maps for your Nuvi. (DVD or SD card .. doesn't matter because you will only use them on the Nuvi this year anyway.)

- Mobile PC with either of their GPS receivers (10x or 20x).

- Map unlock code for your Nuvi.
(Mobile PC comes with the current version of the CNNA maps already installed in it.)

Year 2011 and after:

- New version of City Navigator North America maps on DVD (SD card won't work this time because you need to load the new maps to both your Nuvi and Mobile PC).

- Map unlock code for your Nuvi.

- Map unlock code for the receiver that came with your Mobile PC.

...ken...

You needn't buy DVDs any more as Garmin map updates are downloadable. You would pay for and download a version for the Nuvi (which includes a copy for MapSource). The compiled map files that load on the Nuvi would probably work with Mobile PC as well but you would need to purchase another activation for the associated GPS (10x or 20x) to let mobile PC use the new maps.

Terry

If the downloaded maps (please don't confuse these with the NuLife map updates) are a complete set of maps for use in Mapsource, that would work. It would still require the purchase of a second unlock code for Mobile PC.

If the downloaded maps are just the precompiled maps for the Nuvi, they will have the necessary unlock code for the Nuvi internally and will not be usable on Mobile PC.

At least I'm pretty sure that's the way it works.

By the way, I got confirmation just a couple of minutes ago from Garmin Tech Support that Mobile PC (at least, the receiver that comes with it) is eligible for the NuLife updates. The reason I called is that I know the only way you can get map updates for the software-only version is by buying a new version of Mobile PC but I wanted to verify how Garmin officially recommends you update the maps for the "deluxe" versions that come with a receiver.

They recommend that you create yourself a MyGarmin account and register the receiver. Then you can use your MyGarmin account to either buy a one-time map update ($70) or a lifetime update.

So, to get back to the subject of the original post, here's another option:

Treat the Nuvi and Mobile PC seperately when it comes to dealing with map updates. Just buy the least expensive map update option for each, independently. The combined cost will be no more, and possibly cheaper, than if you try for a combined solution. And it will probably be less confusing.

You just need to remember that you cannot use the SD card maps with Mobile PC.

...ken...

Off topic:
Did Garmin explain how they can guarantee the latest map version when you buy a software-only version of Mobile PC?

Terry

Thank you all very much for your answers.

I thought that was going to be the case, but you fellows seem so well informed on GPS matters and Garmin, that I was hoping there was some cheaper way to do this and that someone would point that out.

I think I will just live with the Nuvi as it as with the old maps and purchase the Garmin Moblie PC with the Bluetooth GPS receiver for my Netbook.

On which, BTW, I just installed Ubuntu in such a way that at startup I can choose either to boot up in Windows XP or Ubuntu. Pretty neat!

They can't. The part number is the same. You have to work with your retailler to ensure that you get the latest. I talked to GPSCity about this, specifically. She couldn't answer my question if they were certain they were shipping Mobile PC with 2010 maps so said she would get back to me. She then said even the warehouse guys weren't sure so they would check and get back to her and she would get back to me.

Finally she got back to me and assured me they were shipping the version with 2010 maps.

Initially she didn't see what the big deal was until two things:

a. I asked if she would accept a return if the package was opened so I could install and determine which version they had sent. (The answer, of course, was No returns on opened software.)

b. She tried to determine what they were actually shipping.

At that point she started to take me much more seriously.

...ken...

I can't see the retailers returning unsold products every quarter to ensure they have the latest version. Buyer beware on this one!

Terry

They don't have to return them every quarter. As far as I know Mobile PC was only updated with the 2010.1 maps. I can't imagine that they would do a new manufacturing run every quarter to get the quarterly updates into it. They don't even do that for the City Navigator DVD and SD card products.

...ken...

Good point!

Terry

While I was on the phone with Garmin earlier today on a different matter, I asked about an update to the Mobile PC program. I got some assurance that they have been working on one, but no idea of release date yet.

...ken...

Happy New Year to EVERYONE that are here this moment online as I see several familiar usernames. I wouldn't be here responding if not for Marvin's New Year PM greetz and wishes... thanks again Marvin!!!


I have been away for some time now and this one topic caught my immediate interest for sure.

I still have my Nuvi 650 w/o BT and it has been quite a novelty if I may say so.... for I still use it as a backup companion to my TomTom, both are hooked up as always against my dashboard. I have now a TomTom GO 950 LIVE which I bought to replace my other equally great gps, TT GO 910, just 5 days B4 I went off on y month long Asian holiday that ended one day ago returning back to Holland yesterday.

I still have my Garmin Mobile PC 20x with receiver but have not truly utilized it for as long as my memory could recall.
Partly, I had not installed any bracket ever since but I finally bought one online a few days B4 my Asian holidays. I shall be having that fixed up very soon.

I am slo on the same train regarding updating Maps and that would include USA & Canada with Europe too for my GMPC but not for my Nuvi as I am currently overwhelmed by the LIVE services that TomTom provides on the 950 LIVE unit. (it is awsum is all I can currently add!!!)

I just need some good tips and advise from any among you willing to help me on my GMPC. It was once installed & loaded on an XP-run lappy and that being 2 years ago, I just couldn't trace where the darn disk is this moment, consider it as lost!
Hence, I now wish to have it again included on my newly purchased 12,1" netbook (again, bought it 2 days B4 my Asian holidays) that runs on W7 but it has no CD drive on board.

All help and further recommendations are welcome.
Cheersch to all....

Desmond.

Happy New Year Desmond,

I hope your Asian holiday was a good one.

I can't help with the lost CD (I don't have it!!).

If you still have the full installation on your XP laptop you can just copy the files to your new computer. Use your network or a USB flash drive.

You need the C:\Program Files\Garmin\GarminMobilePC folder and everything under it.

That should do it. It will start up as a new installation so if you had any Favorites or Routes saved on the old laptop you also need to copy a folder from your Documents and Settings. It's too much trouble to figure out where it goes on Windows 7 (I don't have Windows 7 on this computer and I don't have Mobile PC on my Windows 7 computer) so if you don't have Favorites or Routes to transfer I won't bother. If you do, please ask and someone will tell you what to transfer.

Here's what Garmin told me about updating maps on the deluxe version of Mobile PC (the one that came with either GPS10x or GPS20x receivers).

(Do this from the new computer after you have GMPC working on it.)

- Login to your MyGarmin account (create one if you don't have one).
- Select your GPS20x from the registered products list (register yours if you haven't).
- Select the map product you want to update (City navigator Europe, Australia, North America, whatever).
- Select whether you want a one-time update or a lifetime update.
- Pay for the update.
- Download the update.

Something like that. I've never done it but that's what they told me on the phone a couple of days ago.

...ken...

TQ Ken, I will see what, how and where to dig it all up.... I might be after all, buy me a separate CD driver (external unit) after all despite agreeing to the fact what Netbooks are actually meant to serve as we progress.
I have bought a mobile printer (Canon iP100) as well just B4 the holidays and it served excellently!!! Another hardware added for the travelling....pffff
I may wish to go back to join my friend in Alberta with his yearly hunting of deers and moose in that region. Would be great to meet up for a booze if you are anywhere close in Edmonton.

Happy New Year and great to read your many inputs and tips...for others, appreciate your experience shared on this forum!!!