Garmin Mobile PC GPS 20x Bundle, Change To GPS 10X?

I have a GPS 20x bundled with the Garmin Mobile PC and City Navigator installed on my netbook. Can I replace my GPS 20x with a GPS 10x that does not include any software? I understand something about Mobile PC software can come as software only with a key, or bundled with a receiver. Since mine is the bundle version, will I be able to use the new GPS 10x with my existing software?

No the version of Mobile PC that comes with a GPS will not work with any other GPS, even from Garmin.

Terry

So my options are what? Do I need to buy a GPS 20x bundle and reinstall the software? Can I switch back and forth with devices? If I want the option of switching between the 10x and 20x, would I want the product key version? I read the license agreement and it doesn't really cover any of this.

If all you want is Mobile PC on more computers and can live with your 20x, you can install your software on as many computers as you want - as long as you use the same 20x with each of them. No need to buy anything else!

Some have had problems using the 10x with the software-only version but there is a modified version on this site which will resolve that. It should work with the 20x as well.

Terry

Your options for what? You have not said what your problem is or what it is, exactly, that you are trying to do. It's impossible to provide guidance for an unknown, undefined problem.

You just asked if it was possible to use a new GPS10x with the Mobile PC that came with a 20x. (As Terry said, No.) You did not say why you want to do it.

Terry has made one guess. Is he correct? Or are you trying to accomplish something else?

We'll be happy to help if you tell us what you need help with.

...ken...

I'm sorry for being unclear. I have one netbook with the 20x bundle and want to replace the 20x with a 10x receiver. Terry has answerd my question with no. The software bundled will associate with just one sensor and cannot be changed.

I am just trying to determine how the software and the device are associated. If the device is lost, broken or I just want to replace the device, everything soft dies, right? How about a lifetime subscription? If you have a perfectly working Copy of Mobile PC, City Navigator and added the lifetime map subscription and some other maps, do you loose it all with the loss of the device? If I sold my device, everything else I bought, has become an integral part of the device. All of a sudden, that little $40 device is worth hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars. Loose that dongle and all that money is down the drain.

Under what circumstances if any, will Garmin customer service allow the change of a device number?

Will Garmin be able to repair my device after it is run over by a truck?

Can these things be "insured" against loss with the value of your software included? The device looks like a good candidate for the right extended warranty.

Who would want an extended warranty for something that costs less than $100. I think, if the 20x fails, Garmin could be persuaded to make the software work with a replacement. But there aren't a lot of moving parts or heat generating elements involved. Any failure would probably be due to a defect. If you let it get run over by a truck, buy another.

Terry

If it were run over by a truck, wouldn't I loose my maps and lifetime subscription?

Garmin could probably be persuaded to move your lifetime subscription to a new package you bought if you could prove the old one was run over by a truck.

Terry

flybeech,

Those are legitimate concerns. As Terry said, in the end it's probably not likely to be as bad as that. Garmin is usually reasonable about helping out with unforseeable events.

...ken...

It appears that Garmin is under no obligation to authorize any device change for the bundled Mobile PC and City Navigator, including any and all additional maps and subscriptions purchased. It is for all practical purposes, locked to a device, period. If the device is lost, stolen, or destroyed, everything "soft" becomes worthless. That makes a working device worth what software and subscriptions the owner has added to the device, plus the cost of the device. A $50 piece of plastic could easily have over a $1000 invested in it.

In the case of a broken, damaged, destroyed receiver that could be identified by S/N, it appears Garmin will overhaul for $49 for the 20x. I would expect Garmin repair department to return me the "same" association with my account. As long as they service my model and I can return at least the serial number, it looks like I'm good for the lifetime subscriptions.

In the case of the lost or stolen receiver, I would expect Garmin to say "We're sorry, but we cannot associate a new receiver with that account" and that entire subscription is dead and the owner is out of luck. What have others experienced?

In the case of just wanting to change from one receiver to another, we're probably out of luck, too. I don't see why Garmin would even bother, when they don't have to. I would really like to change to a 10x, but I've already bought extra maps all on the lifetime deal. Has anyone ever changed from one device to another, using bundled Mobile PC? What happens when you try to introduce a new device?

It will tell it doesn't recognize the serial number (or words to that effect).

Terry

I'm not sure where you get your numbers but I guess you bought something else that was pricey. However, you are reducing your enjoyment consideably if you spend all the time worrying about what might happen.

Garmin has been pretty good about trying to resolve problems with failed devices but I can't see that stretching to exchanging your 20x for a 10x. Why don't quit reading all the legalese and give them a call. Maybe you can sweet talk them into it. You certainly won't be any worse for the experience and we can't help you.

Terry

I didn't spend a grand on software from Garmin, but I did get the City Navigator North America lifetime. I have the GPS mainly for use in the airplane and the OziExplorer I use with AeroPlanner charts, doesn't care what GPS device is there.

I was just mentally adding the cost of all the cartography available from Garmin on a lifetime subscription. That would make a valuable little 20x.

The 20x is not my favourite either but the main reason is it won't restore from a Windows sleep cycle. When I was testing it some time ago with my UMPC, this was a show stopper. I went with the software-only version of Mobile PC and it works fine with a 10x I already had and a bunch of other GPS devices as well. I gave the 20x version to my son and he loves it.

However, the software version does not allow map updates, singly or lifetime. I'll see what Garmin has to offer if they ever come out with a new version of Mobile PC and make a new decision then.

Terry