If you own a Garmin Nuvi GPS device then after a year you will be familiar with the small screen that appears on the device prompting to you to update your Garmin maps. Updating Garmin maps should be an easy process, but there are in fact three different options available for owners of these popular GPS products so this article has been compiled in order to give you a better overview of what is available and how you can get the best update for you.
Obviously any customer would prefer to download free Garmin map updates, however that’s not always possible as the following article explains:
nuMaps Guarantee – Free Map Updates for Nuvi Owners
The only one that you will get a free Garmin map update is if you are withing the first 90 days of your Nuvi GPS first receiving a satellite signal. Evidentally this makes sense as the manufacturer will always want new owners to have the most up to date routes available. In order to see if you qualify for a free map update you will need to create a free myGarmin account with the company and then register yoru device to their online system.
The whole process takes around 20 minutes and is quite clever because it will know how old the Nuvi is and when it was first used. If you are lucky enough to be in the 90 day period then the map options related to your region of use will be presented with a short download link. As long as you can connect the Nuvi GPS to your PC or Mac with a USB cable then you will be ready to download.
nuMaps Onetime – $49.99 US Dollars One Off Map Refresh
The next and cheapest option is the nuMaps Onetime update. This will let you download a one-off map refresh directly onto the unit meaning that all your routes are current by at least three months – which is the frequency in which Garmin release a new mapping database.
nuMaps Lifetime – $89.99 – Lifetime Map Updates
Don’t be fooled by the word “lifetime” – what this offer means is that you can download new maps every quarter for as long as you own and have the GPS registered to your myGarmin account. Whilst the price might seem steep it works out very economical over the typical product ownership length of around three years.
For people who drive for a living or who have some long road trips planned then this is probably the most cost effective option for Garmin map updates.
Downloading Garmin Map Updates
The download process is easy enough and will take under an hour on an average Internet connection speed. The only requirements are a myGarmin free online account, a compatible USB cable, and the ability to be able to pay online with a credit card if you have to choose one of the purchase options over the free upgrade.
Want More Information on Garmin Map Updates?
For more information on all things related to Garmin GPS updates including free Garmin Map Updates then make sure you check the free online resource at www.mapupdatesonline.com.