Free Garmin Updates . . . Good time to update

[D J]

As do several GPS manufacturers, Garmin provides free updates to their GPS units, and to Mapsource.I had not checked for the last few months and found my Garmin 76Map, Summit and 162 all had updates. Mapsource was also updated. All provided free of charge.The 76Map now will accept 1000 waypoints where before it only accepted 500. To quote Garmin the update has:Increased the active track log to 10,000 points. Increased each saved track log to 750 points. Increased user waypoints to 1,000 waypoints.You will need the cable link between your pc and your gps to update. But once you have that you can save your waypoints to your computer (with mapsource) and upgrade again in 3 months or whenever . . . .a new upgrade comes out. Caution: the 76Map upgrade will erase your data, so upload it to your computer before you upgrad and download it afterward.The upgrade to the summit and to the 162 did not bother the data (which is the norm for garmin updates).Good time to check your unit to see if there is a recent free update. See related link for all Garmin Units to get info.

 

[Jeff Bacon]

Upload ??

DJ:I was on tyhe Garmin site a week ago and also noticed that an upgrade was warranted. However, How do You upload the GPSMap76 waypoints to the computer ? I don't have any Navigational programs.. is that the only way to accomplish this.Thanks...... Jeff

 

[D J]

Easiest Way is with the Mapsource Program

Mapsource can be purchased . . . but it "always I think" comes with an associated map program.The most interesting are the topographical maps, but there is also the methropolitan map and the world map.The price is about the same for each, so make your selection and get the map of your choice.Personally, I like the topographical as it has some interesting stuff on it for sailing as well as hiking. Once you have the mapsource, you can save your waypoints to this program and see where they are with respect to the map you bought. Quite interesting, especially if you are manually loading new waypoints as I occassionally do when venturing to a new spot in the Caribbean. After they are plotted on the map, I frequently find that I have screwed on up.Warning: the maps of the Caribbean are pretty rough, but they are great of the US.

 

[D J]

Dealer Upgrade ???

I often wondered if a dealer would provide the upgrade free, or for a nominal price?Haven't heard of one doing it, but it would be a nice service.

 

[d j]

Garmin Map76 Upgrade

On the Garmin Map76 Upgrade, since it is reallocating memory, it really zapped everything, including current location. When it was first turned on afterward, it thought it was back in Kansas at the Garmin plant, and had a date of Dec 31, 2011, 6 pm. Not to worry. Within 5 minutes outside it found the satelites, corrected the date and the location.However, you will need to reload all your waypoints, and routes. For some reason, it kept my typographical maps in place, however.