At present, a device such as a GPS navigator is used everywhere, and it is rather difficult to overestimate its usefulness. With such a gadget, it is almost impossible to get lost. The navigator has become an indispensable assistant for many people traveling by car and not only.
Garmin
Among modern companies producing navigators, Garmin is one of the most famous. Founded back in 1989, the company has achieved great success in its field and continues to delight customers with quality products in the navigation equipment market. Garmin, in addition to GPS navigators, produces video recorders, watches, cycling equipment and even various accessories for navigation. Thanks to a wide range of products, the company firmly holds its position in the market.
Map update
Sooner or later, any GPS navigator user wonders how to update the map on a Garmin navigator. In many cities, new buildings are being actively built, new roads are being laid, one-way traffic can be introduced on outdated highways. In connection with all thesefactors, the information displayed on the device may no longer be up-to-date. Therefore, the question of how to update maps on a Garmin navigator worries many users of this gadget.
You can download new maps both from the official source (this will cost a certain amount) and for free. This article will cover both methods. Which one is more beneficial is up to the user to decide. Let's start with how to update maps on the Garmin Nuvi 50 navigator.
Official source
Downloading maps from an official source guarantees the protection of the navigator from installing third-party programs that can harm the device. This is the safest way. So how do you update the map on your Garmin navigator?
- First of all, update files must be purchased. You can buy a one-time update, or pay for continuous map updates for the entire life of the device. You can also purchase only maps of areas that have already been installed in the navigator.
- Next, you need to connect the device using a USB cable (it should be included).
- Create your account on the official website and log in.
- You need to go to the "My cards" section, it will open a list of all available cards. You can also purchase other maps with areas on the official website (for example, a map of North America will cost $70).
- Select "Recently purchased maps" from the menu, find your navigator model in the list of devices.
- Next,you need to install Garmin Communicator to synchronize with the program on your computer. It is worth noting that it is impossible to install the program if you use Google Chrome. Try another browser.
- After that, you will be prompted to install Garmin Express. If this does not happen, you need to download it and install it. This utility interacts directly with the navigator.
- Pass a simple registration in the installed program.
- In Garmin Express, select the Update tab. There you can see all the updates available for the device.
- Clicking on the "Details" button, you can install the update.
- Updates will start downloading. When the download is complete, you need to restart the device and unplug the USB cable from the computer.
This completes the update of maps from the official source. As you can see, it's quite easy. Next, let's look at how to update the maps on the Garmin Nuvi 1410 navigator. The difference in the models will not affect the described process.
Download from third party source
Before downloading maps from an unofficial source, you should know that the manufacturer is not responsible for software not installed from the official site. If the navigator suddenly breaks down, it will no longer be accepted under warranty. Therefore, all downloaded files must be carefully checked by anti-virus programs.
- Better to use sites with open maps. These are free files available to everyone. Themcan be easily imported to the device. On such sites you can find maps of various areas. Select the required area and download it to your computer.
- Connect your navigator to your computer using the supplied USB cable. If Garmin Express automatically opens, close the program, it will interfere with the installation of maps.
- After connecting, the GPS navigator should start working in disk drive mode. If this does not happen, switch it to this mode automatically in the gadget settings.
- Enter the Navigator's file system.
- Enter the map folder. If it doesn't exist, create it.
- Copy the file downloaded from the free maps site to the map folder (after checking the file for viruses).
- After the download is complete, restart your navigator.
- After that, you need to turn on the navigator, select the downloaded map in the settings, replacing it with the old one.
Thus, the question of how to update maps on the Garmin Nuvi navigator using an unofficial source has been resolved.
How to update maps on the Garmin Nuvi 1310 and 1300 navigator: firmware update
When installing new maps on the Nuvi 1300 and 1310 model GPS navigators, some difficulties may arise. They will be discussed in this section. In addition to the question of how to update the maps on the Garmin Nuvi 1300 and 1310, many users have problems with the firmware after installing new maps. The navigator may start to work more slowly. Flashing the device solves these problems. To do this, you can either use the WebUpdater program, or contact the service center to specialists. You can also do the flashing yourself. Briefly describe how to do this.
- Having determined the identifying number of the device, you need to download the corresponding firmware (you can from the official website).
- Format the memory card (firmware is best done on it) and create a Garmin folder in it.
- In this folder, save the downloaded file, renaming it to gupdate.gcd.
This device firmware is completed, if there are additional difficulties, it is better to contact the service center for qualified help.
Helpful tips
The following are some helpful tips to make your GPS experience more enjoyable:
- After downloading a one-time map update from the official website, you can download another update for free for thirty days if it appears during this period.
- To prolong the life of the device, do not leave it in the sun unnecessarily.
- When updating the firmware, be sure to read the reviews about it. Some programs can harm your GPS navigator.
Which cards are better to choose?
Having described how to update the map on the Garmin navigator, it's time to decide which is better: download maps from the official site or fromthird party resources? By choosing the first option, you pay for a secure download, while maintaining the warranty on the purchased device. In addition, you can download another update within a month. Buying a lifetime update on the official website, you pay once, getting new map updates regularly.
Downloading maps from third-party resources, you endanger the device and lose the warranty on it, but do not pay money (on average $ 70) for updating maps. In addition, on most free sites, all files are checked by antivirus. See above for how to update maps on your Garmin navigator. Undoubtedly, downloading from a free site is much more beneficial for the user, because some maps on the official resource can cost more than a navigator!
Instead of a conclusion
Buying a GPS navigator greatly simplifies the life of any person. It is much more difficult to get lost with it, no matter where you are. However, in order to always display up-to-date information on the purchased device, it is necessary to regularly update the downloaded maps. How to update the map on the Garmin navigator is described in detail in the article. You can choose between a paid update (on the official website) and a free version using open map sites and other similar resources. In addition to updating maps, the navigator may sometimes need a firmware update, which can be done both with the help of specialists and with your own hands.
