A Zumo - or just an empty case?

[Ibex]

My smart new Zumo arrived yesterday and I couldn't wait to try it out. Impatiently I stuck the CD in the laptop and, when offered the free map upgrade, clicked the Yes button. (You can tell I'm a computer wizz right?) To my amazement the thing says that my upgrade download (?) is a whopping 3.54GB! It will take 6 hours to download. Then once downloaded it has to be installed. All 3.54 GB. Another hour goes by.Then it has to be prepared to be sent to my GPS - about 40 mins, then it has to be sent. In 3 parts.

24 hours later, the Garmin screen assures me that the process is finally finished. It takes so long because my laptop times out after about an hour - so overnight download didn't work and even during the day you have to keep popping back for a game of patience or something so the thing doesnt time out even more than it did whenever I forgot, which was quite a lot.

So my question is, what was in the box I bought from Garmin other than an empty shell? What was the CD all about if it was short of 3.54 gig of essential data? Does this size of download not strike anybody else as unusual - or is it just me and my meagre Sky Broadband package and general lack of computer smarts to blame? I have yet to establish whether the device actually works as advertised - I frankly couldn't face the prospect of further trauma tonight if it didn't! All will be revealed tomorrow but I have to say I don't feel overly confident....

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

So my question is, what was in the box I bought from Garmin other than an empty shell?

In the box was a fully functioning gps unit preloaded with maps for you to use.
You could have done the map upgrade later on.
The cd/dvd is the map data to load onto your computer so you can make routes with Mapsource and send them to your gps.

In fact,
What's in the Box:
◦zūmo 660
◦Preloaded City Navigator® NT for Europe (full coverage)
◦MapSource® City Navigator Europe NT DVD (full unlock)
◦Motorcycle mount with mounting hardware
◦Carrying case
◦Battery pack
◦Automotive suction cup mount
◦Automotive power cable
◦USB cable
◦Dashboard disk
◦Quick start manual

 

[Wapping]

Your 660 will come pre-loaded with maps that will match those on the DVD. You do not need to update them straight away.

The map updates are very large. 3.5gb sounds about right.

It takes me (a complete IT numpty) about 90 to 120 minutes to download the updates over a good broadband connection onto a good laptop. It then takes about 90 minutes for the laptop to update the 660.

Touch wood I have never had a problem.

You should be able to stop your pc turning off after an hour. I forget how someone did it on mine but I recall it wasn't difficult. Someone on UKGSer (or a Google search) will know for sure.

 

[Ibex]

The Zumo empty case

I would just like to say that my new 660 is working an absolute treat and my transition from 2610 has been relatively painless. I still believe however that a download of over 3.5GB is a monster!

It does occur to me that I may have missed a trick however. There is a 60 day limit on this free update/download, so is it actually in the interest of the new owner to push this to the limit in order to get the very latest download for free, or isn't it as dynamic as that? I went for instant download because I have a memory like a sieve and would probably have forgotten all about it otherwise.

 

[skyenet]

It does occur to me that I may have missed a trick however. There is a 60 day limit on this free update/download, so is it actually in the interest of the new owner to push this to the limit in order to get the very latest download for free, or isn't it as dynamic as that?

I was maybe lucky but decided to wait till near the end of my 60 day limit and glad I did because I just timed it for the release of the latest maps. Not sure how often they are released but surprised to find that the one way system and substantial new road layout, that has been in operation in my local town for well over a year, has still not been updated

 

[Wapping]

and substantial new road layout, that has been in operation in my local town for well over a year, has still not been updated

Local council hasn't got around to telling NatTeq....

....You can report significant changes via the Garmin website, if you feel public spirited enough.....

 

[Cogs]

Garmin reckon they issue updates "three to four times a year". iven updates for my 2610 cost around £60 each, I've opted for lifetime updates for the 660 at £99.99. That way, every time I plug the Zumo into my PC, it checks and tells me if a new update is available.

True, the size of the maps is huuuge (hence the originals come on a DVD now, not CDRom) and my Plusnet connection took 10 hours to download my first update and then another 4 to unzip 'em.

Still not sure if that means they're on the 660 now or just in Mapsource on PC and I need to manually transfer? Unit was connected throughout process

 

[andyclift]

I still believe however that a download of over 3.5GB is a monster!

The Garmin Europe mapping used to be a little over 1 GB but then Garmin started adding eye candy like pointless 3D buildings, pretty pictures of motorway junctions and "lane assist". Maybe car drivers like this rubbish but I can navigate just as well without it. Seems like the same problem that computers have. As memory gets bigger and cheaper there will always be a programmer with more time than sense that will ensure software expands to fill the available space

As an aside my poor wife bought a cheap UK only Garmin as she got fed up with continually moving her Zumo 550 between car and bike. She was also told there was a free download of updated maps. The download was the complete 3.5 GB European mapping plus all the eye candy. When it installed the satnav just picked out the UK map and it doesn't work with the eye candy anyway.

Still not sure if that means they're on the 660 now or just in Mapsource

You can check the system setting on your satnav to see which version of mapping its running

 

[Cogs]

OK, thanks, but what is the current, most-recent version?
Without looking, I think mine is XXXX.10

 

[andyclift]

Without looking, I think mine is XXXX.10

NT 2010.3

 

[cookie]

i like Lane Assist.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

i like Lane Assist.

it's great.

By the way to stop your laptop shutting itself doon, its
Start/control panel/ power options

 

[Cogs]

NT 2010.3

So, if on the Z660 it shows CN Europe NT 2010.10, although I've downloaded updates, it's not on the Zumo?
When I check with My Garmin, it says my maps are up to date.
Do I still need to copy maps across from Mapsource to the GPS?

I am a bear of very little brain...

 

[ChasMill]

it's great.

By the way to stop your laptop shutting itself doon, its
Start/control panel/ power options

That is worth knowing - thanks

 

[Cogs]

So, if on the Z660 it shows CN Europe NT 2010.10, although I've downloaded updates, it's not on the Zumo?
When I check with My Garmin, it says my maps are up to date.
Do I still need to copy maps across from Mapsource to the GPS?

CN Europe NT 2010.10 on Zumo, CN Europe NT 2010.10 on Mapsource,

Garmin says i'm up to date, so...

NT 2010.3

I guess, is not?

 

[andyclift]

Its possible that Mapsource could still have 2010.30 maps as the computer can have more than one version on board and you can switch between them. I used to use different versions as I found that on some Eastern Europe countries the older map was better than the update.

The Zumo just holds one version and an update overwrites earlier maps (which was a real pain when I was switching).

When you log into My Maps it just shows which maps you have downloaded according to Garmin's database. When I check it shows 2010.10 and 2010.30 for my Zumo 660 and a check on the Zumo shows 2010.30.

When I check on my wife's Zumo it shows she has an update available but as the last update was not done via maps downloaded from Garmin it is providing the wrong information.

 

[andyclift]

Downloading a new map version now - 2011_10b - 4.73Gb