OK so I've finally given in and bought one.....

[Bumpkin]

Your off the shelf newly purchased Garmin will be hunky-dory as is. Just avoid doing a map update, and you'll be fine.

Probably true most of the time but out of date mapping will, more likely than not, manifest itself at the most inopportune moment. Hopefully we qualify the for nuMaps Guarantee, Pixmaina say yes, Garmin say yes but currently my myGarmin account says no.

A free update to the current mapping is got top be worth having surely. Admittedly you will only have Western Europe rather that all of Europe on the Zumo after the update.

Having said that I spoke to a Garmin Customer Services bod a couple of months ago and was told that there was a new updater in the pipeline that would split mapping across the internal memory and an installed SD card. Not sure if that's yet active or applies to the 660 (he said that it wouldn't be for all Garmins).

Speed camera files..... Delete or turn off. Delete, preferably, along with all the foreign voices, bizarre help files and any of the other old tat Garmin load it up with.

I agree with that, have already done so and installed PGPSW scamera files.

Stonker, mapping updates aren't absolute plain sailing admittedly but they are worth doing. Wait until I've done mine, Garmin allowing, and I'll talk you though any changes that might have occurred since I last did one about three months ago.

There is a step by step PDF guide here. Probably will make more sense to read that as you do it rather than try to make sense of it on it's own.

Have just ordered Lifetime Map update gift card from Handtec anyway... £50 as opposed to £75 from Garmin.

 

[Stonker]

OK, how do I know which update I've got. I think I'll 'get it out an play with it' in a minute

 

[Bumpkin]

OK, how do I know which update I've got. I think I'll 'get it out an play with it' in a minute

On the device, with it switched on obviously, from the screen it boots to press 'Tools' > 'Settings' > 'Map' > 'Map Info'. This will present a few check boxes, one of these will be the City Navigator mapping, should say CN Europe NT followed by a year and then, after a dot a version number. There should also be a similar one with '3D' after it. There are four versions a year; 2011.10, 2011.20, 2011.30, 2011.40 then 2012.10, 2012.20 etc. Releases are a little ahead of time to make us all feel better about being up to date Current version is 2013.10 which has only been out for about a week.

You will also need to register the unit with Garmin for updates and warranty purposes (not that I've needed that yet across 5 Garmins)...

 

[Stonker]

2012.10

Do I need to set my home location?

 

[Bumpkin]

2012.10

OK, same as me, and not more recent, so I'll still speak to you

Do I need to set my home location?

It's useful, but not absolutely essential AFAIK.

 

[Stonker]

OK, how do I do that?

Can I get a 16Gb card then?

I didn't get a full manual, is it on the disc?

 

[Bumpkin]

OK, how do I do that?

'Tools' > 'My Data' > 'Set Home Location'

Can I get a 16Gb card then?

There are quite a few threads on the subject on this site, here's an example. Opinions vary as do the quality of the cards which can have a bearing on comparability. Don't buy cards off eBay, frequently forgeries and poor quality. As previously stated I use 7DayShop for my cards and went for one of their own brand 8GB ones.

I didn't get a full manual, is it on the disc?

Full user manual can be downloaded from the Garmin website. Not on the disk, that's just the same mapping that's already on the unit (2012.10). Enables you to load it onto your PC to use in Mapsource and Basecamp for route plotting.

 

[Stonker]

OK thanks. I'll have a play over the next couple of days. If I put the disc in, is all that map source route planning stuff pretty easy?

Should I register and update or wait until you've done it?

 

[Bumpkin]

OK thanks. I'll have a play over the next couple of days. If I put the disc in, is all that map source route planning stuff pretty easy?

Mapsource is officially discontinued by Garmin, it's a shame as it's more capable that it's replacement Basecamp. But maybe that's just because I'm a seasoned Mapsource user

As a new user I would be inclined to use Basecamp as it's still capable of doing everything you need. Mapsource is still available from Garmin, just no longer supported/updated. Mapsource is PC only, Basecamp is for PC and Mac.

Both can be downloaded here. However, Basecamp, or possibly Mapsource (as it's late 2011 mapping) may well be installed as part of the map install from the DVD.

The principals of route planning are similar between the two programs, I did a short route planning tutorial for Mapsource here. There are some official Basecmap tutorial videos here.

Should I register and update or wait until you've done it?

Sorry, go ahead and register. If, once you've done so, you have a nuMaps Guarantee download available let me know and I'll advise on what you need to do.

During the registration process you will need to connect your 660 to your PC (you do use a PC, not a Mac, I presume?) using a USB to mini USB lead. There should be one in the box. The USB port is under the battery compartment lid. You will also need the serial number, this is at the bottom of the battery 'well', under the battery.

 

[Stonker]

OK thanks, you've been a great help.

There is no map update available to me. I guess I could argue the toss with them but I wonder if it's better to just take the lifetime updates anyway.

I didn't need the serial number, I think it found that out automatically.

I've not installed the disc that came with it yet, I've been busy considering how and where to mount it on my bike.....

 

[Bumpkin]

There is no map update available to me. I guess I could argue the toss with them but I wonder if it's better to just take the lifetime updates anyway.

Well, I figured that I'd need the Lifetime updates in the future and am already familiar with them on my Nuvi 765 (pretty similar to the 660 in a lot of respects). Have yet to hear back from Garmin with my question about the nuMaps Guarantee which would give me something to play with whilst the Lifetime card is in the post.

I didn't need the serial number, I think it found that out automatically.

OK. Can't recall if mine did that or not, certainly on screen text stated that I might so I wrote it down before plugging in the USB lead.

I've not installed the disc that came with it yet, I've been busy considering how and where to mount it on my bike.....

Neither have I, probably won't as I'd be installing mapping that would be replaced in a day or two so pretty pointless.

 

[Stonker]

OK thanks. I'll play with Basecamp later.

I did have to go out yesterday so tried the unit out in the car. A couple of observations:

When putting the destination in, my old TomTom used to show the total route on a map once calculated. I found this really useful as firstly it allowed me to see that I had the correct destination and secondly, I could see the route I would be taking. I did zoom right out on the Zumo and you can see the route though but it's another process

On the display while driving, I couldn't see the ETA or journey time. Is this a setting or does it require a button push each time you want to see it?

 

[Bumpkin]

Have just ordered Lifetime Map update gift card from Handtec anyway... £50 as opposed to £75 from Garmin.

That was quick, being a cheapskate I only opted for standard delivery and it arrived this morning less than 24 hours after ordering, exceptional service from Handtec

Simply a case of scratching panel off the back of the card and entering the revealed code into the mapping page for the 660 on my myGarmin account. Downloaded the one off updater, didn't use the lifetime updater as I can't see the point in having that running in a background all the time just to check for a quarterly update that I learn about here and elsewhere the day it comes out.

Update running now, download will take another 3 hours and another hour to prep and install to my Zumo.

Process has been smooth so far, alerted me to the fact that all of Europe won't fit on and offered Western Europe as the first option, Checked box to load to PC as well as device.

Have updated using this method quite a few times now and I don't know what the fuss is about. Couldn't really be any easier.

 

[Bumpkin]

My 660 is plugged into my PC updating for the next few hours (that's rural broadband for you) so I'm relying on memory and what my relatively operationally similar Nuvi 765T does for reference:

When putting the destination in, my old TomTom used to show the total route on a map once calculated. I found this really useful as firstly it allowed me to see that I had the correct destination and secondly, I could see the route I would be taking.

Not sure TBH, most of my routes are pre-planned on the PC and you can view these by selecting them from 'Tools' > 'Custom Routes' > select route > 'Preview'.

With an ad-hoc route that you've just created by entering a destination you can touch the map display screen anywhere once the route is calculated and then zoom out, this tends to be quicker than just zooming out. Press and slide to pan until the whole route is in view.

Admittedly a 'preview current route' button would be handy, maybe it's hidden in there somewhere and I haven't found it yet

EDIT: OK, found it on my Nuvi... will have to check later quite how it works on the Zumo, probably similar. On the map display with the route active the current instruction is displayed on the screen 'Continue to Axxx' or whatever. Press this area on the screen and a list of junctions should be displayed, at the bottom there's a button entitled 'Show Map', clicking that shows the route in it's entirety.

On the display while driving, I couldn't see the ETA or journey time. Is this a setting or does it require a button push each time you want to see it?

This is configurable, more so than on my Nuvi, and you can choose the information displayed from a selection. Unless someone posts a response sooner I'll give you instructions once my update is complete.

 

[jeff]

Stonker, as promised, thoughts on Garmin as you are going to Greece.

Like you , new 660 out of box onto bike. Connected to starcom. Used mounting kit in box to fix on bike. As Wapping said worked fine straight from box. Registered it with Garmin and as a precaution backed up all the files on 660 to my laptop. Updated nothing. Thought I would use it as it came first before any tweaking.

Tried to send us round the wrong way round on M25 going from Enfield to Dover. No idea why and kept trying to turn us round until a mile from tunnel when Emily (thats the voice's name) finally accepted we were where we were meant to be.

Going from France to Switzerland good except tried to send us wrong way down one way Street in Cambrai.

From Switzerland to Ancona good until we got to Bologna when it directed us off autostrada. No idea why. (Been into Bologna by accident 15 years ago in Hilux, took 3 hours to get through traffic and back on autostrada so I doubt things have improved) Having done the trip every year we ignored Emily and after about 10m she was happy we were on correct route.

Found us fuel in France at a Carrefour we would never have found ourselves and a hotel in Imola when we were getting a bit desperate and tired.

Took a trip from Ancona to Trevi yesterday. Halfway there it directed us off SS3 and we went on long detour before rejoining SS3. Looking on map later, totally unecessary and got us snarled up in a road works.

So mainly positive. Good at finding places in towns, fuel hotels etc but on long trips good idea to look at map before you go so you can ignore odd directions

 

[Stonker]

Cheer Jeff, I was a bit wary as I have been lead countless times by guys with Garmins who have got us lost and then sit in a layby hoplessly punching things in. Meanwhile, I've always managed with a paper navi, the sun, a few yellow post its and a 10yo tomtom on a PDA and rarely get lost.

I think the mistake that some people make is that they treat the zumo as a bible, relying on it totally and don't look at the friggin roadsigns.

 

[Bumpkin]

If you just ask it to get you from A to B then it tries, with the relatively limited amount of data at it's disposal to get you there as efficiently as possible. It has, without a traffic receiver and suitable subscription for the area, no knowledge of local traffic conditions at varying times of day. Only the road type and speed limit. If there's a curve in a 70mph motorway and a 60mph A road that short cuts the curve that's the route it's likely to take irrespective of corners, junctions, traffic lights etc.

Jeff, not sure what happened with your M25 cock-up but the others incidents are fairly normal if you don't plan ahead. Did you plot this route in Mapsource or just ask it to get you there? If the former you may have possibly dropped a routing node on the wrong slip road

I'm not sure what the Motorcycle profile does as opposed to the Automobile profile, must have an effect on the routing algorithms. Seems to in Basecamp, selecting the twister, less main road, route but not always. Don't know if the later mapping had additional categorisation to force this or not. Until now I've been running Garmins that don't have a Motorcycle profile so will take a while to find out how these work.

My routes are almost always planned on the PC first and having shaping nodes and way points routing anomalies like yours are pretty rare, they do still occur though. I can recall only one of any note from last years 2000+ mile Euro tour and, in fact, it could well have been me trying to force the route down an inappropriate road.

The previous year we had one of note where there was a minor rural 2km link road in my Garmin that didn't really exist, it was a farm track. No worries, we just followed our noses and were back on the route within a few minutes.

Admittedly just saying get me from one hotel to another some 200 miles away is probably going to take you down a few bum choices. I would be interested to see the difference between the Motorcycle profile and the Automobile profile for these though.

Local knowledge invariably trumps the routes that a GPS generates, especially in an urban environment with traffic and high road densities.

I have a GTM21 traffic receiver that I got new off eBay last year, this will work with the 660 and has lifetime coverage for UK and France. I'm going to install this on the bike but set it to alert only rather than automatically recalculate.

 

[ghiribizzo]

Absolutely. Always a good idea to learn the ways of the kit you're using like on a route you know well locally around a city.
Be a bit careful abroad with taking out motorways or toll free roads as the Garmin's definition doesn't always seem to match what I feel we would think of as those. Suddenly you're not on any dual carriageways but find you're faced with a toll tunnel in the Vosges where a detour now adds hours as its been taking you along that route for a long time, no idea what the toll fee will be till you drop out the other end in Narnia and find that there are 10 Gendarmes on BMW bikes at the other end and after you pay the toll they pull you in and ask about everything... :-D
A good extra on the 660 is the additional FM traffic info. unit. There were deals on here last year. Definitely a plus when abroad.

 

[Bumpkin]

Just checked and it's the GTM12, not GTM21 (dyslexia and senility aren't a good mix ). Was about £10 new off eBay, found out about the deal here. Now selling for around £50

Tested it on my desk yesterday and it worked with the 660.

Having traffic alerts on the bike is less relevant but for the little space the GTM12 takes up it's a nice to have.

 

[Stonker]

I've just noticed on the box it says 100% legal inclus les zones de danger

I guess I can go to France now...