Garmin "Lifetime Updates"

longdog

longdog

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OK, so just how do I persuade my ZUMO 550 to accept the Lifetime Updates that I have bought from Garmin???

Garmin won't reply to my emails, so does anyone on here have the knowledge to help me update my mapset?

I downloaded to my laptop, but when I tried to transfer the maps to the 550, it didn't want to know.

Then, after googling, I read that I should have downloaded directly to the 550. Well it did install the 2011 mapset............. But there was no detail. By that I mean it only showed Motorways and A roads. Motorway junctions are shown as simple crossroads. If I search for Food and Lodgings for example, it shows the nearest as being over 350 miles away and in France........!!!! Oh yes, and the little arrow is about 5mm to one side of any roads that the unit shows.

As I mentioned, Garmin have not replied to any emails over the past 14 days, so can someone help me out?

I have reinstalled the 2009 mapset without any problems, so at least the unit is working now. Of course, that's as long as it doesn't lock up and I need to remove the battery to get it running again!!!!! :mad:
 
When you log into MyGarmin to effect the download, look out for the Options button (bottom left of window) and ensure that you select the option to load the update to both your PC and the GPS.

Greg
 
Greg Masters said:
When you log into MyGarmin to effect the download, look out for the Options button (bottom left of window) and ensure that you select the option to load the update to both your PC and the GPS.

Greg
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg, then what happens?

It says that there is not enough room on my 550 so I must select country by country to do the update.......... This is ludicrous! I could just select the regions from the DVD and do it all in one go!!!
 
Greg Masters said:
Having selcted to update both, just follow what it says on the screen. A few hours later and you'll have the latest mapsets on both your PC and your Zumo.

Greg
Click to expand...

Well that is what I did on my other attempts, with the exception of dowloading to the 550 AND my laptop simultaneously. On my other attempts, I downloaded to each separately.

Fingers crossed for another few hours!!! :augie
 
longdog said:
I downloaded to my laptop, but when I tried to transfer the maps to the 550, it didn't want to know.

Then, after googling, I read that I should have downloaded directly to the 550. Well it did install the 2011 mapset............. But there was no detail. By that I mean it only showed Motorways and A roads. Motorway junctions are shown as simple crossroads. If I search for Food and Lodgings for example, it shows the nearest as being over 350 miles away and in France........!!!! Oh yes, and the little arrow is about 5mm to one side of any roads that the unit shows.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've only got the base-map loaded.

I have reinstalled the 2009 mapset without any problems, so at least the unit is working now. Of course, that's as long as it doesn't lock up and I need to remove the battery to get it running again!!!!! :mad:
Click to expand...

How did you reinstall the 2009 mapping? If you did it from Mapsource, and you're using the Zumo's internal memory, then you will have loaded it into the supplementary mapping file rather than the primary mapping file. For a successful update to the GPS itself the supplementary mapping file will need to be either small or deleted. City Nav should be in the primary mapping file, this can only be done from an update DVD, update download or by creating a supplementary mapping file from Mapsource written to an SD or CF card or memory stick and then renamed as a primary mapping file before loading onto the GPS in mass storage mode.
 
I only looked at this because my Zumo 550 (only 3 months old) has been totally useless to day. I am now at home but it is telling me I should travel south on the M73 to get home...it is still on the M73 now. (Just done 682 miles and a full days work too!)

Before anyone replies, you need to know that all that is written above is completely meaningless to me. I bought my Zumo, opened the box and put it on the bike. I read as much of the instruction book that I could understand vefore I glazed over....I had to get a van driver to show me how to use the post code thing...how was I to know you pressed the postcode after it comes up?

I do find it good for directions, but god is it difficult to work. Now I know how to go to somewher at least if I have the postcode - that is as much as I can do. So talking about finding food and lodging...how do you do that please?

Finally, how do I get it to recognise the fact I am home?

I have heard people talk about planning trips and organising stuff on the computer - I haven't got as far as any of that.The Cds are still in the box unopened, mainly because having read the book I don't really understand what to do with them if I put them in the computer.

Any help gratefully received - but you will need to use words of one syllable or less.:augie Words and phrases such as used in the reply above are way beyond my computer comprehension. I really do not have a clue what it means.

Ta.
 
King Rat said:
Any help gratefully received - but you will need to use words of one syllable or less.:augie Words and phrases such as used in the reply above are way beyond my computer comprehension. I really do not have a clue what it means.
Click to expand...

Sorry... :comfort

Trying to do that via a forum would be very hard.

I think you need someone local who'll meet with you to show you the fundamental workings with a view to expanding on that if you're willing.

You could make a start by following Whatton's guides in the first three sticky posts here. Although do bear in mind that they were written some time ago, the bit about writing maps to your GPS are no longer relevant.
 
King Rat said:
Ta.
Click to expand...

I take it that your 550 has frozen, leaving it showing you that you are miles from home on the M73.... or it is stuck on searching for satellites, perhaps?

If so, try removing and then replacing the battery, which may just boot it into life.

If that fails, a friend's 550 did the same thing. He could not fix it but a simple call to Garmin lead to a very cheap replacement. Good service as it was well out of warranty.

As to the rest... start with Mapsource for dummies (see sticky) and play with it.
 
Thanks for the replies chaps. I did meet with someone (began with W) whom I met at the Little Chef off J16...we had a tea cake and cuppa while he showed me how to work it....by the time I got home I had already forgotten most of it, that was why I couldn't get past the post code when it came up. I never thought to press the actual postcode script.

Mapsource...looks frightening. I'll try. As for asking on a forum on the computer...well all I have to do is treat it as a typewriter, which is all I use it for.
 
Greg Masters said:
When you log into MyGarmin to effect the download, look out for the Options button (bottom left of window) and ensure that you select the option to load the update to both your PC and the GPS.

Greg
Click to expand...

King Rat said:
Thanks for the replies chaps. I did meet with someone (began with W) whom I met at the Little Chef off J16...we had a tea cake and cuppa while he showed me how to work it....by the time I got home I had already forgotten most of it, that was why I couldn't get past the post code when it came up. I never thought to press the actual postcode script.

Mapsource...looks frightening. I'll try. As for asking on a forum on the computer...well all I have to do is treat it as a typewriter, which is all I use it for.
Click to expand...

Well, I thought I was bad but I stand back in awe at your apathy. :bow , unless ya just dense;)

You can't be arsed to read the manuals, can't be arsed to open the CD's even, and when someone shows you, you forget when you get home. Sell the fooka and get a Road Atlas for fooks sakes.
 
Greg Masters said:
Having selected to update both, just follow what it says on the screen. A few hours later and you'll have the latest mapsets on both your PC and your Zumo.

Greg
Click to expand...

Hi Greg, I followed your advice and it has worked perfectly! After a lot of frustration, my ZUMO 550 is restored to full SatNav functionality!!!

Thanks, I owe you one :beerjug:
 
As Garmin is adding more info to the mapping it, quite logically, is getting bigger. The 550 has a memory designed a few years back and it is too small for the current maps.

The solution has two stages.

- First get rid of any files on the device that you dont need such as foreign language voices, POI databases, etc. This won't make a huge difference but it helps.

- Second insert a SD card with 1 Gbyte plus of spare memory. A card used for MP3 and other extra files may be used.

When you update the Zumo make sure you select the option to update both Zumo and PC. when the program says there is not enough memory for the full update just pick the largest option on offer and note which countries are NOT included.

Complete the update and then with the Zumo connected to the computer run the MapInstall software that can be downloaded from Garmin. You should get the option to download any maps to he Garmin OR the SD card. Choose the SD card and download all the countries which had not been installed on the Garmin. It does not matter if there is some overlap.

Once the program finishes disconnect the Zumo and stsrt up as normal. The maps that are on the Zumo and SD card are available seamlessly. by default.

I guess another solution would be to download the entire new map to the SD card and not use the Garmin but I have not tried this
 
Thanks andyclift, one niggle I have about the lifetime updates is if I ask for Western Europe, it says not enough space, well that's fair enough. The real nuisance is it is only allowing me to download 1 country at a time.
 
f I ask for Western Europe, it says not enough space
Click to expand...

My wife hit that problem with her 550 recently. I removed anything on the 550 that was not needed and, here is the important bit, disconnected it from the computer and closed the update program. Then started again and Western Europe went in fine.
 
Tinytim - thanks for your vote of confidence! What was I going to say? I've forgotten now...that's the trouble, my memory is playing tricks occassionally, especially with information overload. I HAVE got a new road atlas...it works all the time! I have only recently been cajoled into getting an idiot guide by you lot....seems it is more complicated than at first stated.

Now, if it HAD a manual I would be able to read it, but like my mobile phone, it is on the web, or it might be on a CD, I haven't opened those yet. I didn't realise they had anything of importance on them. trouble is, my main computer has a CD drive, but isn't connected to the internet for security (hack into that with your virus then!) This has a floppy disc drive...and the CD won't fit. So, a bit of a quandry there.

I suppose you'll say go and buy a new computer....another £500 to make a device work that, as you say, a road atlas and a sense of direction and a mobile phone to write down directions, the old fashioned way, can do for £10.

I have had a look through it and found a whole load of stuff I didn't know was there. So this thread hasn't been a complete waste.

By the way. It turned itself off last night, presumably when the battery died. It worked fine this morning! I even discovered I can plug it into the wall to charge it up....only found that in the box this morning too.

Like a good race, you can't rush these things.:D
 
Bumpkin said:
Sounds like you've only got the base-map loaded.



How did you reinstall the 2009 mapping? If you did it from Mapsource, and you're using the Zumo's internal memory, then you will have loaded it into the supplementary mapping file rather than the primary mapping file. For a successful update to the GPS itself the supplementary mapping file will need to be either small or deleted. City Nav should be in the primary mapping file, this can only be done from an update DVD, update download or by creating a supplementary mapping file from Mapsource written to an SD or CF card or memory stick and then renamed as a primary mapping file before loading onto the GPS in mass storage mode.
Click to expand...

Sorry I missed this earlier.

Yes, I sort of worked out that I only had the base map in.

As for reinstalling the 2009 mapset, I was travelling in Europe and fortunately, I had taken my laptop with me. I had the 2009 mapset on my laptop and reinstalled from there. It pretty much saved my European trip! (Apart from my 550 locking up and refusing to start in Belgium 2 days from home!!!).
 
King Rat said:
Tinytim - thanks for your vote of confidence! What was I going to say? I've forgotten now...that's the trouble, my memory is playing tricks occassionally, especially with information overload. I HAVE got a new road atlas...it works all the time! I have only recently been cajoled into getting an idiot guide by you lot....seems it is more complicated than at first stated.

Now, if it HAD a manual I would be able to read it, but like my mobile phone, it is on the web, or it might be on a CD, I haven't opened those yet. I didn't realise they had anything of importance on them. trouble is, my main computer has a CD drive, but isn't connected to the internet for security (hack into that with your virus then!) This has a floppy disc drive...and the CD won't fit. So, a bit of a quandry there.

I suppose you'll say go and buy a new computer....another £500 to make a device work that, as you say, a road atlas and a sense of direction and a mobile phone to write down directions, the old fashioned way, can do for £10.

I have had a look through it and found a whole load of stuff I didn't know was there. So this thread hasn't been a complete waste.

By the way. It turned itself off last night, presumably when the battery died. It worked fine this morning! I even discovered I can plug it into the wall to charge it up....only found that in the box this morning too.

Like a good race, you can't rush these things.:D
Click to expand...

KIng Rat...don't think I don't know where you're coming from....;)

This thread and your post outlining your complete and utter incompetence and laziness has inspired me to get out my Bikers Road Atlas...great in all weathers. and as a back up to my Garmin Zumo of course. As good as the Zumo is, depending on the fookin operator of course...there is nothing finer than being sat somewhere, out "on the road"...pot of tea in hand and a smoke..perusing over a nice map..However, I have only just remembered that the Bikers Atlas I bought...about 2 years ago now...I have never opened due to the fact that I have never been able to find the fookin thing since the day I brought it home.

So, Mister KIng Rat...don't think for a minute that you have a monopoly on stupidity and forgetfulness......Oh no my friend...you are not alone. My wife will vouch for that...:rolleyes:
 
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