Garmin use for navigation.

[UTTransplant]

But they often need updates. Just about every RV trip I make has new Garmin updates to install. For me, that is more than a dozen updates to different units. Each of my dozen motorcycle have its own Garmin GPS unit.

Just before this trip I updated my RV770 and other GPS units.

-Don- Payson, AZ

You do know that whether you have a Garmin or an Android copy, you don’t HAVE to do updates every time you are told there is one available? I do Garmin map updates every 6 months or so, even though they have them more often than that. And you also know that it is possible to have a single GPS unit work on multiple motorcycles and RVs by having a mount on them all for the same unit? Ram mounts are very generic and cost a lot less than another GPS plus you save time with updates.

 

[Old_Crow]

You do know that whether you have a Garmin or an Android copy, you don’t HAVE to do updates every time you are told there is one available? I do Garmin map updates every 6 months or so, even though they have them more often than that. And you also know that it is possible to have a single GPS unit work on multiple motorcycles and RVs by having a mount on them all for the same unit? Ram mounts are very generic and cost a lot less than another GPS plus you save time with updates.

I update my Garman 795 twice a year. Once in the fall right before I leave for Arkansas and once in the spring before I leave for Cali.
I have a QuadLock case on my phone and mounts for it in the Jeep, on the bike and on the RV dash. The bike and the Jeep both have wireless chargers added onto the mounts. I usually use Google Maps for around town navigation, but use the Garmin in the RV for longer trips. If I happen to get somewhere where I want to navigate around town, I'll ignore the Garmin and use the phone. Then when I'm ready to resume my trip, I just switch back to the Garmin.

 

[DonTom]

You do know that whether you have a Garmin or an Android copy, you don’t HAVE to do updates every time you are told there is one available? I

Yep, I just like to keep them updated, and I do it whenever it is convenient.

And you also know that it is possible to have a single GPS unit work on multiple motorcycles and RVs by having a mount on them all for the same unit?

Yes, and mine are easy to remove and change around. But I have different waypoints for each GPS for the areas I normally ride to on each bike. Such as I do not need charge station locations on my ICE bikes. Of course, there are other ways to do this, but I just like to keep each bike ready to go with its own tools and stuff, too.

-Don- Payson, AZ

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

you don’t HAVE to do updates every time you are told there is one available?

I learned that Garmin uses update interval to weed out older units. I think it's a year, if you don't do an update at least that often your "lifetime" maps are expired and your unit is forever stuck at whatever revision it has. I have a nuvi I've owned long enough to have replaced the battery in it a few times and it still works fine for what I want. Even though I don't use it often I make sure I plug it in to my PC running Garmin Express and let it do it's thing to keep the thing "in the system". Probably at some point Garmin will complain it's no longer compatible or supported, but at least it won't be because I let it languish in a drawer or glove box too long.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Larry N.]

The added SD card can be used for apps or programs, but not both.

Hmmm... What's the difference between an app and a program? PCs have run programs for decades but some folks are starting to call them apps now. When phones first started having "apps" I was confused until I realized that they meant "programs" but to me they mean the same thing.

So what's the diff?

 

[Larry N.]

I learned that Garmin uses update interval to weed out older units. I think it's a year, if you don't do an update at least that often your "lifetime" maps are expired and your unit is forever stuck at whatever revision it has.

Curious- I've never come across that. Perhaps I've updated my old dezl more frequently than I thought.

 

[DonTom]

What's the difference between an app and a program?

Listen to what I mean instead of what I type!

I meant for apps or for data storage, such as photos, etc. I didn't realize I said "programs or apps". There is no difference, AFAIK, other than that on a Smartphone they are called "apps" and on a real computer they are called "programs".

-Don- Payson, AZ

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

I typed it into the google and this came back:

Garmin "Lifetime Maps" don't actually expire unless the device's "useful life" ends, which can be triggered if you haven't downloaded a map update for 24 months or more

I recall when I plugged mine into Garmin Express it had a message something to the effect I had some number of months left, and I'm pretty sure it was within a year of the last update but hard to say exactly what time transpired and just what exactly the policy is for a given unit. But for sure, they have a very specific definition of lifetime and their business model bets you'll forget and then buy a new one.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Larry N.]

Listen to what I mean instead of what I type!

I meant for apps or for data storage, such as photos, etc. I didn't realize I said "programs or apps". There is no difference, AFAIK, other than that on a Smartphone they are called "apps" and on a real computer they are called "programs".

-Don- Payson, AZ

OK- just thought you'd found something I'd not come across. So it was a typo. Thanks.

 

[DonTom]

armin "Lifetime Maps" don't actually expire unless the device's "useful life" ends, which can be triggered if you haven't downloaded a map update for 24 months or more

I sure am glad to know that. But I noticed my Garmins would say "maps have not been updated in over one year as it boots up." When I see that message on any of mine, I update all my Garmins.

-Don- Sacaton, AZ

 

[Larry N.]

I just updated the maps on my dezl 560LMT yesterday, which I purchased in 2011, so that "lifetime" can be quite a while in today's world. On the other hand, it's been quite a few years since I was able to update the maps in my StreetPilot 2730, which still works fine but the maps are rather old, and there are no longer any updates available, Garmin saying the StreetPilot units can't hold today's larger maps. And I love its remote control which also still works fine. Now if the maps weren't 20 years old or so...