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(More customer reviews)The Garmin map updates get larger with each release. I assume that this is because of more map details and more Points of Interest (POIs). These are good things. However, they do create challenges for older Garmin GPS units with lower amounts of built-in memory. Unfortunately, Garmin isn't too forthcoming with either the amount of built-in memory in various units, or the amount of that memory that is required to hold either a full map update or any of the pre-defined selectable partial map update options. This is true even after you have bought the map update; the only information the map update utility provides for each pre-defined selectable portion of the full maps is whether it will fit or won't fit in your GPS units built-in memory. Not providing this basic information is a major disservice to Garmin's customers.
I have read that since my Garmin c330 has an SD card slot, I can buy an SD card and load the new maps onto it. However, I have not found any definitive information on how big the card must be to hold the current (2010) full North America maps. One source (not Garmin) indicated that a 2 GB card would suffice.
My unit originally came preloaded with North America (US and Canada) maps when I bought it. When I bought my first map update, I had to choose between full maps of the US, or full maps of Canada (with a "base map" of the other). Since I live in Maryland, USA, I chose full maps of the US. On a subsequent trip to British Columbia, Canada, I discovered that the Canadian base maps weren't very useful. US 95 up through Idaho into British Columbia doesn't even make it all the way to Cranbrook before my GPS showed me off the map driving through empty space.
The 2010 map update is even larger than the previous map update. Not even the US lower 48 will fit in the c330's built-in memory. There are several pre-defined map sets that I can pick.
2010 Map Update selections that won't fit in my c330 built-in memory:
Full Coverage of North America: All US states and Canadian provinces
Lower 49 States + PR: the traditional "lower 48" US states as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico
2010 Map Update selections that will fit in my c330 built-in memory:
Canada + Border States: All of Canada, Alaska, and the US states along the border with Canada (and a few more East Coast US states)
East: US states from the East Coast all the way to Texas, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND, and all Eastern Canada up to the provinces of Saskatchewan and Nunavut
West: US States from the West Coast all the way to LA, AR, MO, IL, IN, OH, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, and just about all of Canada except for the parts way above the Arctic Circle
Lower 49 States + PR NE: Only the US states from the East Coast over to LA, OK, AR, NE, SD, and SD (sorry Texas!), and Puerto Rico
Lower 49 States + PR NW: Only the US states from the West Coast (and Hawaii) over to AL, TN, KY, WV, and PA, and Puerto Rico
Lower 49 States + PR SE: Only the US states from the East Coast over to NM, CO, NE, and from the Gulf of Mexico north to IA, IL, IN, OH, PA, metro NY?, CT, and MA, and Puerto Rico
Lower 49 States + PR SW: Only the US states from the West Coast over to FL, GA, TN, KY, IN, WI, and MN (all the way from the Mexican border/Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border) and Hawaii (*not* Puerto Rico)
Other important notes about the 2010 Garmin Map Update DVD:
You will need Internet access when you update the maps on your GPS unit even though you have a DVD; the DVD holds the map data so that you don't have to wait while its downloaded from Garmin, but the software must still register with the mother ship
I'm pretty sure the updater records your GPS unit's Unit ID so that the DVD can only be used with one unit
Although it is fantastic that Garmin has accommodated the more limited built-in memory of older GPS units like my c330, the pre-selected map areas probably won't meet everyone's needs... For example, I'm much more likely to need my GPS on both the US East Coast and West Coast, but not in the interior states, and I need it in Western Canada but not Eastern Canada. A "build a set" state-by-state selection showing how much memory was required for each state, along with how much free memory was left on the GPS unit, would allow each customer to best meet their own custom needs.
Thankfully Garmin had the foresight to provide the SD slot for memory expansion (at least in my c330). I'll probably solve my problem by buying a blank SD card for my c330 and loading the maps onto it. Now I know why the 2010 Map Update was available on an SD card in the first place!
Note: For those considering just buying the SD card version of the 2010 Map Update, and not the DVD version, be aware that the SD/Micro SD cards maps can't be downloaded off the card on to your PC. If you want to be able to view the maps on your PC and use the PC to map routes, edit waypoints etc. buy the DVD not the SD/Micro SD.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nüMaps Onetime City Navigator North America NT Map Update
nuMaps Onetime North America NT DVD contains full coverage for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. nuMaps Onetime North America NT will update your preloaded Garmin GPS unit with the most up-to-date map data. Navigate with confidence having interstates, highways, and residential streets at the tip of your finger. The data also contains points of interest, including business listings such as: food and drink, lodging, attractions, entertainment, shopping, emergency services, post offices, campgrounds, movie theaters, and more.
Pick Your Format Garmin has made their map data even better and even easier for you to get! In addition to this DVD, the nuMaps Onetime City Navigator North America NT map update is available preloaded on a microSD card.
Update and Go In today's fast-paced world, streets and points of interest are constantly changing. Don't get caught without the latest map data on your unit. Add the nuMaps Onetime City Navigator North America NT map update and get the most accurate, detailed map data around. With premium-quality map data provided by NAVTEQ, you'll navigate with confidence.
Note: this product only updates the maps that came preloaded on your Garmin unit. Due to an increase in file size, this map update may not fit on your device. See Requirements tab for the file size of this map update and other details.
Map Features
Updated, fully routable, detailed maps for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico
More than 8 million miles of road coverage
Nearly 6 million updated points of interest, including gas stations, parking garages, restaurants, hotels and ATM locations
Postal code support for Canada
Product Compatibility This map update can only be used to update the preloaded North America maps that came on your Garmin unit.
Coverage This product only updates the maps that came preloaded on your Garmin unit. Units preloaded with City Navigator NT for the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico will not receive Canadian maps with the purchase of this map update.
Additional Purchases The map update on this DVD may only be installed on one compatible unit. Please purchase additional quantities for additional units.
What's in the Box nuMaps Onetime City Navigator North America NT DVD
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