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Do I need to buy city navigator?

Former Member
Former Member over 13 years ago
Ok i am going out of my mind here. I want to buy a Nuvi 550, for motorcycle use, but I am getting mixes answers all over the place.

Basically I want to create a route, send it to the GPS, and have it follow the route. It SEEMS as though this is possible with the Nuvi 550.

However, in posting at GPS city, they say that I would need to purchase the city navigator northamerica software and install it in basecamp in order to make routes.

Is this True? The GPS comes Preloaded w/ North America City Navigator NT Mapping Software..

Can I not just plug in the GPS and use that mapping software to make my route? Can someone help, just trying to understand that if I buy the Nuvi 550, i need to spend another $70 on the same mapping software for my computer.
:(
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    Can I not just plug in the GPS and use that mapping software to make my route?

    If (and I don't know the 550) the device has preloaded (included with the unit--not added on) maps you can download and install Garim's free BaseCamp software and use the maps on your device (it must be plugged in) to create routes etc. That said you can't view/use those maps without the GPS unit connected.

    However if you want to see the maps without your 550 being connected you have to purchase CN (either on DVD or via a Lifetime maps subscription). Perhaps that's where the confusion is.

    PS: Or you can cheat (violating some license agreement I'm sure) by copying the contents of your nuvi to a USB stick and using than in lieu of the unit.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    If (and I don't know the 550) the device has preloaded (included with the unit--not added on) maps you can download and install Garim's free BaseCamp software and use the maps on your device (it must be plugged in) to create routes etc. That said you can't view/use those maps without the GPS unit connected.

    However if you want to see the maps without your 550 you have to purchase CN (either on DVD or via a Lifetime maps subscription). Perhaps that's where the confusion is.

    PS: Or you can cheat (violating some license agreement I'm sure) by copying the contents of your nuvi to a USB stick and using than in lieu of the unit.


    OMG an answer!

    Ok so.. the Nuvi 550 according to garmin says:

    ◦nüvi 550
    ◦Preloaded City Navigator® NT North America (U.S. and Canada) or Europe (full coverage)◦Lithium-ion battery
    ◦Vehicle suction cup mount*
    ◦Vehicle power cable
    ◦Quick start manual

    So as long as it is preloaded with City Navigator, I just have to plug it in, open basecamp, and then basecamp will see the device and use it's city navigator maps? Then I can use the devices maps to plan my route, copy it over to the device, and use them?

    If you answer yes, I love you.
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    So as long as it is preloaded with City Navigator, I just have to plug it in, open basecamp, and then basecamp will see the device and use it's city navigator maps?

    SUSSAMB beat me to it (she's ahead by 7hrs!) but as she said yes.

    BTW I assume you're male (as am I) so direct your "love" her way ;)
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    Err ... I'm as male as you are :D

    Oops!!!

    I'll extract my foot from my mouth (hands?) later.. :( Sorry mate!

    (Although better you than me ;))
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    If you are purchasing a new Nuvi 550 from an authorized dealer and if you register it at Garmin.com, then you will be entitled free City Navigator updates for the next 3 months (IIRC). Since the 550 is an old model, it is not likely to have the current maps on it, so you'll be able to download an update right away.

    When you do, you'll see an option to download the map to both the device and the computer. If you do that, you will have the maps installed on your computer and won't need to connect anything in order to use them in Basecamp.

    -Boyd
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    ...you will be entitled free City Navigator updates for the next 3 months...

    Excellent point. I'd forgotten about the free map update.

    BTW the next CN NA map update (2013.10) should be out in May/June sometime. That's within the 3 month window so I'd wait until that comes out before downloading your free one-time map update. Or you could purchase a Lifetime map update subscription.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    I think you can go ahead and download whatever is available immediately with no problem. Garmin quietly changed their nuMaps update policy several months ago. You may now download ALL updates that become available during your 90 day window. Previously, you were only allowed one free update.

    Note the fine print in the link you posted above :)

    If you qualify under one of these two conditions, then you will be entitled to receive one or more free map update(s) during the 90-day period following the date you connected your device to your computer and visited www.garmin.com/mapupdates
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    Previously, you were only allowed one free update.

    That's nice of them :) I hadn't used the free map update offer for several years.

    BTW to read the "fine print" I need my glasses. Getting old sucks :eek: