Updating a nuvi 205w from Windows 10

I'm trying to update my nuvi. Express claims there is insufficient space (I have an empty 16GB SD card in the slot). It then asks me to select a region, all it offers is Turkey - I am UK ROI. Is this Garmin's way of telling me my Lifetime Updates arn't going to be honoured anymore?

0 5322396 2 months ago

I've had partial success with this. I told Express to save it to the computer. It did so (about 5.75GB). Now the nuvi (without using the SD card in the slot) thinks it has Turkiye (yes, that spelling) and the internal memory is at 800MB. Now if I view the map on the nuvi it only has the major roads showing, all the minor roads have disappeared.

You'll notice that someone from Garmin keeps harping on about access the Garmin Express support pages. They are WRONG. I hope thay don't try and force that into this thread. There is a major problem with Garmin Express.

P.S. I have 50 years experience in the computing industry, managed networks, written thousands of lines of code. I can recognise faulty software when I see it.

0 JohnfromPA 2 months ago

I realize you state you have an empty 16 gb card in the slot but I wonder because the current recommendations by Garmin for the nuvi 205 card is

" A microSD card with at least 16 GB of space must be used when updating the maps on a device." (I've changed to red bold for emphasis)

The size of a 16 GB card is reported by Windows as typically 14.9 GB. I wonder if that could be an issue? Do you have a 32 GB card that could be used.

0 GregaTheBoss 2 months ago in reply to JohnfromPA

Nuvi 205w support only 8gb microSD card.

0 5322396 2 months ago in reply to GregaTheBoss

There is a Garmin page which states that it will take 32GB. However I tried an 8GB card and there is no difference. I still get told - insufficient space, and then only get offered Turkey as an option.

0 5322396 2 months ago in reply to 5322396

I wonder if the BUG in Garmin Express is that it is unable to access the SD card?

0 steynja 2 months ago in reply to 5322396

I am pretty sure that a Nuvi 205W is LONG past it's update cycle. Remember, Lifetime Updates does not mean your lifetime, but the lifetime of the device. According to the Garmin website: "A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased."

0 5322396 2 months ago in reply to steynja

I update it at least every 12 months. It was last used in April. So it is still 'alive'. It has always had ROI/Uk - but now the only option offered is Turkey. There is a bug in Garmin's download code.

0 JohnfromPA 2 months ago in reply to 5322396

See if the content at https://forums.garmin.com/apps-software/mac-windows-software/f/garmin-express-windows/343128/nuvi-205w-how-to-remove-an-unwanted-map-region is of any help.

0 5322396 2 months ago in reply to JohnfromPA

I refer you to my second post where I said - You'll notice that someone from Garmin keeps harping on about access the Garmin Express support pages. They are WRONG. I hope thay don't try and force that into this thread. There is a major problem with Garmin Express.

0 JohnfromPA 2 months ago in reply to 5322396

Well perhaps this is the issue…(from Nuvi 205)

NOTES:

In accordance with the Lifetime Maps and Maps Terms and Conditions, map updates and/or Downloadable Content (DLC) are no longer available to download or purchase and cannot be activated and/or associated with the Garmin devices listed in Map Updates and Downloadable Content No Longer Available to Download or Purchase.
This is due to these devices not having sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data.