New SD card Map not recognized by Garmin Express

Express won't show that card and cards are not updateable. See this FAQ

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={16315fb0-39b2-11de-5dd5-000000000000}

Oh great so essentially even though I paid the same amount for the map I can't update it because it came already installed with an SD card? That doesn't seem fair... though it's not clear if the downloaded map version are updatable either? I wish this would have been clearer to me before I purchased the map. I would have happily bought an SD card to have the files downloaded to my device which has only 1GB left and would need an SD card anyway!

So what are my options now? none? return the product?... that's just frustrating. They should be able to do better I think.

Oh great so essentially even though I paid the same amount for the map I can't update it because it came already installed with an SD card?

Correct. A shame you didn't see this first.

Why I bought a City Navigator North America NT (micro)SD card

So are there any map options that let you buy the map and then purchase a life time update afterwards? . . . perhaps I should have search for hours before making my purchase... I can't help but feel it's a scam from Garmin :(

Hardly a scam ... it's well documented.

Hardly a scam ... it's well documented.

I rest my case... it's well documented and yet it is not very well presented to customers.

I'm not saying it is a scam. Garmin is not this type of company. I'm a long time customer and I've always like Garmin products. I've always felt Garmin is a reliable and solid business.
I'm just saying it feels like a scam. There's an adagio that says: "people won't remember who you are. People won't remember what you did. But people will remember how you made them feel."
The clarification of maps and updates is just not very well presented when purchasing the product. It's only because it didn't work that I've started to come here. One should not have to dig in pages and pages of forum posts, or know where to look on the website, to know what features is provided by map products, especially updates! Heck, Garmin Express would have allowed me to purchase the maps I need right there and have the ability to choose the type of plan I want (one time or life time, etc..) I would have jump on the map and would would have save me time and frustration.

Like my older Nuvi, Garmin use to have more models (especially on the high end ones) with the possibility to get both NA and EU preloaded. The reason I got the SD card is that I need the two installed on my Nuvi. And because it is something I often use and I like to have life time updates for both as a mean to always have accurate map information.

Anyway, I don't mean to rant. I just would have like the ability to have the map information on my new device the way I had on my older Nuvi device, or why do I bother upgrading the tech if the information I need is less than before. It feels kind of backwards.

Anyway thank you! I'll keep searching for certainty as to what works for sure to get what I need, and if all fails I'll just have to give up on Garmin...

Well you started by saying 'you feel it's a scam' now you say it 'feels like a scam' but you're not 'saying it is a scam' :confused:

There is no need to dig around on forums for the information linked to in my first post, it's there on the page when you go to purchase the map with a clear link saying Which format is best for me. It's underlined and in a different colour to the rest of the text. Clearly you missed it. Garmin provide 3 ways of acquiring new maps, only the DVD version can be updated. You simply bought the wrong one. If you call Garmin and explain your error you may be able to get a swap.

Bad choice of words I guess . . . no need to be confused. I didn't say "this is a scam" or "is this a scam?" . . . but never mind this. I was just expressing my sentiments. I'm not making accusations. Sorry for the miss-understanding.


I still feel this should not be hidden in some frequently ask question support. It should be visible right there on the product page.


Okay, so let me ask this more directly:
The CD/DVD version is the only option that seems to provide possible update.

From the link provided: "CD/DVD: Maps purchased in this format will require a DVD optical CD/DVD drive to install to the computer. The installation process will install both the mapping and the BaseCamp application to your computer. To learn more about BaseCamp and its requirements go to www.garmin.com/basecamp

Mapping products in this format are unlocked to a single device and they are non-transferable
City Navigator maps in this format can be updated by purchasing a map update, when available
Some devices will require an SD or microSD card to store mapping transferred from the computer"


Does it mean I can get a life time update with it?
Or is there no life time update available for any of the non pre-loaded GPS?
Because this is not stated and I'd rather not get burned twice, hence my questions :p

Thank you.

Yes. You need to buy the DVD version then the update.

I still feel this should not be hidden in some frequently ask question support. It should be visible right there on the product page.

Well it is as I indicated:

There is no need to dig around on forums for the information linked to in my first post, it's there on the page when you go to purchase the map with a clear link saying Which format is best for me

Well, thank you sir!

I will probably try to resale the SD card and get a DVD version instead.