Garmin GPS - Nuvi 350 - City Navigator NT on DVD? MapSource?

Author

Nuvi 350 - City Navigator NT on DVD? MapSource?

Mike Henry

2006-02-27, 11:48 pm

I've got a Nuvi 350 for use in the US and am confused about the references I
see here to City Navigator NT and/or MapSource. I've looked through the
manual and the Garmin web site without much benefit. As background my
previous experience with a GPS and mapping software was with Street Atlas
and MS Streets on a PC and the PDA versions of the same software with
Earthmate GPS units.

First I gather that Garmin has been posting regular updates to the "Unit
Software" but that is only for the system itself and does not update the
maps themselves. Is that right?

Second, it seems that the map database on the Nuvi get updated periodically
with new versions of City Navigator NT. Are those always free, free for one
version, or always fee-based? Is City Navigator NT different than City
Navigator North America?

Third, the Nuvi came with a sheet containing an unlock code, apparently so
that versions of the software can be installed and used on a PC. There was
no DVD in the package though - where does one get the software and what does
it cost? Are there any advantages for the casual user to mapping out
routes on the PC and transferring them to the Nuvi? So far, I've been
finding the Nuvi itself good enough for that purpose.

Fourth, I see references to MapSource in the Nuvi manual - is that just a
"family" name for City Navigator or is it a different product?

Finally, what is the best way to contact Garmin to make feature requests?

Thanks, Mike

nuvi user

2006-02-28, 5:48 pm

>First I gather that Garmin has been posting regular updates to the "Unit
>Software" but that is only for the system itself and does not update the
>maps themselves. Is that right?

That's correct. Only firmware updates so far.

>Second, it seems that the map database on the Nuvi get updated periodically
>with new versions of City Navigator NT. Are those always free, free for one
>version, or always fee-based?

Fee-based so far.

> Is City Navigator NT different than City Navigator North America?

http://www.garmin.com/cartography/m...e/citynavnt.jsp

They have the same maps, the only difference is the compression
technique used. You can only use NT for compatible units which
come bundled with it. The Nuvi uses North America.

>Third, the Nuvi came with a sheet containing an unlock code, apparently so
>that versions of the software can be installed and used on a PC. There was
>no DVD in the package though - where does one get the software and what does
>it cost?

It's free. Go here:

http://www.garmin.com/contactUs/techSupport.jsp

Tell them you have a Nuvi and fill in the required information. Tell
them you want the City Navigator North America v7 DVD and someone will
reply that they've initiated a work order to send you out a copy.

>Fourth, I see references to MapSource in the Nuvi manual - is that just a
>"family" name for City Navigator or is it a different product?

It's a family name. The full name of City Navigator is
"MapSource® City Navigator North America"

>Finally, what is the best way to contact Garmin to make feature requests?

For feature requests and bug reports, I always use:

http://www.garmin.com/contactUs/techSupport.jsp

Mike Henry

2006-02-28, 11:49 pm

"nuvi user" <nospam@please.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:ljk80211rlhc4kt
1i67lf8osnca3hnqhgc@
4ax.com...
>
>
> That's correct. Only firmware updates so far.
>
>
> Fee-based so far.
>
>
> http://www.garmin.com/cartography/m...e/citynavnt.jsp
>
> They have the same maps, the only difference is the compression
> technique used. You can only use NT for compatible units which
> come bundled with it. The Nuvi uses North America.
>
>
> It's free. Go here:
>
> http://www.garmin.com/contactUs/techSupport.jsp
>
> Tell them you have a Nuvi and fill in the required information. Tell
> them you want the City Navigator North America v7 DVD and someone will
> reply that they've initiated a work order to send you out a copy.
>
>
> It's a family name. The full name of City Navigator is
> "MapSource® City Navigator North America"
>
>
> For feature requests and bug reports, I always use:
>
> http://www.garmin.com/contactUs/techSupport.jsp
>

Thanks for the comprehensive reply - Mike

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