Garmin GPS - Street Pilot 2610

Author

Street Pilot 2610

Bob Williams

2007-07-30, 4:33 am

My son just gave me a brand new (never used) Street Pilot 2610.
He bought it about 2 years ago but he had to go to Iraq before he ever
used it. He told his wife to give it to me and maybe I can get some use
out of it.
I used a portable Garmin GPS device (Mod. # ???) when I rented a vehicle
from Hertz. I was impressed with its performance. But that is the extent
of my knowledge/experience with Mobile GPS units..
I am somewhat intimidated by the 2610 after reading the Owner's Manual.

It appears that new maps are issued regularly and I suspect that the
included map (128MB CF card)is a little limited in scope and long in the
tooth by now. I would like to install a street map of the entire USA. I
understand it can be downloaded to a 2GB CF card, (which I have) or
perhaps purchased separately. Since the unit has never been used does
Garmin offer one free update/exchange of the map included with a new and
never used device? Are downloads still available for the discontinued 2610?
Where?..How Much?... Will downloading and installation be a challenge
for a GPS newbie?
Bob Williams

Dave Friedenberg

2007-07-30, 12:33 pm

Bob Williams wrote:
> My son just gave me a brand new (never used) Street Pilot 2610.
> He bought it about 2 years ago but he had to go to Iraq before he ever
> used it. He told his wife to give it to me and maybe I can get some use
> out of it.
> I used a portable Garmin GPS device (Mod. # ???) when I rented a vehicle
> from Hertz. I was impressed with its performance. But that is the extent
> of my knowledge/experience with Mobile GPS units..
> I am somewhat intimidated by the 2610 after reading the Owner's Manual.
>
> It appears that new maps are issued regularly and I suspect that the
> included map (128MB CF card)is a little limited in scope and long in the
> tooth by now. I would like to install a street map of the entire USA. I
> understand it can be downloaded to a 2GB CF card, (which I have) or
> perhaps purchased separately. Since the unit has never been used does
> Garmin offer one free update/exchange of the map included with a new and
> never used device? Are downloads still available for the discontinued
> 2610?
> Where?..How Much?... Will downloading and installation be a challenge
> for a GPS newbie?
> Bob Williams

Bob,

I think you'll like the 2610. It looks more complicated than it really
is. Once you use it a few times, you'll get the hang of it. Take a
look at:
http://home.socal.rr.com/diverhank/... /> atures.htm.
Hank's web site contains many useful tips on using the 26xx series. It
helped me a great deal. For my money, the 2610 is one of the best
portable automotive GPS systems ever made. Although you will get
differing opinions, I think the 2610 is superior to any of the newer
Garmin automotive GPS units.

The latest map set release is City Navigator North America 2008. All
the maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico fit on a 2 gb CF card.
Installation of the maps is straightforward. Just follow the
instructions. Since your 2610 has never been used, there's a good
chance that Garmin will give you a free upgrade to the CNNA 2008 maps.
Give them a call.

The last download for the 2610 was in September of last year. Since
most of the bugs have been worked out of the 2610, there isn't much need
for updates. The latest downloads are available on the Garmin web site.
Garmin did not issue an update for the 2610 to take care of the recent
change in the starting and ending dates of daylight savings time. This
is not a big problem. Just change the DST setting on the 2610 from the
default of Auto to On in the spring and Off in the fall.

Enjoy your 2610.

Bob Williams

2007-07-30, 10:33 pm

Dave Friedenberg wrote:
> Bob Williams wrote:
>
> Bob,
>
> I think you'll like the 2610. It looks more complicated than it really
> is. Once you use it a few times, you'll get the hang of it. Take a
> look at:
> http://home.socal.rr.com/diverhank/... /> atures.htm.
> Hank's web site contains many useful tips on using the 26xx series. It
> helped me a great deal. For my money, the 2610 is one of the best
> portable automotive GPS systems ever made. Although you will get
> differing opinions, I think the 2610 is superior to any of the newer
> Garmin automotive GPS units.
>
> The latest map set release is City Navigator North America 2008. All
> the maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico fit on a 2 gb CF card.
> Installation of the maps is straightforward. Just follow the
> instructions. Since your 2610 has never been used, there's a good
> chance that Garmin will give you a free upgrade to the CNNA 2008 maps.
> Give them a call.
>
> The last download for the 2610 was in September of last year. Since
> most of the bugs have been worked out of the 2610, there isn't much need
> for updates. The latest downloads are available on the Garmin web site.
> Garmin did not issue an update for the 2610 to take care of the recent
> change in the starting and ending dates of daylight savings time. This
> is not a big problem. Just change the DST setting on the 2610 from the
> default of Auto to On in the spring and Off in the fall.
>
> Enjoy your 2610.

Thanks for the URL of Tips and tricks with Garmin's 26x0 units.
When you are a complete Newbie, even the tips are intimidating.
I'll just have to "bite the bullet" and start trying to set it up.
Bob

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