Garmin 2012 map update

[johnlt]

Just got off the phone with the Garmin folks registering my replacement Zumo. They mentioned that the new 2012 map update came out yesterday. The interesting thing is they include all of Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. I usually don't update because the roads I ride don't change but with Mexico, I'll do it. Plus, the new set of POIs will be better.

[nbooth]

Thanks for the news update...

[dirtrider]

Afternoon John

 

The new map update 2012.10 came out on 5/18/11. The file is very large so won’t fit on the older Zumo’s like the 550 without also having an SD card in it and putting part of the mapping on the SD card. In fact the files are getting so large that even the lower U.S. won’t fit (on the Zumo internal drive) anymore without deleting some of the unused language and other unused internal files.

 

 

[dasronin]

Wouldn't ya know. Just 2 months ago I updated the maps in both of my Zumos! But then... Canada is to cold, Mexico has too many murders and my bike does not float so the Caribbean islands are unlikely! :-)

[dirtrider]

Evening dasronin

 

Not a big loss, if you did it 2 months ago you must have either 2011.3 or 2011.4 - On the roads I travel I see little difference between the 2011.4 & the just released 2012.1.

 

Until I got the lifetime map updates I would only update about every 2 years.

 

[w2ge]

I wouldn't update the maps often at all. IF you make custom routes, any route made on an older mapset will now have announced flags on the route. Viapoints contain specific mapset indexing data.. Only way to fix is to move every viapoint on a route in Mapsource on the new mapset.. Recalculating the route in the new map will not fix this.

 

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=13508.msg103494#msg103494

[marcopolo]

I wouldn't update the maps often at all...

 

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=13508.msg103494#msg103494

 

I agree. I bought my current GPS in 2005 and have updated the maps only once, in 2006. Since that time I have ridden extensively in Canada and the U.S., including at least six cross-continent rides.From time to time I find some major highways/interstates that are slightly re-aligned, but that's about it. Most new roads are in new suburbs and I'm not going there anyway. I can see if you have "free" updates why you might do it (I've done that on my car GPS), or if you use POIs frequently, but for navigation, I don't think much changes.

[dirtrider]

Morning Phil

 

Good point, but what you say is only a problem on certain GPS units that announce the flags or via points or that originally hide the intersection flags. For instance my 60CSX could care less about the flag position as they all show. My Zumo will announce incorrectly in some cases but not in others.

 

 

On the GPS units that do announce way points or some via points what you say is true with about any route made on a different version mapset including routes furnished by others. There is a somewhat simple fix or two that can make that pretty transparent.

 

First if all you want is a quick fix just run the old route through a program called Unflag (a freeware program), that removes all the announcement flags then simply add some new shaping or via points to guide the route using non announced or announced points, whatever you want to re-add.

 

The other is even simpler as long as the route stays pretty well in the same few states (or same general area anyhow). That is to download the new mapset first only to MapSource on the computer, then install the new map on your GPS from MapSource. This lets you install most of the new map on the GPS proper with the remainder on the SD card. In this remainder going to the SD card I also add back in the old maps from my state and the 3 surrounding states for the MapSet versions I use the most. This is done more so I can trade routes with some friends that have older versions of NT maps.

 

For example on my Zumo GPS now- I have 2012.1 as my main full map, with Eastern US topo mapping, NT2008 (3 states), NT2004.4 (3 states), NT2011.2 (3 states). The above maps are what my main riding friends have with all of us having the US topo for some off road use. If I am sent a route from the friend using NT2008 I just un-tick the 2012.1 and tick the NT2008 in my GPS so now we both are on the same map set. The only thing to watch out for here is to make darn sure only one mapset at a time is ticked as multiple maps of the same area at the same time can cause some strange route suggestions. You also need to know the mapset version of the route you are sent.

I suppose with a large SD card you could add more area of the old maps but for long trips no way would I use an old route without re-plotting it on the latest mapset available due to changing roads, new intersections, failed river crossings, & current services (well somewhat current anyhow)

 

If time allows we mainly trade tracks only (tracks never change regardless of the road or map chosen) then each make or own route from the tracks. Same with saved routes, I usually save the tracks of my trip (if possible) as tracks never change but sometimes the roads or bridges that were used do.

 

[wbrissette]

Afternoon John

 

The new map update 2012.10 came out on 5/18/11. The file is very large so won’t fit on the older Zumo’s like the 550 without also having an SD card in it and putting part of the mapping on the SD card. In fact the files are getting so large that even the lower U.S. won’t fit (on the Zumo internal drive) anymore without deleting some of the unused language and other unused internal files.

 

 

You do have the option (at least using the Mac installer) to only install the lower 48 states if you want. That what I did. Fits fine on the Zumo if you do that.

 

Wayne

[w2ge]

DR, meant to respond.. Sorry, I forgot. I gotcha.. I have at times used something similar to UnFlag: WinGDB3

 

Good idea, re: all the multiple mapsets.. I just think I would end up getting confused and as you know, most others haven't a clue what, why there doing regarding custom routes and have no idea of their mapset (Let alone Maspource, BaseCamp!)

 

You run with a different crowd.. (P.S. I think a friend bought Helge's 1200GS that was at a BMW dealer in Ohio, for a second GS for himself) $9500! Tattered but great history and all the Touratech goodies- taped on or not ;-)

[Selden]

I wouldn't update the maps often at all...

 

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=13508.msg103494#msg103494

 

I agree. I bought my current GPS in 2005 and have updated the maps only once, in 2006. Since that time I have ridden extensively in Canada and the U.S., including at least six cross-continent rides.From time to time I find some major highways/interstates that are slightly re-aligned, but that's about it. Most new roads are in new suburbs and I'm not going there anyway. I can see if you have "free" updates why you might do it (I've done that on my car GPS), or if you use POIs frequently, but for navigation, I don't think much changes.

I purchased my first GPS, a Nüvi 265W, at the beginning of May. I'm entitled to one free map upgrade, just connected to the Garmin web site, which says I have until August 15 to upgrade. My question is: how frequently does Garmin publish map updates? If only once a year, I may as well do it now, but if they are on a twice yearly schedule; such as January/July, it seems like it would be better to wait.

[99Roadster]

They are typically published quarterly give or take a few weeks.

 

Last update 2012.10 was available 5/18/2011.