Garmin nüMaps Lifetime North America Map Updates

This is well near a brilliant plan for owners of Garmin GPS's. Pay one time, get up to four updates to your core GPS map software per year, for the life of your device. I've actually paid more than the price of this subscription to update one of my GPS's. So this was a no brainer for me.

First step - go to the Garmin Website and verify that the exact model of GPS you own is listed. Don't assume your model is listed - go to the website and verify it is really listed first. The list is huge, long, major long. My Nuvi 765T and 670 were both listed as compatible.

Click here to check price or purchase  Garmin nüMaps Lifetime North America Map Updates

Second Step - order this "gift card" from Amazon. This is by far the most incredible deal compared to a purchase chez Garmin. With a Prime account, no sales tax, no shipping, and you've got this lovely little credit card in around 2 days.

Third Step - Like most gift cards, you scrape off the product key cover on the back of the card.

Fourth Step - make sure you know your MyGarmin user name and password - if not create an account. If you've had a GPS for longer than 1 year, you should have an account.

Fifth Step - Plug your GPS into your computer with a USB cable. Go to the website listed on the back of the card and follow the instruction.

Now the automatic stuff happens. You log into your account, it validates the product key, and then starts the download process. First it checks your computer, then checks for your device, then checks for compatibility, and then launches a download manager. You will see a pop up and you'll have to give permissions like 10 times before the manager installs, and starts the download.

Don't be afraid of the download manager. It's simple and only works with Garmin's website. It won't trash your computer.

Now the part to be afraid of - my first update to my Nuvi 765T is 1.92Gb. So you darn well better have a very fast internet connection (my comcast connection did that download in around 20 minutes) or you'll need to start this up before you go to bed at night and just let it run.

Last step, once the download manager has downloaded the whole file (you can check a box that says "close when done" and "launch when done"), click on Launch on the download manager box. The file will extract to the destination folder you set up in the early steps of download. Once extracted, the update program will run. The prompts there are simple and straightforward. I'm not sure what the update speed depends on, but they warn you it can take up to 2 hours. Mine updated in around 10 minutes.

An important caveat that you cannot miss. This is for ONE GPS. ONLY ONE GPS. You cannot use this same code to update other Garmin GPS's. You have to purchase a second card to update more units.

The other downside at Amazon, the combo North American and Europe card is not available through Amazon at this writing. So you must go to the Garmin website for that download.

Honestly, if you buy two updates to your GPS, this card pays for itself. I really love the "no questions asked" quarterly updates to my GPS.

July 8, 2009 Update - type nuvi tips and tricks into your favorite search engine. The first hit is a resource on how to better use your Nuvi. It's a fantastic site with hundreds of tips.