Garmin - install US maps

[Fats25]

I have a Garmin 1690 Nuvi with full Europe maps etc on it. All of this is running directly from the Sat Nav (i.e. not installed on SD Card), and I have an online account for updates etc.

I am off to the US later this week, and want to get the US maps. They are $79 for the US maps to be downloaded and I have the choice of downloading, ordering the SD card with maps on them, or getting the DVD.

I want to go down the download route, and put them straight onto the Sat Nav, but I believe that there will not be enough room to have both US and Europe maps on them. So I assume that I can download the map, and replace it over the top of the Europe maps? Then when I return I reverse this and install the Europe maps again?

Also it states additional maps purchased need to be downloaded within a year, and I believe you buy a map at a "point in time" (i.e. you cannot get updates). I will want to use the US maps again next year, so again I assume that providing I have downloaded to my local storage, I can load this
(outdated) map again in future, and switch between the two.

Has anyone actually tried this? Is this how it works?

Or am I better ordering on SD, and just running it from there, and save the messing around?

[cjs]

You could buy a US Sat Nav for similar/less money, just pick one up from Best Buy or similar. They're doing a Garmin for $90.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?...


Have you driven in the US before? It is so easy, straight roads, all you need is a good map.

[Fats25]

cjs said:

You could buy a US Sat Nav for similar/less money, just pick one up from Best Buy or similar. They're doing a Garmin for $90.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?...


Have you driven in the US before? It is so easy, straight roads, all you need is a good map.

Have driven in the US a lot - but mostly had a sat nav. Trust me with 8 other golfers, and hangovers, it has always made life a lot easier when you have limited time to get to the course.

However buying a cheap device is not a bad idea........

This is same device as I have, and is only $20 more, and includes 2 years updates, and means I can keep it completely separate.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+-+Factory-Refur...

Edited by Fats25 on Monday 19th September 10:55

[cjs]

It does save you lugging yours across, with the charger and mount etc. Note these are online prices and you'll need a US address to ship them to, unless you can reserve and buy in store? You can also buy at Wallmart or many other big stores in the US.

[nickwilcock]

Just get the SD card - it'll save you a lot of hassle. Only drawback is that you won't be able to update it with a subscription service.

[gsewell]

Major advantage of the SD card method is that you can sell it on eBay when you get back from your holiday!

[Fats25]

I am now sitting in San Diego departures, having travelled 1300 miles in two weeks. I never bought the Sat Nav - or the US maps, and we only got minorly lost once. Was actually much more fun, as whilst I drove, my wife could navigate and also keep up with where we were.

Only use I can see for them in the US is with mates, when the priority is to get somewhere on-time, and you have all woken up with hangovers!

[bad company]

SD card cost me £19 on ebay and covers all of the USA and Canada. Been using it for 3 years -great value.