A common question asked by all Garmin owners is “How do I update my GPS unit?”

Well, first of all we need to remember that there are two parts to any GPS. The GPS unit itself and the operating system of that unit, also called the firmware (in the USA this is also called the ‘unit software’), and then there is the detailed map software that is loaded either onto the unit or onto a memory card inserted into the unit.

Firmware Updates:
Firmware updates are free for all Garmin GPS units and the update files are available for download off the Garmin.com website. Garmin also have a download utility program called WebUpdater that you download once onto your computer and which you then run directly from your computer while your GPS unit is connected to your PC. The program will automatically identify your GPS unit, log itself into the Garmin database and download all the relevant update files directly to your connected Garmin GPS unit. These firmware updates also include any new or updated voice files, Bluetooth software (if your Garmin GPS unit is Bluetooth enabled), vehicle icons, firmware improvements and bug fixes for your unit. Once the program has run, you simply disconnect your GPS unit from your PC and let it reboot and update itself (this can take a minute or two depending on the unit).

Important Note: ALWAYS remove any memory cards from the unit BEFORE doing a firmware update.

Map Software Updates:
Now this is a tad more complicated. The detailed map software used on, and sold with, all South African Garmin units is not produced by Garmin International themselves. A local company has been licensed to produce the Garmap range of maps specifically for the South African market. The Garmin International “City Navigator SA” map product is still produced and sold by Garmin International to the overseas market but it is by far inferior to the locally produced Garmap maps (and it is anyway not available through any of the authorised South African Garmin dealers).

Garmap Map Updates - Garmap map software updates are not available as downloads off the Internet as they are simply far too big. The updates themselves are not just a few roads to be added to your existing mapset, they are complete new mapsets built from scratch each time. They are made available twice per year and you will need to purchase the latest Garmap Africa Series DVD from your local dealer each time (the DVD itself only costs R99). These maps must then be loaded onto your PC, unlocked and then uploaded to your GPS unit via USB cable.

Unlocking the half yearly update is free for registered users of the previous edition and the end of year update is a discounted rate for existing users (the discounted rate varies depending on which edition you are upgrading from and when you purchased your GPS).

Even if the Garmin GPS unit that you purchased is/was a “Plug-and-Play” model (i.e. the maps came preloaded on a memory card or preloaded onto the internal memory of the unit), you will need to buy the DVD and go through the process of loading the maps to a PC first before transferring them to your unit.

Garmin Map Updates - Garmin International map product updates (for European, USA, Australian, Middle East and New Zealand maps) are also obtained on Update DVD’s from your local Garmin dealer. These DVD’s are generally free but will sometimes need to be ordered from overseas and can sometimes take three to four weeks to be delivered. Unlocking these updates requires an unlocking fee to be paid (in US$) via credit card payment online, directly to Garmin International, at the time of unlocking. These unlocking fees also depend on which edition you are upgrading from and when you purchased your existing map software.

We obviously recommend that you keep both your GPS firmware and your detailed maps up to date at all times.

Well I hope this info was useful to you. Please leave a comment below and let me know how it goes…

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