Garmin uses WebUpdater which is a free application that lets customers update their unit software from home. I guess they figure you have aloready spent the money on the unit so the software updates are free!! Customers can go to Garmins’ website and download it once. Once you “run” the application, the software does all the work for you (much like other software programs we use on our PC’s). Using WebUpdater makes it easy to upgrade your operating software for free. After you connect your GPS unit to the PC, it will automatically check for updates! Previous versions were a lot different and more time consuming but that’s not the case anymore!
Garmin uses over 60 other software programs for their GPS units. They are featured in different vehicles such as BMW X5, BMW X3 etc. Here are a list of the software products:
| Product Name | Date: |
|---|---|
| BMW Motorrad Navigator III | November 29, 2007 |
| BMW Motorrad Navigator III plus | November 21, 2007 |
| cf Que 1620 | May 10, 2006 |
| Colorado 300 | December 5, 2008 |
| Colorado 400c | December 5, 2008 |
| Colorado 400i | December 5, 2008 |
| Colorado 400t | December 5, 2008 |
| Communicator Plugin | May 12, 2009 |
| Communicator Plugin for Mac | May 12, 2009 |
| DNX 5 Series | January 26, 2009 |
| AVN,KNWD,Am,GPS System | January 26, 2009 |
| AVN,KNWD,Atl,GPS System | January 26, 2009 |
| DNX 7/8 Series | January 26, 2009 |
| Edge 205 | May 4, 2007 |
| Edge 305 | May 4, 2007 |
| eMap | August 7, 2003 |
| eTrex | June 14, 2002 |
| eTrex Camo | July 30, 2003 |
| eTrex Euro | July 30, 2003 |
| eTrex Legend | March 18, 2008 |
| eTrex LegendC | May 3, 2007 |
| eTrex Legend Cx | May 12, 2009 |
| eTrex Legend HCx | May 12, 2009 |
| eTrex Summit | July 30, 2003 |
| eTrex Summit HC | January 5, 2009 |
| eTrex Venture Cx | May 12, 2009 |
| eTrex Venture HC | January 5, 2009 |
| eTrex Venture | March 18, 2008 |
| eTrex Vista | March 18, 2008 |
| eTrex VistaC | May 3, 2007 |
| eTrex Vista Cx | May 12, 2009 |
| eTrex Vista HCx | May 12, 2009 |
| eTrex H | October 17, 2008 |
| FishFinder 100 | July 31, 2003 |
| FishFinder 100 Blue | July 31, 2003 |
| FishFinder 160 | July 31, 2003 |
| FishFinder 160 Blue | July 31, 2003 |
Garmin also has mapping software and software for macs. All of the software is free and it is really user friendly. The hardware and software work together to make the GPS system work in several ways. The hardware displays all of the functions of the software so that customers can effeciently use the the product. The Garmin GPS produces beautiful maps, sounds and other personal settings that makes it worth using! There has been some debate over the mounting functions of certain GPS systems but most customers are happy with sleekness in look and size along with the easy to use software created by Garmin.
http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp
http://www.drillspot.com/products/347716/Garmin_010-00521-00_Vehicle_Navigator
I’m all about user friendly! We were just out looking for GPS systems today and I just got so overwhelmed by the choices and the different features, that I told the sales guy that I needed to go home and research a little bit more before I could make a decision. Afterall, I just need something to tell me where to go!! I don’t need it to do my laundry for me. . .although, it sure would be nice!
I think it is VERY smart on Garmon’s part to make sure that all future upgrades are free to consumers. I never thought to check on that, but now I know! I will certainly check to see if other brands include the future upgrades for free too. If not, I guess Garmon has one positive mark in my quest to find the perfect GPS system for me!
By: HRManager2b on June 7, 2009
at 10:37 pm
Great information. Thank you. When I bought my last car I opted for the 7-speaker stereo (not so special though it turned out to be) instead of the GPS (they use the same dashboard cut-outs so a vehicle can only have one or other). I decided not to buy the GPS option because they required the owner to *purchase* annual updates. With all the construction that goes on in our great nation, I thought the idea of annual updates ridiculous, and me having to pay for them even sillier. In my ignorance of GPS’s, I thought they all worked like this. Thank you for the great post teaching me there are better options out there.
-Maria
By: mboe on June 8, 2009
at 11:10 pm
Crystal,
I liked the information you have here on the Garmin. I chose the same topic but did mine on the Tom Tom. It’s not as well known, but I have personally used both and also looked at the Magellan, and I thought the Tom Tom was a little more user friendly. Comparing apples to apples, I found it was also a little less expensive. I liked th fact that you listed all their models, too. Wish I had done that.
Rick
By: Rick Vines on June 9, 2009
at 12:27 am
I’m glad that you found the information useful. Choosing less expensive products is a good choice these days!! I listed only 1/3 of their models as I thought that was enough for our classmates to get the idea. It’s not too late to list the models! Recently, there was a sale at Kohl’s and the Nextar 3.5 inch GPS system was on sale for $99 plus a $20 mail-in rebate! Customers were bringing their reciepts to the store as they had purchased the same GPS unit for nearly $300! It pays to be a wise shopper even when you are looking for a comparable GPS unit! This may help some of us with our purchases.
By: cams10 on June 9, 2009
at 12:38 am
Crystal,
You did a good job presenting this information. I do not have a gps system, but I am always around people who do and they love them. I have been thinking about getting one, but it is very confusing to process all the information. One complaint I always here is about the fee to purchase updates. It is good to know that Garmin offers them for free.
Lynn
By: Lynn Alexander on June 9, 2009
at 6:00 pm
I really want a GPS system in my next car. I’ve been looking at the features on some of them and they seem really great! I think we should all get together as a class and ask Garmin to give us a student discount on our first 1-3 years of service! We can probably make suggestions of how there features can be more user friendly eventhough I haven’t heard complaints about them at all. This would be a great project for us to do!!
By: cams10 on June 9, 2009
at 6:15 pm
If you are looking your new GPS navigator Store. I recommend you to find your new Garmin GPS Store at our website store. Anyway, you may find product spec., echnical review, accessories and maps update for Garmin 780,765T,755T,255W,360,205W,250,260,260W,265WT,270,760 and others Garmin nuvi information at http://garmingps.geogats.com/garmin-store/
By: GarminGPS on June 20, 2009
at 9:42 am
Hi Crystal,
Thank you so much for all the useful information. I don’t have a GPS unit, but have put a lot of thought into getting one in my next car I purchase. Buying any electronic device in this day and age can be confusing and overwhelming, there are so many options to choose from that you spend days trying to make a decision.
A few of the key things that I would have looked into when purchasing a GPS unit would have been its cost, and how simple it would be to use. I am a bit behind in the times I guess, because I was not aware of the yearly updates. Thanks to all your information. Now I know that I have to look into a unit that comes with the free update software, I know things have updates but I just didn’t think about it.
By: loly910 on July 13, 2009
at 3:32 am
[...] Software used in GPS unit: Garmin by cams10 [...]
By: My Comments « HRManager2B on July 20, 2009
at 4:29 pm