GPS hack

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:29 pm

When I bought the new (to me) mustang, it came w/ a Nuvi 350. As it turns out I already had a 350, so I thought this was a nice bonus. The Nuvi that came w/ mustang is old map wise. I've already updated my 350 and was trying to see if I could use the map info from my unit on the mustang supplied unit.

Garmin has the little web trick now that tracks the install per unit. I really don't want to buy another update since the 350 is now a discontinued product. Is there anyway to "copy" the existing map information I have from the updated 350 to the 'new" 350? I remember the install process being rather long and I don't think a simple copy of the files is going to work.

I know this isn’t quite ethical, but since it's discontinued, I'm not feeling that much guilt here. Anyone out there savvy in the ways of map hacking?

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:06 am

I don't understand the ethics issue. Just because you can no longer buy that piece of hardware new means you SHOULD no longer have to pay for software updates for it? That makes no sense. Like it or not, part of Garmin's business model is selling updates. They do a decent job providing free updates to the firmware, but if you want maps, you pay for maps. Doesn't matter if your hardware is new or old. *shrug* In fact, I'd be more mad at having to pay for map updates for a NEWER product.

I don't mean to flame you here, I just don't understand the justification. But if it's all still justified in your mind, then I'd try the map_authors group on Yahoo!. A quick poke around the net showed that to likely be the best bet to at least a pointer to what you want to do. Note that what you're doing is piracy and as such it won't be trivial to find what you want, if it even exists.

Yes, I'm an open source advocate in a BIG way, but that doesn't mean I believe in abusing agreements made between companies and consumers.

--Donnie

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:30 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I don't understand the ethics issue. Just because you can no longer buy that piece of hardware new means you SHOULD no longer have to pay for software updates for it? That makes no sense. Like it or not, part of Garmin's business model is selling updates. They do a decent job providing free updates to the firmware, but if you want maps, you pay for maps. Doesn't matter if your hardware is new or old. *shrug* In fact, I'd be more mad at having to pay for map updates for a NEWER product.

I don't mean to flame you here, I just don't understand the justification. But if it's all still justified in your mind, then I'd try the map_authors group on Yahoo!. A quick poke around the net showed that to likely be the best bet to at least a pointer to what you want to do. Note that what you're doing is piracy and as such it won't be trivial to find what you want, if it even exists.

Yes, I'm an open source advocate in a BIG way, but that doesn't mean I believe in abusing agreements made between companies and consumers.

--Donnie

Arrrgh matey, piracy it is!!!

thanks to the point to the map_authors. As a side note, if I could get the rest of my 328 parts sold, I'd have some spare cash and I could afford a legit install of the maps.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:56 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I don't understand the ethics issue. Just because you can no longer buy that piece of hardware new means you SHOULD no longer have to pay for software updates for it?

My Garmin was $199 almost 2 years ago and the map update was more than the unit. Fair price IMO? No, but I can live w/o the updates.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:16 am

You sure? The update for my 376C to 2009 is saying it would be $75. Pretty sure it's 2007 on it now.

They show the same product for the Nuvi 350 at $99 by going to the "Buy Maps" link, but I can't help but wonder if it isn't cheaper if you go to the "Upgrade Maps" thing and enter your serial number (which I'm guessing Rodney has been through).

No, it's not cheap and I'm not saying it changes Rodney's predicament, just arguing the greater than $199 thing...

--Donnie

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Navigon has free updates to the software including maps. Once you register your product. I got a refurbed unit for $79. Hard to beat.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:14 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

You sure? The update for my 376C to 2009 is saying it would be $75. Pretty sure it's 2007 on it now.

They show the same product for the Nuvi 350 at $99 by going to the "Buy Maps" link, but I can't help but wonder if it isn't cheaper if you go to the "Upgrade Maps" thing and enter your serial number (which I'm guessing Rodney has been through).

When I enter the SN it saysd there are no upgraded maps for my unit. Why would that be? However if I go to "Buy Maps" I can get an update for $99.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:08 pm

Graham Jagger wrote:

Navigon has free updates to the software including maps. Once you register your product. I got a refurbed unit for $79. Hard to beat.

Yeah, but it can't find Road Atlanta when it is goes past the front gate and sends you off to Downtown Spartenburg instead of home, so you may get what you "pay" for :lol:

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

I put in the wrong street address for RA. Operator error. For some reason coming home it wants to go via Spartanburg Business route on I85. It also wants to do the same going through Greensborough when heading south towards Charlotte. It doesn't like the idea of staying left on the new highway. I have to send in an error on those 2 so they will fix it.

The POI function in seems pretty hefty with locations. It's worked fine all around this area for places I was looking for. It also worked well when we went to Maine. For $20 you can get an upgrade to tie into road construction on the fly if you care. It's still hard to beat for $79. I paid an extra $17 for an extended year replacement warranty. It comes with the mount and cigarette lighter adapter and the 2GB Dimm. The OS and maps take up about 1.7GB. I downloaded the recent update and install is as easy as dragging a folder in Windows Explorer.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:59 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

When I enter the SN it saysd there are no upgraded maps for my unit. Why would that be? However if I go to "Buy Maps" I can get an update for $99.

Dunno, but I generally get a response from support via email in a day or so. Might not hurt to ask.

--Donnie

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:54 pm

Graham Jagger wrote:

I put in the wrong street address for RA. Operator error. For some reason coming home it wants to go via Spartanburg Business route on I85. It also wants to do the same going through Greensborough when heading south towards Charlotte. It doesn't like the idea of staying left on the new highway. I have to send in an error on those 2 so they will fix it.

The POI function in seems pretty hefty with locations. It's worked fine all around this area for places I was looking for. It also worked well when we went to Maine. For $20 you can get an upgrade to tie into road construction on the fly if you care. It's still hard to beat for $79. I paid an extra $17 for an extended year replacement warranty. It comes with the mount and cigarette lighter adapter and the 2GB Dimm. The OS and maps take up about 1.7GB. I downloaded the recent update and install is as easy as dragging a folder in Windows Explorer.

if memory serves me, you couldn't find your way to or from my house Graham.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

steve remchak wrote:

if memory serves me, you couldn't find your way to or from my house Graham.

Nope. That's why I got a GPS. I got your house stored as BFE. :lol:

Not my fault you couldn't live closer to civilization. I thought I'd need a Passport and immunization to go there :wink:

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