Garmin Nuvi 1450-LMT

[Cruiser Too]

Hi Gang !

After receiving excellent advice here on TUG's Lounge,
I bit the bullet and purchased a Garmin Nuvi 1450-LMT.

I'm aware that "LMT" denotes Life-Time Map updates and Traffic.

I registered my product at My.Garmin.Com
Then confusion set in.

First I was offered:

• nüMaps Onetime™ City Navigator® North America NT 2012 $49

Followed by:

• Free update expires: Jul 1, 2012

What is "City Navigator" and is it different from "Maps" North America ???

I went through the process to take advantage of this "free offer"
Then I received an email:

Thank you for ordering the nüMaps Onetime? City Navigator® North America NT 2012* for your nüvi® 1450 (******829).
Your order is now available for download at: https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myMapsHome.htm
Your product key is: ********​

Ohhhh.. I also (I think) downloaded the latest North America Map.
That process took around 45-minutes.

Doug

 

[Passepartout]

Yeah, I think you just updated the N. American maps and they are good until 7/1/12. After that there will be a new update released. Iirc, the ($49) city navigator ones are the ones mentioned earlier about using transit and containing many many POIs in major cities.

The one you got should serve you well.

Jim

 

[Cruiser Too]

Yeah, I think you just updated the N. American maps and they are good until 7/1/12. After that there will be a new update released. Iirc, the ($49) city navigator ones are the ones mentioned earlier about using transit and containing many many POIs in major cities. The one you got should serve you well.Jim

Big Jim:

Let's see if I understood your response:

• New "maps" are released every July 1st ?

The $49 "City Navigator" requires me to specify one city or would it encompass all U.S. major cities, thus not require me to specify a given city ?

Prior to my purchase, I surfed the waves of Garmin's site.
I stumbled upon something similar called "Explore" something, for around $10 per city.
It's described as a pedestrian-guide informing you which subway/bus/train to take to reach a POI.

Thus... I'm confused about this "OneTime City Navigator" for $49 versus the $10 Explorer.

Doug

 

[Passepartout]

I don't know when new maps are available. I do know that if I sign on to 'my Garmin' it tells me if an update is available. I have to pay for them so that's that. I'll keep mine with it's year-old maps until I think I am missing something, then buy a whole new unit. So far though it works fine- compared to DW's 6 y.o. Toyota maps. Roads don't change all that often, but POI's do and I seldom navigate to POI's, so I can easily see keeping my old Garmie another 5 or more years.

Looks like the difference between the City Navigator and the Explorer maps is $39. Report back when you figure it out. I think I only paid about $50 for my refurb Garmie and am not likely to update it again.

Jim

 

[Cruiser Too]

Thanks Jim and happy traveling !

I'll only use this unit when I'm on vacation in a rented car.

Our Prius has a built-in one that we named "Gypsy"
Not for Gypsy Rose Lee (Am I dating myself?)
but it's the closest to sounding like GPS.

Can't take credit for the name.
My DW thought of it.

 

[Talent312]

The July date is only for the one-time update that comes w-all Garmins.
Garmin regularly updates maps several times a year, like quarterly.

I bought lifetime maps, registered the code on the website, and they had me download "Garmin Lifetime Updater" software to my 'puter which detects new map releases. I also downloaded "Web Updater" which checks for O/S updates.

I think you need to call Garmin Support to clear up your confusion.
They've been very helpful to me.

 

[Cruiser Too]

The July date is only for the one-time update that comes w-all Garmins.

Would you recommend purchasing it ?

I bought lifetime maps, registered the code on the website, and they had me download "Garmin Lifetime Updater" software to my 'puter which detects new map releases. I also downloaded "Web Updater" which checks for O/S updates.

My unit is LMT. Does that require me to furnish them with a "code" ?

I think you need to call Garmin Support to clear up your confusion.
They've been very helpful to me.

"That's a very good idea... Ollie"

 

["Roger"]

Your lifetime maps will cover your map updates. (I believe that you have a user name and a password to get into the "mygarmin" section that the link in your original post takes you to. That is all you need as far as a "code.") Downloads do take lots of time.

The Garmin map names are confusing. The "City Navigator" maps are the maps that come with your Garmin and what you update when you wish.

You mentioned the "CityXplorer" maps which are $10 per city (I believe). These are special maps for cities across the globe. They are mainly for tourists. They will tell you how, for example, to get from your hotel to museumX or restaurant Y offering you a walking route, a bus alternative, a subway alternative, etc. with an estimated travel time for each. Or, how to get to one of the above once you get off the subway. If you chose to drive, supposedly they include parking lots, etc. for major attractions.

I never bought one. From reviews, they don't seem all that dependable - much like the early days for any maps on a GPS. (Yes, I know. A GPS still screws you up on directions occassionally, but not like the old days. And many times, my wife and I have gotten lost using maps.) As time goes by, the CityXporer maps might be getting more dependable, but I am not rushing in.

 

[Kay H]

I have a Garmin Nuvi LMT. I forget when I got it bit went to garmin website x2 and was told there were no upgrades for my GPS. I was surprised.

 

[Cruiser Too]

Your lifetime maps will cover your map updates. (I believe that you have a user name and a password to get into the "mygarmin" section that the link in your original post takes you to. That is all you need as far as a "code.") Downloads do take lots of time.

Yes, I registered my unit (Nuvi-1450) and thus have a user-name and password.

The Garmin map names are confusing. The "City Navigator" maps are the maps that come with your Garmin and what you update when you wish.

That being said, in my initial post I pointed out:
I was offered:

• nüMaps Onetime™ City Navigator® North America NT 2012 $49

Followed by:

• Free update expires: Jul 1, 2012

WHY did they offer me the above AFTER I registered my nuvi-1450-LMT ???

You mentioned the "CityXplorer" maps which are $10 per city (I believe). These are special maps for cities across the globe. They are mainly for tourists. They will tell you how, for example, to get from your hotel to museumX or restaurant Y offering you a walking route, a bus alternative, a subway alternative, etc. with an estimated travel time for each. Or, how to get to one of the above once you get off the subway. If you chose to drive, supposedly they include parking lots, etc. for major attractions.

I'll look into purchasing CityXplorer in the future. Surely, they'll be more accurate as time goes by.

Thanks Roger !!!!

 

["Roger"]

WHY did they offer me the above AFTER I registered my nuvi-1450-LMT ???

I am not sure if this is just a function of your having a new Garmin or the way in which you navigated to the update site.

Try clicking on your link in the first post.
Sign in as yourself (box to the right of the screen).
You should see a small picture of your unit with its registration number.
Click on "Details"

At that point, it should show that your maps are upto date.

If you have downloaded the Garmin Lifetime updater, it will take you to this location in the future.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Wow, thanks to everyone on this thread! I always wondered why my GPS got lost around Wyndham National Harbor...

City Navigator Lower 48 States NT v8, Deluxe, Apr 06

I don't think Wyndham National Harbor Existed in 2006...i'm going to update the second i get home!

 

[Cruiser Too]

...... Try clicking on your link in the first post.
Sign in as yourself (box to the right of the screen).
You should see a small picture of your unit with its registration number.
Click on "Details" At that point, it should show that your maps are upto date.

Did as you asked and this is what displayed:

Installed Maps:
City Navigator North America NT 2012.20, US & Canada - Map+P+JV(G), July 11
Code: *******
Unlock Code: *****************
Date Unlocked: January 27, 2012

City Navigator North America NT 2012.40, US & Canada - Map+P, Jan 12
Code: ********
Unlock Code: ***************
Date Unlocked: April 1, 2012

If you have downloaded the Garmin Lifetime updater, it will take you to this location in the future.

I must have NOT have downloaded the "Garmin Lifetgime updater".
Otherwise, wouldn't it automatically brought me to this location ?

I download "something" before I was able to download the latest maps.

BTW:
I asterisked the code and unlock-code.
Just seemed like the right thing to do.

 

[Cruiser Too]

Okay....

Now that it seems like I have:

• City Navigator North America NT 2012.40, US & Canada - Map+P, Jan 12

"North America" + US + Canada.
Anyone know if "US" includes Hawaii and Alaska ?

 

[Talent312]

"North America" + US + Canada.
Anyone know if "US" includes Hawaii and Alaska?

"US" includes Alaska+Hawaii... Spell a city and select "Show Map."
BTW, some older models only have enuff memory for the "Lower 49."

 

[dioxide45]

City Navigator North America NT 2012.40, US & Canada - Map+P, Jan 12
Code: ********
Unlock Code: ***************
Date Unlocked: April 1, 2012

We have the exact same Garmin model. This is the latest set of maps as ours shows the same version and we updated it every time that new maps become available.

The website should recognize that you have an LMT model that is eligible for lifetime maps. It knows based on the serial number you used when you registered the product, though it probably detected that during the registration process when you had the Garmin plugged in to your PC.

I wouldn't bother with the Explorer maps unless you are planing a trip to a certain city then just buy them before the trip. We did try a free trial of the Cyclops Safety Cameras POIs last year on for a trip to South Carolina. When you have this installed on the unit, it alerts you when you are coming up to red light and speed camera that it has in it's database. You can buy a one time download for about $8.50 or a yearly subscription for about $25. We will likely do this again for our trip to South Carolina again in a couple week and will use it while we are in Florida for a week in May. It came in handy several times and was good to be aware when we were approaching these safety cameras.

 

[dioxide45]

"US" includes Alaska+Hawaii... Spell a city and select "Show Map."
BTW, some older models only have enuff memory for the "Lower 49."

I think if you try to download a set of maps where you don't have enough space on the unit, it provides you with the option to not download certain regions and lets you pick the regions. You can keep Alaska and Hawaii for instance, but drop another area such as the north ease.

We recently had this issue with our 1450LMT, it indicated that there was not enough space. We had loaded a bunch of cars from the Garmin Garage on the unit so I just copied them over to the PC. I also copied over all the foreign voices that we would never use and deleted those off the unit as well. There was then plenty of room for the maps.

 

[Cruiser Too]

"US" includes Alaska+Hawaii... Spell a city and select "Show Map."
BTW, some older models only have enuff memory for the "Lower 49."

Fantastic !!!!

 

[Cruiser Too]

We have the exact same Garmin model. This is the latest set of maps as ours shows the same version and we updated it every time that new maps become available.

The website should recognize that you have an LMT model that is eligible for lifetime maps. It knows based on the serial number you used when you registered the product, though it probably detected that during the registration process when you had the Garmin plugged in to your PC.

I wouldn't bother with the Explorer maps unless you are planing a trip to a certain city then just buy them before the trip. We did try a free trial of the Cyclops Safety Cameras POIs last year on for a trip to South Carolina. When you have this installed on the unit, it alerts you when you are coming up to red light and speed camera that it has in it's database. You can buy a one time download for about $8.50 or a yearly subscription for about $25. We will likely do this again for our trip to South Carolina again in a couple week and will use it while we are in Florida for a week in May. It came in handy several times and was good to be aware when we were approaching these safety cameras.

Ahhhh... comforting to get advice from a Nuvi-1450-LMT owner !!!

I'll look into "Cyclops Safety Cameras"

 

[Cruiser Too]

I think if you try to download a set of maps where you don't have enough space on the unit, it provides you with the option to not download certain regions and lets you pick the regions. You can keep Alaska and Hawaii for instance, but drop another area such as the north ease..... We recently had this issue with our 1450LMT, it indicated that there was not enough space. We had loaded a bunch of cars from the Garmin Garage on the unit so I just copied them over to the PC. I also copied over all the foreign voices that we would never use and deleted those off the unit as well. There was then plenty of room for the maps.

I'm definitely not sure about the 1450-LMT but....
does it have a mini-SD slot ???

What's with these "cars" ?
Saw them on the Garmin site but..
couldn't make heads-or-tails outta them.

And the "voices"...
What's up with them ??? !!!

Doug

 

[dioxide45]

I'm definitely not sure about the 1450-LMT but....
does it have a mini-SD slot ???

What's with these "cars" ?
Saw them on the Garmin site but..
couldn't make heads-or-tails outta them.

And the "voices"...
What's up with them ??? !!!

Doug

I haven't used the mini-SD slot yet, but as I understand you can use it to load additional voices and graphics (cars). You can also use it to store photos that you can then view on the device. I think you can also use it to load extra maps to if you decide to purchase those. Not sure if the base map will also load to the SD card if the system memory is full.

The cars are really more of a novelty, you can download additional cars for free on the Garmin website. You can buy entire packages that include the car and voices. These are usually licensed because the voices are usually something recognizable (Sponge Bob, Gary Busey, etc). The device has standard voices on it in many languages, we opted to delete all but the Jack and Jill English language voices since we would never use the others. I did save them to our PC so if we ever sell the unit we can load them back on.

 

[Cruiser Too]

..... The cars are really more of a novelty, you can download additional cars for free on the Garmin website.

OK, but... what do these "cars" do ?

You can buy entire packages that include the car and voices. These are usually licensed because the voices are usually something recognizable (Sponge Bob, Gary Busey, etc).

I believe it was Gary Busey we watched on "Apprentice".
If it's the same Gary... we would NOT want his voice.
He reminds me of a co-worker that NOBODY wanted to work with !

The device has standard voices on it in many languages, we opted to delete all but the Jack and Jill English language voices since we would never use the others. I did save them to our PC so if we ever sell the unit we can load them back on.

A very clever idea !!!

 

[Passepartout]

OK, but... what do these "cars" do ?

They don't really do anything. They just represent 'you' on the screen. For instance, my 'car' is a blue sports car. They are free and you download them from My Garmin. Put in a few and change them in settings from time to time.

Jim

 

[Cruiser Too]

They don't really do anything. They just represent 'you' on the screen. For instance, my 'car' is a blue sports car. They are free and you download them from My Garmin. Put in a few and change them in settings from time to time.Jim

Ohhhhh... okay, I got it.
As time goes by (Senior-Citizen)
things have to be pounded into my gray-matter.