The Saga of the Garmin Unlock Continues (Long)

By now, nearly all of us are aware that you can no longer unlock more than one
Garmin device unless you purchase separate unlock codes for each.

As a bit of history, I presently use a 2720, a 7200, and a 76Cx. The 7200
came with it's own CN NA NT 2008 DVD. I have purchased a 2008 update for the
2720 and have acquied a third CN NA NT 2008 update DVD for the 76Cx.

The 76Cx has several previous versions of both CN NA NT, CN NA, CN Europe,
and CN Europe NT in my My.Garmin history.

When I attempted to unlock the 76Cx using the third DVD, I consistently got an
error using MapSource. When I attampted to unlock it using My.Garmin, I was
told that there were no updates available for the 76Cx.

Called Garmin. The technical rep thought it was strange and couldn't
determine the problem. I was then referred to Garmin Software Support. That
person couldn't determine the problem and confirmed that I had previously
unlocked earlier versions to that 76Cx. She also confirmed that the product
key for the third DVD had not yet been used. She said that she'd need to do
some research and call me back.

Several days passed and I found a phone message from Garmin and returned the
call. That Garmin representative said that the reason that I could not unlock
the third DVD was that the previous unlocks for the 76Cx had been second unit
unlocks. Since I had never purchased CN NA (not update) for the 76Cx, I would
not be able to install it. I would need to purchase a full copy of CN NA NT
for the 76Cx.

I then checked the available updates for the 2720 to see if it showed CN
Europe 2008 updates being available. It found now updates available. I
discussed this during a subsequent conversation with Garmin. (CN Europe had
oribinally been purchased and installed on a 2610 that I owned prior to the
2720.) I was told that the original CN Europe had been purchased for the 2610
and, although I've purchased subsequent updates for the 2720, I had not
purchased an original CN Europe for the 2720. I pointed out that I now longer
own the 2610 and that the 2720 replaced it. (A son-in-law now has the 2610
and I doubt that he has any interest in going to Europe).

So, I have to conclude that you can only purchase an update for a unit which
had it in the box or, if you purchase a software product and no longer have
the unit, you'll need to purchase another base copy for any replacement unit
for any map product which wasn't in the box.

How's this for an inducement to purchase any Garmin product that has no map
product in the box, or to purchase an additional map product and expect it to
carry over to a replacement?

I suspect that my days of upgrading to a new Garmin unit or to purchase
additional map products has just come the a screaching halt.
--
Carl Heinz
cfheinz57@charter.net
(Remove number)

Yes it is very annoying and expensive. I have 2610 plus updated map and
shared its map with 76csx, and now I have nuvi 770 as well which looks like
can not be updated any more, plus CN Europe 9 which I installed on my 76csx
and now if I replace it with Colorado this super expensive map is LOST for
me! I also want to purchase a biking gps and I will need another full CN for
it. I also purchased bunch of Topo maps.

Just how much should we pay for this maps over and over again every time we
change a unit?
Why can't I transfer my license from old unit to a new one?!!! Changing from
76csx to Colorado will cost me the price of the unit plus CN USA and CN
Europe bound to it - another $400 why should it be so - it is unreasonable
The answer is the hell with Colorado - 76csh is good enough, the hell with
biking GPS - will stick with my 76csx
Let those new units rot on the shelves :-)

Do Garmin still employ the guy who is alleged to have said, "TomTom,
what a stupid name for a gps - it will never catch on"?

You should properly thank the software thieves for that! Please give
credit where it is due.
--


Darrel Goheen
GPS@tvnav.com
http://www.tvnav.com

Hi, Darrel-

Thanks for letting me rant at you.

A couple of additional thoughts-

1. The no update without an original install seems to effectively make the
single unlock policy retroactive.

2. The inability to be able to use an original install to a replacement
machine, to me, appears to be a new policy. This probably has no impact on
machines which have a map product "in the box". But, for me, effectively adds
to the cost it I want to upgrade the hardware to a new machine. Again, to me,
this is a breach of faith by Garmin and diminishes the value of the software
products I've already purchased without prior notice or compensation. Hmmm,
wonder of that's actionable.

Carl
--
Carl Heinz
cfheinz57@charter.net
(Remove number)