SergZak

I think this is Garmin's way of reducing their internal inventory without publicly discontinuing (yet) the nuvi 200 (and likely other models as well). There are ~40 nuvis out right now. Garmin, as well as the consumer is likely having trouble keeping the nuvi mess sorted.

You can use GPSBabel (www.gpsbabel.org) to convert the .gpi file to a .gpx/.gdb file for use with MapSource if you have it. It also outputs to many other formats...check it out.

8. Removal of useful features from new nuvis (models vary) such as North pointer, Map Scale display, ability to turn off touch tones, ability to disable Autozoom (nuvi 3xx/6xx), etc, etc only to re-introduce these features in "new" models as "new" features. The new model with the new feature then has one of the older features removed so the cycle can go on and on. Hardware upgrade (a new unit) is the only way to get the "new" features since Garmin never adds new features to current models. To gain something new in a new nuvi always requires you to lose something (a feature, a configurable option, etc) in the process.

Your nuvi is a 205w. The original poster's (OP's) unit is a 250w. When I mentioned Garmin removing features from existing units, then re-introducing them in a new nuvi series, this is the exact situation I was talking about. This is just one small example of how Garmin plays this bait and switch (or more like switch and bait) game with users... 1. The nuvi 2xx(w) (OP's unit) is introduced as a new nuvi series with a map zoom scale indicator available on the moving map screen. 2. The nuvi 2xx(w) gets several firmware updates, one of which removes the map zoom scale indicator from the moving map screen without warning. 3. The nuvi 2x5(w) series is introduced which re-enables the map zoom scale indicator that was removed from the 250w (and other units within the same series). This tactic has been used over and over ever since the nuvi line was introduced with the nuvi 350. I sometimes wonder what feature already available on my own current models (200, 750 & 760) will be axed from them, then re-introduced with a new series.

Please email or call Garmin and voice your dissatisfaction with their decisions to remove features that they feel we don't need or should be able to see/not see. Instead of simply removing these features, they should provide a simple on/off toggle...but of course they don't. They instead re-introduce the removed feature as a "new" feature on a totally new nuvi series, enticing the user to buy yet another unit.

Your screen shot is of the map panning mode. The zoom scale has always been in map panning mode. The zoom scale that has been removed with the firmware update was removed from the moving map navigation screen. Also note that the zoom scale was removed from the moving map in a recent firmware version. If you indeed still have it in moving map mode, then you are likely running an older firmware version. Correct. the map scale indicator is not available in 3D mode regardless of the firmware version. This is just another example of Garmin simply removing a useful (to some people like the OP and myself) which was paid for in the purchase price of the unit, just because they wanted to remove it or feel that it was not needed or unused. I made this analogy before somewhere but thought I'd mention it again here...it's like taking your car in for service (an oil change for example) at the dealer and getting it back with say, the digital clock removed because the dealer thought it was not needed for some reason, never mind if you used it or not.

I think any of the nuvi 2x5(w) series would do just fine for you. These are the newest in the low-end nuvi line and have some features that even the high end units like the 7xx & 8xx series won't give you such as the ~4hz screen redraw rate and the updated UI (user interface) which gives more on-screen info to the user. Be warned though that the nuvi line is basically a soccer-mom or dumbed-down automotive navigator. Don't expect to find anything close to the configurability of the older Garmin units. I started with the Garmin eMap as my first "auto-nav" unit many years ago along with a Magellan GPS 310 even before that as a hand-held so I think I'm qualified to say that I know where you'll be coming from. You'll be moving from "options galore" to "this is what you get to see...be happy with it".

That is 100% correct.

Any mapset (City Navigator, Topo US, MetroGuide, etc.) installed on the PC side is only installed once on the PC regardless of how many GPS units you have. The only variable is the 25-digit unlock code for each unit unlocked for the mapset that requires an unlock code. These codes are handled by the Garmin UnlockWizard utility which is installed along with MapSource when you install your maps. I have more than 20 unlock codes for numerous mapsets/units on my system...I would think the number of unlock codes/units is unlimited.

Just as you have the right to post your opinion, others have the same right to post theirs, along with the "never-ending, using a nuvi for geocaching" threads. If you don't like seeing them, simply pass on to the next topic. They are not hurting anyone. The forum exists to help -all- users, nuvi or not. In fact, at first read of the original post, I totally missed the geocaching tie-in with the nuvi. I was more focused on why the battery was dying so quickly, thus the suggestions. After all, this forum *is* entitled GPS and Technology which can cover quite a wide range of units and their uses. Peace...

The topic is regarding the nuvi 760 & it's battery life. Not a topic to dog someone on how the unit is to be used "correctly". I've provided some tips and links that I thought would be helpful. Some people do need to chill out.

None of the Garmin topo maps require an unlock code. Unlock codes are only needed for City Navigator, Blue Charts and I'm assuming anything aviation related.

Like MtnHermit mentioned, charging via USB is not a reliable way to charge your unit. Power can get cutoff to the USB ports depending on your PC's power saving configuration and/or the amperage may not be adequate to do the job depending on how the port is powered. I'd leave the unit powered off overnight while connected to the car's 12-volt power source for a good charge. One good purchase to make would be the AC adapter, Garmin part #010-10723-00 which will allow you to charge the nuvi via AC. Be sure and get the actual Garmin part since the connector end wiring is proprietary. Other 3rd party adapters/chargers will simply put the nuvi into USB mass storage mode (like when you plug it into a PC). You can find this adapter at your local Best Buy for about $26. Also note that there is a long-standing bug in the nuvi 2xx/7xx series (and possibly others higher up in the nuvi line) that Garmin refuses (or is unwilling) to fix; the unit will -never- display the "battery charging complete" message regardless of how long you leave the unit charging. The nuvi 3xx/6xx series does not have this bug.

Agreed...I own 3 nuvis...a 200, a 350 and a 750. But compared to the Garmin autonav units from the past like the GPS V and the Quest (both of which I have owned), the user-configurable feature set is non-existent. When Garmin simply strips a useful feature out of a unit that was already working, like the map zoom indicator, I wonder what else they will remove at their chosing. Then Garmin adds (again at their own chosing) features that you cannot disable. For example, on the nuvi 7xx series using the new City Nav v2009 maps, a current road speed limit indicator is now displayed on the map screen at all times. There is no way to disable it. When you are navigating a route, there is no current speed displayed on the map at all (it's on another screen). What good is always displaying the current road's speed limit when you can't even see how fast you're going using the GPS? A much better use of the screen real estate used by this "feature" would be a "next turn" arrow while navigating a route or even a user configurable data field. Another example is when you found your favorite and select go. Previous autonav units always prompted you with "Faster Time or Shorter Distance". This option is now buried deep within the menu structure so if you change your mind, you have to dig for this option to change it. Granted, the option is still there, just not very convenient for the end-user to access. I just wish that Garmin would give the end-user a choice instead of forcing the user to use/not use the feature.

I own a nuvi 200, a nuvi 350 and a nuvi 750 and this does not work on the 2xx series. Garmin strips even more display options from the lower end nuvis than the higher-end nuvis. Edit: I read the thread you linked to above and a user states that the satellite screen is accessible via the signal strength bar trick. Unless this was recently added in the most recent firmware update, it has never worked for me. And I do know how to access it on both my 350 and 750. I will give it a shot over the weekend when I have access to my 200.

The entire nuvi line has been dumbed-down to the point of being ridiculous. Garmin has taken away every aspect of end-user configurability...configurable screen displays, data fields, zoom levels, auto zoom on/off, etc etc are all gone. Then with each new nuvi model Garmin introduces, they magically add one or two nifty "new" features that have been available for years and years on even their most basic hand-held unit. To get that "new" feature, the end-user again will have to purchase another nuvi. Early firmware nuvi 2xx's had the map scale indicator on the moving map screen. They took it away with a later firmware. Why? They decided we didn't need to see it. Any Garmin GPS can display latitude/longitude position while moving...but it's up to Garmin to decide whether or not they want the user to see it. That's pretty sad...

Sure, you can install it on as many PCs as you like from the same file you downloaded from Garmin. Using the coupon code you received should allow you to install it as you originally did. If for some reason it does not work (I don't see any reason why it shouldn't), there is an alternate install method... 1. Go to your original PC and run MapSource. Within MapSource, go to Utilities/Unlock Maps, click the Next button, then select "Backup my Unlock Codes to a file" and follow the prompts to save a copy of your unlock codes. Or you can view the unlock code for CN NT 2009 and write it down. 2. Rename the file you downloaded from Garmin to anyfilename.zip (or change the extension to .zip) 3. Extract the compressed contents to a folder on your hard drive. (note that you MAY need to use WinRAR). You will need ~2.3GB for the extracted files. 4. Go to the folder that you extracted to files to and navigate to the Msi folder. 5. Run CNNT2009UpdateWeb_Enu.msi. This will install CN NT 2009 to your PC without needing the coupon code. 6. After the installation on the new PC, run MapSource which will likely tell you that the CN NT 2009 maps are locked. 7. Run the UnlockWizard from the new install and unlock your maps using the unlock code file that you saved. Or you can simply enter the unlock code manually.

I don't know how the wheel is mounted to the unit (since I don't own one) but I've fixed numerous devices that had some sort of dial or knob mounted on a shaft by using a bit of tape on the shaft to take up the slack and add some friction.

Here are a couple showing the corporate logos being displayed for some (but not all) of the built-in POIs. Starbucks and Arco ampm (on top of Arco)

For current models, I'd recommend either the Garmin nuvi 260 or 260W. For yet to be released models (you may want to wait for these new units which should be available in ~2 months), have a look at the Garmin nuvi 255 or 255W. See the complete nuvi line HERE

Garmin Blue Charts also require unlock codes.

Just looking at the Garmin website now (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=309 under the "Accessories" tab), I don't know if the 5v mini-USB cable will actually power the unit. There is a 12 volt DC (cigarette lighter) power cable that plugs into the 4-pin connector but I see nothing that utilizes the mini-USB connector for powering the unit. It may only be used for data transfer. I have an older 60CS along with the 12v to mini-USB adapter in question but cannot test this until Monday. You may want to wait to get further verification from others here that powering the unit via mini-USB will actually work. Edit: Looking through the PDF manual for the 60Cx, I see the following: "Power Source: Two 1.5V AA batteries, USB Data Cable, 12 Volt DC Adapter Cable, or up to 36 Volt DC External Power" So going by this, I'm assuming what you want to do (power the unit through the mini-USB port with the 12v cigarette adapter) will work.

If you're talking about using a 12v Garmin cigarette adapter, then yes...you should be fine. The adapter has a built-in voltage reducer/regulator which supplies the correct 5v DC to the mini-USB plug. A third-party (non-Garmin) adapter should be verified that it outputs 5v DC before attempting to use it. You don't want a full 12v DC going into what is expecting 5v DC...bad things can happen.

Yes, this has always been the case for custom POIs...but not for user saved waypoints. I have been so used to seeing all my waypoints on the navigation map for years and years with all of my other Garmin units. On the 2xx series, user waypoints are indeed fully capable of being displayed on the map...it's not like it's a limitaion of the unit; when you touch the map and enter panning mode, they are all there, even at high zoom levels. Once you go back to the navigation map screen, they simply vanish...until you zoom in to 300 ft. As the OP stated, this is "pretty useless and ridiculous" and I fully agree. And why is it that the waypoints are visible on the 7xx series and high zoom levels while in navigation mode? Is it because we paid more for the 7xx and the 2xx series is considered a "low end model"? That's just plain silly. I just wonder what Garmin's logic is in omitting -useful- and -helpful- status displays on GPS units, whether or not they are considered "navigation units" or "low-end units", even if they are fully capable of displaying these common functions.

The map scale indicator is definitely not on my 200's navigation map screen but -does- appear on the map in panning mode. I seem to remember the map scale indicator being displayed on the nav screen in an early firmware version (out of the box) but I could be wrong. As you said, it could very well be an omission with the 200 only or you could be running an early firmware (unit software) version. If I'm not mistaken, the 250W is up to v2.60. The thing that irks me is that these are such common and functional information displays, yet Garmin decides that we don't need to see/use them and simply removes them.