Least expensive way to get two unlock codes

[GeoBobC]

I have two GPS 60Cx units and one copy of Mapsource City Navigator North America, version 8. One of the unlock codes is used for one of my two GPS units, and the other was used for a unit I no longer own.

 

I'd like to get the most current version of CN, and have unlock codes for both units. Can I do so less expensively by upgrading, or do I need to purchase a new version of CN, plus one additional unlock code? Should I buy an additional unlock code for the second unit first, before upgrading?

[+Renegade Knight]

Version 8 should give you 2 unlock codes.

The change happened with Version 2008.

[GeoBobC]

Is Version 8 still available? Is Version 2008 sufficiently better to justify buying an additional unlock code?

[+hogrod]

Is Version 8 still available? Is Version 2008 sufficiently better to justify buying an additional unlock code?

 

I would check out garmins map viewer on the city navigators webpage. In my area the 2008 maps have significant improvements in the roads..... V8 had some major roads with at least 5year old data. This reason alone I would buy the newer maps, even if the new unlock policy sucks.

 

Something else to consider: From what I've heard if you try to go the map upgrade route, if the unit you no longer have is the first one you unlocked with city Navigator V8 then you won't be able to use the upgrade on the second unit you unlocked. besides dropping the second unlock they have been pushing this rather strange customer loosing policy. Seems to me that I legally had two unlocks to use, even If I no longer have one of the units I should be able to pay the $75 to upgrade my unlock to the newer mapset.

 

So heres something else to think about, if I buy city navigator 2008 and unlock one of my gps receivers, then buy an additional unlock when it comes time to upgrade to V10(2009) will I need to buy one or two upgrades?

If the answer is two I think it makes more sense to just buy the full DVD twice, that way If I decided to sell I can just let the software go with it.

 

Anyway I look at this unlock policy its frustrating, confusing and rather annoying. Hell even Microsoft will let me transfer windows XP or vista retail box from one PC to another(vista only once).

Edited December 19, 2007 by hogrod

[+JSWilson64]

Here's an IRS-style worksheet to print out:

1. Determine how many additional unlock codes you need

2. Get pricing from Garmin for this many unlock codes, write it here: _________

3. Check into prices for used copies of latest Metroguide (2008? or v.8? I can't remember) for use on as many GPS receivers as you want.

4. Add $6.00 to Metroguide price (for purchase and download of MetroGold from Geodude.nl) to allow auto-routing, total here: _________

 

If #4 is less than #2, buy used copy of Metroguide and MetroGold.

 

[GeoBobC]

I think the formula is a bit simpler than that:

1. Determine how many GPS units you have.

2. Bend over.

3. Order the number of new software products identified in step 1, since it will cost you more in time and trouble to figure out the unlock/upgrade policies.

[gratefulHIKE]

the cheapest way to get two unlock codes.......is to not get two unlock codes

 

either ya need em or ya dont, they allllll cost money

 

I am more than satisfied with my metroguide......and its unlimited installations, you could nitpick all day finding flaws in the sun, but at the end of the day it does its job and I dont have to buy new keys everytime I add a gps to my collection.......I would spend the extra money on the better unit, screw the mapping if they are similar

[+TrailGators]

the cheapest way to get two unlock codes.......is to not get two unlock codes

 

either ya need em or ya dont, they allllll cost money

 

I am more than satisfied with my metroguide......and its unlimited installations, you could nitpick all day finding flaws in the sun, but at the end of the day it does its job and I dont have to buy new keys everytime I add a gps to my collection.......I would spend the extra money on the better unit, screw the mapping if they are similar

There is software available on the web that will configure those maps to autoroute....

[Motorcycle_Mama]

From what I understand, if the first unit you unlocked is the unit you no longer have, then you won't be able to go the upgrade route on the second unit to which the maps were loaded. You would need to purchase the full version. However, if this is the first unit you unlocked, then you should be able to purchase the upgrade version for this unit.

 

And with the second unit that has no maps on it at this point, if you can find a copy of v8, you might be able to install it to that unit and then get an upgrade for that unit. Otherwise, you might be better off purchasing the full version for this unit.

[+TrailGators]

I have two GPS 60Cx units and one copy of Mapsource City Navigator North America, version 8. One of the unlock codes is used for one of my two GPS units, and the other was used for a unit I no longer own.

 

I'd like to get the most current version of CN, and have unlock codes for both units. Can I do so less expensively by upgrading, or do I need to purchase a new version of CN, plus one additional unlock code? Should I buy an additional unlock code for the second unit first, before upgrading?

If it were me, I would stick with the slightly older maps on the first unit and buy new maps for the second unit. I might even go with topos on the second unit if the two units were always going to be caching together. I am still using City Select Version 6. Honestly roads really don't change that much in a few years. I have had very few issues with using four year old maps.

[GeoBobC]

The "primary unit" that I unlocked is a GPS that I no longer own. Therefore I cannot upgrade my second unlocked unit, according to Garmin. I think that I will buy one new Mapsource V2008/V9 for my new unit, and keep the older V8 maps on my other unit.

[tlhutch]

From what I understand, if the first unit you unlocked is the unit you no longer have, then you won't be able to go the upgrade route on the second unit to which the maps were loaded. You would need to purchase the full version.

 

Have I missed the FACTUAL evidence that this is Garmin's policy?

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Not sure what you mean or are implying with the emphasized word FACTUAL, however, several people on different forums have reported that when they called Garmin to upgrade their maps on the second unit, that they were told by Garmin that only the PRIMARY unit (meaning the first one to which the maps were unlocked) can be upgraded with the update disk. Other units would require the full version. Most of these people no longer owned the primary unit.

[GeoBobC]

I was told today by Garmin exactly what Motorcycle Mama said: only my PRIMARY unit could be upgraded, not the second unit. As it turns out, I have the second unit so I cannot upgrade it.

[tlhutch]

Not sure what you mean or are implying with the emphasized word FACTUAL, however, several people on different forums have reported that when they called Garmin to upgrade their maps on the second unit, that they were told by Garmin that only the PRIMARY unit (meaning the first one to which the maps were unlocked) can be upgraded with the update disk. Other units would require the full version. Most of these people no longer owned the primary unit.

 

OK, I have never seen that claim previously and I monitor a couple of Forums, Garmin related. I won't argue with what people say if they seem geniune, but I had never seen that information previously.

 

I wonder if this policy is due to the fact that the original owner sold the original PRIMARY unit and TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE might or are attempting to claim an upgrade and Garmin is trying to prevent two upgrades for one package sold? If that's the case, I can somewhat understand Garmin's policy toward this situation as they would then be allowing TWO UPGRADES for one package. Which would be essentially the same as their old policy of two unit unlocks per CN sold.

 

This question applies directly to me. I have CN 2008 in hand, but have yet to install it, waiting to determine 1) if it's really worthwhile (in the meantime I mostly use the TOPO) and 2) when Garmin plans to release the follow on to 2008. I still own both GPSr units, but I would want to keep Version 8 on the older unit and upgrade the second (newer Unit) which was the SECOND unlock. I would ONLY be using one upgrade, but on the second unit. I still own both units and they are still Registered with Garmin, so not chance of a second upgrade claim.

 

I suppose I won't know the answer until asking them for the upgrade to the Second Unlock GPSr. Wow! what chaos. I can not help but believe Garmin is losing or going to lose a lot of business over this....

[tlhutch]

I was told today by Garmin exactly what Motorcycle Mama said: only my PRIMARY unit could be upgraded, not the second unit. As it turns out, I have the second unit so I cannot upgrade it.

 

Do you still own the PRIMARY unit and did you remind them of that? Is it still registered to you?

 

ETA: Disregard, I see that answer in an above post.

Edited December 20, 2007 by tlhutch

[GeoBobC]

I don't know if the "primary only" unlock policy is documented, but it appears to be well established now. I do believe it is very difficult for Garmin to manage. In fact, when I spoke with them today about the best way to get software on my two units, even the rep got confused. Maybe over time once the primary/secondary units are so old that it's not an issue anymore, the policy will be easier to understand and follow.

 

As for when Garmin upgrades the software, it seems to me that an upgrade comes out each summer but I'm not sure of that. The changes from release to release have been relatively minor as of late, so I wouldn't wait for the next release for improved data alone.

[+TrailGators]

I don't know if the "primary only" unlock policy is documented, but it appears to be well established now. I do believe it is very difficult for Garmin to manage. In fact, when I spoke with them today about the best way to get software on my two units, even the rep got confused. Maybe over time once the primary/secondary units are so old that it's not an issue anymore, the policy will be easier to understand and follow.

 

As for when Garmin upgrades the software, it seems to me that an upgrade comes out each summer but I'm not sure of that. The changes from release to release have been relatively minor as of late, so I wouldn't wait for the next release for improved data alone.

It is confusing but the bottomline is that once you use the unlock code on one unit you are stuck. The only exception I know of is if you get your GPS repaired by Garmin and they swap it out for a refurb. I got a new unlock code when they repaired my 60CS (the mini USB connector pulled out).

[+JSWilson64]

I got a new unlock code when they repaired my 60CS (the mini USB connector pulled out).

Leatherman needs to put this in their ads -- Now with 1002 uses!

[+TrailGators]

I got a new unlock code when they repaired my 60CS (the mini USB connector pulled out).

Leatherman needs to put this in their ads -- Now with 1002 uses!

[GeoBobC]

The confusion stems primarily from the policy change that Garmin recently made. Prior to version 2008 of City Navigator, users could unlock two GPS units with one version of CN. With the introduction of CN V2008 Garmin allows only one unit to be unlocked.

 

If you send a unit to Garmin and they replace it, you will get a new unlock code but that doesn't change anything for a second unit you might own. The new unlock code simply replaces the unlock code for the replaced unit (that Garmin keeps).

[+TrailGators]

The confusion stems primarily from the policy change that Garmin recently made. Prior to version 2008 of City Navigator, users could unlock two GPS units with one version of CN. With the introduction of CN V2008 Garmin allows only one unit to be unlocked.

 

If you send a unit to Garmin and they replace it, you will get a new unlock code but that doesn't change anything for a second unit you might own. The new unlock code simply replaces the unlock code for the replaced unit (that Garmin keeps).

They basically doubled the price by doing that. A lot of people were going halfsies on the maps, so it only cost then ~$55 each. Now everyone has to pay the full monty!