Goto this link: LINKDownload and install the Navigon Fresh software. Make sure to connect your gps to computer. You can find updates to software and maps using that software.
This is the simplest tutorial on how to add or update maps to your Garmin Sat Nav.
Garmin maps are simple .img files (files with .img extension). So updating or adding maps is as simple as copying and pasting a file, which has to be named gmapprom.img or gmapsupp.img. In some places, you may find locked files, but there are tools to unlock those.
An additional option (but not free) is to purchase official maps from Garmin’s website. The cost in the UK (Europe map) is £49.99 for a single update or £74.99 for LifeTime update (updates forever). If your GPS has LMT in the description is because LifeTime updates are included already (no extra charge). Once you got this, you install Garmin software from their website and you get the updates whenever you want.
But because we like free stuff, these are the steps:
Step 1. Buy a cable and connect your Sat Nav
The first step is to connect the device to your computer. For this purpose, you need a mini USB cable. If you are an Andriod user you probably have one already, otherwise, you can get one in Amazon for around USD 3 (option 1, option 2, option 3).
Provides updates for free to your NAVIGON navigational device NAVIGON Fresh is a free program which allows you to update your NAVIGON at your convenience, or buy selected services and functions in the Fresh Shop. Free update for Navigon iPhone app: MobileNavigator Article by: Mike Barrett Date: 11 Sep 2009 Navigon have updated their navigation application for the second time and once again the update is free to existing users. This release adds Text-To-Speech and iPod controls as well as some other minor changes. The sd card gps navigation software, free download is developing at a frantic pace. New versions of the software should be released several times a quarter and even several times a month. Update for sd card gps navigation software, free download. There are several reasons for this dynamic. I have the Navigon 2100. It has been pretty good so far. The latest (April 08) update is version 1.2. I had no problem with this. First remove the SD card from the unit and copy the whole thing into a separate folder on your PC. Download and run the software update. I installed it on my PC and just simply copied it onto the SD card.
Step 2. Find your Map
Open Street Map (OSM) is the most used and globally recognised source for maps. They are free, created and updated by users and volunteers across the World.
How To Update Navigon Gps For Free
The easiest thing to do is to find the map of your interest ready to use in .img format. So select your map from this link (once you find the one you need, click on the Provider column), only make sure that it says Yes in Routable column. In my case I wanted France so I download the map from the following website. There you click on Europe Maps and then Benelux & France.
That’s it! Your browser will start downloading a .zip (if it is compressed) or a .img file. In my case the file is called “Benelux & France-IMG-UL.zip“, and it is around 600MB.
Clarification: If you cannot find your map in the link above, follow the following steps:
1. Go to http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
2. In “Choose a predefined country” select Thailand
3. Click “Download map now”
4. Select only the file “osm_generic_gmapsupp.zip” to download.
5. Unzip the file above
6. Copy the unzipped file (gmapsupp.img) to your SD card
[Only for advanced users]: browse OSM website or other providers to find more specific maps. If your map has .osm extension, use one of these tools to convert it to .img. Mkgmap is a good one.
Step 3. Copy your Map to your Sat Nav
Here you have two options, you can copy the file to your Sat Nav memory, or you can use an external SD card:
Option A: Use you Sat Nav inbuilt memory
You can now just copy and paste your file to your device. Once connected to your computer, it will appear as an additional drive, as shown in the image below.
You may not have enough space on your device, but you can remove some files and replace the existent map. You can always make a backup and copy the files to your computer.
gmapprom.img is the pre-installed map, so you can just replace it. gmapbmap.img is the base map containing only large roads and larger cities, not really suitable for routing. You could delete it but as it is only about 50 MB you wouldn’t gain much space. You can also delete some of the voice files to make room. These probably contain lots of different voices and languages (files with .sum and .vpm extensions) that you never use, so maybe taking up quite a bit of space. They should all be in the GarminVoice directory. This is also only around 50MB. Another option would be to go to garmin.openstreetmap.nl and select only the files you are interested in and see if the generated map fits on your device.
Option B: Use an external SD card
Navigon 2100 Map Update
If you do not want to remove nor touch the original maps (the ones that came when you bought your device), you can play safe and use an external SD card (read more at our “Best Travel Gadgets” post). You only need to create a folder called Garmin and copy your .img file in this directory.
You can get a 4GB SD card for around USD 4: Kingston, SanDisk. You need to format it with FAT32 [Windows, Mac]. Garmin says it will only accept up to a 4GB card for certain models, so check that in advance.
Step 4. Check your new Map in your Sat Nav
To check if the map was copied correctly and it is ready to use, follow these steps:
- Disconnect your Sat Nav from the computer
- Turn it on and click on Tools (bottom right corner)
- Click on Settings, then on Map, and then on Map Info.
You should now see your new map, as the image below:
Recommended devices
You can find many Garmin Sat Navs on Amazon at different prices (from USD 100):
New devices can load multiple “*.img” files. If you want to have more maps on your device you can rename maps file in:
gmapprom.img (original map/ or renamed new map), gmapsupp.img (2° map), gmapprom1.img (3° map), etc.
Some other recommended Garmin Sat Navs are the ones below. Bear in mind that nowadays most of them come with LifeTime maps from the country you buy it from, so better to buy it with the maps you are most likely to need.
Additional tips and information
- I strongly recommend Skyscanner for searching both cars and flights. I always find the best deals. For cars, local agencies are normally much cheaper than the big names such as Europcar and Hertz.
- Do not forget to visit our “Best Travel Gadgets” post to find other useful artefacts for your trip!
- Are you still having problems with your maps? Please ask for help here or use the Forum.