Garmin Map Updates

Whether you own an in-car Garmin Nuvi or a handheld outdoor GPS for Geocaching there are a number of different official Garmin map update options available from Garmin. In this short overview we are going to explain to you what the different Garmin map updates are and how you can download them. Some are free GPS maps, and some will require a payment – all of them though are 100% official and will be compatible with your Garmin product.

Garmin Map Updates for Nuvi Automotive GPS

The Nuvi range of in-car automotive navigators are the most popular in the World, being responsible for millions of car and truck journeys every day. The maps on the Nuvi always come pre-installed as software so over time it is possible that the maps become out of date and need a refresh.

There are a number of options available for people wanting to update their maps, the most affordable being the nuMaps Onetime update which retails at just under fifty dollars. By downloading this option you will instantly have the latest version of the City Navigator NT mapping software on your GPS.

Free Garmin Map Updates

Occasionally it will be possible for customers to download free Garmin map updates; however this type of install is only available to Nuvi GPS products within the first 90 days of it receiving a satellite signal. To see whether you are eligible for a free Garmin map update you will need to register and login at their myGarmin customer website.

New Garmin TOPO Maps for Handheld Outdoor GPS Products
Garmin also produce outdoor GPS products including the popular Colorado and Dakota Series, and have recently released their new top-end models which go by the name of Montana.

If you love the outdoor life and are a fan of Geocaching then you will occasionally want to install new maps – this is particularly relevant if you are traveling to a new National Park or an area previously not included on your GPS handheld.

The most popular type of map download for Geocaching devices are the Garmin TOPO maps which offer detailed mapping including elevations, geographical points, and terrain contours. The TOPO map updates come in two different varieties – TOPO 24k and TOPO 100k.

If you require very detailed mapping then you should download Garmin TOPO 100k maps as these are just like using a more traditional paper-based map at 1:100,000 scale. These map update downloads include items such as:

· Conservation Areas , National Parks, and Forests
· Roads (For example, local roads, interstates, state highways, and trails)
· Water Locations
· Points of Interest (aka POIs)

To download new Garmin TOPO maps navigate to the official Garmin website and access their mapping section from the top black navigation bar. They have a handy map finder tool that lets you type in the Geocaching handheld GPS you own, and asks you where you are going to use it. The online system will then display all the different Garmin map update options that are available to you.

Not sure what maps you already have installed? If that’s the case all you need to do is register the handheld GPS on the myGarmin website and the dashboard will tell you what maps are loaded once you connect the device to the PC or Mac using your compatible USB cable.

It really is very easy to download and install Garmin map updates, and we would always recommend you go down the official route – as this will ensure you do not compromise the software on your GPS and will probably keep any warranties you have intact and up to date – which is great for peace of mind.

Garmin 205

This GPS, the Garmin 205 is a sort of a travel assistant that you can wear on your wrist. Since it is portable and affordable, you can make use of its services no matter where you are located or where you plan to go.

Garmin 205 Attributes

Garmin Forerunner 205 is highly sensitive and perfect for tracking purposes. People who use these kinds of devices are often addicted to them and they get lost if they do not own a device with such capabilities.

Just by tapping  into the screen, you get a world of information and you never have to ask anyone for directions. Garmin 205 is very simple to use and its navigator will provide you with clear directions throughout.

There are different models of GPS devices and some of them are listed below. Each has a special function and can be rightly called the best GPS for geocaching.

The Garmin GPS 76 is a device that you will not be able to live without because it gives you off road information, on road information, maps your movements and even serves you while you are out on the sea. Since the Garmin GPS 76 is something you may not be able to do without at times, you will be happy to know that its performance will not be affected even if it is dropped into water. You can store all your important information in the Garmin GPS 76 since the device can store up to 500 favorite places.

The Garmin Etrex HCX will never let you down, but it is expensive for the average customer. It is sturdy, waterproof and stores all the information that you enter in its Micro SD memory card. The sharp and strikingly accurate display of Garmin Etrex HCX makes it a legend because there is no end to the list of outdoor activities you can do with it. Professional anglers, seamen and hunters can use a Garmin Etrex HCX. The calendar, stopwatch, calculator, tracking, finding and gaming capabilities of the Garmin Etrex HCX cannot even be compared with another. It is also categorized as the best GPS for geocaching.

Garmin GPS 72 is the best GPS for geocaching for many mariners. The built-in celestial data of Garmin GPS 72 supplies you with all that you need including information on the tide, hunting and fishing and even details of the sunrise and sunset. The Garmin GPS 72 is just as useful to people on land.

For an inexpensive high-resolution monochrome version, you can buy the Garmin 60 GPS. The Garmin 60 GPS proves that just because something is affordable, it will not have all the features you need and love. Garmin 60 GPS is WAAS enabled and this gives you accurate readings of all locations.

Garmin 205 Among The Best

As you can tell the best gps for geocaching boils down to personal preference, but among geocachers, you will typically always hear the name Garmin 205 mentioned.

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS

With no doubt, Garmin Etrex Legend GPS is a great value for money product and it is used as a general-purpose global positioning system tool.

Since it is WAAS enabled it can accept radio signals that make the information it transmits totally accurate and reliable.

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Is Accurate

The accuracy reading of Garmin Etrex Legend GPS is usually within 2-3 meters. It has a huge memory for storing data related to waypoints, routes and directions and this feature makes it one of the best global positioning system devices for geocaching.

The Garmin etrex Legend GPS is totally waterproof which makes it eligible for marine uses. Another highlight is that it keeps a tab on the routes that were traveled and keeps them stored in its memory.

The unit is lightweight and features an internal antennae, so it is perfect for outdoor activities. One disadvantage with this tool is that the signal weakens, but only on rare occasions. The rubberized plastic shell on this makes it easy to grip.

This highly chosen device for global positioning systems for geocaching has other models too, namely Garmin GPS 72, Garmin 60 GPS and Garmin GPS 76. Garmine GPS 72 is also WAAS enabled and you can rightly call it your personal navigator.

The Garmine GPS 72 is usually used by mariners and can withstand some amount of water splashing and dunking. Both professional fishermen and amateurs use this tool to get the latest information on the weather and tide. This rugged gadget has a huge memory and will remember many of your favorite places and destinations.

The Garmin 60 GPS is also considered one of the best for geocaching and it is WAAS enabled also. It has a removable MicroSD card and a highly sensitive direction device. The Garmin 60 GPS has amazing navigation features and accurate and unbeatable global positioning system capabilities.

It is affordable so people who are put off by the price of other models can just buy this one. With just a couple of batteries, you can get more than 28 hours of outdoor life and it has unrivaled geocaching features. The monochrome display and bright LED display will allow you to find your way about quite easily.

Garmin GPS 76 is another hand-held marine tool that is trusted to the core by its regular users. It can store loads of information and is a perfectly reliable device on land too. Waterproof, the Garmin GPS 76 will give you a straight route to your destination and at the same time provide you with input about hazards and weather conditions.

It is also the best universal direction tool for hunting down cache because it is quick, accurate and has a decent battery life.

Top Choice Garmin Etrex Legend GPS

All in all, the best gps for geocaching is probably an individual decision, but the Garmins we’ve discussed here especially the Garmin Etrex Legend GPS device are listed among geocachers worldwide as favorites.

Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver For Land And Sea

Using the Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver for your geocaching expeditions would have to be the the best of the best, the ultimate geocaching experince, wouldn’t it?

With the Garmin GPS 478, you would be the lucky one among your fellow geocachers who would have the ability to target literally any cache anywhere.

You wouldn’t be limited to the ones that you could get to only by land.

Just thinking about the prospect of targeting a cache off some island somewhere rings my adventure seeking bell, and that is just what you would be able to do with the Garmin GPSmap 478 portable receiving system.

It is made to go right from the box to the vehicle and then to your boat.  You don’t have to have any prior gps gadget knowledge, and you don’t need any additional downloads either.

Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver  Features:

It’s got features out the wazoo besides being easy-to-use right out of the box.  Here’s just a few of the features that come built-in on the Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver:

• It is a WAAS-Enabled, 12 Parallel-Channel GPS Receiver Unit
• For Offshore Applications
• It has Built-In Marine Detail Charts Of The United States Coastline, Including Alaska & Hawaii
• It Utilizes Elements Of The New Bluechart G2 Technology
• Preloaded With City Navigator Nt Detailed Street Maps Of  The Whole Of North America.

And that is just for starters, look at some of the other features:

• It uses the latest BlueChart g2 technology for its built-in marine charts, which covers all the continental United States coastal areas, and it also includes Hawaii and Alaska.
• This technology provides for a smoother, much more fluid presentation on your screen.
• You’ll be pleased with the Garmin 478 on road trips too.   It comes preloaded with City Navigator NT detailed street maps for North America.
• And, it even has automatic routing with voice guidance to help get you where you’re going pronto and with no technological hassles.
• The GPSmap 478 also includes a top quality industry leading database with more than six million points of interest including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, marinas, attractions and more.
• This Garmin GPSmap 478 system also tracks 10,000 points with the automatic track log saving up to 15 points.
• Talk about flexibility, an included marine mount and automotive kit make it a complete snap to move the unit from boat to car and back again.

This Garmin GPS for both sea and land is easy-to-use, it’s dependable, and it’s fun.  For geocaching, you’ll have the exact GPS tool to find your next cache even it it’s located on an off shore island or even if its coordinates take you under water.  Hence, it might well be the best gps for geocaching for the ultimate geocacher.

With the Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver….

none of your fellow geocaching enthusiasts will be able to find the more difficult caches quicker that you.

1. This Garmin 478 GPS receiver gets rave reviews especially from its seagoing users:  This is the best Sea to Land to Road GPS I have found and certainly the best GPS I’ve ever owned (and I’ve had many). I seamlessly use the 478 on my Sailboat, Motorcycle and Car.  Outstanding Product  by: Nativescape, Chicago Ill.
2. Ship to shore.  Yes, all products have a learning curve and the Garmin GPSMap 478 is no exception. This said, the 478 is a very useful tool in any environment. It will guide you to roadway destinations with precision and charm (using the voice feature) and plot a course through nationwide coastal cruising. by: D. Craig Druitt, South Bay, LA
3. I purchased this device because I wanted a gps that does well both on the water and on the road. I have been very impressed with it so far. The preloaded water charts have nearly as much depth detail as a paper chart. The display is also very bright and easy to read. Even though I purchased it as more of a backup, I find myself looking at it more than the older built in one on the boat, since the maps and display are so nice. by: J. Farrell, Waterford, CT
   

Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver  Reviews

To read more real-life reviews from real users ot this outstanding land and marine GPS system, visit: Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver Reviews.
If pricing is a consideration, the versitile Garmin GPS 478  can now be purchased for 49% below the regular pricing at: Amazon’s Great Price On The Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver