1. Garmin Nuvi Model Number

If you are currently looking at buying or selling your Garmin GPS unit please be aware of ownership/registration issues with Garmin. If the current owner has registered his GPS with Garmin then the new owner will have restrictions on upgrades until the registration has been changed.

Jan 22, 2008 - 2 min - Uploaded by crazyaboutgps9:40. How to Download Maps to a Micro SD Card for Garmin Device: Using a Garmin.

If you have an early model GNS 430, GNC 420 or GPS 400, check the serial number to determine if mod 1 is needed or has been completed. Hopefully you will have the serial number written in the logbook or on the weight and balance form. I also had a sticker on the outside of the box the unit came in. I just double checked and it is in fact the serial number on the sticker. If there is no reference in the user's manual as to the location of the serial #, and there is no serial number on the unit, maybe you should call or email Garmin to find out where they put it.

Once a unit is registered with Garmin it is associated with the owner. That owner can then upgrade the internal firmware and the maps whenever he likes. If he then sells the unit the new owner will not be able to do those upgrades until the registration with Garmin has been changed to the new owner. This is particularly important for those units that are supplied with the Map Source software. If the last owner has unlocked the software that means it has been registered with Garmin. The new owner can load the software but can not unlock it even with the unlock code because it is tied to a particular Garmin account of the last owner.

Now, if none of this is important then you can use the GPS unit as your received it and it will get you from place to place just fine. How to Transfer Ownership The last owner must call Garmin Customer Service at 800-800-1020, Monday-Friday, 8AM - 5PM CST. The last owner must have the new owners contact information and I recommend that the new owner set up a Garmin account in advance at My Garmin This will allow Garmin to automatically place the registration into the new owners account. The last owner should have the name, address and the My Garmin user name of the new owner before calling.

He should also have the unit serial number and all unlock codes for the software that had been registered including any map update disks. The last owner can then tell the Garmin customer support who the registration should be changed to. I don't not know if it is possible for the seller to call Garmin in advance and have the registration cleared so the new owner can go through the registration process as if it was purchased new once the unit is received. (if anyone has input on this let me know) Loading The Map Source Software Once the new owner has verified the registration has been put into thier name, they can load and unlock the software. When you go to unlock the software do not select the I have the code and enter it manually.

Select the retrieve unlock code from Garmin. This is because the old owner has already transfered the registration to you and it is in your My Garmin account (This is only true if you created the My Garmin account and the old owner notified Garmin of that account.). If you did not have a My Garmin account before the last owner released the registration you will probably have to enter the full 25 digit unlock code.

BE AWARE I suggest you contact the seller before you bid to make sure they are the current registered owner. If this registration process has been completed by another owner and they are not contactable then you will not be able to move the registration into your name. If they do not have the unlock codes for the Map Source software ( a little yellow piece of paper for the 27xx and 28xx units) they can not change the registration. If you can not register the unit in your name you will be able to use it. You will not be able to update the firmware or maps. Update 1/19/10 It has been pointed out to me by another ebay member that Garmin now allows transfer of registration through a simpler process.

The present owner now only needs to log into thier My Garmin account and delete the registration for the unit they are selling. This will then allow the new owner to log into thier My Garmin account and register the GPS unit. Update 12/1/11 I have been informed that the new Garmin GPS units that come with Lifetime maps and traffic have a restriction on ownership change. The lifetime services that are included with the unit are only valid to the original owner. If you sell the unit to someone elase they cannot get the included lifetime maps and will have to pay the one time fee to get the map subscription.

All other registration restrictions discussed above are still valid. Update 08/16/12 I have been informed that the newer units purchased with the included lifetime maps and/or traffic retain that subscription after transfer of ownership. Garmin will also help in locating the past owner of a GPS to transfer ownership and will transfer ownership in the event that the last owner cannot be contacted.

Lifetime map and traffic subscriptions purchased after the purchase of the GPS unit are not transferable to the new owner. (This information is 3rd party and not verified).

Garmin folks, I recently had several items taken from my car, including a Nuvi. I filed a police report and gave them the model and SN. I also called Garmin support and let them know it was stolen. They can't track a GPS but they listed it as stolen in their system and disabled any map or software updates. After 2 weeks, the police called and they recovered my Nuvi.

It was easy to prove it was mine since I had provided the SN. Garmin was very helpful in reinstating the update functions in their system once I called back. I hope none of you find yourself in a similar situation. One other strategy I may do now is include a.txt file on the micro SD card with my contact info in case it is ever stolen again. No guarantee anyone would think to look there, but it can't hurt. Brumpyb wrote: Garmin folks, I recently had several items taken from my car, including a Nuvi. I filed a police report and gave them the model and SN.

I also called Garmin support and let them know it was stolen. They can't track a GPS but they listed it as stolen in their system and disabled any map or software updates. After 2 weeks, the police called and they recovered my Nuvi. It was easy to prove it was mine since I had provided the SN. Garmin was very helpful in reinstating the update functions in their system once I called back.

I hope none of you find yourself in a similar situation. One other strategy I may do now is include a.txt file on the micro SD card with my contact info in case it is ever stolen again. No guarantee anyone would think to look there, but it can't hurt. Which is the primary reason for registering the unit with Garmin.

Garmin Nuvi Model Number

The serial number is always available from the registration info in Express. Please Note that Garmin Express stores its backup of Favorites/Saved Places in a folder whose name contains the serial number of that device. When you ask GE to Backup the device, it will then ask you for a folder name. I gave it C: Backup. GE then created a folder under C: Backup named Garmin.

Then within the Garmin folder it creates a separate folder named 'Backups' and within that folder it will create a folder for each device you backup - giving that folder a name that is the 'serial number' of that specific device. Inside that folder, GE creates a folder whose name follows the pattern 'yyyy-mm-dd (hh.mm.ss) in order to keep multiple backups and then be able to let you choose from multiple backups by showing them to you with names of the form 'mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm' whenever you ask GE to do a Restore. Also note that if you let GE remain in 'startup', then it may periodically do backups on its own whenever you attach the device. NOTE THAT GE DOES NOT DO COMPLETE BACKUPS. That is up to the user.

Perpster wrote: A stolen GPS receiver is also why you should never use your exact home address when setting up 'home' location. Please explain how a stolen GPS with your real home address puts you at more risk, especially if you keep your vehicle registration in the vehicle which also lists your address. Much more of a risk is keeping the registration papers and a garage door opener in the car giving a thief easy access into may folks' homes. But doesn't everyone do this? I've always wondered the same thing. Perpster wrote: A stolen GPS receiver is also why you should never use your exact home address when setting up 'home' location.

Please explain how a stolen GPS with your real home address puts you at more risk, especially if you keep your vehicle registration in the vehicle which also lists your address. Much more of a risk is keeping the registration papers and a garage door opener in the car giving a thief easy access into may folks' homes. But doesn't everyone do this?

This is not speculation. There was a criminal enterprise targeting cars parked at highway rest stops. They stole GPS units, checked them for home address, and telephoned compatriots to break in and burglarize the home, with good intel that the occupant was on a road trip.

The same could apply to parking lots/garages at airports, train stations, hotels, tourist attractions, malls, etc. On the other hand, most opportunistic thieves who smash and grab for a GPS (or get it via an unlocked car door, or window not completely closed) aren't interested in looking for insurance and registration cards. They are looking for an easy item to fence or keep.

So why give them a bonus by telling them your exact address, especially if your car isn't at your home address? You are correct about garage door openers.

They should be hidden or taken with. For HomeLink (built-in garage door buttons in cars), and all other wireless garage door openers, it is a good idea to nightly use the lock-out button in the garage if so equipped. It prevents the receiver from being activated until un-locked from inside the garage. If not so equipped, not a bad idea to get so equipped, or unplug the garage door opener, or turn off its circuit breaker, or install an easy access cutoff switch in the garage. Lastly, if the GPS is so equipped, enable the passcode feature. Perpster wrote: This is not speculation.

There was a criminal enterprise targeting cars parked at highway rest stops. This sounds awfully urban legend-ish. Can you cite a source for this? How many years ago did this occur? Was this a widespread crime type? This would have to be a very large enterprise to have associates in locations hundreds of miles from the vehicle in a distant rest area or parking lot. Lastly, the loss of a GPS would be instantly noticed by the owner while the theft of a vehicle registration may not be missed for months—if a sophisticated theft ring, wouldn't they go for the theft of address that's less likely to be missed?

Wouldn't it be easier to locally watch newspapers for funerals and burgle the homes of relatives during the service and burial? I will agree that in some cases it's possible that your scenario could slightly increase risk. However, I've always used my home address as my GPS Home and will likely continue to do so. Perpster wrote: A stolen GPS receiver is also why you should never use your exact home address when setting up 'home' location. Please explain how a stolen GPS with your real home address puts you at more risk, especially if you keep your vehicle registration in the vehicle which also lists your address. Much more of a risk is keeping the registration papers and a garage door opener in the car giving a thief easy access into may folks' homes. But doesn't everyone do this?

This is not speculation. There was a criminal enterprise targeting cars parked at highway rest stops. They stole GPS units, checked them for home address, and telephoned compatriots to break in and burglarize the home, with good intel that the occupant was on a road trip.

The same could apply to parking lots/garages at airports, train stations, hotels, tourist attractions, malls, etc. On the other hand, most opportunistic thieves who smash and grab for a GPS (or get it via an unlocked car door, or window not completely closed) aren't interested in looking for insurance and registration cards. They are looking for an easy item to fence or keep. So why give them a bonus by telling them your exact address, especially if your car isn't at your home address?

You are correct about garage door openers. They should be hidden or taken with. For HomeLink (built-in garage door buttons in cars), and all other wireless garage door openers, it is a good idea to nightly use the lock-out button in the garage if so equipped.

It prevents the receiver from being activated until un-locked from inside the garage. If not so equipped, not a bad idea to get so equipped, or unplug the garage door opener, or turn off its circuit breaker, or install an easy access cutoff switch in the garage. Lastly, if the GPS is so equipped, enable the passcode feature.

I have a problem with this part of the post: This is not speculation. There was a criminal enterprise targeting cars parked at highway rest stops. They stole GPS units, checked them for home address, and telephoned compatriots to break in and burglarize the home, with good intel that the occupant was on a road trip. Tell me just how in the heck a gang could have members in all 50 states and all the cities in that state to break into the random GPS units that one may find in cars in a Rest Stop?

They would have to have several million accomplices. Alandb wrote: We have posted this link for a couple of similar threads, but in case you missed it, here is the link: Yup, a pretty good summary, especially if you read the all article and not stop at the initial conclusion. It may be safe to say that setting Home to 'near home' has a theoretical or potential benefit to some (quite small, in my opinion) degree and causes no increased risk to the owner other than needing to remember to to ignore the final few turns in a route taking you home.