GPS map “update”

closeHey, just so you know ... this post is now about 15 years and 1 month old. Please keep that in mind as it very well may contain broken links and/or outdated information.

So I broke down last night and purchased the latest map update for my Garmin StreetPilot c340. After downloading the 2gb file and running into a few setup issues, I finally got it installed on the GPS.

This morning, I fired the unit up on my way to work, as I am wont to do (mainly to see my estimated arrival time). Imagine my surprise when, as I was driving on I-275 North over the Howard Frankland Bridge (which goes over the bay), the GPS display looked like I was driving over land instead of water:


Yes, this is a minor thing since it’s just a display issue (the routing and navigation is working fine), but it’s really annoying since this was an “update” (that cost me $60) which clearly has some sort of corruption in it. If I zoom out far enough, eventually the correct map is displayed:

But I shouldn’t have to deal with that. And who knows what else is messed up?

I tried re-installing the map update from scratch, resetting the GPS, changing map views (3D vs. overhead) and detail levels, etc. without any luck. I’ve opened a support ticket with Garmin and am waiting to see what they have to say.

4 Comments

  1. hmmm, makes me wonder if i actually want to buy the new maps for my tomtom. not that chicago is changing much so i probably don’t have to worry about it but wow. how long was it before you bought the upgrade?

  2. Garmin thinks it’s my device, not the map data. I’ve tried re-installing the new maps multiple times (from multiple PCs) and get the same thing every time.

    For fun, I “downgraded” and put the 2008 maps back on and of course the problem went away. Put the 2009 update on again and the problem came back.

    After going back and forth with the cartography folks and online support, I’m being told to call in and maybe they’ll give me a different c340. I’m not exactly sure that’s going to work and I haven’t had the time to wait on hold to speak to an actual person about this (much less be motivated to explain everything I’ve done all over again).

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