Street Pilot 2820 Upgrade ?

Urbster

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I have a Garmin Street Pilot 2820 in a BMW Navigator 111 cradle which I use on a BWM K1200GT( sorry I know this is a GS forum but it seems to have the best GPS section of any forum out there )
The trouble is my 2820 as 2006 European mapping on it and is very outdated.

I also own a Garmin 765WT with traffic alerts for my car which has 2011 European mapping on it, these became very popular amongst motorcyclists using a waterproof case and was one of the reasons according to Satnaveasy that Garmin stop producing them as they where affecting the sales of dedicated bike units.
I have been thinking about using this unit on my bike too with a case and appropriate mounting kit.

My Quandary is however.. Should I update the street pilot 2820 to the latest European Mapping or is the 2820 old hat in terms of technology and not worth the update ?
I don't want to buy a new dedicated Bike GPS as I cannot justify the money for the amount of use it will get, that's why if the 2820 is not worth updating I will use my Nuvi.

Many thanks

Urbster.
 
Hi and welcome. I don't even ride a BMW so I wouldn't worry about it. I agree that this a good place for info on GPS and bike comms kit, that's why I frequent this forum.

2820 is a solid unit and does the job well. I have a 2720, it's bastard cousin, and that's done me proud for many years. A lifetime mapping update can be had for a shade over £50. However, the 2820 lacks some of the bells and whistles of the later Garmins though the core sat nav functionality is just as good and they're probably somewhat more robust TBH. The one stumbling block with the 2820 is that the memory isn't large enough to hold all of City Nav Europe with only 2GB available. There are ways of loading a significant part of Europe, I doubt you'll need more, but this is a little cumbersome unless the Garmin predefined regions suit you. They didn't suit me.

I now run a Nuvi 765t in an Akron water resistant case, and powered by a direct lead. This all marries up nicely with the RAM mount that I used with my 2720 and plugs into my Autocom. European tour last summer and various ride-outs, worked flawlessly. The poor man's Zumo 660 :thumb2
 
2820 - it's a superb GPS, it'll run the latest mapping (one of mine has a 'Lifetime Mapping update') and IMHO it's worth keeping :thumb2
 
2820 - it's a superb GPS, it'll run the latest mapping (one of mine has a 'Lifetime Mapping update') and IMHO it's worth keeping :thumb2

I would agree except for the memory space issue. If you're a little challenged when it comes to computers then best to upgrade, if you're not then get the lifetime update and carry on with the 2820.

If the taking the latter option above; you'll need to accept one of the default regions offered by Garmin as part of the map install process (I think both full and western Europe will be too big for the 2820). Or save the update to your PC only, then build your own custom map-set using Mapsource and manually install it.

This way you can get the countries you want rather than those dictated by Garmin. Each country is made up of quite a few tiles, you can have partial countries if your wish as you select tiles to build your map-set. This is what I did with my 2720 though it's mapping is now 2010 as I didn't do the lifetime update with that.

If you find that you need an area that you excluded in your initial map-set build you just need to repeat it in it's entirety replacing the original. This you would do from the existing mapping you have in your PC. Alternatively, if you have room, you can build a supplementary map-set to install along side the primary one.

With a lifetime update there are four updates a year, you would need to repeat this manual process, if using a custom map-set, at every update. Obviously you would also need to update if you were using one of Garmin's regions, the process would be somewhat less labour intensive though.

With a lifetime update there's no obligation to take every update if you don't want to, just update before the annual big trip maybe. The mapping data doesn't change that much with each iteration.
 
Hi Guys thanks for the replies !
Like you say Bumpkin the 765 is the poor mans 660 but I would say more along the lines of "the wise mans " 660 .
I like that direct power lead too so next question can a canbus plug be attached to the end ?
I really am in a pickle over this one, for the easiest option of course just update the 2820 ( I too have an autocom fitted ) but my 765wt is a superb satnav unit with lane guidance etc .
For the cost of the 2820 upgrade I could buy a case, lead and possibly a ram mount although finding one for the K1200GT is proving a little difficult ( I can only find a clutch reservoir cover one) and would ideally like to have it centrally mounted like the existing Navigator 111 cradle.
But thanks for the reply it is much appreciated as I have asked this question on a number of forums with no replies.
 
I like that direct power lead too so next question can a canbus plug be attached to the end ?

The lead that comes with the 765 isn't any good for bike use as the weight of the traffic antenna puts too much strain on the socket in the cradle. This is as reported by Schtum of this parish who used one in the States. However, I think he had his mounted in a RAM cradle rather than cosseted in a bag where it would get better support. I also took the view that I didn't need traffic on the bike anyway. The 765 runs off of 12v anyway. I cut the lump off the lead I linked to and added a connector so I didn't have to undo the bag every time I removed the sat nav, I made an extension for my Autocom lead for the same purpose. These plug into their corresponding partners down near the headstock on my bike. I already had switched power and audio for my 2720 down there.

As to suitability to canbus, sorry, as an imposter here I don't have a clue on that one.

I really am in a pickle over this one, for the easiest option of course just update the 2820 ( I too have an autocom fitted ) but my 765wt is a superb satnav unit with lane guidance etc .
For the cost of the 2820 upgrade I could buy a case, lead and possibly a ram mount although finding one for the K1200GT is proving a little difficult ( I can only find a clutch reservoir cover one) and would ideally like to have it centrally mounted like the existing Navigator 111 cradle.

I would have a close look at your existing cradle, there may well be a standard 4 hole pattern mounting in there. I know there is for the Garmin cradle I have for my 2720 (same fit as the 2820). Not sure about the BNW mount though, you may have to disassemble it slightly. On the back of the Akron case there's a std. four hole pattern that the included RAM ball attaches to.
 
Hi Guys thanks for the replies !
Like you say Bumpkin the 765 is the poor mans 660 but I would say more along the lines of "the wise mans " 660 .
I like that direct power lead too so next question can a canbus plug be attached to the end ?
I really am in a pickle over this one, for the easiest option of course just update the 2820 ( I too have an autocom fitted ) but my 765wt is a superb satnav unit with lane guidance etc .
For the cost of the 2820 upgrade I could buy a case, lead and possibly a ram mount although finding one for the K1200GT is proving a little difficult ( I can only find a clutch reservoir cover one) and would ideally like to have it centrally mounted like the existing Navigator 111 cradle.
But thanks for the reply it is much appreciated as I have asked this question on a number of forums with no replies.

I am not sure if is any use to you but I had a cross bar ( I have to search for it in the garage) made for my K1200RS so I could fit my first GPS in 2001, the GT has higher handle bars I believe but the width should be the same.
I have the BMW Navigator 3 (2820 with BMW badge)with "life long" maps ,never had any problems with the unit. Considering how much I paid new for it, I shall keep it until it goes pop.
 
I know this thread is old but it's relevant to my situation. I just bought a used garmin 2820. I'm trying to see if I can buy a Garmin Lifetime update for this sat nav and navigating through the Garmin website is tedious to say the least. That said, the best I've found is I seem only to be able to buy a one time update as that is all that is shown but when I try to "add to cart" I keep getting Garmins 404 error page. I know this SatNav is discontinued but are Garmin stopping support of this SatNav completely?

Edit: I've found that I can buy the City Navigator NT but it's confusing cause it also say in italics that "this is not a map" and it does not mention this is a lifetime map update - I'm confused? Any advise would be helpful


Thanks
 
Don't think there will be lifetime maps now. Other option is to use the free open street maps. Do a search on here for info.
 
The StreetPilot 2720 and 2820 run NT mapping so they were not cut off with the 2009 dropping of the old non-NT mapping product which afflicted the 2610 and Quest. Whilst Garmin may not offer to sell you a Lifetime subscription I don't think that there's any reason why the 2820 won't run it. The fact they offer you a one off update is proof.

However, you will be stuck with something of a dilemma. The 2820 has limited memory and no card slot so only a part of the current City Navigator Europe will fit on. I think you have about 2GB of space, the current City Nav is in the region of 4-5GB.

You can buy a lifetime subscription as a gift card (£25 cheaper than from Garmin themselves) and then enter the code into your myGarmin account against your StreetPilot. There's a slim possibility that Garmin might inhibit you from doing this, pragmatically detecting you trying to set-up LM against a 2820, can't see why though. Once you've set this up you can then download the mapping with each update.

You will need to download the update to your computer only and then, using MapInstall, load the section that you need onto the GPS. Mapping is in tiles, quite a significant number to each country, in MapInstall you can select just the tiles you need. Now, this install will create a GMAPSUPP.IMG file. The original mapping on the 2820 will be a GMAPPROM.IMG file of some significant size. I'm pretty sure that you can delete this but best to copy it to your PC just in case. You will need to do this before the MapInstall bit that creates the GMAPSUPP.IMG file. Future updates will be easier as you'll just replace this file with a new one.

It's all quite a faff and it'll help if you are comfortable working with your PC.

If you want to go down the OSM route then you will still need to do some of the above, i.e. replacing the GMAPPROM.IMG file with the OSM GMAPSUPP.IMG.

Failing all that buy the latest Zumo.
 
Thanks for that Bumpkin and iand46,

Well this is my 2nd Garmin sat nav, I also own the BMW Navigator III where I bought life time maps. I recently updated the maps to 2014.40. I have never been able to install the full EU maps, only the UK and Ireland - which is fine for my use. I now own 2x garmin 2820 because I have more than one bike and the 2nd Garmin came with some leads and the BMW adapter I wanted.

I rang Garmin today and whenever I speak to someone in any call centre I never know if they are trained enough to be telling me the truth? I was told today that the Garmin 2820 cannot take the latest maps therefore it's not available - in any form from Garmin! Thats strange considering my Navigator III has the latest maps. Was told it's a different device!!!!! No it's not! Same device with slight changes. Was told the Navigator III it slightly newer therefore is not the same!

Came away from that conversation disappointed and some what mistrusting that the guy knew what he was talking about, but what can you do?

I want to buy latest maps but Garmin is preventing me from doing so, even where you think you have found a place to buy, it takes you to 404 error pages all the time!

My 2nd Garmin has City Navigator NT v9 - which Garmin estimated to be around 2008 release. I just can't believe Garmin have pulled the rug on a unit that still serves a purpose! Not everyone has £350 - £550 to spend on a new bike Sat nav!

Not found anything that helpful about the free maps Bumpkin mentioned?
 
Further to my last post

I selected the squares in MapSource and proceeded to transfer the UK to the Garmin memory. All went well but upon boot up Garmin 2820 is telling me that Maps installed are LOCKED! I am unable to register the serial number to Garmin because it's already been registered. I'd like to undo the new maps that I transferred but can see no way of doing that and now my internal Garmin 2820 memory is almost full. Can anyone help please?
 
Regrettably Garmin customer support isn't quite what it used to be. Victims of their own success and the proliferation of GPS to the masses, this means predominantly car units. The specialist marine, hiking and motorcycle units are small potatoes by comparison. Wind back 5-7 years, the era when the StreetPilots and Quest were around and it was a different picture, the CSRs knew the product and worked for Garmin. I guess that these days you're probably speaking to an out-sourced call centre. The staff have probably had training but aren't particularly passionate about the product and don't have any historical knowledge as they are only expected to support current, and very recent, models.

The CSR you talked to doesn't know jack' quite frankly. The 2820 will work with current Garmin mapping, it just doesn't have the memory capacity to hold as much as it once did. The addition of extra POIs, more comprehensive coverage and additional meta data for each road (such as speed limits) have resulted in serious bloat. 3D buildings and Junction View are thankfully in separate files and would be uploaded using the MapInstall program anyway, just as well as your StreetPilot can't use them.

When you say that you uploaded some mapping but the GPS stated that it was locked: Do you mean that you've uploaded mapping that you already have, but for another GPS? The mapping needs to be unlocked for a specific GPS and also for a specific mapping version. Just using mapping from one GPS on another won't work. You need an unlock code for that specific combination.

I am unable to register the serial number to Garmin because it's already been registered.

Sounds like the previous owner has failed to re-register. This is an anti theft precaution by Garmin. If you know the seller then ask them to de-register. Failing that contact Garmin again and ask them to contact the previous owner to confirm the sale, usually if they don't reply to Garmin's email in a certain number of days they will go ahead and release the unit so you can then register it.

Sounding more and more like you need to go down the OSM route(sic), a search on here should enlighten you further, it's not that hard. No unlock shenanigans are mapping data is pretty good, better and more current than Garmin's in most places and with plenty of POIs etc. I used it back in 2012 for a family trip to the States, worked well on both the device and in Mapsource/Basecamp. It's lacking a few of the bells and whistles but then again the 2820 isn't going to notice that.
 
I've given up with Garmin and don't want to mess about with free maps either. I need some help, I would like to pm you Bumpkin but looks like you can't receive pm?

Yes I uploaded maps from MapSource previously purchased for another SatNav.

After successfully uploading new maps from MapSource to the Garmin but was getting a message upon startup saying "maps are locked" or something like it. All I want to do is remove the new maps I uploaded, is this possible, if so how?

In my limited wisdom I emptied the Garmin folder on the USB side of the SatNav. That fixed the "maps are locked" message. But now there's a new problem. Whenever I try and search for an address I'm getting "no detailed maps available to search" yet there's clearly a map there cause I can browse it. I can see my streat, I can see previous visited places by previous owner etc. So it must be linked to the data I removed.

I should have taken a backup of the files I updated on the Garmin before they updated but I didn't know at the time. I'm currently uploading the "gmapbmap" + "gmapprom" [but not the "gmapsupp"] back to the Garmin but I fear this will only cause the "maps are locked" again because it looks like my upload has updated a pre existing map data rather than [what I thought] just add an additional map one could select in the menus.

I basically need to default the Garmin maps so everything works as it should - can you help at all please?

Thanks
 
Update:

Uploading just those two files fixed the problem, all working fine now - few!! :beerjug:
 
Update:

Uploading just those two files fixed the problem, all working fine now - few!! :beerjug:

Glad to hear it. Sorry, weekends are family time so I get precious little chance to get on here.

So, you've reverted to the mapping it came with?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 
Yes and no. I didn't delete the Garmin contents, I just removed them and copied them to my PC. However, they were the data files AFTER I uploaded the new maps so I was expecting to have the "maps need unlocking" message again. The fact that I didn't get that message tells me it must be because I didn't copy back the "gmapsupp" file.

I copied back gmapbmap" + "gmapprom" but not "gmapsupp". Tested the unit for the first time today on my bike and it worked a treat.
 
How did you upload the mapping from the other Garmin? If using Mapsource or MapInstall it will have created GMAPSUPP.IMG only. Look at the created dates of the files for clues.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 
Ah thats it then, cause I didn't copy back GMAPSUPP.IMG thats why it works now. If I had known that to begin with, it would have saved me hours of copying :blast

I transfered to Garmin from Mapsource. I then copied most of the Garmin contents from the Garmin back to my PC and deleted the source files. Then I copied the files back to Garmin through Windows.
 


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