do you need to buy the chip to get the map or no
230750
You need to purchase a Micro SD card. An 8GB version is more then enough and costs $40 or so. I live in the US and Europe and have both maps loaded which is why I went with a larger card but I read that most folks can get away with a 3-4 Gb Micro SD card without running into storage issues. Most Garmins come with a base pre installed map (no route detail, like looking at a basic map) and also have the City Navigator bundled on a larger data card. In my case, I simply bought the micro sd card, put it into the Garmin, plug it into the computer, went to Garmins web site and downloaded the City Navigator Europe to my computer, then transferred that map onto my Garmins data card. When you plug in your Garmin with the data card already inserted you see two icons on your desktop. One is the Garmin device, the other is the micro sd card. Copy the maps to the SD card. Eject, done! If you want to swap between maps it's in your settings. Just select and go. I also recommend downloading the Garmin Updater app to keep your devices firmware and other features current.
230751
NO, you can generate a map for where you live at openstreetmap.org for free and put it on an SD card of adequate size, or put it directly into the Garmin if it is small (most useful size maps will not fit into the ~90 Megabytes of free space on the 800). IF you want to buy anything from Garmin, buy the maps in CD form and make an SD card from that. You can load the maps from the CD into Basecamp, but the SD card is dead-end; you can only use it in the 800, not to upload the maps into Basecamp.
230752
I got the chip pre-loaded with the City Navigator map files. I looked at the capacity of the device and size of the map files. It appears the map files (1.7gb) are too big for the internal memory of the device (105mb), so the extra memory of a SD is useful if not required.
230753
They come with base maps which are basic. The City Navigator maps provide more detail for schools and other features. The Garmin has a micro SD card slot, that is useful for additional memory and to get the maps onto the device. The screen its self is small and not so useful as a small navigation tool. But as a bike computer and how to get to some known point like the end of the ride (because you may be lost) it is the ultimate best solution.
789588
The way the Micro SD / SD cards work is: Once you arrive (outside the US) you install the chip into your Garmin (all of the maps are on the Card and stay on the card they do not load onto your Garmin). Turn on your Garmin: The Garmin may or may not prompt you to choose the country you are in (it will take a few minutes for the Garmin to reboot and access the Garmin Satellite and verify your location. I have never heard of the maps needed to be unlocked? You may have to perform the actions above more than one time to get the chip to load on your garmin (once outside the US)
227392
I hear they work well but I haven't purchased them. I only use the land maps, Sygic.
848524
Yes, it comes with everything. I think the update to the most current maps is free too.
1092387
I had to buy a map chip, Ethernet adapter and Ethernet cord. It depends on what your all connecting to.
2135125
Doesn't have detailed contour maps unless you get buy the lake insight map chip which I would strongly recommend. You just buy the chip and put it in the slot
1308937
Make sure you are also getting the memory disk with the maps. The one I bought did not. I used the one from my 800. That could be part of the cost differential.
1444797
Normal no, pay to update maps yearly if you want to. I have operated with mine for 5years and have only done 1 map upgrade. So free to operate except the one map upgrade.
1649144
If you install the micro sd, will it overwrite the maps that are not on the sd card?
796001
It would depend on where you purchase the device. It should have the area it was purchased in. However if you need a map of a different region you can always purchase and download it.
1515041
Christine,As far as we know, this units comes blank and you have to get the card for the map you which this to display.At least the ones we bought came blank.Hope this helps...
1917541
My unit, which I bought last summer after it was discontinued, came packaged with a unique code that enables me to get map updates. Once the software is set up with the code on your computer, the process is straightforward. I suppose it could make a difference if the seller is not an authorized seller, but probably not since the code was in the sealed box.
2021219
You only need the pen. Plug it into your computer, install the leap frog program on your computer (if you don't already have it), and do a search for the map. You can then select the install button, let it finish, and you're set. Good luck!
1420477
It depends on when you bought it. They did have a promotional period when everyone got free map updates. but, if you bought it any other time, you have to pay for them.
1766875
Nope sure don't. Charge and fire up. Maps that are not included do cost extra.
1787988
Well, I need to do that myself as well. I did buy European maps when I lived there. I am technologically challenged, so my great assistant helped me try to install the map from online. We tried to download the European map which did not work, so I bought the SD card/chip for about $100. Not sure this was helpful at all.
115372
You should be able to just download/buy the maps for it, then just update the system, maybe?