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Are you looking to buy a car sat nav? Want to find a answer to a question that's not answered on our website car sat nav product pages? This page will help. Look through the list of questions below that customers and visitors have asked. Got a question that's not been anserwed? Then please complete our online form below and we'll answer and add it to our FAQs.
Q. I have a new Fiat pickup with Garmin sat nav. Would it be possible to upgrade for caravan?
Q. I have a Garmin nuvi 2529. Can the maps be updated for caravan guidance?
Q. Can I plug my new Garmin Sat Nav into a laptop to charge battery?
Q. Is the Garmin traffic GTM 36 compatible with the Garmin nuvi 65LM?
Q. We are wanting to purchase a Garmin Camper 895 sat nav, and a separate Garmin dash cam. Could you please advise as to the connect ability to the WiFi system router in the motorhome? Will the sat nav and dash cam connect or must it be a phone. Which then connects to the router. We would also like to be able to get live coverage when away from the motorhome if possible presumably via the router. We intend to have the sat nav with traffic camera alerts.
A. Only the Garmin Dash Cam Live model will enable a live view camera feed. All of the other dash cams in the Garmin range will record incidents while with the vehicle or not, when they are hardwired via the Garmin Dash Cam Parking Mode Cable with playback when you are with the dash cam and connected via Wi-Fi with the Garmin Drive App on your smartphone.
Have you considered the Garmin CamperCam 795? This model features a 7-inch displa rather than an 8-inch display, as is the case with the Garmin Camper 895. The Garmin CamperCam 795 also features a built-in dash cam (non live view camera feed).
Please note: you may choose to site the Garmin sat nav and Garmin dash cam in different places on your motorhomes' windscreen, or even dashboard (the Garmin Camper 895 can be dashboard mounted, please see the Garmin Camper 895 accessories). If you opt for a 2-in-1 device/solution you will be limited to the placement on your motorhomes windscreen to give the best possible view for the built-in dash cam.
Q. My charger broke and would like to replace with simple charger but not sure which is compatible. The only info I can see on my sat nav is Garmin nuvi GTM 21. Can you advise cheapest option for charging - no traffic info accessory needed?
A. The Garmin GTM21 was a traffic receiver/vehicle power cable. The GTM21 was discontinued several years ago. The straightforward power cable, with the same flat connector is pictured online here.
Take a look at our photo on that page to make sure it looks like the correct connection. You probably have a nuvi 600 or nuvi 700 series, or you might have a zumo motorbike satnav. Are you certain that it is only the cable that is faulty? The reason I ask is that, if you find that the fault lies with the satnav or the cradle, we cannot take back an unwanted cable if it has been opened/used/uncoiled.
Q. I am about to buy a Garmin to be used for my motorcycle tours. However, I just want to receive voice guidance via Bluetooth (with the GPS in my pocket). I was thinking of the Garmin GPSMAP 66st, however can it pair with a headset and give voice guidance? If not what would you recommend (I cannot accept to mount a GPS on the bike)?
A. Unfortunately, none of the Garmin handhelds provide Bluetooth connectivity. The only Garmin devices to provide Bluetooth connectivity and spoken voice guidance are the Garmin zumo motorcycle sat nav range.
Q. My charger broke and would like to replace with simple charger but not sure which is compatible. The only info I can see on my sat nav is Garmin nuvi GTM 21. Can you advise cheapest option for charging - no traffic info accessory needed?
A. The Garmin GTM21 was a traffic receiver/vehicle power cable. The GTM21 was discontinued several years ago. The straightforward power cable, with the same flat connector is pictured online here.
Take a look at our photo on that page to make sure it looks like the correct connection. You probably have a nuvi 600 or nuvi 700 series, or you might have a zumo motorbike satnav. Are you certain that it is only the cable that is faulty? The reason I ask is that, if you find that the fault lies with the satnav or the cradle, we cannot take back an unwanted cable if it has been opened/used/uncoiled.
Q. I have a new Fiat pickup with Garmin sat nav. Would it be possible to upgrade for caravan?
A. It is not possible to upgrade or use your current non caravan/motorhome Garmin sat nav for such use.
You would need to buy a specific Garmin Camper or Snooper Ventura caravan/motorhome sat nav.
You can compare the full range of Garmin Camper or Snooper Ventura caravan/motorhome sat navs here.
Q. I have a Garmin nuvi 2529. Can the maps be updated for caravan guidance?
A. Unfortunately it is NOT possible to upgrade the Garmin nuvi 2529 or any other Garmin nuvi car sat nav into a caravan/motorhome sat nav.
You would need to buy a new sat nav from the latest caravan/motorhome sat nav range.
Q. Can I plug my new Garmin Sat Nav into a laptop to charge battery?
A. We wouldn’t recommend charging your Garmin sat nav via your laptop. Charging via a laptop or PC with USB cable will only provide a ‘trickle’ charge to your sat nav. We would recommend that you buy and use the genuine Garmin AC mains charger. Using the authentic Garmin charger will ensure the right voltage/amps are being delivered to your Garmin car sat nav. This will ensure safe and efficient charging.
You've not said which Garmin sat nav you have, if you can confirm your model e.g. Garmin DriveSmart 50LMT-D we will confirm which AC mains you require.
Q. I have a 7 inch sat nav. A few years old. No make or serial number on the sat nav. Would a new Garmin SD card for Ireland and UK work?
A. The Garmin maps we sell are ONLY compatible with Garmin sat navs.
Therefore, if your 7-inch sat nav is a Garmin model then the maps will be compatible. However, if you have a different make of sat nav the Garmin maps we sell will not be compatible.
Perhaps you could take and send a photo of the sat nav, so we can identify the make/model?
Q. I have a car with an athermic windscreen. I want to get a new satnav. Can you please tell me which Garmin models have a socket for an external GPS aerial?
A. Sorry, but none of the current car satnavs have a socket for a GPS antenna.
Some of the Garmin handheld models (most of which have optional car mounting cradles) did/do have an external GPS antenna socket.
Here's a link to the Garmin antenna page, which lists compatibility.
Bear in mind that many of the products listed were discontinued a long time ago e.g the car satnav nuvi 300, 600, 700, 800. The specific zumo (motorbike range) models listed are also discontinued.
The only current handheld models with antenna socket appear to be the Garmin Montana range and GPSMAP 78/78s.
Athermic windscreens sometimes have an area which allows a signal to pass through. It may be worth speaking to the car dealership.
Finally, internal GPS antennae have improved over the years which may explain why Garmin do not generally include a socket.
Q. I have a new Mercedes C Class with Garmin map pilot installed. Could you tell me if I would be able to use another garmin SD card that includes speed cameras etc?
A. In all honesty we don't know the answer to your question as we don't get sell Garmin built-in sat navs. I would recommend you speak to either Garmin or Mercedes for the definitive answer.
What I can say is for the portable plug-and-play Garmin sat navs we sell e.g. nuvi 2799, speed cameras are available as a download directly from the Garmin website.
Q. I wish to purchase the best value sat nav that includes UK maps and Brazil. My confusion lies in which model to purchase and also do I simply download to a SD card or is this an additional cost. Any info is helpful as I'm very much a beginner!
A. We're assuming that you will be in a motor car (rather than on foot or bike, or motorbike). Best value depends upon which features you are seeking, all of which will add to the price: Lifetime map updates, Traffic information, Screen size.
There are four TomTom models (GO 510 World and GO 610 World, plus GO 5100 World and GO 6100 World) which include world mapping.
For Garmin you would need to purchase any Garmin nuvi model (plus a separate Brazil map on micro/SD card - but it will be compatible with all of the Garmin nuvi models).
We suggest that you begin here.
Q. Can a destination be inputted on both Garmin and snooper sat navs by lattitude and longitude as many motor caravan stopover locations use this method particularly on the continent?
A. Yes, latitude and longitude co-ordinates can be entered into the majority of both Garmin and Snooper sat navs. So yes it will be possible to search motor caravan stopover locations using this data. View the latest range of motorhome and caravan sat navs.
Q. Are there any car sat navs which don't need a computer to update information. e.g. one can periodically simply buy an SD card?
A. Yes, you can buy updated UK and Ireland or full European maps for any Garmin nuvi sat nav device on SD card.
We have many customers that come back to us to buy the latest map release to do exactly what you in mind.
Updating from an SD card is easier than updating from a PC alone.
Please note: As your Garmin nuvi sat nav ages, a software update from a PC with internet connection may be required in order for the SD card to be read by your nuvi device. In addition, all POI (Point Of Interest) database information e.g. speed cameras are ONLY available as a download via a PC.
Q. I read that the TomTom go 60 or 600....can only access Traffic updates via a smart phone.....unlike the Garmin Traffic versions, just give you all updates without a phone....surely that's a big drawback with a TomTom, having to have a smart phone with you whenever you drive?!
A. Yes, TomTom sat navs rely on being connected to the mobile phone network for all updates: traffic, weather, speed cameras. Attached to this service is a annual fee.
Garmin provide traffic updates (on compatible sat navs) via either the FM band or on some devices DAB band, this service has no ongoing subscription costs attached.
Q. Is the Garmin traffic GTM 36 compatible with the Garmin nuvi 65LM?
A. Sorry, having spoken to Garmin UK technical support, the Garmin GTM 36 FM Traffic Receiver will unfortunately NOT work with your Garmin nuvi 65LM.
Q. I want to buy a sat nav that covers the Middle East (Saudi Arabia etc), North America and Canada and Western Europe. Do I just buy a sat nav and the SD cards?
A. Yes you'd need to buy a Garmin sat nav and then purchase one/two additional maps.
The Garmin nuvi 2577LT that we sell includes preloaded Western European and North American maps and lifetime traffic (LT). Please note: This model doesn't include Eastern Europe and the preloaded maps can't be updated for free.
If however you buy a Garmin nuvi sat nav ending in 'LM' or 'LMT' you'll get either lifetime map updates (LM) or lifetime map and traffic updates (LMT) for the PRELOADED map area. Here in the UK we sell European map models, if you are seeking the ability to get the latest maps for either middle east(saudi arabia etc) or north America and Canada then you’d be able to buy those territories.
Depending on where/which model you purchase the individual maps are as follows:
Full Europe
North America
Middle East
Q.I have a Garmin SatNav 200W loaded with UK and Europe. I am travelling to the US next Wednesday and need US maps for Wyoming and Oregon. I believe I can buy these preloaded on an extra memory disc/chip. Can you supply such? How much will it cost? Will it work?
A. The Garmin City Navigator North America Maps (priced at £64.99) are compatible with your Garmin nuvi 200w but we recommend that you read the following page of our website: Garmin mapping installation.
The full range of nuvi 200w maps can be viewed here.
We have the very latest version of the North America map.
We offer various delivery charges. 1st class signed for (at £5.99) should arrive before you travel but, as it is not a guaranteed service, for peace of mind you may wish to consider Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Working Day by 1.00pm service at £9.99.
This page was last updated on: 9th December 2024
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