How to update City Navigator from V7 to V8 on GPS

[MattKas]

I have recently purchased a Garmin Quest 2 from E-bay. The Quest 2 came pre-loaded with City Navigator North America NT V7. But, it did not include any CD or DVD. So, I called Garmin and Garmin send me a City Navigator North America NT V8 DVD free of Charge. Last night, I loaded on my laptop for planning trips on my computer. Is there also a way to update City Navigator North America NT V7 to V8 on my GPS?

Thanks in advance,

[jackd]

Did you get a User's Guide?.. If not you probably could get one off their website..

[MattKas]

I have the user guide too. But, it seems to explain how to update the map software on the computer not on the GPS.

[mtrevelino]

If I am correct, the City Navigator North America software is separate from the software that is loaded on the GPS. You have to go to Garmin's website and get the latest downloads for your GPS unit.

[zaphod]

I belive that all you need to do is reload the new maps on the GPS. To flash the firmware on the GPS, get the most current version from Garmin and flash it separately.

[hendsv]

Matt:

I bought the Quest 2 preloaded with City "Select" NT V. 7 (it also came with the DVD for loading on the PC) and, upon request, Garmin sent the City "Navigator" NT V. 8 upgrade DVD disc. at no charge. First I used the supplied USB cable (any USB to mini-USB should work) to upgrade the Quest firmware from the download section of the Garmin site (IIRC from V. 2.4 to V. 2.8) as my Quest had apparently been on the dealers shelf for some time. You can do this following the on-screen instructions at the Garmin site and in the manual and takes very little time (if your Quest is registered).

Then I installed the City Navigator NT V. 8 on the PC and upgraded the Quest using the same supplied cable following the manual and on-screen instructions. I did this portion of the update offline. I am not PC literate by any means so I followed the instructions almost meticulously and allowed an afternoon so I could take my time. Total time (for me) was about three hours. Make sure the Quest is fully charged as the download (City Navigator NT V. 8 on the PC to Quest) takes quite some time (one of the instructions warns about this). This was the one instruction I overlooked and the Quest died halfway through the download. Not a biggie - recharged the Quest and continued later.

One thing to be aware of is that the upgrade from City Select NT V. 7 to City Navigator NT V. 8 will eat a significant portion of available user memory (about 3/4 or 80 MB IIRC) which was not a concern for me. Consider this if you intended to use some of that for Topo's, etc. The Garmin web site will give you the details regarding this. The European version of the Quest has much more user memory for some reason.

You can verify your current version of installed firmware and software by hitting MENU twice then "About Quest" (firmware) and "Map Info" (software). I did this before and after the upgrades to confirm both and installed.

I am happy with the Quest all things considered although I would have liked a memory expansion slot of some standard, and replaceable battery pack instead of built-in.

Hope this is helpful.

Steve