Garmin 2730 - Problem with locked maps - Help !

[kaitsdad]

OK - I have a 2730. Lots of favorites, etc., all set up. I received a .gdb file that another forum member built, opened it up in my Mapsource, and transferred it to my 2730.

Now all the maps in my 2730 are locked - all my favorites are blown out and missing. My problem is, when I try to unlock the maps again, I get the 'unlock code already used' error message. There are no detail maps available, etc.

So - in using someone else's .gdb file, did it blow out my maps? Any comments? I've search the garmin website, but was unable to find anything relating to this.

:headbonk: :headbonk: :headbonk: :headbonk:

TIA

 

[Bike Effects]

I would call Garmin ASAP at (913) 397-8200. Their Tech Support is good although your hold times will not be to your liking. I think (?) I have opened other peoples .gdb files, but I can't be sure.

 

[kaitsdad]

Thanks, Jeff.

They don't open up until 6:00 AM tomorrow (PST) so I'll try then - but I have to be at the airport for a trip at 7:00. Wish me luck.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I have 2610, so this may not be the same, but when ever you download to the unt, it wipes out the maps. try to re download to it and add a few maps and see if they show up. If they do, reload all your maps and make a backup using Mapsource, they to add something to the GPS, call up that file in Mapsource and add it, then downlaod it, so you save all your maps and other data. if you can't add maps, try to reset the GPS and see whatt that does for you. If all else fails, call Garmin on Monday.

 

[skyway]

Hal,

Sharing the .gdb file from another unit should not affect your unit, I've done it successfully many times. When you plug in your unit to your PC, set it to USB mode, and look inside the folders to see if your favorites are still there? There's no reason why they should all be gone. Also, uploading all of your routes, favorites etc to mapsource, this will allow you to have all your info backed up in the future, should your unit take a dump as your describing.

 

[kaitsdad]

Thanks, Ian,

I think I screwed it up - I have no detail maps available. During the boot process, I receve an error message "Maps are Locked - Please review the owners manual for unlock procedures"

Me thinks I'm going to call Garmin tomorrow morning.

 

[bramfrank]

Hal,
Sharing the .gdb file from another unit should not affect your unit, I've done it successfully many times.

That's true, UNLESS the gdb file contains maps and you've left the 'maps' checked prior to uploading.

 

[Bluestreek]

Down loading the file that I sent to you into your GPS should be no different than downloading your own file.

If you can open the file on your computer there should be no problem. I have sent files to other members, Skyway and Bike effects to name a few and as far as I know they had no problems. They have the same model GPS as you do

 

[skyway]

Are you up to date with the latest software for your unit?

 

[kaitsdad]

Guys, I don't know what to tell ya.

Updated software, previous experience at loading a .gbs file from Bluestreek, etc.

I doubt it was the download - perhaps something else happened. I just don't know. It's like I have an unregistered unit now - the maps are locked, and all settings are at default values.

And as I mentioned earlier, if I try to unlock the maps, they are already registered as unlocked, so it won't let me.

I'll discuss it with Garmin tomorrow morning.

Thanks, all for you replies. It is just so cool that I can reach out like this.

Right now, I'm gonna go saute some mushrooms in a wonderful mixture of butter and Australian Shiraz - just what our steaks need...... and I just might have me a glass of the vino myself.

Ciao !

 

[kaitsdad]

Well,

I've just finished my call with Garmin - and here's the scoop.

It would seem that the 27XX series has a wee bit of a bug - apparently, they occasionally reset themselves, locking the detail maps, etc. Nothing I did, and the technical assistance person I spoke with couldn't tell me why.

Here's the down side: I can't fix it. I have to send it in to be unlocked, which means I'm kinda screwed for my Pacific Northwest Romp with TurboDave and Bluestreek. I will have it with me, but at this point, it's just a really cool XM Radio / MP3 player. And I guess I'd better visit the AAA to pick up some maps, eh?

I'm heading for the airport in 5 minutes, and won't be home until this Thursday - leaving on Friday... so there's no way to get it shipped out and returned by this Thursday. I'll be shipping it to them on August 1st once I arrive home.

Bummer. :angry2:

 

[Groo]

That sucks.

Yours is the first I've heard of that problem with the 27XX series... did they say anything about trying to fix it? Do they know what causes it? Is all your data/stuff lost, or can they recover it once it's fixed/unlocked? Think I'll double check my dead tree maps as backups...

So right now, it won't even show you location information, even if you're not trying to run a programmed route?

 

[kaitsdad]

That sucks.
Yours is the first I've heard of that problem with the 27XX series... did they say anything about trying to fix it? Do they know what causes it? Is all your data/stuff lost, or can they recover it once it's fixed/unlocked? Think I'll double check my dead tree maps as backups...

So right now, it won't even show you location information, even if you're not trying to run a programmed route?

Groo, yeah, it sucks big time. And I haven't heard of it either. Now I was told by the tech support peep at Garmin that they don't know what does it - but I suspect that she really wasn't all that technical, and just wanted to issue me a RMA # for the repair.

If I go into it on 'find', then pick address, it returns the error message "no detail maps available".

It knows where it is - I added my house as 'home', and it knows the HH:MM:SS, but it does not show any detail roads on the maps - it does show freeways, but no detail. So - I have this little house icon sitting in a big blank area.

I'm able to add a waypoint via Mapsource - I added TurboDave's house - but the same result - a little stickpin in a big blank area. Basically, if I'm not heading for someone's cardboard box under a freeway overpass, I'm screwed.

It does give me GPS functions such as speed, distance, etc. So that is useful - but I'm really going to miss hearing Australian Jill recalculating.

She said (Garmin)I wouldn't lose any mp3 files or xm settings - but all of my favorites and finds, as well as poi's are toast.

So I guess this happens so infrequently that no one else on this forum has experienced it. I'm just a really lucky guy sometimes. <_< I'll be mailing it in on August 1 when I return from WFO5. I'll let ya all know what I find out - I'll see if I can talk with the engr that works on it.

 

[kaitsdad]

Update -

Shipped my doorstop back to Garmin under warranty on August 2nd - and received my replacement unit today.

They shipped me a brand new unit - complete with another xm antenna, remote control, CityNavigator DVD, etc. All the goodies. So now I have spares.

And they pulled my favorites out of my old unit, and transferred them to my new one.

So - that's 9 calendar days including shipping both ways start to finish for the exchange.

I'm happy, I suppose. :huh:

But they still are unable to explain what happened. :glare:

So - if it's something I did, I'm sure I'll repeat it - and let everybody know not to do it.

Downloading MP3's as I type this.

 

[Chrissy]

We plan to get a sat nav in the future is there any problem with wet weather damaging them?

 

[bramfrank]

We plan to get a sat nav in the future is there any problem with wet weather damaging them?

Most of the Automotive and all of the Marine Garmin units are water resistant - capable of total immersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes (with the various access covers in place).
Note that the I, C and Nuvi are NOT waterproof.

 

[Ari Rankum]

Update -
Shipped my doorstop back to Garmin under warranty on August 2nd - and received my replacement unit today.

They shipped me a brand new unit - complete with another xm antenna, remote control, CityNavigator DVD, etc. All the goodies. So now I have spares.

And they pulled my favorites out of my old unit, and transferred them to my new one.

So - that's 9 calendar days including shipping both ways start to finish for the exchange.

I'm happy, I suppose. :huh:

Seems like it would be hard for a company to provide better warranty repair service than that, especially considering the data transfer service. Good to know.

 

[PTP]

Update -
Shipped my doorstop back to Garmin under warranty on August 2nd - and received my replacement unit today.

They shipped me a brand new unit - complete with another xm antenna, remote control, CityNavigator DVD, etc. All the goodies. So now I have spares.

And they pulled my favorites out of my old unit, and transferred them to my new one.

So - that's 9 calendar days including shipping both ways start to finish for the exchange.

I'm happy, I suppose. :huh:

But they still are unable to explain what happened. :glare:

So - if it's something I did, I'm sure I'll repeat it - and let everybody know not to do it.

Downloading MP3's as I type this.

I had the exact same thing happen to mine earlier this year...one of the first to fail I suspect. When I called Garmin about it, they ended up having a couple of engineers call me back and they set up an appointment with me so they could remotely access the GPS via the internet when plugged into my computer. I really didin't care what was wrong just that they fixed it. In about 15 minutes on line with them the GPS was fixed and hasn't had a problem since.

PTP

 

[kaitsdad]

Seems like it would be hard for a company to provide better warranty repair service than that, especially considering the data transfer service. Good to know.

Ari, you are absolutely right. I am impressed by the customer service I received, and will continue to use Garmin products.