Garmin RV 720 memory

There are actually two issues here. The first is what appears to be a marketing issue with Garmin (and they're not the only ones doing this!) They always seem to introduce and ship product that only has enough internal memory for the current maps. Soon after updates come out the consumer runs into the memory limitation and the most obvious solution is to upgrade to a newer unit. I've got a drawer full of Garmins because of this.

To be fair though this memory limitation may not be totally Gramin's fault. There is an old law in computing that if the hardware engineer builds a system with "N" resources, the software engineers will eventually write code requiring "N+1" resources.

The second problem is an anomaly in the Garmin procedures for updating maps. As I recall there are two basic ways this can be done. One is to download the entire map to the user's computer, then install from the computer to the Garmin. The second is to download the map directly to the Garmin unit via the user's computer. What I've found is that one method seems to think it needs enough space on the Garmin for the entire new map and it doesn't calculate the space that would be freed up removing the old map. The other method is a bit smarter and it includes this in it's memory calculation.

Two other solutions I've used are to first delete the map file on the Garmin before starting the update. Obviously doing a full backup first! But there are other files associated with this that must also be removed so this is kind of a risky approach. The other solution I've used is to use the Garmin application to build custom maps for download and select the sections from the Garmin maps downloaded to the user computer. I've gotten pretty close to getting everything loaded on my Garmin using this approach.

Another thing to consider is reducing or removing the custom POI files, the voices you don't use, etc. Most of these are pretty small files, but every little bit helps.

I have added nothing to the unit. Looks like I need to call Garmin again.

LarryJM wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I just purchased a Garmin RV 760. One of the first things I tried was to update the maps that came with the unit. Only to find that Garmin did not include enough memory with the unit to allow one map update. I was really disappointed. I know I can buy a card and update the maps and more. But really? At the price you pay for this unit I expect it to have enough memory to load the first map update.
So if you purchase the RV Garmin plan on getting a memory card too.

Update: I called Garmin and they are sending a 4GB memory card out for free.

Something doesn't sound right. I have the same unit and the internal memory is 7GB and I have done like 2 map updates to the unit and still have over 2GB of free internal memory left. You should not have to have the extra memory card. Now if you are getting a map update by mail then that comes on a card that you have to pay for.

Thus I don't think your advise and concern is valid for the RV760 model and I'm sure others that have the same model can confirm what I'm saying.

Larry

Me too. Just got my new Garmin and updated the maps first day. No problems.

Or added a lot of POI's and campground info?

Have you downloaded any of the extras (voices or vehicles)? They take storage space.

I agree with Larry. I also have a RV 760 and no update or storage issues.
There is more to the story. Do you have duplicate maps?

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:

LarryJM wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I just purchased a Garmin RV 760. One of the first things I tried was to update the maps that came with the unit. Only to find that Garmin did not include enough memory with the unit to allow one map update. I was really disappointed. I know I can buy a card and update the maps and more. But really? At the price you pay for this unit I expect it to have enough memory to load the first map update.
So if you purchase the RV Garmin plan on getting a memory card too.

Update: I called Garmin and they are sending a 4GB memory card out for free.

Something doesn't sound right. I have the same unit and the internal memory is 7GB and I have done like 2 map updates to the unit and still have over 2GB of free internal memory left. You should not have to have the extra memory card. Now if you are getting a map update by mail then that comes on a card that you have to pay for.

Thus I don't think your advise and concern is valid for the RV760 model and I'm sure others that have the same model can confirm what I'm saying.

Larry

Larry, My unit probably did start with 7GB. After the software version 3.20 update there was only 2.5GB remaining. The North American update 2014.40 is 4.6GB. That's why I call Garmin to see if I was doing something wrong. That is when they said sorry and offered the free memory card.
Jeff

I have the same versions for the firmware and the map that you listed and the update replaces what is already on the unit and doesn't require that 4.6GB of extra memory in addition to the map that is already on there.

Larry

LarryJM wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I just purchased a Garmin RV 760. One of the first things I tried was to update the maps that came with the unit. Only to find that Garmin did not include enough memory with the unit to allow one map update. I was really disappointed. I know I can buy a card and update the maps and more. But really? At the price you pay for this unit I expect it to have enough memory to load the first map update.
So if you purchase the RV Garmin plan on getting a memory card too.

Update: I called Garmin and they are sending a 4GB memory card out for free.

Something doesn't sound right. I have the same unit and the internal memory is 7GB and I have done like 2 map updates to the unit and still have over 2GB of free internal memory left. You should not have to have the extra memory card. Now if you are getting a map update by mail then that comes on a card that you have to pay for.

Thus I don't think your advise and concern is valid for the RV760 model and I'm sure others that have the same model can confirm what I'm saying.

Larry

Larry, My unit probably did start with 7GB. After the software version 3.20 update there was only 2.5GB remaining. The North American update 2014.40 is 4.6GB. That's why I call Garmin to see if I was doing something wrong. That is when they said sorry and offered the free memory card.
Jeff

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I just purchased a Garmin RV 760. One of the first things I tried was to update the maps that came with the unit. Only to find that Garmin did not include enough memory with the unit to allow one map update. I was really disappointed. I know I can buy a card and update the maps and more. But really? At the price you pay for this unit I expect it to have enough memory to load the first map update.
So if you purchase the RV Garmin plan on getting a memory card too.

Update: I called Garmin and they are sending a 4GB memory card out for free.

Something doesn't sound right. I have the same unit and the internal memory is 7GB and I have done like 2 map updates to the unit and still have over 2GB of free internal memory left. You should not have to have the extra memory card. Now if you are getting a map update by mail then that comes on a card that you have to pay for.

Thus I don't think your advise and concern is valid for the RV760 model and I'm sure others that have the same model can confirm what I'm saying.

Larry

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I just purchased a Garmin RV 760. One of the first things I tried was to update the maps that came with the unit. Only to find that Garmin did not include enough memory with the unit to allow one map update. I was really disappointed. I know I can buy a card and update the maps and more. But really? At the price you pay for this unit I expect it to have enough memory to load the first map update.
So if you purchase the RV Garmin plan on getting a memory card too.

Update: I called Garmin and they are sending a 4GB memory card out for free.

Glad they are sending you a free card, but that really SUCKS you can't do an update AS IS