I just bought a garim nuvi 1360 and i forgot to ask how to charge the unit . first to plug it in the car lighter, what about the usb, could i tapp it in my laptop thru usb. pls explain better oscar...

To charge you use the cigarette lighter adapter! Not USB port.

Yes you can charge your satnav from the USB port of your computer and it will not harm it but it'll take about 8 hours to charge compared to 4 on a car charger or a mains charger.

There's a manual available in adobe reader format at http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/3130_OwnersManual.pdf
There should have been a car charger with the satnav. It has a plug that goes in the cigarette lighter socket of the car on one end and the other end has a mini USB plug that goes in the back of the satnav. Charging with this charger takes about 4 hours though it can be charged while using the satnav. For the first charge you should leave it on until it's fully charged.

There should also be a mini USB lead with the satnav that can be used to connect it to a computer. Connecting it to a computer also charges it though this method takes about 8 hours.

Mains chargers can be bought seperately from shops which sell garmin satnavs.

There are 3 ways to charge your Garmin nuvi satnav.

1. You can use the car charger that should have come with it. Plug the mini USB plug into the satnav and the other end into the cigarette lighter socket of your car. This method takes approx 4 hours.
2. You can charge it with a mains charger. This doesn't normally come with the satnav but has to be bought separately. Some dealers do throw one in though so it's worth mentioning. This method also takes approx 4 hours
3. You can charge it with your computer. By connecting it to your computer with the mini USB lead it charges. This method is the slowest taking around 8 hours.
   

The unit will take a very slow charge via your computer. I tell most people no it doesnt charge VIA your PC just because it takes soooo long. I recommend getting a new power cable from GPSCity. Just call them up or follow the like to the cable you need.

** This cable is for the Nuvi 200 series GPS units
http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-mini-usb-12v-cigarette-lighter-adapter-for-nuvi-in-web-packaging.html

Cheers

maybe it is not charging
does the charging light come on?
both on the unit and on the car power plug.

does your cigarette lighter in the car power other things?

you can charge it with a mini-b usb cable connected to a computer.

TRY CHECKING THE FUSE IN THE END ON THE GPS CHARGER, THE TOP WITH SPRING LOADED TIP UNSCREWS TO LOCATE IT, THAT IF YOUR CAR LIGHTER IS WORKING, TRY A USB /MINI USB FROM YOUR PC/LAPTOP TO SEE IF THE GPS UNIT IS ACCEPTING CHARGE

1) Check the cigarette lighter is working by plugging in the lighter unit and see if it gets hot. If it doesn't then it is possible the fuse has blown.

2) You can plug the unit into a PC using the USB cable and if there is a fault you will get a message on the screen about 'USB over-current' but it shouldn't damage the computer.

If it runs/charges using the PC and (1) is OK then you may have a problem with the cigarette lighter - cradle cable or a problem with the cradle itself.
HTH
Peter

The Nuvi units are short on battery life and therefore Garmin has given you a connector other then USB to power your unit while in a car. You need to carry that. It's just a design flaw. If you try to rely on the battery of your Garmin Nuvi, you have less than 2 hours even on a full charge. And carrying the USB adapter which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket won't allow your unit to run while charging. so you need to take the adapter charger bracket that comes with the unit if you need it for longer trips.

Yes. There are 3 ways to charge the Nuvi. Computer USB cable, 120VAC transformer wall plugin, and the cigarette lighter DC 12V plug for your car.