GPS Map Update

GPS Map Update

GPS Map Update

mcbockalds
17 June 2010
09:38 PM
While reading about GPS models at gpsmagazine.com I can't seem to figure out if any particular model has free map updates or not.  Do GPSs generally offer free map updates or do they generally charge for this?
Cheers John
Rif
18 June 2010
07:45 AM
They generally charge for map updates, and they are not cheap.  On occasion you may find one advertised that includes one free update, but that is rare.
Bill & Marg
18 June 2010
08:04 AM
For our Tom-Tom 930 we pay about $50.00 per year to update our maps.  Last year we got 3 full updates.
Bill
Jack Mayer
18 June 2010
08:33 AM
I generally keep the GPS for 2 years without updates.  Then it is almost cheaper to buy a new GPS than pay for an update.  You get modern technology, new features (maybe), and you do not have to fool with updates.
mcbockalds
18 June 2010
01:56 PM
Thanks for the answers.
John
Emptynesters
18 June 2010
02:26 PM
The update for our Garmin Nuvi was 6 gig.  With the 5 gig cap on our Air-Card - we had to find family with cable Internet to download the update.  We paid for the lifetime update which allows 4 downloads per year.  It was $119 if I remember right.  The one time was $69.  We'll see how it works out.
Jack Mayer
18 June 2010
02:56 PM
If I recall, "lifetime" is only for THAT device....is that right???
Bob Hatch
18 June 2010
03:07 PM
Jack, yes, it's for that device.  And the lifetime updates may also depend on when Garmin might decide when the will no longer support the technology of that device. :-(
RayIN
18 June 2010
10:24 PM
Balance the lifetime/one-time map pricing against a new unit.  Right now many retailers are selling low-end units for $79 - $99.  They often come with a new map update, within 60 days of purchase.  I just bought a Garmin 1450T for $199.  It came with a 2009 map and the one-time map update was a 2011.
mcbockalds
20 June 2010
07:56 PM
I just noticed that a TomTom model (XL 340S) has something called Map Corrections & Map Share.  Where individuals can "tell" TT about a map error and you can have your model updated to correct for the errors reported by all other users or you can wait until TT approves of the map corrections and then have your model updated.  Sounds like it might be a good feature to somewhat compensate for the general lack of map updating except at a significant extra charge.  But does anyone have experience with this feature??
Cheers John
Steve Adams
11 August 2010
06:08 PM
The Nuvi 1450T with lifetime updates is available from Amazon for about $260.  Not a bad deal.
BrianT
11 August 2010
06:17 PM
I have a Garmin Quest II which is several years old.  Last year, I decided to update the software.  Went to the store, bought the update for like $80.  Brought it home and tried to install it.  It was too big.  I had to decide whether I wanted the eastern half of North America or the western half of North America because there wasn't enough memory for both.  And since I didn't have the original software to reload, and the new software was now opened and un-returnable, there was no going back.

Though we still have it, I've never been happy with it's performance since the update.  There have been about a half dozen times when I nearly tossed it out the window, literally.  And I'd have been almost relieved if someone had decided to steal it.  It'll likely end up in a trash can somewhere in the next year or so.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd save the money and buy a brand new GPS.  Prices have come down far enough on many of them that the software updates can be half or more of the price of a new one.
Live and learn...
Brian

Alfa38User
12 August 2010
08:53 AM
Within 15 minutes of my last Garmin 350 map update, (in fact, it occurred as it was turned on for the first time after the update), I was presented with the message that the maps were out of date and that I should buy a new
map!!!.

Since then I have seen that notice 3 or 4 times but now ignore it.  Some time in the future I will simply buy a new unit.  For the moment it does everything I want....

mcbockalds
12 August 2010
09:04 AM
Thanks all!
We bought a Garmin1350T with Lifetime Maps for 179.99 from Amazon.  It looked like the one to buy for my daughter - we don't even have one!
Thanks John
RV
12 August 2010
09:23 AM
I bought two Garmin Factory refurbished units, and both could not be told from a new one, I mean nothing was scratched or appeared used not even the packaging.  Both functioned perfectly and saved a lot of money.  Both allowed a complete new map download within 60 days of registering.  Of course the first did not include the USB connector cable so I could not register it.  A year later I bought the second one for my wife and it had the cable which also fit the first one.  Registered and got new maps free for both.  The Garmins are repackaged and completely refurbished by the factory.  I could not tell them from a new item at all.  Most importantly instead of a 3 month warranty like most refurbished, Garmin refurbished gives the same 12 month warranty as a new one.  I bought both from Tiger direct.

Here's an example:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=3422

Just like new you could get a defective unit but that is taken care of quickly with no questions asked for any defective unit with Tiger Direct, based on a DOA laptop and Bluetooth headset ordered previously.  Never had any problems with the Garmins that reading the directions didn't solve.  The newest unit is now two years old and is a keeper as is my older unit, as both have two year old maps, but haven't had a problem yet.  The above unit also has Bluetooth etc.  At those prices with a free update immediately if needed, I go refurbished every time.

Where you need to be careful is choosing a GPS that includes Canada if an RVer and might go through to Alaska, some are US maps only.  And if the USB cable is not included in the package then you have to buy one that fits the Garmin just to register and get your map updates.

The above link has the cable and maps for all of North America.  At the refurbished prices a new one every two years is not out of budget.
As usual YMMV!

Kirk
12 August 2010
09:36 AM

Quote
I have a Garmin Quest II which is several years old.

Brian,
The Quest that we used for about five years was also not capable of holding the entire map set, but we truly loved it.  The map resided on my laptop and I did all route planning on the computer. Once we finished with a route I would also select what maps, by section that I wished to load to the Quest.  In just a few minutes it would down-load the route and all maps to the Quest.  Once in an area for a time, I would simply load all of the maps for the area around us and then just use the Quest as a stand alone device.  The maps were just a minor thing, once I learned to use it.

I actually preferred the ability to do my routing from the laptop over the newer Nuvi, 765T that I now have.  With the laptop it is much easier to review the route and to make any fine adjustments to it, before it is loaded into the GPS.  I love the new Nuvi for most features, but miss being able to route and review with my computer.

BobVA
12 August 2010
07:11 PM
We just replaced our Magellan 700 series as we were paying $100 every two years to update the maps.  The Magellan RoadMate 3045-LM comes with a lifetime upgrade option in which you are able to upgrade your maps four times a year for the life of the product at no additional charge!  Best Buy has been running a special on and off for months for the Magellan 3045-LM.  Normally sells for $230 - sale price $170.  3045-LM has free lifetime map updates and lots of features such as: 4.7" touchscreen display; NAVTEQ maps of the United States w/ AAA TourBook & 6 million POI; Text To Speech; lifetime traffic updates; lane assist & smartdetour; MicroSD expansion slot.  We are very happy with it after one trip.  Also has batteries so that you can unplug it and use it without the power cord for about 2 hours.  Great feature if you want to use it in the TOAD without taking the power cord as well.
Croft
12 August 2010
08:05 PM
I picked up a Garmin 1350T that includes lifetime map updates from Costco in Canada for $250.  We have am older Garmin 260 with 2008 maps that I guess has become a backup now.  It was cheaper to replace it than to buy new maps and the new one has the wide screen.  I really want Mexico maps for the new 1350T and there seems to be a way to get this using MapSource.  I will have to play with it.  The "T" says this is a "Traffic" model.  It receives FM signals where they are available and warn you of congestion ahead.  This is paid for by advertising so as you go along small coupon codes for approaching businesses appear on the screen.  This may prove to be annoying so the "traffic" feature just may get turned off.
Phil D
12 August 2010
09:45 PM
We have two Garmin Nuvi 265WTs.  The "advertising" is a relatively small banner-type ad at the top of the screen, generally offering a "discount code."  As much as I hate "pop-up" ads, I haven't found them to be objectionable.  Most often they're from one of the Darden restaurants (usually Red Lobster or Olive Garden) or sometimes a motel chain.
Bob Cochran
12 August 2010
10:26 PM
What about CoPilot Truck GPS and updates?  I am considering buying CoPilot Truck GPS but at the first purchase cost if no updates have to maybe rethink on purchase.
Kirk
13 August 2010
08:16 AM
I don't know of any GPS that has free map updates?  Most of the maps actually come from a different company than the manufacturer of the GPS so I'd suspect that most of that money goes to the map maker?
Barthbill
13 August 2010
02:37 PM
Our main interest is for off highway travel.  Such as finding our location on a Topo map, or something similar to find out if we are on the right jeep trail or hiking trail.  Also whether we are on State land, BLM land, Indian land or private property.

My present GPS gives me only lat. and long, and it is up to me to find us on a map or on the laptop (which is not handy when afoot or with no Verizon signal)

Does anyone have any suggestion on which GPS and map set to buy?  Or what to study?

Blue Roads
13 August 2010
09:34 PM
We use a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx.  Have it loaded with only Topo maps.  Topo 2008 from Garmin and FREE Topo from www.GPSFileDepot.com.  They have maps for most of the states.  I have California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in MapSource.  Load whatever I think I will need in the GPS.  We use it for GeoCaching in the boonies and it works fine.
BobVA
14 August 2010
08:52 AM

Kirk, on Aug 13 2010, 08:16 AM, said:
I don't know of any GPS that has free map updates?  Most of the maps actually come from a different company than the manufacturer of the GPS so I'd suspect that most of that money goes to the map maker?

Kirk:
Here is the quote from the Magellan site:

"Some models are also available with “free” future map upgrades to ensure that your Magellan RoadMate stays up to date.  If you’d like even more security, The Magellan RoadMate 3045-LM comes with a lifetime upgrade option in which you are able to upgrade your maps four times a year for the life of the product at no additional charge!"

As I said in my previous post, the cost for the 3045-LM (Lifetime Maps), on sale at Best Buy, was $170.  Not a bad deal when the alternative was to pay almost a $100 year to update our old GPS once a year.  This model also has Lifetime free traffic alerts.

Guess one could argue over the term "life of the product," but my old Magellan is over 8 years old and updates are still available.  Even if the "life" us only a couple of years, this will still be cheaper than paying for the yearly updates

Alfa38User
14 August 2010
11:51 AM
Certain new models of Garmin GPS's are being sold with 'free lifetime updates' (its life, not yours, heh heh).  I think the Nuvi 760 series is one of them.  From what I have read, the touch screen on this series has been problematic for some.  I guess Magellan and Garmin are competing with this promotion.
TCW
14 August 2010
03:02 PM
I'm curious as to why so many folks find a need to have the maps updated every year or two?  We have used the 2007 Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS since it was first available.  The road construction updates, which I do find useful, are still available online for free.  I could understand folks that make deliveries would need the latest local maps, but I have not noticed significant changes in the Interstates, US highways or state highways in our cross country travels.

I did just upgrade to the 2010 version to get the new much improved GPS puck and because the POI entries from the Discovery Owners Forum are all being done in the 2010 format which is not compatible with older versions.  What am I missing that I should consider new maps more often?

schneid
15 August 2010
09:02 AM
I have used a program called OZIExplorer for off-road and trips to areas without available GPS usable maps.  It will accept and/import many formats and you can make your own.  I took a trip down the west coast of Mexico for which I used some DRG enabled maps.  I loaded them onto my iPad.  Worked great.  I have also used my scanner to make a GPS enabled map.  You scan a map, load it into OZI, and then manually enter the coordinates of three points.  More are better.  You can get these from Google Earth.  I have used these for hiking.

OZI is available for the PPC and PC. It is not a turn-key solution. You must be computer savvy

Shadowtracks
21 August 2010
04:58 PM
I was interested in this one too, but user reviews have been quite negative, and it doesn't look like they update maps
very frequently. For instance, check the reviews at Amazon:
Dutch_12078
21 August 2010
06:45 PM

TCW, on Aug 14 2010, 03:02 PM, said:
I'm curious as to why so many folks find a need to have the maps updated every year

Along with map updates that include new roads, new exits, new bypasses, etc., hundreds of POI entries also get updated.  Businesses usually have a much higher change rate than highways, and it's nice to know that the fuel stop, restaurant, or grocery store you're being directed to is most likely still there.

RonBoyd
23 August 2010
09:05 AM
Our Garmin Nuvi's map is updated three or four times a year and still can't keep up.  If you don't do much traveling that is no problem but we put on about 40,000 miles a year.

The worst situation is being in a large city (like Dallas, for instance) without an up-to-date map.  This isn't the 1950's with slow speeds and few cars on the road -- today's situation is bumper-to-bumper traffic going at least ten miles per hour over the speed limit.  There is no time to figure out where an old map differs from reality.

Vladimir
23 August 2010
11:15 AM

Barthbill, on Aug 13 2010, 07:37 PM, said:
Our main interest is for off highway travel.

Unfortunately, there is no one source of maps or GPS that really covers back roads.

I went over maps and GPS units in my blog.  I think I have about ten postings on the topic in less than six months.  This month sometime I will group and summarize the blog posting by topic and hopefully that will make it easier to find stuff.

My favorite is TOPO Back Roads Explorer.  The story is that they are going to quit making this product in the future.  DeLorme Topo USA is a similar product, but I have always had a hard time with their interface.  Here is the link to these products: Computer Maps for Backroads
Also read this posting.

Things are rapidly changing on Forest Service lands, but at least you will have a source of maps for FREE.  Here is the link to that post: Forest Service Boondocking Maps!?!?

Barthbill
30 August 2010
11:12 AM
WOW! Killer blog.
Thanks for the great info.
JC4UT
03 September 2010
09:36 PM
Agree with Jack.
My TomTom 3rd edition cost 80 bucks.  Have not updated a map in two years.  If I did they want 79 bucks.  Better to throw away the GPS and just get a new one with the latest map.
JC4UT