GPS Map Update

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

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....

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!

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.

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?

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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!?!?