Is Garmin's Map Update Pricing Realistic?

SRMoll

My short answer is no, probably not...

I have just bought my wife a Nuvi 200W, because as I mentioned a while ago in another topic, the i3 had been subjected to too many tumbles to the floor.

I picked up the 200W with leather case for £97.

I have just finished making sure the software is up-to-date, and there was an update to the maps to the 2010 version for free. Now I hadn't checked mine for updates for a while, so I thought I'd check whilst I'm at it. Mine is a 255 by the way, and the online update said an update for my maps was available too, but but not for free, but that is to be expected. The update is £59.99 if downloaded, or £72.99 if a DVD copy is required!! Who in their right mind is going to fork out that amount to update an older GPS, when they might as well buy a newer machine for just a little more cash.

In this day and age of recycling and such, it seems wasteful to have a pricing model that would seem to encourage binning perfectly serviceable old GPS units, because to keep them up-to-date is seemingly so expensive.

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

You're aware that Garmin has a Lifetime Maps subscription available for only 20 pounds more than the single DVD and never another fee, correct? 4 updates a year for just two years comes to about 11 pounds each. Keep your device longer and it's even less. Quite a good deal IMO.
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Garmin 1695 / 255 / 760 w/MSN - Droid w/Google nav + Navigon - Navigon 8100T - Dakota10 - GPSMap76C - GeoMate Jr.

peterdh · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 1

Pete7049 · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

You'll need a 2GB SD card to fit the whole of Europe on your 200W.
And yes, the updates are far to dear, as they can only be used on one unit. Previously Garmin allowed the updates to be used on two units (his & hers Laughing

).

makkan00 · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

gatorguy6996

pete_r · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 17, 2009 Posts: 16

Are you also aware that the lifetime update is not transferable if the battery goes on your garmin and unless you sent the unit to garmin to have it repaired then you have lost the update.

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

As long as it's a functioning device you can continue to use the subscription. The battery has nothing to do with it. But you do raise a point. If Garmin has to replace rather repair your pnd due to a flaw, they can transfer your existing lifetime subscription to the new Garmin. Otherwise you're correct in pointing out that the subscription is tied to one specific device.
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Garmin 1695 / 255 / 760 w/MSN - Droid w/Google nav + Navigon - Navigon 8100T - Dakota10 - GPSMap76C - GeoMate Jr.

crypticx · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2008 Posts: 57

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

Hmmm. . . I thought the last update was the first week of April, not quite three months ago. I expect another to be available sometime in July, but perhaps by the end of this month. They do not have an announced or guaranteed release schedule. The last update actually came out earlier than 90 days.
_________________
Garmin 1695 / 255 / 760 w/MSN - Droid w/Google nav + Navigon - Navigon 8100T - Dakota10 - GPSMap76C - GeoMate Jr.

crypticx · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2008 Posts: 57

cheers m8 thanks for the info

Robin2 · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

scotty76 · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

I've signed up for email notifications, but rarely ever get one. Those I have were several weeks late. Perhaps they'll be a bit better notifying those with subscriptions, but I wouldn't count on it.
_________________
Garmin 1695 / 255 / 760 w/MSN - Droid w/Google nav + Navigon - Navigon 8100T - Dakota10 - GPSMap76C - GeoMate Jr.

scotty76 · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

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