Map Updates - Garmin Nuvi

 

About the only thing that made me apprehensive about buying the Garmin Nuvi 350, when I did, was whether or not the maps would be upgraded regularly. The specs for the unit indicated that it was upgradeable, so I bought it and have thoroughly enjoyed using it. However, I have recently come across some new sections of highway (particulary an addition to US 78 between Birmingham and Jasper, Alabama, which is part of the new Interstate 22 corridor). From the posts I've seen on this website, I'm not sure anyone really knows if Garmin is planning updates for the maps in these units. Today, I saw a 2008 North America/Puerto Rico update DVD on MountGuys.com for sale for just under $70. The blurb announcing the product indicated it would update the Garmin pre-loaded GPS devices. Is this the way we will need to update our units or is Garmin going to eventually give us an updated map? What are your thoughts?

When you upgrade (optional)

When you upgrade (optional) is cost $70 for the upgrade.

The newest mapset for Garmins is City navigator north america NT 2008

If you have an eariler version, you may be able to get a free upgrade (I and many others have), but after that, you will have to buy the upgrade.

It can take awhile for new roads appear on the map. I mean, like several years. A huge shopping mall finally appears in the new mapset after 3 years.

--
Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

When you upgrade (optional)

I was afraid of that. I wish Garmin would come out with some sort of reasonbly priced subscription service for these upgrades and then upgrade the maps at least annually.

NAVTEQ Supplies the maps

When you turn your Nuvi on, you'll see on the splash screen that the maps are from NAVTEQ. You can tell Garmin about map corrections, but they always refer you to NAVTEQ's web site to report errors/omissions/corrections.

Now, Garmin recently was caught napping, when NAVTEQ was bought by a Nokia, and the TomTom bid for Tele-Atlas, NAVTEQ's rival. They tried to buy Tele-Atlas, but dropped out after reaching a longterm agreement with NAVTEQ. It will be interesting to see how this plays out - will customer service (the customer being GARMIN) get better at NAVTEQ? I mean, there are errors on my eTrex Vista that I reported years ago that are still there, after 3-4 update cycles.

Anyway, map errors are NAVTEQ, not Garmin.

--
Garmin #1: eTrex Vista Garmin #2: Nuvi 350 Garmin #3: Forerunner 201 <br> "You are entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts." - Sen. D.P. Moynihan

It's not a subsctiption...

... but Garmin DOES update the maps annually for what is usually about $70 per unit. The next map update is expected in May-June, but I haven't seen any official word on that.

--
Rick - Nüvi 260 - eTrex Summit HC

Buy from Target

Target sells the maps for $60 online. Not sure if that is the in-store price, but most stores will match their online prices.

--
Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.

Garmin updates maps too late.

Also on the splash screen you'll see sth like Copyright 2006 NAVTEQ, which means even on NT 2008 Garmin is still using map data from 2006 NAVTEQ.

I checked some new residential areas both on NAVTEQ's website and my City Navigator North America NT 2008. They are shown on NAVTEQ's map but not a trace on NT 2008.

So it's because Garmin updates its maps too late even though NAVTEQ has updated them years ago.

I don't think Garmin updates the maps.

I don't think Garmin updates the maps. They get the updated maps from NAVTEQ. Perhaps there is a long lag time between when Garmin gets the maps and they are released.

--
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598

NavTeq supplies the data

gdfaini wrote:

I don't think Garmin updates the maps. They get the updated maps from NAVTEQ. Perhaps there is a long lag time between when Garmin gets the maps and they are released.

They get the basic data from NavTeq, but Garmin compile the maps that you use in your GPSr.

--
Rick - Nüvi 260 - eTrex Summit HC

Not to disagree, cause I

Not to disagree, cause I don't know for sure, but what do you mean that they compile their own maps?

--
Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

Look at the map...

...on the NavTeq site, then look at the one in your Nuvi.... they have a very different appearance. Also the use that Garmin makes of the data for a GPSr is somewhat different from how it is used on a website or in a simple computerized PC map. I would think that Garmin would have to make modifications to the map's functionality prior to it being implemented into a GPSr.

There is no other reason I can think of for them to only release one map a year.... after all the data they get from NavTeq is available quarterly. Burning the maps to a DVD or recording them on a memory card takes no time... and posting to a website for download takes even less time. The only possible reason for such a delay is the tweaking and testing they have to do before they can release each update.

--
Rick - Nüvi 260 - eTrex Summit HC

Garmin Uses NAVTEQ

rapriebe wrote:

...on the NavTeq site, then look at the one in your Nuvi.... they have a very different appearance. Also the use that Garmin makes of the data for a GPSr is somewhat different from how it is used on a website or in a simple computerized PC map. I would think that Garmin would have to make modifications to the map's functionality prior to it being implemented into a GPSr.

There is no other reason I can think of for them to only release one map a year.... after all the data they get from NavTeq is available quarterly. Burning the maps to a DVD or recording them on a memory card takes no time... and posting to a website for download takes even less time. The only possible reason for such a delay is the tweaking and testing they have to do before they can release each update.

And can only go from personal experience:

I have contacted Garmin about map inaccuracies, in my copy of Mapsouce I got for the handheld. They were very clear that the corrections should be reported to NAVTEQ. They use NAVTEQ to supply all mapping info. That has been made clear in news reports about the buyouts of NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas. Garmin use NAVTEQ maps, and with a newly signed agreement, will be for the forseeable future.

As for the yearly release, vs quarterly, there could be any number of reasons for it. Delivery of one update a year is certainly easier for Garmin, from a sales and support perspective. The unlocking feature for the yearly updated is easy to maintain for Garmin.

--
Garmin #1: eTrex Vista Garmin #2: Nuvi 350 Garmin #3: Forerunner 201 <br> "You are entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts." - Sen. D.P. Moynihan

Reporting Errors to NAVTEQ ...

The Garmin and Google maps show a 5 mile stretch of country road that has never existed and want to route you that way.

Since It's on the way to my son's house and he has to warn new visitors not to turn there I thought I'd report the error to NAVTEQ. However, instead of thanks, they insist their map is correct. I wrote back and asked them if they would like to see pictures but haven't heard back.

So why report if they call you a liar?

--
Earle

.

When I've submitted error reports in the past, I've submitted Google maps aerial photos with it to show the difference.

Be aware that Navteq may have already updated in their map data but it might not be in Garmin's update yet. So they may be correct if it's already updated on their end.

My updates not included

I've notified NAVTEQ about two local roads that do not exist at least a year ago, and they still appear on their website. I suspect they are on the 2009 update also.

--
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598

spullis wrote: However, I

spullis wrote:

However, I have recently come across some new sections of highway (particulary an addition to US 78 between Birmingham and Jasper, Alabama, which is part of the new Interstate 22 corridor). ..... What are your thoughts?

I just checked the City Navigator NA NT 2009 on Garmins site and the new extension to Hwy 78 isn't there yet. I know what you mean. I went to the Memphis vs UAB game earlier this year and when we got near Jasper we had this beautiful new hwy in front of us and my I5 was having fits telling me to go to Jasper. Also an in-laws 2 year old neaighborhood in Oakland, TN still doesn't exist according to the website. I'll save my money till 2010.