NAVTEQ, Garmin and all that matters

First of all, there is no one out there forcing us to up grade our maps. If you feel your maps are out dated upgrade if not then don't, it's really pretty simple. Second, I'm pretty sure there is not a conspiracy at Garmin to make us look like fools, most of the time we do this on our own I'm sure if Garmin could gives us the best maps possible they would, by and large they do a pretty damn good job, this is partially how they stay in business. If every time I used my GPS I ended up in a field, I'm pretty sure I would look for another manufacture or mapping company. With the amount of roads and highways there are in the U.S. and the amount of roads added, and subdivisions built, and new malls, and I could go on forever, I believe they do a very good job. I understand the frustration with ending up in a field, but the big picture is, they are a good company and provide excellent service after you buy your unit. If you don't believe me ask someone who has tried to work with Tom-Tom. Just my two cent......

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter

It takes time for the maps to be incorporated into the Garmin unit. Garmin purchases the maps from NAVTEQ once a year (Google being online, has more recent updates). Once purchased, Garmin needs to incorporate them into their hardware, do QC testing on multiple models, and then issue the new maps.

Route 99 is a major north south route in CA. North and south of Modesto there are areas where the 08 maps think you are in a field. It seems obvious that the road route has been altered. When is not clear but I'd guess prior to 07. Anyone know when this was completed?

My point is that this is a MAJOR state highway and the maps haven't caught up yet so the updates tend to lag by a period of time.

So did you really drive through a field? If yes, then you need more than a GPS system. I'm sure Garmin spends a ton of money on getting updated maps from NAVTEQ and more money on getting them updated to systems.

Point is, if every company updates and makes their product better, then you are going to pay for it! It has nothing to do with disrespect or this is the way we do business. It is why they are in a business, to make money. I never heard of company going into a business to lose money, won't last long, that's for sure.

Sorry if you didn't want to hear this, just my 2 cents.

I think it may be that simple. Google only has to get a single server's map updated and we all can use it right away. I believe I read somewhere that Garmin has sold 49 million GPS units worldwide. Each one of them has to be updated individually.

I'm amazed that they can do it as often as once a year!

I have also been frustrated by maps in my area being out of date. However, I think on balance Garmin does a good job of providing data that is very useful for all of us.
I have wondered if they could allow each of us to modify our individual maps if we discover errors in our area. Similar to "Favorites".

If your in doubt if you want to update when it comes out first you can go to this link

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/

put in your map version and check the area that your interested in and decide from that if you want the upgrade or not.

Make your voice heard at the proper place. If there are discrepancies in mapping, contact Garmin at the link below. It won't get fixed if folks don't report it.

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/errorForm.jsp

I've used GPS with maps from two companies and both had these kind of errors. It is something you have to expect and deal with if you are in an area with a lot of new construction/roads.

Garmin does not update much more than a database. If you think about it you are the one updating by using their database on one single DVD. That my friend is very, very very easy to do, especially for a company like Garmin, so first make sure what are you talking about.

Done that. Long time ago. Did not work. Other suggestions?

While I can I agree that it takes time to update maps, and this is in the source. I sort of disagree about Garmin, taking so much time as updating a simple database with coordinates of roads. I also realize that along with maps other objects are to be updated in the database like street names, stores, restaurants, etc., which I did not expect to be updated so soon. But I was talking about at least 2 years old highway, which is nothing more than a string of coordinates. As far as I know how this database is organized this particular part -- the highways are the easiest to update. I would claim that the 2008 maps are more accurate (if I was Garmin representative) only if they cover latest highway coordinates.

And speaking of objects, I can tell you that they are at least 6-7 years old, because I was looking for a place to eat in PA and my GPS was showing that there is restaurant at a crossing. When I got there not only the restaurant was gone, it was gone for more than 7 years. And that's not the first one. There are so many at least 6-7 year old stores around where I live and none of them is in the maps. How do you explain this discrepancy?

I guess the only thing to do is buy another
brand of GPSr and see how accurate they are.
Or go back to paper maps and use Mapquest !

For myself, I am quite pleased with my C330
(2 years old) and C340 (6 months old) - both have 2008NT maps ! although there have been a few glaring errors - overall I would rate them at 98 % accurate and that's after an 11,500 mile 33 state trip around the country , a 5300 mile 15 state trip to the SW, a 4000 mile trip to New England, and several other trips in excess of 2000 miles.
Not bad for what I bought the units for - (as MM stated ) " A CO-PILOT "

Unfortunately, Garmin doesn't do their own map updates, they outsource their map updates to NAVTEQ which shouldn't be of much concern to the end user as Garmin has ultimate responsibility for their products regardless of who they use as a subcontractor.
I can understand your frustration and it doesn't hurt to vent it, but you and everyone else that isn't satisfied with a part of their service should voice it (in a calmer toner) to Garmin directly.
It puzzles me why some on this great forum choose to respond to you in a derisive manner. We all have a right to voice our opinions without being attacked for them.
Also, I believe the market itself will correct this issue in due course; GPS units are not unlike other technologies that once they become very popular consumer items, traditional companies that cornered the market in that industry get replaced by other companies that are more in tune with consumer demands. Don't be surprised to see a company like Google, Microsoft or another supply their own map updates or better yet, their own hardware. Until this happens and the technology improves and consolidates, give Garmin the benefit of the doubt and let them know how they can improve. Just because they may be better than Tom Tom or other current competitors does not mean they don't have a lot of improvement to go.

??? Who was derisive and who attacked anyone? Reading the above, I see the original post stating an opinion and I see a DISCUSSION that follows with reasonable arguments and counter arguments. That is kind of how these discussion type groups normally work. I don't see any sort of personal attacks, name calling, or anything of that sort which I would view as attacking the original poster.

PT

As we all know it is difficult to interpret tone in this mode of communication but from my perspective, the "tone" from some responses were not conducive to open, non-defensive discussion. If you feel differently that is fine. I don't want to single any posts or posters out because I don't want to see another thread digress from the orginal poster's intent for more juicy/controversial material.
That was a very small part of my response to this thread my focus was on the original poster's question/statement.

Please read topic Tell me if this isn't screwed up (wrong address location. There is a lot of good info there that may be of help for you. This is cover very well there.
jolleyr c330

carry a backup. I know this has been discussed numerous times but it's a good idea to map routes on paper and bring along a local map book or a road atlas. This week I've seen a few people ask me for directions because their GPS units are not accurate. GPSr should not be devices that can be 100% relied on.

I can only say some people blindly believe in many things and they defend what they believe in. Nothing wrong with that, except they are hypocritical to their own opinions if you follow some other threads. That happens in politics a lot, so I don't give it quite a lot of respect anyways. They as you said have the right to voice what they think and I have the right to say otherwise.

It lead you through a field?

I have only been able to find one location where a new interstate ramp had been built, and when I went on the ramp, the GPS displayed correctly for a few hundred meters, then snapped to a position off the old ramp (which used to be a field) and then snapped back when the new ramp joined the interstate.

Did you mean to say that the GPS lead you THROUGH a field, or that your position appeared to be IN a field (that is a big empty space on the GPS)?

I'm sure there are many places like this that I haven't encountered, but as long as I can see the road, I should know whether I am actually on the road or in a field!

The GPS, at this consumer level, is only a "guide."

If it actually lead you to a field (that is told you turn where there was no road) that could be bad, but as long as one is careful, you would stay on the road instead of turning into a field.

I'm probably reading too much into this!

Are you the guy that turned down the railroad tracks?

Anyway - map updates on google are easy. NAVTEQ does update their maps regularly,but all google has to do is display them as a "picture" in a web browser. I know it is more technical than that (overlays, click areas,etc). But Garmin has literally hundreds of GPSr - handheld, auto, bikes, sports, boating, aviation. The map updates have to be ported to each device, and tested.

I never rely on my GPS totally. Every trip I take to an area I've not been to before is checked out via google, yahoo, mapquest, AAA, etc ... I never trust any machine totally.

Buy an SUV?

I have been on a few roads tht they have moved for what every readon a few hundred one way or another and have had my gps tell me I was off route for a distance then tell me I was back on track. Usually when there use to be a sharp curve in the road and them they straightend it out.

I guess he may not have liked my 2 cents, but as noted here, a GPS system is a guide to someplace. People can not follow it if it says to go on railroad tracks or fields. I just pointed out that a business is not going to update a GPS system every month or so even if we would like that to happen.

I love how my GPS finds places that I have no ideal where I am. A GPS is a tool only.

In general - the freedom to speak does not include the right to be heard or to be taken seriously. The first word in the 1st Amendment is the important one. Congress. "Congress shall make no law..." We're all here at the invitation of our hosts, and in agreement to abide by their rules...speaking your mind here is a privilege.

Two weeks back, I went out of town and my Nuvi directed me through a non-existent road - the road had been replaced by a newer one. It got me to the exit on I-55 but the exit has been rerouted to the new highway. Since it is a major highway (I-355), I was almost confused when the Nuvi started recalculating, and showing me off road, and wading through a river - my car was on the blue stuff on the screen. The road on which I was is "new" in map terms (from what I have read so far) since it is less than 2 years. This new portion of I-355 (South) links I-55 with I-80 West (Chicago area). This entire section is not on most online maps.
Incidentally, I spoke with someone on the phone on Friday last week who was taking I-355 South to link up with I-294 through I-80. He just happened to mention the route he was taking and I was able to warn him just as his Garmin GPSr led him into the recalculation zone. He had a backup plan - printed from one of those online maps, but which did not have the road anyway. He simply followed the new road, as there was no way to turn back anyway. The nearest exit on that road is close to the end of the section (and it is a toll road!).
I reported the incident on Navteq's site hoping they would include the road in their updates. Of course, it might be late for this year's round of updates. I keep my fingers crossed.

Good one, but already driving one (small and economical)!

But I was not invited as you pointed out. I gladly joined this forum, because I like the way it is constructed and the way people communicate. Even sometimes it turns too much to the right or to the left. At the end we are here to help each other if we can and share opinions. And if someone doesn't like what others say, then here is my voice on that:

"Stop reading what you don't like and pick the ones that make your day!"

Submit the error to Garmin cartography (link above) AND navteq map reporter
http://mapreporter.navteq.com

It does take time. It certainly is a slow process that's for sure. I've submitted 5 errors in Jan and Feb 2007 - One so far has been investigated and completed.
They also did a field verification. I received an email with the info Feb 2008. It only took a year. When the maps are actually updated...who knows.
If errors are not reported, it will take even longer to get "semi" current maps.

A wise man once said "Let your conscience be your guide"

Knowing the maps will never be totally current, until we get a direct satellite feed to our gpsr's, the maps will never be "current". Use the gpsr as a guide and don't rely solely on the info given by it.

Thank you for you opinion. Generally you agree with me it takes at least 2 years for the latest to get to you.

In our fast and demanding times who wants to wait a year or 2 or even more to have a puny little update on a map. Thanks, but no thanks! As my grandma used to teach me "Live for one day only and think it might be your last".

I also reported a lot of errors, but the beneficiaries or these reports will be who... (my best guess) the buyers in 2013.

I think someone wisely said "Have a backup" here in this thread. Also I am not ashamed to ask when I am lost. Some people even if they are in trouble won't dare ask. I don't know why.

In general it is not that bad. After all nobody and nothing is perfect and GPS is a great helper in principal.