Garmin Map Update 2009 North America NT

So who do you hear this from? We know it's coming but Garmin has a pretty bad record of delivering the map updates in a timely manner.

http://www8.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp

This time last year or maybe a little later a friend of mine bought the map upgrade for his Garmin Nuvi 660. We drove up and down the east coast going to many addresses in New Jersey. There might have been one instance where the update helped. I glad that he was the one to spend the $70 big ones and not me. This will be about a year past that update and now at this point, I will try the update for myself. I think that to see any change it has to be every two years. Any comments?

Pete
Nuvi660

Garmin usually provides a way to view the map update online. You can check some roads to see if they have been corrected before you purchase.

Hi all
Garmin should like most companies allow software updates if you purchased their units within the past 6 months of the software release. At the rate of them introducing new nuvi models even before the older ones have gone a 6 months life cycle is totally without justification and just a money grab. Hell if one buys a unit today it will be obsolite within 2 months. look at the 700 series and then out comes the 800 series.

Ok i got off topic but software upgrades do not cost big bucks and if they are being installed in the "newer units" then good customer service and the need to have loyal customers dictates that upgrades in firmware and mapware be made available at NO or minimum cost. We already paid a premium price for the unit and within months it is outdated.

With changes so quick in the market place manufactures have to future proof their products and make customers want ot buy from them when they are ready to move on and update the complete unit.

Look at the nuvi 600 , 700, 800 series all within a year. Same units just different case and software that could be exchanged between units.

Software is just that "software" which can be upgraded and downgraded at will.

Unless a unit has more features that could possibly not be incorporated into the slightly older version( months)then it is just a money grab.

I will certainly remember this when it is time to really upgrade.

thanks for letting me vent.

I received an email from gpscity.com for a pre-order price of $59.95 (save $10) yesterday. I don't know if this is open to everyone but that was where I had purchased my 660. It's perhaps worth a look; I'm still debating about whether to get 2009 or not but the price is tempting.

What you may not know is that Garmin must pay a license fee to every single instance of the maps to Navteq who provides the map data. Navteq changed the way that this worked with Garmin last year. Therefore, if Garmin "gives away" free updates, they must pay real money to the data supplier. So, it's not the same as just updating software. They have to pay the supplier for each license. So it's not just a money grab.

As far as updating features between different units, it really makes no business sense for Garmin to upgrade older units to have newer features. Plus we don't know which features are hardware dependent and which are software dependent.

And think about. Sony doesn't do it with your TV. And Honda doesn't do it with your car.

Anytime you buy technology, you have to accept the fact that it's obsolete the moment you get it. Just part of the game.

I usually update my maps every other year. I figure there won't be much difference.

I received an email from tvnav.com (a retailer) offering a preorder for the update with delivery around the beginning of May at $60. Also in their newsletter they say that after talking to Garmin the policy on this update is: "Any unit or software unlocked after Feb, 29th, 2008 is eligible for a free update"

I received an email from Garmin support on 3/26/2008. I asked if I were elgible for a free 2009 map upgrade for my Nuvi 660, purchased on 3/3/2008. I noted the Garmin website was targeting the 2009 map update in late April 2008. The support specialist noted (officially) Garmin does not know when the 2009 map update will be released. At this time, I would NOT be elgible for a free 2009 update. However, his ending comment poised a "carrot", until Garmin knows the official release date, Garmin support will not be able to say whether or not a unit purchased on 3/3/2008 would receive a free update.

Oh well, I'll have to wait and see...

Garmin told me late April hmmm. I should have my new c550 from garmin on Monday or Tuesday by UPS. I wonder if it will have 2008 or 2009 mapping on it and of it is 2008 will they update it to the 2009 hmmm we will see.
jolleyr c330 very soon c550

The maps even after update are at least 2-3 years behind any new construction.

An update all ready? Wow time flys...

Considering that the 2008 version was released less than a year ago, how old will the map data in the 2009 version be?

Here in Northern Virginia, map data gets outdated quickly, so it would be best if the data is recent.

With the v8 map data in my Garmin nuvi 660, it once told me to take a left turn at an intersection but the intersection had been converted from street lights to ramps on the right side. It also once told me to keep left on a road that had been changed from forking once to forking twice, so I ended up on the wrong fork.

The 2008 update fixed the above, but then it once told me take an exit off a freeway that no longer exists. Some exits had been moved around.

Admittedly waiting a minute or two for a route recalculation got me back on track on the above examples, but in any case, I hope the map data in the 2009 version is recent.

[ Here in Northern Virginia, map data gets outdated quickly, so it would be best if the data is recent.

Is there a GPS Garmin or not that has good up and todate mapping
jolleyr c550 soon

When this map was released it was missing alot of roads (one major highway)I just dont see paying for a patch to fix the mess we payed for all ready.

If you would... Please link me to the updated map information for my Nuvi 660. I think that it would help with my decision

Thanks

Pete

If you go to Garmin's website and click on Maps and select "On the Road Maps", you will see the MapViewer on the right side of the screen. Use the drop down list to select the product in which you are interested. The newest maps may not be shown yet since they haven't been released.

If the 2 star Motorcycle Mama can not answer my question then the answer must be no. Darn it
jolleyr c550

Sorry, so many other people had posted so many other things and your post was a little difficult to understand. (I'm not sure I understand the "ho" part.)

Are you asking if there is a Garmin GPS that has up to date mapping?

The answer is that it depends. All maps are just by their nature going to be outdated the minute they hit the street.

And in an area where there are constant changes, the effect is going to be more pronounced.

Be aware that all the map data must be collected, compiled, verified and then programmed. This takes a lot of time.

Garmin releases its map updates typically on an annual basis typically in the spring for the North America maps. You can use the MapViewer on Garmin's website to see if the areas in which you are interested have changes in the newest map versions.

I know if anyone could answer this it would be you Gen MM and you are right. I for got about that. Thank you for the intel about the map viewer.

Jolleyrc550