Lifetime Maps start Jan 21 NOW AVAILABLE!

The link in their press release is no good.

The link is not HOT yet ... nor are the links to Garmin's new announcement today of ECOROUTE ... or the newly announced 885T.

Apparently the press releases were posted before Garmin's web guys got their act together.

good information to have

I'm still on the fence about the $119 for a lifetime of maps.

THey say "for the lifetime of the GPS" ... well, what happens if your GPS dies during the one year warranty period ... and you excitely signed up for lifetime maps at the time you bought the unit.

Sounds like you'd be SOL.

One could assume they would transfer the subscription in this case as you would have no control over a hardware failure that was handled on an RMA.

Link to Garmin press release:

http://garmin.blogs.com/pr/2009/01/garmin-offers-n.html?acti...

Sounds great to me, keep up the good work.

I also wonder whether or not all of those folks who bought GARMIN GPS's on Black Friday (11/27) qualify for a FREE upgrade to the first Quarterly release.

>>a-user: One could assume they would transfer the subscription

I would hope so, a-user ... but remember, we're dealing with computers here ... and once Garmin's computer systems gets the lifetime map option locked to your original GPS in their records ... it will probably take quite a few calls ... and a bit of luck ... to get the lifetime maps transferred to a replacement GPS if your GPS dies during the warranty period.

Miss POI >>> please post links not full articles

Sorry Miss POI ... Didn't mean to violate a website policy ...

I didn't think posting an official PRESS RELEASE ... meant for public release ... wouldn't violate any copywrite laws.

Thanks for editing my original post.

sweet deal. Luckily I haven't had to purchase a map update yet. I can't wait!

Owning a Garmin GPSr and keep all data up-to-date is not inexpensive. I spent more than $300 for my nuvi. Now, I am thinking if I should get life-time traffic or map update first.
Mine is still in one year warranty.

from Garmin's website....I didn't even read the fine print!

The nüMaps Lifetime program is valid for the life of the customer’s unit. The subscription is not transferable if the unit is sold, is not transferable to another compatible unit, and is valid as long as Garmin offers map updates for the particular PND model and map updates are available from Garmin’s applicable map data supplier.

just one update

As per the news clip life time maps program is valid as long as Garmin offers map updates for the particular PND model and map updates are available from Garmin’s applicable map data supplier.

So after couple of years Garmin may stop providing maps for a particular model after they stop supporting that particular model.

I would think, garmin might or should transfer from or to the unit that failed under warranty, however I will not make that assumption.

Now I will Guarantee you this, if your unit is out of warranty the lifetime maps will not transfer to another unit and will remain with the unit you made the purchase for.

So now you have to look at the price of the GPSr and the Lifetime Maps and figure if it's worth it, with the Falling prices in the GPS industry and Garmins $119.00 price tag for Life time Maps.

I will opt for buying a new unit every two year and stay on top of technology.

I wonder if this updates MapSource at the same time or if that will be different? Hope they are tied together. I just bought a new NUVI 265T on cyber Monday for a super price and the "life time" map udates sound pretty good.

That is a good question but seems that it would be hard to do the Mapsource maps at the same time.

When I signed up for the lifetime traffic on one of my receivers I asked Garmin what would happen if the receiver needed to be repaired. They told me if the receiver needed repair and they replaced it with a different unit that the lifetime traffic would be allowed to be transferred to the new unit. Hopefully that would be the same for lifetime maps if the GPS had to be replaced.

>>I will opt for buying a new unit every two year

BobDee, I'm leaning that way at this time.

I mean, how often do roads really change?

The important thing to update in a GPS (IMHO) are the POINTS OF INTEREST ... and we all know that the Garmin built-in POI's are out of date as soon as the map version is released.

Whereas, the POI's uploaded here are often updated daily.

Maybe in lieu of quarterly map updates, we should send the $119 to Miss POI, eh?

According to the Garmin site the lifetime quarterly map updates also will include updated new points of interest, streets, and addresses.

According to the Garmin rep that I spoke with, today, if you purchased your unit within 60 days of when the quarterly updates are available, and it is registered with Garmin, you qualify for a free map update.

Roads may not change much but highway interchanges and their alignments can change drastically. Try using the current maps on the I-95/I-695 interchange north of Baltimre MD or the I-95/I-195 interchange in Providence RI.

Roads are also added as new subdivisions are built (though not as briskly these days).

The lifetime maps are only good as long as Garmin supports the model. Considering how quickly Garmin is discontinuing models, folks should think twice before purchasing the lifetime maps.

Heck, Garmin has already discontinued the 850 and 880 models. And those models have only been out for seven months.

As 3xx and 6xx owners can verify, Garmin has almost completely stopped supporting the 3xx and 6xx models.

So it appears that Garmin's new philosophy is to pump out new models every few months and then drop older models just as quickly. I would no longer count on Garmin supporting a particular model for two or three years.

Thats great!

Gadget Guy has a very good point. It's amazing that the 800 series is already discontinued. I have the 760 and I'm sure that support will stop soon as well for those models.

thanks for the info

I trashed my 76CSx and sent it in. Garmin sent me a new (in the box!) replacement but the maps weren't there. I called them and they gave me a new unlock code that worked with the unit.

I'll be watching with interest...too soon to make a determination, though.

I think I'll set on mine - not literally, of course - and take a wait and see attitude. Seems to me you could buy a new GPSr every 2 years and keep up with technology and maps.

Just because a model is discontinued doesn't necessarily mean they won't accept the new maps. Even though my 2720 has been discontinued for some time now, I can still update my NT maps.

I did have a problem with my 60CS when Garmin re-wrote the code and discontinued the City Select maps. I ended up buying a 60CSx so I could continue with the map updates. Now that sucked.

Anyway, I'm thinking the map updates would be allowed to continue as long as the unit can accept them.

My $.02,
Jeff

I am still using my 660 with the original 2008 maps. If I drove extensively, or for a living, it probably would be worth getting the lifetime subscription or updating every year. But that's not how I drive or use my 660. I will probably get the 2010 map update (every 2 years). That's what I do with MS Streets & Trips. Actually, I'm still running the 2007 version of that. My newest version of the Rand McNally road atlas from WalWart is 2006. But, that's just me.

How long are map updates typically provided after the unit itself is discontinued?

I guess I am still trying to figure out how many years of updates I could enjoy with my unit. What will happen first:

1. My unit will get stolen
2. My unit will drop and bust into pieces
3. My battery will die
4. My unit will be discontinued and map updates will no longer be offered.

Lets see, POI's that come with updates that come yearly don't change much from year to year, why do you think quarterly would make them any better or more accurate?
Lets be realistic about the stock POI's that come with all GPSr's.

For the price of a map you will get lifetime map updates. That sounds pretty good to me. Another reason to buy Garmin.

I seen your post and had the same question in mind since I had purchased my unit on blck Friday.I emailed Garmin and here is the answer.Make sure to click on the last highlighted link for all the info.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

I will be happy to help you with this. Our numaps guarantee ensures that all current nuvi and zumo units will have the most up to date maps available within 60 days of the units first use.
Simply register your new Garmin nüvi or zūmo at http://my.garmin.com within 60 days of first using your device and you'll be able to see if a free map update is available.

The free map update is a one time update only. The lifetime map update with quarterly releases is a separate product. To purchase this package you can visit-

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/maps/numaps-lifetim...

With Best Regards,
Amy Lu.
Product Support Specialist

seems to me that you're betting your Nuvi lasts, they're betting it's not...or at least the service that provides these maps!

Considering what I have lost in the equities market in the last 6 months, $120.00 seems like nothing, really translates into 25-30 coffees at Starbucks, it all depends where you want to spend your hard earned dollars! Happy New Year!

I don't think it depends on how long the unit will last.How long can you hold out with not wanting the new and latest features that seem to be changing overnight?

Garmin was supposed to start its nüMaps Lifetime map program today (Jan 21).

I just tried to see if there were any map updates available for my new-style 260w, purchased on Black Friday (NOV 25) ... with North America 2009 maps ... and was told that there were no maps updates available.

I wonder if that means the first installment of the nüMaps Lifetime program was already installed on my 260w ... or if the nüMaps Lifetime hasn't started yet,

Anybody know?

The Garmin site had been saying it starts on the 22nd.

It's a chance we have to take. I'll opt for going for a new model every couple of years. Too many risks to the lifetime deal. They should lower the prices for the one-time maps.

There's no guarantee that there WILL be updates available. "If" there are updates, then you will be able to get them "up to 4 times a year". "Up to" doesn't necessarily mean there will actually be 4 updates per year.

From the Garmin site:
¹Terms and Limitations:
nüMaps™ Lifetime. If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately), you will receive up to four (4) map Data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on Garmin’s website, for one (1) compatible Garmin product until your product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map Data from NAVTEQ, whichever is shorter.

Hi everyone,

I've had my 660 for nearly 2 years now. I got my first update for half price (~$35), and my second one at full price (~$70). I now have ~$105 invested in two updates, and I've been contemplating a third. After two years of ownership I think the lifetime deal would be a mistake. However, if I bought a new unit, I think the lifetime plan would definetly pay for itself.

Miki

Does the coding of the maps really change that much from year to year? I can't believe that Garmin would recode every time they bring out a new product; leaving older/discontinued products unsupported. It wouldn't seem to be financially productive to do so, but I'm not a business major.

Another question: what does this mean?

"If your Garmin product does not include, or you do not purchase separately, the map Data you want to update using your nüMaps Lifetime subscription, then you must purchase the map Data separately before you can load the updated map Data onto your Garmin product."

Don't all GPS units come with map data? Or is this something else?

Thanks.

According to Garmin there will be an update available as soon as the program goes online they are calling it NT 2009.1. Bloodbath it means you need to have the base map (ie NT 2009) already installed to receive the updates. meaning if you have NT 2008 this program will not upgrade you to NT 2009. Garmin CS told me they are hoping to go live with the program today sometime after 11:00am CST

Keep in mind that it is for the lifetime of the DEVICE. It is not transferable to another device.

Most of the handheld units do not come preloaded with detailed maps only a basemap.

Thanks for the explanation. I appreciate it.

Also keep in mind that the lifetime maps will be available from other sellers than Garmin. Some will be selling for less than the MSRP.

An example of one already with discount price of $105.99:

http://www.marinensports.com/garmin-numaps-lifetime-north-am...

Yeah, well, the lifetime MSNDirect subscription
says it cannot be transferred to another unit. You
can CANCEL the subscription for a refund of the unused portion. And then I suppose you can do a new
subscription to the service for your new GPSr.

I have a bitter taste in my mouth since sending in a Nuvi 880 less than 6 months old and getting a
refurbished unit in return. I'm not a happy camper
with that, let me tell you.

What is the "unused portion" of a lifetime subscription? Isn't it still a lifetime? Would that get me back enough to buy another "lifetime" subscription?