nuMaps Lifetime updates

 

This morning I noticed a retailer offering the lifetime maps for nuvi, on a preorder, for $109. Less than the garmin site.

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nuvi 680, iFinder H2o

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nüvi 680, 265t, 295W, iFinder H2o

Who was the retailer?

Who was the retailer?

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

GPScity. http://www.gpscity.c

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nüvi 680, 265t, 295W, iFinder H2o

Amazon

Amazon also has lifetime maps on preorder for $107.99 w/ free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCMaps-Lifetime-America-Up...

Macmall ... $98.99 plus

Macmall ... $98.99 plus shipping

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&descr...

Perhaps we should make this "lifetime price watch" a sticky.

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Garmin 205, 260W, 1450LMT, 2460LMT, HEREwego for iPhone ... all still mapping strong.

the price is getting there

grin

the price is geting there in the world to day people don't have that kind of money to spend on maps you all ready have spend a lot on the unit they should give a little better deal for the people the have more them one unit like me i have the nuvi 5000 and a nuvi 200w have the 2009 maps on it now can't see my self paying 69.00 for the 2009.1 maps when the 2010 maps are coming out in april 1 ( called garmin and asked) so i may wait a little longer to see if the price come down any more

nuvi 5000 and nuvi 200w

I don't understand the

I don't understand the pricing.

For $100+ or so you can just buy a new GPS every year or every other year, and have a back up old GPS to boot.

Not sure it makes financial sense, not to me any way.

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http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work

The $100+ charge

The $100+ charge is a one-time charge, you hopefully get new maps for years. Unfortunately Garmin leaves some doubt in this area.

For those who pay $500 or more for a feature rich top end GPs then it might be justifiable, certainly a better deal than buying a new GPS as the highways change around them or paying for even two yearly updates.

The biggest problem that I see is how Garmin defines "lifetime". It is on the unit and they don't even seem to promise to transfer the subscription of you have to send in your GPS for service and get a refurb replacement (they do not fix and return the original unit).

It's also not much of a deal for those who think they need the newest most expensive GPS every time a new one comes out. You would think that Garmin might recognize that they are the idea customer and let the subscription be transferred rather than discourage a new GPS sale, but I guess they also realize these people can afford another "lifetime" subscription and will keep buying them.

I'm with you, if I really needed a new map I would buy a new low end GPS and also get a fresh battery, new warranty, and get to keep the old GPS. And I really think they are charging way to much for the map data, considering that you can buy Delorme or MS street software without hardware for far far less (unfortunately not compatible with your Gramin). But just replacing the GPS every year isn't the right choice for the buyers of high end units.

Lifetime vs correct info

Lifetime is worth purchasing if they DO update the maps. Here in NYC I can list many examples where the roads and turns that had already been changed for over 2+ years and none of the changes are shown by these map providers; and this is with the latest map provided in the LATEST Nuvi model.

I may be wrong, but IMHO it is more important to have correct map updates then a lifetime of incorrect updates.

I Don't Understand The Problem

With all of you saying the Maps are too expensive. Previously they offered one map a year and charged $80 for the upgrade. It could be purchased at Amazon for around $60.

Now for about double the price of one yearly update, you can get more or less quarterly updates for years.

Yes, you can buy a new $100 unit each year, but I like to have text-to-speech and other features.

...

problem is the lifetime maps will probably only run for two years till they obsolete the unit.
7x0s are already disappearing. once they obsolete the unit its gone - no more lifetime.
its "as long as the unit is supported AND not sent in for repairs" not "until the unit breaks".
also, the yearly updates + 1 quarterly update are free if you buy a cheapo throwaway gpsr every year.

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GPS Models : 60CSX w/2GB Kingston (stolen), 32GB Samsung INNOV8 with Garmin Mobile XT(8GB), NUVI 760 w/16GB PSF16GSDHC6 (DIED in 30 days), V (died), Nokia N8 with Garmin Mobile XT(48GB), Blackberry Torch with Google Maps.

Read the fine print.

Buying nüMaps Lifetime updates doesn't make a lick of sense.

I own a 760 which I bought early last month. I am 110% sure that the 7x0 models will be discontinued in 2 years or less.

"lifetime" means as long as the model is still being actively supported by Garmin.

It does NOT mean as long as your GPS is alive and as long as Navateq/Garmin are still alive that you'll still be able to download the latest map updates on your 4 year old unit.

Lol...

grush wrote:

With all of you saying the Maps are too expensive. Previously they offered one map a year and charged $80 for the upgrade. It could be purchased at Amazon for around $60.

Now for about double the price of one yearly update, you can get more or less quarterly updates for years.

Yes, you can buy a new $100 unit each year, but I like to have text-to-speech and other features.

If you see Macy's advertising a golden bracelet for
20% off the quoted $8,000 retail price, do you still buy it because it's on sale? rolleyes

Buying a new unit for $100 every year seems equally stupid.
Buy a new unit for $200-300 every 2-3 years. You still get to keep your TTS and other features.

Lifetime doesn't refer to actively supported

Lothario wrote:

Buying nüMaps Lifetime updates doesn't make a lick of sense.

"lifetime" means as long as the model is still being actively supported by Garmin.

It does NOT mean as long as your GPS is alive and as long as Navateq/Garmin are still alive that you'll still be able to download the latest map updates on your 4 year old unit.

I don't think Garmin is referring to active support. I own a Streetpilot c530 which has been discontinued long ago. However, it is listed in those units that qualify for the lifetime support. That wouldn't make sense if they didn't mean for as long as you own the unit.

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Garmin StreetPilot c530, Mapsource

thanks

thanks

Lifetime Updates

The 350 has been discontinued for quite some time, but is still being actively supported. I don't think because your GPSr is being discontinued that your updates will expire.

If you look at their supported product tabs for the maps you'll find the 3x0 and 6x0 series supported. They have both been obsolete for years.

We will see.

The idea of having to post a subject field for a reply is stupid

mkahn wrote:
Lothario wrote:

Buying nüMaps Lifetime updates doesn't make a lick of sense.

"lifetime" means as long as the model is still being actively supported by Garmin.

It does NOT mean as long as your GPS is alive and as long as Navateq/Garmin are still alive that you'll still be able to download the latest map updates on your 4 year old unit.

I don't think Garmin is referring to active support. I own a Streetpilot c530 which has been discontinued long ago. However, it is listed in those units that qualify for the lifetime support. That wouldn't make sense if they didn't mean for as long as you own the unit.

I pray that I am wrong and you are right.
I just don't want to put myself in a situation that I won't be able to get City Navigator (or whatever new map they have 4 years from now if they decide to re-write the code) because my GPS would be considered incompatible/discontinued.

I see better value in buying a new GPS unit for $200-250 every 4 years.
Roads don't change that much. I don't need the latest or the greatest.

I will however subscribe to lifetime traffic when my trial period expires in March because I know the subscription stays with the reciever and not with the GPS unit. I can get a new GPS 3 years from now and expect it to work just fine as long as they're compatible. If my GPS breaks, I can return it to Costco 3 years from now and get a brand new one in exchange. If my unit gets stolen, I'll call American Express or file a claim on my insurance and get a replacement knowing that lifetime traffic will still work. If I send my unit under warranty to Garmin, they'll give me a different refurbished unit which won't have the same ID, and traffic will still be compatible. That is not the case with these lifetime maps.

Maybe if Garmin were to update their current policy or provide a work around...The idea that it stays only with the GPS unit works for them, but not for me.

Even if the unit is repaired the lifetime maps will continue

Lothario wrote:

Buying nüMaps Lifetime updates doesn't make a lick of sense.

I own a 760 which I bought early last month. I am 110% sure that the 7x0 models will be discontinued in 2 years or less.

"lifetime" means as long as the model is still being actively supported by Garmin.

It does NOT mean as long as your GPS is alive and as long as Navateq/Garmin are still alive that you'll still be able to download the latest map updates on your 4 year old unit.

I sent the following question to Garmin about how long a unit will be able to receive the lifetime map updates. According to Garmin's answer even if you have to send your unit back for repair and it is replaced with another unit the lifetime traffic will be transfered to the replacement unit.

MY QUESTION TO GARMIN:

"Aaron
Question about new lifetime maps:

This is from the new lifetime maps 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."

Can you tell me what "your product’s useful life expires " would translate to? Is that a set period of time or is it as long as the unit continues to function as a GPS?

Thanks
Bob"

GARMIN'S WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION ABOVE:

"We have been told that even if you pay to have it repaired then we can transfer the lifetime map update. There is not a set “time” that it will expire.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International:
Best Regards,
Aaron R.
Advanced Product Certified
Automotive Technical Support - NKC
Garmin International
Toll Free: 1-800-800-1020"

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

i would buy another unit

i would buy another unit instead

re: rsrjw

Thanks for contacting Garmin and clarifying that. I know that they aren't going to stop providing map updates just because your GPSr may be obsolete soon.

How does the Garmin policy apply

if you purchase the lifetime maps from say Amazon? I have a 2008 map and don't see the need to worry about having the latest until I plan to travel and expect to use the Nuvi. You can purchase the maps from a lot of different places. But, I'm wondering what "lifetime" means if the purchase is not through Garmin. It's been my understanding that Garmin purchases the maps. Isn't the policy up to the map manufacturer?

"How does the Garmin policy apply"

It doesn't matter where you purchase the lifetime maps. When you purchase from Garmin you get two choices. You can download and install right away or you can purchase a gift card good for lifetime maps that you could give to someone as a gift.

When you purchase from anyone else you only can purchase the gift card. It doesn't matter which way you do it because when it comes time to download the maps you end up tying the lifetime subscription to one individual units serial number from within your My Garmin account. From then on you will just go to your account to download the ongoing map updates.

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

that's an awesome deal for

that's an awesome deal for anyone complaining. it cost $75 just to update your map each year. $100 lifetime update for pre-order is a sweet deal. Garmin is hooking it up, they understand ppl's concerns when we had to pay $75 a year.

Garmin Lifetime Maps at Amazon

Amazon now shows lifetime maps in stock. Strangely enough the price is now $119.99 plus $4.24 shipping from TigerDirect. Direct from Amazon it is $124.11.

Sounds like Garmin isn't offering much in the way of discounts to retailers, and it may be best right now just to get it off the Garmin site.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001PKTFM8/ref=dp_olp...

Thanks for clarifying that..

I see now that Amazon would have to ship the card to you - no instant downloads on Garmins site right after purchase.

rjrsw wrote:

It doesn't matter where you purchase the lifetime maps. When you purchase from Garmin you get two choices. You can download and install right away or you can purchase a gift card good for lifetime maps that you could give to someone as a gift.

When you purchase from anyone else you only can purchase the gift card. It doesn't matter which way you do it because when it comes time to download the maps you end up tying the lifetime subscription to one individual units serial number from within your My Garmin account. From then on you will just go to your account to download the ongoing map updates.

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Matt