The reason NuMaps isn't a real good deal, just buy updates every other year

Just have to speak up, thats all.
Sorry.

I admit to being confused - how is there any debate about who owns Navteq?

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Nokia-Finally-Owns-NAVTEQ-897...

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/807941
"and NAVTEQ will survive the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nokia Inc."

Equally confused - how can someone say waiting two years is either saving money over the lifetime update plan, or even close to being as up to date as getting the four updates per year?

then I've spent more money reading this stupid thread than just buying the lifetime maps. How much is YOUR time worth?

The maps are owned by Navteq (nokia) The software division is owned by the other company making them partners.

Unless you were duped in to spending more than 300.00 bucks for your gps, it's easy.. You have to include technology into this as well, especially since garmins go obsolete so fast.

in two years when you feel you need a map update, just buy a new GPS with the newest technology and maps even though they won't be as new as they should be.
That doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

Guess I'm just going to have to agree to disagree with you..... It apparently does take a rocket scientist to understand.

BobDee. I'm sorry if I offended you.

As I said... it's all just an opinion.

If you think it's not worth it to buy the Lifetime maps... don't.

Based on the posts just in this thread, it is apparent that the majority of Garmin GPS owners do think that the Lifetime maps are worth it.

I still have not seen any logical explaination of why, if you just bought a brand new Garmin GPS that "allegedly" has maps that are two years old, it makes any sense to buy a new GPS unit in two years that will, once again, have maps that are two years old ?

It's a simplistic thing to say just buy a new GPS.

There is no guarantee that the "technology" will be any better in two years. I haven't really seen any leaps and bounds in the technolgy. It's been more of advancement in features than technology. And many buyers have been very disappointed in the new features of some of the GPS units of late.

To me, it's not a minor purchase to go out and buy a new GPS.... I don't buy the low end models, I buy toward the top end. So the $25 cost difference between the annual update and Lifetime update becomes even more insignificant.

If I bought a $150 model than yes, it may be a throw-away item. But if I buy a $600 unit, I am going to do what I can to keep it going and be useful to me for a long time. I hope for 4 years minimum. Even at 4 years, the cost of a lifetime update card is $25 per year compared to the $70 per year of an annual map update... I save $200 and get updated every 4 months.

If there are no updates for the area that you travel I would agree it makes no sense to purchase an update.

The last update I did under the Lifetime update had MANY of the new roads,developments and POI's specific to where I travel. So.. in my opinion.... it was an extremely intellegent decision to purchase the Lifetime card.

Not in the least! My skin is thick.

Do whatever you want to do, You have an opinion and I also have one. Myself, I would rather have the newer Technology in the two year period than the quarterly maps that just get to place where the new unit will be.

$600.00 for a GPSr explains your reasoning though, you had an appointment with Dr. Garmin, and he prescribed a good screwing. So to keep that unit alive does make good sense.

Your kidding right?
I guess a GPS and Galileo Dual RF Front-end receiver
doesn't interest you. The accuray of your GPS will be spot on. But your more interested in features.
Why else would you possibly pay that much for a GPSr.

Lets talk Features, Most of the features that nuvi's have I had on early streetpilots, then when the nuvi's came out they stripped them away and trickled them back and charged for each of them through different nuvi models. Other newer features they have purchased from NAVIGON softare (lane assist, Junction View, MPH markers, 3D view etc.).
So your right nothing new except for the crap they put out with out beta testing because they have people like you willing to pay those extreme prices.
I get my broken and repair them and keep the one I want and sell the rest.

Most just stand in line and buy whatever comes down the Nuvi line and don't say a word, Not me Sorry! Firmware problems are running crazy in the nuvi line, just do a search here in the POI-factory using "firmware"

One last thing, Maybe you should just buy a $150.00 GPSr since you don't think the features are up to snuff! The $150 GPSr will get you there as well and as fast as a $600.00 GPSr.

It also seems like a pretty good deal to me when you consider that the cost to keep your maps and the built-in POI's up to date is about the same cost as a couple of people going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. The dinner is over in about a hour but the map updates could last as long as you own the GPS unit.

Bob,
We get the point, you are not in full support of Garmin. Give it a rest already, I think that all of us are sick of coming to the forums and reading your negativity.

Please stop posting so much negativity.

Miss POI

I can't tell you how much I appreciate hearing a pin drop!!

I am quite certain that same sentiment is shared by more than a few here.

Thank you from the bottom of my keyboard.

I, too, have been on the 'update fence.' For now, I am just going to stick with what I have and save my money (bought Garmin at Christmas about 1 1/2 years ago). While the map being out of date can be annoying, it is not a big deal, and the info does enough for my needs. The most confusing thing is when a store has moved, and you think you know where it is, but then Garmin says it is some place else, but it is not there. I do agree with others that the POI updates is more important to me than the roads.

Yes, it is just a name, but it is annoying. After awhile you can't remember when you bought it or if you need to update, and calling it 2010 just adds to the confusion. It should be named for the year it was 'new info' (either as a map or as a program). So, unless they have figured out how to know what will be where next year, they shouldn't call it 2010. Yes, car sales does it, but I never thought that made any sense either.

Are we sure this guy isn't a troll for one of Garmin's competitors?

Seems I said this before ... but if he really doesn't like Garmin ... fine ... don't read or post to the Garmin thread.

This is supposed to be a happy place ... full of happy POI updates ... and happy POI updaters helping others enjoy and explore the world of POI's.

His constant stream of consistantly negative comments, on any Garmin thread ... is making it hard for me to get to my happy (POI) place.

One bad apple can indeed spoil the bushel.

Could you let me know where tp purchase the Lifetime card. I'm using the Zumo 550 on my HD, motorhome, truck, jeep. Good machine. Thanks Paul

http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-numaps-north-america-life...

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

Here is Garmin's compatibility chart which lists your Zumo 550 as compatible:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=33379&pvID=34036#pro...

http://tinyurl.com/cgg8zd

According to Hoover's, Navteq (the makers of the maps, and the company that Garmin purchases maps from) is wholly owned by Nokia. If a separate division was acquired by Navigon in 2006, that does not mean they have a special relationship with the current Navteq company.

It is indeed wholly owned by Nokia, as you suggest and as the link I provided says. He is using old info, trying to say that part of the old ownership exits..
Bottom line, I have not seen anything that would suggest Garmin somehow is paying less to get maps that are not the latest.

And who do you think creates the lane assist, junction view, 3d view, Fresh maps (quarterly distribution)and a few others for NAVTEQ maps. I have said all along NAVTEQ owns the maps and NAVAGON the Software development.

Does it really bother you folks that Garmin has nothing at all to do with the maps, except for what they buy and add their algorithm, so they can be sure no one gets a map for free, God for Bid.

So you see, Garmin's newest features are actually not even developed by Garmin, they are developed by the above company and when Garmin decides they want to add them, they have to buy them so they are the middle man. Explaining the high prices.

I would love nothing more than to have Garmin back in the drivers seat, like the day of the streetpilot series or even earlier, the Nuvi line is not a very good product, Sorry to tell everyone that, and it's only because they have farmed it completely out including software engineering.

It just to bad all these brand new features work flawlessly on other units,and once converted to the Garmin OS with it's flawed QC department, they don't work so good or they suffer from Firmware problems.

I just hope they survive being the middle man,because 2015 is a long way off. I know of two company's that don't have that problem.