Updating versus purchasing new unit
Thu, 11/26/2009 - 1:46pm
![]() 15 years
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i recently purchased anew nuvi255w. i registered it and upgraded my map. it was a one time free item which also had a shelf life of 53 days. seeing the price of map updating, i think i would rather purchase a new unit rather than pay for this service which is only valid for the unit in question. there is no provision for owing multiple units. the unit prices are reducing steadily and the hardware is improving. (the same as with all electronic equipment). The few changes made to a map which is updated every 3 months should be few, just corrections and new road ways etc. how do feel regarding the cost of map updating?
it's a personal call
It depends on much more than the map data. If there isn't much happening in your area and you don't travel, then there is less need - but then there may be the need if the scenario is different. Cost of the unit has a lot to do with it as well
ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet
IMHO...
The lifetime map updates are worth it. It's only a few dollars more, and you get it up to 4 times a years, as opposed to a one time shot.
I just added it to my 775T (after 2 months) to make sure I have the maps available to me.
My best advice; plan ahead a bit, and be a smart consumer. If you wind up using the GPS far more than you anticipated, the Lifetime Maps will be a blessing.
A buddy of mine has a saying: It's better to have it and not need it, than need it, and not have it.
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK
New purchase
I just replaced my 2 year old Nuvi 760 that I never updated with a new Nuvi 1490. I have to say the increase in technology, speed and features made it the better choice.
Also you have to consider with normal wear and tear how long will the equipment last. Lifetime Maps can't translate to more than 4 years before there is accidental damage or failure.
My thoughts.....
Dan
No logic in that
Lifetime Maps can't translate to more than 4 years before there is accidental damage or failure.
Dan
Sorry friend, but this applies, how? 4 years is potentially 16 map updates. That's a lot of $$ per individual map updates.
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK
If map updates happened daily would they be even better?
Sorry friend, but this applies, how? 4 years is potentially 16 map updates. That's a lot of $$ per individual map updates.
Perhaps, but even though lifetime updates get you quarterly updates, you should ask yourself if you would really buy four updates a year if you were buying them individually. Most people would likely really buy one map update or less a year. And in reality more frequent updates don't get you much more, less changes per update the more frequent the updates are.
More Than 4
Besides, I wouldn't want to go through that looooong download to the PC and looooong upload to the GPS more than 4 times a year and only gain small incremental changes that may or may not even be in an area where I travel.
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold
I'm thinking about it . . .
for my handheld unit. I wouldn't pay to update more than every couple years though. It just depends how you use you unit and concerned you are having the "latest" information. Really the most up to date POI info is right here on this site!
dja24 - garmin nuvi 200W, etrex vista, etrex vista Cx
updates
I haven't updated my Magellan's maps since I purchased it over 2 years ago. The only place I have traveled since that wasn't on the map was a short road with no street name (how would it be placed on the map anyway?) The price ($49-$79) for a map update really hasn't been worth it since I could buy a new unit for nearly that price.
New technology
I never updated the map on my nuvi 650 and never had a problem. I now have the 765 and love the new options that the 650 couldn't do.