Life of a GPS Unit

I have been using my Garmin Streetpilot c530 for 4 years. Features of newer units may be compelling for some, but for me this unit does all that I need. Have updated maps about 4 times now.

I tend to buy higher end electronics (the 70th percentile or so) as you get some of the newer features, but are not paying a premium for the top end units. I also do a lot of research before I buy to boot.

So, unless I have a failure in the device, I tend to keep it for a long time. I bought the lifetime maps as I intend to do just that!

Krish,

Do you pass your older electronic devices down to other family members? If so may be they'd enjoy taking advantage of the lifetime map feature. The GPS itself probably isn't going to wear out. Decide for yourself whether the lifetime map might be useful to someone after you switch.

As for device longevity, I have an old Garmin III that still functions fine after nearly ten years, a 2610 that's actually better (except screen size) than the Nuvi units. I gave my Nuvi 660 to my wife after buying a 760.

Also, take a look at Garmin's latest offerings. You might decide what you have now is superior and hang onto it for a long time.

Cheers

I still have my 1st StreetPilot, it's about 12-13 years old. It still works fine. Barring a drop or a bath, it could be operational long after I'm not. I do use my StreetPilot III in my company van and it is about 9 years old. It is good enough for that purpose. The nüvi is a new breed. My 750 sports a non-user replaceable battery (which I will replace anyway when needed) and other whistles and bells including traffic. The newer features and abilities made the nüvi a worthwhile addition to make weekend getaways and vacation travel a snap. I'm particularly delighted with the ability to install custom POI.

I don't anticipate replacing the 750 unless it dies. With that in mind, the nüMaps Lifetime at $80 interested me. What would entice me to buy a new GPSr? Maybe when real-time weather radar for your location becomes available no matter where you are.

Well friends It seems you all have been with GPS device for quite a long time. I am a newbie with GPS . 255WT is my first unit. From your experiences I have learned the GPS lasts long and passing it to some family member is not the way I go. I buy new for them so keeping my unit updated I think Lifetime map is a good investment. But lets see!

There are a few reasons to change units. I have just changed from a Nuvi 260 to a Nuvi 265WT.
The reasons.
1 Larger display size.
2 A new map update.
3 Extra features.
4 A good sale price ($169)compared to $69 for a map update.
The old Nuvi is still going strong and will be given to another member of the family.

Nuvi line will last as long as Garmins earlier gps lines have. However I doubt it, not nearly the same quality in construction and QC since the manufacture went off offshore.

You could save yourself a few bucks and look out the window if you are already there.
I'm wondering about the build quality on the newer ones-are they as over-engineered as the old ones? It sounds, based on some of the comments here, like they are building them down to a price point instead of up to a standard as old ones were.

Life expectancy is much longer than most will go before upgrading. Kind of life buying a big TV--buy cheap, because in 5 years, it will look old, outdated, and you'll buy a new one anyway. =)

I upgrade because i like the new electronics and not because the old units stopped working. I will say that the accuracy has gotten better and the aquisition time is also faster but those older models still work and will get you from point a to b.

The GPS units will last far beyond their useful life span.

They will be obsolete before they wear out.

Like my 350, which has been EOL'd for some time now. It works, although I've never updated the maps. I'm kind of tempted to, but since I have a smart phone now I question whether or not it's needed. With Google Maps I wonder whether or not GPS's have become obsolete, although until you can load custom POI's into Google I think the GPS has use still. Living in Chicago I really appreciate the RLC file.

I think another consideration for those who elect to purchase a lifetime update package for their maps is, how long does Garmin consider your unit to be current. You cannot transfer a lifetime subscription to a new unit. I don't think many updates would be required to get your money's worth though....just another consideration.

You can purchase a lifetime map subscription for a unit that has been long ago discontinued by Garmin. The only limit is it is tied to a specific unit unless the unit is replaced by Garmin and then they will transfer the lifetime maps to the replacement unit.

It doesn't matter if Garmin considers the unit to be current it only matters if the unit continues to function to allow the map updates to be done.

I have had my Nuvi200 for about 4 years now. Have not updated the maps and it still works like it did out of the box.

I recently added a 780 and purchased the lifetime maps. I am expecting at least 5+ years with this one and will update the 200 when I move to Chicago (economy permitting)

I thought the 2xx series came out in mid 2007? Are you a beta tester? How do you get to be a beta tester for Garmin?

My tendency is to hot rod the crap out of anything I own, which makes it last longer, and seem to out-preform the original product....

My nuvi 660 has received this approach....

Had it for 3 years, and it's been good to me....

Time will tell how long it exists, but I'm thinking a long, long time!!!

I now have 3, and my street pilot is still working fine. I have upgraded for different features, widescreen, MSN, but the street pilot works fine. I might acutally invest in the lifetime map upgrade for my newest GPS.

thats great news....I was contemplating a lifetime subscription but was hesitant. Now,,,,I may take the plunge.

how long do you keep a cell phone? 2-3 tears for me. i feel the same about gps. wear and tear battery life as well as new processors etc outweigh the cost of map updates unless you have a lot of new subdivisions are being developed. there is no quarrente that an update will show them.

I've had my Nuvi 255W for a little over a year now. Still works like new and does everything that I need it to do. I'll wait until it dies before buying a new model and that may be awhile.

But the content is still informative today and as I’ve suggested in the past, commentary type threads should be locked after about 5 to 7 years.