Map update explanation Straight from Garmin

Thanks for looking into that.

Very nice

I tend to agree with Ismonop understanding of the statement made by Garmin Tech Support.. We all can hope for a free upgrade but I tend to doubt it..

All I know is that I purchased my C330 last May with V7 in it. V8 was "released" The month before that in April but according to Garmin Website was not shipping until Sept. This February I requested the FREE V8 upgrade and received the DVD this week. The delay in shipping was that Garmin had run out of Upgrade DVD's.

The DVD loaded fine and now I'm a very Happy Camper !

All I can say is "Thank You Garmin for keeping your word"

This is not necessarily so. If you purchased your Nuvi with V8 maps and V9 maps are not out yet and registered your Nuvi you will not get a map update.

If you purchased a Nuvi with V8 maps but Nuvi's are also being sold with V9 maps at the same time then you are eligible for a free map update.This way Garmin can get rid off older stock because customers know they will get a free map update. You can also get a free map update if you buy one with V8 maps now but wait to register it until V9 maps are available. They go by the registration date not the purchase date. This is how I got my free maps update for my Nuvi.

Getting a free update would of been very nice. But figured the reality of it, it ain't going to happen. (maybe ....)

$75 for an update is not too bad. At least you don't have to update unless there is something really useful for you in that release.

Again, it appears it depends on who a person talks to.

I WROTE:
"Would you please interpret the update requirement for North America Maps NT which is preloaded in the nuvi 350? Let's assume the version 9 comes out again in April (2007). Since I purchased my nuvi 350 with version 8 Maps on January 19, 2007, will I be allowed one free update; or will I be required to pay $75 to replace a map version with less than 3 months use?"

ON APRIL 3, 2007, I RECEIVED:
"Thank you for contacting Garmin International. At this point there will be a $75 fee for the new map update. I do not have an exact date on when the Version 9 will be released. Anything bought after the release date will be free."

I read the agreements the way Iceman does. To state it slightly differently: If my unit came with v7 when v8 was already out I'd get a free update.

However, my unit came with v8 and v8 was all that was out, I have to pay for v9.

I also agree that $75 isn't much to pay. My question would be could I skip an update, say v9, and opt for v10 when it comes out and still pay only $75? In other words, will the v8 to v10 update still be $75?

This sounds too good to be true... that v8 map holders will get a free upgrade to v9 when released.

Most things that sound too good to be true probably are.

Yeap. v10 would be all inclusive (meaning that it would include any changes in prior releases). At least that is how almost every software vendor in the world works. Correct me if I am wrong.

[quote=asianfireYeap. v10 would be all inclusive (meaning that it would include any changes in prior releases). At least that is how almost every software vendor in the world works. Correct me if I am wrong.

I don't think I've explained it very well. I bought a GPS with City Navigator NT v8 installed. I'm not getting City Navigator NT v9 for free because City Navigator NT v9 was not available when I bought my GPS.

If my unit had come with City Navigator NT v7, I would have gotten a free upgrade to v8. After that, no more free upgrades.

Or, to put it another way and this applies to City Navigator NT only, no one who has a unit with City Navigator NT v8 today will get a free upgrade to v9.

Quoting Garmin from the first post:

I'm pleased if I don't have to buy EVERY update in order to keep getting the $75 offer. Of course some time in the future the price might change.

First of I just want to say hey and thank for having such a great forum-

I just got off the phone with garmin and I got quite a different response form them about updates -
*background*

I purchased a new Nuvi 350 off tiger direct - the site said the item had v8 loaded on in - it didn't it had v7 - seeing this post I called garmin and let them know the scoop as I wanted to see what the process was to get the upgrade to v8 - they told me that they could get me a free upgrade to v8 but that I should return it because the screen was different - so I plan to do this - but while I had him on the line with me I asked him about the conversion to V9 and he gave me a very different answer -

he told me that they do not plan on offering free updates from v8 to v9 - so I asked him when are they planning on coming out with v9 0 he said in the nexr few months - so I asked if this is the case even with a newly puchased unit purchased right before you update - he said yes - even after the release of v9 - if you puchase a machine with v8 you will not get the free upgrade - I asked him to further clearify - and he basicly said that there isn't going to be any free updates - you get a nuvi with v8 you got v8 - you buy a nuvi with v9 you bought the most current nuvi - just wanted to pass this along as an FYI

Thanks again for providing some good reading!

Wow, that sucks. Hopefully he has his info wrong. But thanks for letting us know.

It appears it boils down to who a person gets at Garmin, what time of day it is, and whether he got up on the right side of the bed that day!

RT

LOL, my thoughts exactly!

Just like when you call any other company, I definitely think it'll come down to the CSR you get when you call. Some may give it to you, while others might not. If one doesn't give it to you, then hang up and call at a different time. If this is the case, it may be worthwhile to find the name of the CSR giving it out and just ask for them from the beginning.

I'm not addressing this to anyone specific and I suppose it's just me, but I'm a little disappointed in where this conversation has ended up. The map update program was to "make good" those people who bought a unit with an obsolete map version. We seem to be spending time on how to scam Garmin out of a free update, or take advantage of their customer service reps. As if that makes it right.

Don't mind me.

I don't think anyone is going to sit here and argue about how they can get a free upgrade from garmin on thier old machine that they've used for a year....I think many of us, myself included are looking at it like we've just spent between 4-5 hundred dollars for an item - and is litterally obsolete (mapwise) within a month or 2 - and are having a hard time justifying spending an aditional 75-100 bucks to get an update that SOME CSR's are giving up for free - if some agents are willing to do that, I'm not totally happy dishing out a c note just because my particular agent just had a fight with his wife and is having a bad day. I don't think anyone here is looking to steal merch - but frankely if I have the option of waiting a few weeks (I am not talking months here!) to register my Nuvi vs dish out more cash to update guess what I am going to do - I'm willing to be most people will too....

This is all a hypothetical discussion. Garmin has a policy to protect customers from receiving an outdated package due to inventory control at their or the retailers location. They extended this policy from a customer service role to help those who were in a middle position i.e. just purchased before they provided the new software. Some people have tried to "cheat the system" by not registering their GPSr until the new maps became available.

Now, you are asking CSRs to tell you how they will react with the next release. They probably do not have an official policy yet other than the stated one which covers purchases after the new one begins shipping. Therefore, as you press the CSRs, they are probably "winging it". BTW, this only applies to purchases sometime in the future. As we get closer to the date of shipping, I am sure Garmin will come out with a formal policy for their CSR's to follow.

But this is exactly what many people are suggesting and even advocating.

They say to wait (as long a necessary) to register your unit so that you can get the free update when it comes out. This is suggested/recommended (by those in favor of it) for all units not those purchased close to the release date of the new version.

For me, that's unethical. But there are many discussions and users who advocate this method.

I got my Garmin as a gift at Christmas, so it is now 4 months old. Since I have had the unit for 4 months and been happy with it, I would be unethical for me to expect to get a free update to the version 9 maps.

I did convince Garmin to send me the MapSource software. Maybe that was unethical, but I felt it should have been included with the unit.

They may not have brain scientists employed at Garmin; but I think they're smart enough to realize something is fishy when a huge number of GPSs just coincidently get purchased and registered immediately following a new map release!!
(especially if they're reading this forum!)
RT

I just re read every post in here - and I don't see one post that suggests that someone who owns an older GPS unit is trying to scam thier way into a free upgrade - what most of this sounds like to me is a lot like someone who just purchases an item and then a month later the price drops on your item and you go back to the store to try and get them to match it - is that really unethical? Would you go and get the "most updated" price? I would - and that is all I think we are saying - or let me just say that's what I'M getting at....

Who am I to draw the line of what's ethical - but FOR ME - if I purchase a product now (like I actually just did!) and a new map comes out this or next month....I can promise you one thing...I am going to be on my pretty little phone trying to convince Garmin to get me the updated maps - will I be successfull - I hope so - am I going to Lie in order to get it - NO - am I going to wait a few weeks to register it - just to see if the new mapping comes out in May - Most likely - will I pay to get the update if I cannot get one for free...Begrudginly yes - and you know what...from what everyone tells me and from what I read - I am going to enjoy this product very much - even having spent the extra 75 bucks!

And yes, by the way I do believe this is an ethical way to handle the situation.....

There are several threads on this forum suggesting delaying registration to obtain a free upgrade, this for one:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/2501

reading some other threads now - I see the steps some of the people are taking in order to get upgrades....I hope Garmin reads these! Reading these makes me understand why garmin would indeed go to the policy of - "you get the verson of mapping that comes on your system and that's that" even if v9 is out there - I guess it's like someone buying an 07 car in Sept and not just not driving it until Jan and then demanding a free trade in to on 08...huh....thinking of it that way - I kinda feel like an ass for even waiting a few weeks to register my New Nuvi....what the heck....it's just 75 bucks _ I HAVE JUST HAD A CHANGE OF HEART!!!! I am going to just register and pay to update when v9 comes out....I mean is not paying the stupid 75 bucks worth the time and worry of not registering the unit and then sitting and constanty wondering, pondering, and planning how to get 9 for free in - I'd probably spend more time, and energy that the 75 bucks I'd be saving!!!!!

Anyone knows any sites where we can download the map software for free?

What map software?

If you're talking Garmin's North American Maps, that's called 'Copyright Infringement' which could put you in a place where a GPS won't don't you any good, version 8 or version 9!!

Just a clean non ambiguous definition so as not to be interpreted 10 different ways. I like the way Nugs says it. Ya got what ya got and that's it..

We just need garmin to work on their wording.

I have found that this is always the way it is with tech support. Doesn't matter what company. Don't like your answer? Thank the rep kindly, hang up, and call back again! Usually works with a little politeness. Sprint, Dell, Gateway, Verizon, HP, Tiger Direct, Garmin, etc...all the same in this regard.

It seems everyone has gotten different responses fron Garmin. So much for clarity. I too, called and got a different response form Garmin. I'm told that it depends on the "time scenario". If you purchased a Nuvi 350 with v8 just two weeks before v9 was rolled out, you would be able to receive the v9 upgrade FREE, but not if you purchased it a month or so before the newer version rolls out. The saga continues. It appears there is a different response from every technician. HOWEVER, When I purchased my SP 2620 with v 6, 3 weeks later v7 came out and they sent me a free upgrade. I now have a SP 2720 with v8...time will tell.

AMEN!

There wouldn't even be an issue about this if Garmin just trained all their support people to respond the same on each inquiry. Each time someone talks to a support person, they are told something that contradicts another response. This is the problem!!

That is good to know I just bought one and was wondering.

Then I asked for clarification on the explanation of "free map updates" From the Garmin map update faq. This is the reply I just received.

Thank you for contacting Garmin International! I am more than happy to help you with this today.
You are only eligible for free updates if you were to purchase a unit that had v7, now that v8 is out. Once v9 is released only those who purchase units loaded with v8 are eligible for free udpates.

If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to
contact me further.

Best Regards,
xxxxxx x
Product Support Specialist
Garmin International
1200 E 151 St.
Olathe, KS 66062
1-800-800-1020

So, it would appear from this that all of us with v8 will be eligible for a free v9.. I just hope it's so![/quote]

Sometimes it's tough to train those tech support people properly if their on another sub-continent

I haven't had the "pleasure" of dealing with Garmin tech support yet, so I don't know where they actually are. I was a little anoyed dealing with Panasonic over issues with a DVD Home Theater unit and talking to people with thinly disguised accents introducing themselves as Jane or Denver.

I suppose to some, "fly over country" is the same as another sub-continent...or another planet.

Kidding aside - Garmin's main US facility is in Olathe, KS and the recently opened an additional support facility in the Kansas City area.

believe it when I see it.

Yes, I agree with mkahn, if you bought or will be buying a new Garmin and v9 rolls out a SHORT time later, I think you willbe in luck with a new v9 upgrade. That's my interptetation....and I'm sticking to it...lol.

Being a pessimist, my motto is "plan on the worst and you'll never be disappointed". Soooo, I'm planning on paying the $75; and if I get it free, an early Christmas present.

RT

If one plans for the worst, and that's what happens, then you were ready for it. If not, well, then you can be happy the worst didn't happen.

If you have version 7, and they come out with version 9 will you have to buy #8 to get #9?

No, you can skip a version and simply purchase the v9 upgrade.

Your upgrade to version 9 would include any of the version 8 upgrades.

Didn't you hear that 6 was afraid of 7 because 7 ate 9?

Sorry couldn't resist;)

Miss Poi

Gotta keep up my cheeseball reputation you know

Take care when ordering and installing updates on a solidstate disk Garmin machine, there are issues, check to see if the issues are over, or you'll be up shit creek like me. Purchased the update, tried to update, it takes for ever and then when you're nearly there you get Update Failed, select retry to install again or cancel to stop.
Where are the good old days, the days they made a Solid Quality product, the days they did something for customers...yeah those days.