Garmin Maps

I had an Mio C220 that I bought in 2007 and Map upgrades were not possible. The Mio Unit quit a few weeks ago, so I went out and spent $300 (taxes and whatever) on a Garmin 1390T.

The Garmin maps have less detail then my 3 year old MIO. I am not totaly sold on the maps or the accuracy of items on the maps.

So its a hard call on upgrade or not upgrade.

I will eventually pay for Life time maps (another $120) to see if 4 updates a year does anything for me.

At least I now have that option to try and update maps as my old device didn't even offer this.

I will say in the current map updates, The Maps DO NOT see the Texas 45/130 outside of Austin Texas (Major Toll Road has been completed for atleast a year now). The current Maps DO NOT see the changes made to the Atlanta airport and the location of the Car rental complex completed last year, and the current maps show a lake in the location of a food store, in my home town, that has been in this location for over 20 years.

just some thoughts.

I can only suggest that the paper maps that you buy are no more current and same for online maps.

There will always be some road or interchange that gets missed, but what are the odds that it will actually show up in your area.

I upgraded mine and there is an area that previously never showed and all of a sudden the whole subdivision was now there.

You decide. If you drive enough to justify the lifetime maps, then get that, since you get a new map about very 3 months or so. You will be as current as possible.

I opted for the lifetime, this past fall, when I planned a trip to Branson, MO and I now get all the updates for my 350.

You decide.

It's not Garmin but the source they use for their maps. The maps in the last 2 to 3 years have had poor updates. As for the 120 for lifetime maps, shop around, I got mind for 85 at a sale on Amazon.

Buy your lifetime map card from Amazon and it'll run under $100 including S&H. It's currently $90.17:

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

Yes I see that now, my price was based on what I saw at Best buy the other night.

I will say this Garmin, Mapsource provider emailed me the other day saying they will include the Texas 45/130 toll road in the April Map release that is coming out soon.

So I will end up getting the life time maps. I will look them up on line to get the best price.

a Nuvi 765T at Costco with lifetime maps and traffic for $249. Heck the lifetime maps are worth almost $100 by itself. How do you beat that???? I did some research and that is a very hot deal and least from what I could find.....

120% Agreed!

Especially on a combo deal.

Where's the best price for one-time and lifetime map updates? Thanks.

I'm not sure, but a lot of folks including me use Amazon (or one of Amazon's other Buying Choices) noting that Amazon's S&H is free and there's no sales tax. For me, at least, I can't think of why a vast majority of folks ever should consider a 1-time map purchase.

Interesting, I also note for the first time to my knowledge that Amazon's Online Map Code purchase is cheaper right now than their mailed "credit card" code option. It makes sense but this is new for Amazon. Of course, by tomorrow, all prices may well be different.

Currently:

Lifetime maps $89.74
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCMaps-Lifetime-Update-Ame...

OneTime Map $50.83
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCMaps-Onetime-Update-Cana...

While the low end and discontinued GPS units are getting less expensive, I think most people view their GPS purchase as an investment rather than a disposable purchase. So, a lifetime subscription for map updates is part of that "investment".

Yep, I just bought mine and received it a few days ago. Installing the screen protector and updating all my files from my nuvi 780 and ready to test it out. Love Costco's return policy. You can even use the lifetime maps on a different nuvi if you have another you'd rather install it on.

I guess it depends on what map is currently in your 350. It's probably a couple of years old. The 2010 maps have an awful lot of changes in them. I have a lifetime upgrade on my 765T, but still have a 350 that my daughter used. I paid for an upgrade to 2010.3 for the 350 and it made a huge difference for her. I thought about buying a lifetime upgrade for it, but not sure how long we're going to keep it.

I didn't think that was possible unless Garmin themselves replaced it under repair/warranty or it was stolen and you had a valid police report.

sviking wrote: I didn't think that was possible unless Garmin themselves replaced it under repair/warranty or it was stolen and you had a valid police report.

I replaced my 650 after it broke with another and the lifetime update won't load on the replacement. Confirmed with Garmin via email. Doh! My Topo 2008 will load on any Garmin that has additional storage.

I believe what SWLinPHX means is that you buy the GPS which will come with a nuMaps Lifetime card. You can then use that card to register the nuMaps Lifetime to either the GPS you just purchased with the card or another unit that you may have. It's the same as if you bought the nuMaps Lifetime card on it's own. The card is not tied to the unit and vise-versa until you register the card/nuMaps to a particular GPS unit. This does not have to be the unit which the card came bundled with.

Yeah, from what I understand in the situation of a broken GPS is that the lifetime maps can only be transferred by Garmin if they do it as a condition under GARMIN repairing it. The stupid thing is you can't even buy a new exact same unit and send them the old one as "junk", thereby proving that it's not in "circulation" anymore, so Garmin can either sell it as a fixed refurb or just trash it. It's not like you upgraded to a newer model or anything...

Thank you sviking, that is EXACTLY what I meant!

...since the new nuvi 765T allowed me my free update to 2010.40 anyway, I am holding off using my lifetime card until the next update in 2011, especially if for any reason I have to switch nuvi's or return it for any reason.

Um, thank DorkusNimrod instead for explaining it. I'm the one who misinterpreted your use of the lifetime maps card. Perhaps his user name is more fitting of me. LOL

Bought the Garmin numap update for 69.99 and downloaded it and will post feedback. North America 2010. I had to do it my map is over 2 years old

Yeah when I sent my unit back to Garmin for a broken button they fixed it for me and they updated the map and sent the unit back with North American map 2008 my map was already 1 year old at the time I'll check out the 2010 map just to see if some of the roads have been updated. Thanks

...idea?????and when???

Garmin dont give any advance notice of when they are going to update, The best thing is to keep a eye on the garmin site or this site. But it should be withing the next month i would think. it has been a while since the last one.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=31655#nuvi

The unit you have is discontinued by Garmin, for the price of numaps and a couple bucks you can get a new Nuvi with the new maps.

Edit:
Oops I see you already bout the maps.

Where did you buy your update from for 69.99? I can't find it less than 89.00. Is it a lifetime update?

But you have to watch for them to put it on sale again.

You can go to garmin.com and its only 1 time not lifetime well that was the price for my unit the nuvi 350

On the topic of accuracy, what resources are used to generate the Garmin maps? Satellite, surveys, etc.? There is an inaccuracy in my local area, that a satellite view and/or survey would have picked.

are the way to go. It pays for itself with just a few updates.

The only bad thing is the anticipation of when the next release is coming!

But much more detailed than the newer Garmin units, Never travel without the paper tucked in the seat pocket. Especially if you don't have a internet connection in your car or you don't have a data plan on your cell phone.

I'm happy to report that in the new map update, my NAVTEQ-submitted map error has been corrected. The road leading to the exit gates of my complex is no longer acting as if it were one-way. It is correct now, showing you can enter and exit from either gate (and routes me home more efficiently - not that I need it but it bugged me.)

Garmin nuMaps North America Lifetime Updates
Lifetime Updates
$89.95
Get a lifetime of updates and never pay again. The BEST value in mapping upgrades for newer GPS units, and you can download 2011 mapping right away!

Hurry! While Supplies Last.

Seems that GPS city are trying to catch up with Amazon. that price is in Canadian $ too.