Garmin 1350T -> $30 upgrade to lifetime?? Can't find?

The 1350 comes with free lifetime traffic.Not sure what they are trying to sale.You can get Clear Channel traffic for 30 dollars lifetime.

Maps are different but you can also get lifetime updates as long as you own the unit but not free.See http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/maps/numaps-lifetim... .Note some units are coming as a part of the package with the map updates included.

I apologize. I think that the ad for Office Depot is simply pointing out the obvious, which was not obvious to me as a newbie.

They have 2 Garmin models, and the one that has free lifetime traffic updates is the $179 model, as opposed to the other sale model which is $149, hence "the Smart Upgrade" tag in their ad. Duh.

My primary interest in keeping the GPS updated, is that I do want to keep updated on POI more than maps. Is it really necessary to dL or pay for lifetime maps?

I mean, if you purchase lifetime maps they are only for the current unit, right? If that unit goes bad in 3 years, isn't it really similar to a 3 year map update, or can one really buy a new Garmin and get the lifetime map option?

And now I'm thinking I should be asking Garmin this, but a lot of companies seem to be a bit too busy to answer questions about their own products.

I will also ask them. I hope you will understand my question is directed in this forum in the spirit of others that already have experience in this area, as obviously I do not. I appreciate any info.

Thank you again,
Frieda

To keep your unit updated with the latest updates download webupdater at http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/ and run it with unit attached to your computer. I have the lifetime map updates.Keeping your unit a few years off sets to me the cost of paying every year for the update.I use mine for a lot of travel so I want the latest updated maps.

If you start loading custom pois to your unit you will also need poiloader http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/

Also see https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces for registering unit and managing maps etc .

Thank you so much for the information. I tried to dL the updates it advised, but it kept getting an error.

I'm trying it again and will check out the POI loader.

Not sure what the problem would be with webupdater.What was the error?It should work.What browser are you using?You may want to look at this link for your custom pois if you decided to download from the site http://www.poi-factory.com/node/25721

Haha @ "Free for $30". Kind of like TV ads of "Absolutely free, you just pay shipping and handling"

It turned out to be two checkboxes under Internet Options --> Security for IE8 on Vista. I run FF on my desk machine, I guess I should have tried it there..lol.

I was on hold for 45 mins, the guy stayed with me for first download - he said perhaps I didn't get the whole download, but now I think I did. Then when installing he called back - DH had to get that one because I went to school to pick up son, then they switched us to software guy for ANOTHER 40 minute wait time, and he walked me through firewalls (none up), and then the IE options.

I should be good to go when I have the time to try the POI downloader...haha.