New maps coming From Garmin

Somewhere, probably in some Garmin literature, that the map data comes from the local community services, such as police, fire, city government, etc. It was not said that they would not respond to a request or to information from an individual, but I have the impression that it must come from an official source.
I notice that many addresses on the GPS and on internet maps such as Google are about 4 or 5 house numbers off. Also, street detail in some communities is great, even down to driveway names, while others do not have a lot of streets you would expect to see. That is where the detail comes from what the reporting source furnishes. It seems to me that the internet maps and the GPS maps must come from the same source because they all seem to have the same errors and omissions.

does anyone know how updated maps like google maps, mapquest and others are??? because I have had decent luck pre gps using google maps -

just wondering how they compare to the maps that I will be getting in my new nuvi?!?!

I just looked at "this web page" and checked a couple of maps. I have City select North America v7. That is the latest they have on it. I checked a North America (something like that) v8 and it was no different from what I have. I know some of the data in my area has not been updated in 3 years.

I did talk with Garmin support and they told me that new Maps are normaly out in August/September ????

It seems to me that some of the roads I use that have been around a couple years are still missing from the maps. I'll check to see if the roads are there before paying to upgrade and find myself still disappointed.
Great info though - thanks so much for the update.

Thats good news but with all the new construction on the interstate here in Knoxville Tn. with the addition of new on and off ramps and at least one name change that i know of i am not so sure that this new update will have that in its database. I guess i will hold off and wait another year. Still good news

DizzyFox

They will contact you with the email you gave them. This is from their site:

What do the various Map Report status rankings mean?

* Submitted: Your report is currently under review.
* Opened: Your report has been assigned to a NAVTEQ employee. We've assigned it an estimated release date.
* Closed: NAVTEQ has completed the investigation of your report, and it is being reviewed internally for accuracy.
* Released: Your report has been resolved and you have been notified of its status.

You will notice that once your report has been resolved they will notify you.

It took about 2 months, but my Navteq tracking number did get resolved suppossedly. They said that they updated my home address which was in the wrong location. They say they fixed it, but when I check the address again on Navteq's website it's still in the wrong place.

Thanks,
Kizer

The new maps containing the fix probably are not released yet.

When they do release the next version, you can test-drive it on the web. Click here and in the top right corner of the browser window, click the drop-down box and select the new version of the map - you can see if any of the missing features, etc. that you have reported to Navteq are in this release.

I agree with Garmin that updates every 3 years is reasonable. I am still using Microsoft Streets and Trips from 4 years ago with few problems. Everyone complains that updates are not complete and accurate so why get them! We would all like to have the latest changes but the fact is that updates don't include all changes. They primarily make money for the map company.

Will Garmin release what they have updated? So we can make a decision or not?

I'm with you ET. Garmin should provide free updates within a year of purchase. I just got mine 3 weeks ago (which wasn't inexpensive) and now it looks like I have to shell out more for an update???

Don't know where you live?

I drive a truck for a living and updated maps are critical.

I've been using Garmin products for over 10 years now and wouldn't have anything else.

Yes, I do pay for the update every year, and it's worth it.

Nothing like having a street change and I'm stuck with no place to go. It's not like I can turn around in someone's driveway!

I see some asking if the updates are free. I can only ask...do you work for free?

Garmin has a superior product, and should charge for the work they do. Just like any other business.

"Without Trucks...America starves"

EagleOne, my point was not totally for free, but at least the first year, because of the timing of getting a device. If you buy a device today and they issue an update a week later, you are totally screwed. so in the first year of purchase it would be fair to get an update for free, and then it is up to you to update, if you want to spend the $75, which is not a lot at all, considering the necessity.

BTW I respect truckers very much, because America relies on trucks for every delivery. Keep up the good work!

Generally Garmin does provide a short grace period, however one year is a long time and still runs into the same problems. For example, if you bought the unit 2 months after the release, and expected the update, would you then say if you bought it 11 months after the update that you would be able to get the second release?
If Garmin included 1 update for all customers, then I would expect some of that money to go into the price of the unit. Therefore, you would probably pay an extra $50 or more for your original unit. They are not going to give away income. I would suspect that it is better to keep the price of the units as low as possible with the option for paying for map updates than the other way around.

When you put it this way I see what you mean...
Well... nobody give away proffit...

Your statement is write. But I think it is possible to keep track. If you register a product and you have a proof of purchase, the problem with the update is still solvable and you can prevent "freeloader" updates by having the release date, purchase date and registration date tracked. This way you only allow one update. Besides I would enforce the update to be only on registered products with purchase date entered during registration. This way you already have your tracking of dates and you will only open the update for a period of time after the registration and for only one update.

Or... I maybe talking BS here
Best regards!

While 20.5¢ a day seems reasonable, you may think of an alternative. In stead of buying a newer model, you may still be able to by a new unit (the same model) and sell your current unit on someBay. It will cost a little more than $75, but you will get a new unit with new version of map and another year of waranty. It's a better deal than a $75 map update.

Just my $0.02.

Watch Ebay, this seems to be a very good place to find high discounts on stuff like this.

My question is I have a Nuvi 660, how do you find what mapsource version you are on? I did not see on the info screen?

MapSource installs on the computer. Or are you're referring to 'City Navigator North America NT'? On the nuvi 350 it's:
Settings\Map. At the bottom of the screen there's a 'Map Info' button. This displays the map version with option to select it.

RT

I remember (not so long ago) that Garmin use to charge to unlock the maps by region. If you wanted the whole country unlocked, it cost $150.

I think we're getting a bargain now.

Did you know that MapSource links to Google Earth? Now I can see the places I need to get to.

I called Garmin today about an update regarding the progress in fixing the phone icon for custom POI's and the support person I talked to said it was a major issue that they were dealing with due to so many calls but having issues do to the number of GPSR's on the market and compatibility, also I asked about when the new maps were going to be available, sometime around June or July. But a memo was released to all the support personnel that there will be no free upgrades to maps regardless when the product was purchased so I guess waiting now to register would not be a wise choice...
Just info I received today....

I too, called gamin today and received a similar report on the new maps. My Tech told me sometime between July and September. Whatever that's worth.

When I spoke with the rep, he stated that they were targeting a realease in July, but if history is any indicator, it will be late August/ early September before they have the bugs worked out to the point they can put it out on the market.

You would think new buyers would get a free update if within 6 months

But where would you draw the line? What if they bought it within 6 months and 1 day? 6 months and 15 days? 7 months? It's a slippery slope.

I would consider it no different than a back-dated rebate on a particular GPS (like Garmin did on the 60CSx). If your purchase falls within that time frame, swell; if not, you're SOL.

RT

a new car in say November - then in december the new year's cars come out - would you walk into the dealer asking for a free upgrade? Just checking -

When I was first on here I was kinda thinking like most others - why should I have to pay for an upgrade if I just purchased a 350 with an older map on it.....I've spent hours of calls and research time on this and this is when I realized that I have probably spent more time and energy looking for the "free" upgrade that it probably would have been cheaper for me in the long run to simply be happy with my purchase and buy the upgrade - If not cheaper - it would have saved me a TON of time!

The bottom line is this....why should we pay for the update, EVEN if the unit was puchased a month before the new map updates.....BECAUSE WE PURCHASED A UNIT WITH AN OLDER MAP ON IT - it is really that simple - if you want the "free" upgrade - then you have a choice to make - you can wait for the item to ship with the v9 mapping on it or you can buy the older one now....

I know this seems pretty soap boxish - but it's just my own revelation that I'd rather spend my time and energy elsewhere than trying to save a couple of bucks -

Actually, what I'd love to spend my time doing is try to figure out why gas prices have gone up by over 1.00 in the last year and we actually are buying the excuse that it's just the cost of oil - just so you know - Exxon's profits for thier last quarter - 10 BILLION up 75% from the previous year -BP's profits 6.5 BILLION up 34% again, that's QUARTERLY PROFITS NOT YEARLY!!!!!! Good to know we are completely getting raked on this one huh....

ok - I am officially off my soapbox now. -Thanks for listening

That doesn't even make sense. You're comparing two different products to a software update. A '06 Chevy Tahoe is NOT the same as a '07 Chevy Tahoe. A Garmin Nuvi 350 is NOT a Garmin Nuvi 360. You can't compare the two to a software update.

I don't mind being charged for the updates, but the charges are a bit high IMO. I think $20-$30 should be enough for a yearly map update.

http://www.aapg.org/explorer/2003/04apr/question_answer.cfm

Check out that page, buddy. Oil prices are determind by supply and demand. Sure, prices keep going up, but guess what, so does demand. Quit driving your car and you won't have to complain about paying the prices.

if you stop driving your car, you will not need a GPS and a map update is no longer an issue.

Sound like a discussion that has no answer.

Selling map updates is just another income stream for Garry & Min.

Can we try to avoid personal attacks in our discussions, please?

Thanks, MM. Best site going, let's keep it that way.

RT

[/quote]

That doesn't even make sense. You're comparing two different products to a software update. A '06 Chevy Tahoe is NOT the same as a '07 Chevy Tahoe. A Garmin Nuvi 350 is NOT a Garmin Nuvi 360. You can't compare the two to a software update.

I don't mind being charged for the updates, but the charges are a bit high IMO. I think $20-$30 should be enough for a yearly map update.

http://www.aapg.org/explorer/2003/04apr/question_answer.cfm

Check out that page, buddy. Oil prices are determind by supply and demand. Sure, prices keep going up, but guess what, so does demand. Quit driving your car and you won't have to complain about paying the prices.[/quote]

What's the difference between complaining about gas prices being too high and an update being too high?? Isn't that the same supply and demand?

no worries~ This site is awsome - I love having a place to go and read everyones experiences with thier GPS -

OK - so to change the subject from politics/gas prices/update prices.....

Anyone Watching the NHL playoffs - GO SABRES!!!!!!

about time they do that

Yes, I think it is

I agree with this comment but what if like now new updates are not available till after that 6 month period. it wouldnt be fair to those that the update wasnt available to.

Why should we have to pay for updates anyway? well not right away atleast. i believe it should be like any antivirus software you purchase that comes with a year service agreement with unlimited updates.

It was not meant as an attack, but said in jest. Should have put a smile face in the text.

Once again I apologize.

Bob

Bob, I wasn't referring to your posts at all. It was a couple of the ones above you.

I don't necessarily think I am entitled to a "Free" Update if I bought my GPS today, and in 3 months they released a newer version. But what bothers me about the new policy, is saying "Regardless of the Date purchased".

Example: I purchased a GPS at store and it may have been stock that has been sitting there for 9 months and has version 7.0 maps on it. But 4 months ago they released version 8.0 and are now shipping it on the units.

Why can't I get Version 8.0. You can't always tell by the box what version is on it, and many people have no clue what version is the latest until they buy a GPS and THEN start to learn all about maps and version etc.

So what do I have to do? Return the GPS I just bought and search for the one that has the latest maps on it? What if I bought it online with an extremely restrictive return policy?

I feel the one time that you SHOULD get a "free" update is when you purchase a unit with old maps on it AFTER the newest maps have been released.

Just about every software company I know does that because they realize that older stock is on the shelves. I have been in Best Buy and found boxes of the same software program sitting on the shelf side by side with different versions on them. It happens with GPS units too.

Once again, that is the ONLY time I feel I should get a freebie. If they want to give a small grace period as some customer good will, than that's great, bit I don't expect it.

Tim

I agree wholeheartedly.

On another note does anyone here know for certain how much Garmin pays the bigger map companies for updated maps? I sure don't, and for all I know Garmin could be losing money by offering the updates. They have to pay for maps, then pay someone in their company to compress the maps into a suitable file size, then comes debugging, etc etc.. Who knows how many millions of dollars NAVTEQ charges? If the numbers are out there someone feel free to correct me. But to assume Garmin is just ripping us off without showing any stone cold numbers is very irresponsible.

Or here's another scenario: Maybe Garmin loses money on every GPS unit they produce but makes that money back by selling software updates and GPS accessories. Sony PS3, anyone? Sony sold PS3's at a loss because they made their profit off games and other services.

Unless someone here has some inside data that shows what they spend their money, how much money they spend, and where their largest profit margins are then no one really has the authority to say they should or shouldn't charge for this or that.

Ultimately it's either worth your money or not. Why constantly complain? No one is forcing you to buy Garmin products or services.

i have to disagree completely.
I dont know if it is only my opinion but why should i, as their consumer, care what their profit margin is. if updates are available and can be offered to people who spend their good hard earned money on these GPS systems at a gain, loss or otherwise, it shouldnt be our worry of how much money they are making or loosing. as long as they are not ripping people off of course.

As with any business, the company selling the product has to make money. Since Garmin does pay NAVTEQ for the maps, and as was stated earlier, does additional work to reformat and test the new maps, a major cost is developed. Now Garmin could anticipate this and include the cost in all Garmin units, or they could do what they are doing and charge for the new maps.

And now a large portion of this discussion is moot because apparently as of June 1 Garmin is completely changing is update/upgrade policy for auto units.

There are a couple of long discussions about in the geocaching (groundspeak) forums.

But from what I gather, there will not be any more free upgrades for the auto units at all no matter when you purchase your unit. And you will only be able to unlock City Navigator (and other mapping products except BlueChart) to one unit instead of the previous two units.

It depends where you live. I'm in the Dallas/Ft Worth Texas area. There are new highways, streets and buildings going up constantly. I have v8 maps and have already had my 360 try to take me on exit ramps that no longer exist twice. If you live in a built-out area, 2 years is probably OK.

It says on Garmin that you can load the map on more than one device if you are the owner. Don't need to purchase additional codes.

I believe the limit currently is for a maximum of two devices. That policy may be changing going forward.

I just got my nuvi 680 about a week ago. I'm using it primarily in my work truck which I spend about 10 hours or so in a day. It's proven pretty helpful in that I don't have to look up directions in my mapbook anymore, which I really appreciate. However, in the short time I've used it, I've found several errors and omissions that I was surprised about. I plan on getting the next update as soon as it comes out to see how much of a difference the new information makes. As a plumber in the ever-changing landscape of the Phoenix area, I like to get to and from my jobs in the quickest way possible. Dry heat or not... hot is hot!!!

I have a new nuvi 660. It would be nice if Garmin provided the map updates for free for the first year. I can certainly see charging for them after that. But having to buy a new map version that becomes available a few months after your purchase doesn't seem right.

Any recent news on when the new maps are coming out? Several areas around me are so outdated..