map update for garmin 350

If every thing else is working for you except the map, I would go for the map. From what I am reading on this site, the "older" Garmins are "better" than the new ones.

The 350 will have map problems not only in NJ but everywhere there are new roads, streets, sub-divisions so if it does the job where you live then don't go to NJ (just kidding) the 350 when new claimed 8hr battery life so here is the skinny if yours just need new map I'll say go for it, if on top of the new map you also need new battery then a new unit will make more sense.

If you use the GPS frequently, I would opt for the lifetime update. If you update the map twice, you would find that the lifetime is cheaper and gives you a new map about every 3 months.

I don't regret spending the extra for my 350. There has been may new subdivisions in our area and new highway construction that can result in road map changes.

I have a StreePilot C330 from back in 2007 that had maps just as old. The newer maps are huge in comparison. In those days, all of North America could fit in the 1GB of memory. Now only a subset will fit. I do not use the device anymore as I purchased a C550 and then a 765T but I can understand how those old maps are lacking detail.

I like how the maps could fit on a 1GB SD card, but bought a 2GB one when the maps no longer fit. I forget when I bought my unit (c340), the original map is probably just as old.

To the original poster, if you bought the GPS in 2007 it probably came with 2008 maps at the latest. So in 3 years time, it is quite understandable that the roads have changed significantly in the last 3 years, regardless of how much was spent on the GPS unit.

I bought the Nuvi 350 for $1000 from Circuit City when they came out initially. I still use it when I travel for business. It is THE best GPS that Garmin made with no lag or freezing or anything. Map draws are very smooth. I've had many new Garmin GPSr's after that and although they include new gimmicks like Junction View, 3D Bldgs, turn indicators etc., the quality of these new devices cannot hold a candle to the good old Garmin Nuvi 350. So in my humble opinion if you are satisfied with the operation of the Nuvi 350, opt in for the new map update. Beach Camera thru amazon.com sells the lifetime update for $68.47 + free shipping and no tax if you live in NJ.

On the other note, if you use little then buy the new or refurbished Garmin 3.5 screen with new map for under $99. I had 350 and 360 garmin that I gave to my mom and dad then bought the new one. The new one telling you to turn early than the old one. So it is your call.

I thought my 350 needed a battery, called Garmin and found battery replacement charge $25 for them to install, reasonable pricing due to Garmin clearing out discontinued stock. My unit had gone black, turned out all I needed was to reset unit. It was first and only time this happened to my 3 yr old unit.

I live near in Philadelphia area and travel in south jersey often. The 350 does seem to have minor direction problems in south jersey and don't forget all the development in the area.

I have the 350 and purchased the life time maps because you can get the updates when they are available.I also noticed that some new roads on the previous maps were not on but with the new maps they are on.
Good Luck

I have a nuvi 360 and it works great. I bought the lifetime updates and already got 5 map updates and it has been working great for last 3 years.

My 350 works great as far as directing me where I want to go. If you want or need to have current maps, shop around for the liftime maps. A lifetime map will cost you less than upgrading twice and certainly less than a new GPS.

The 3.5" screen is fine. A larger screen might be nice, but it also potentially creates a larger blind spot, on your windshield.

The 350 has a number of useless functions, that I naively thought would be useful, such as Language Tranlator, Travel Guides etc. The currency converter doesn't work worth a crap, as far as US/Canada exchange, but with the Cdn dollar almost at par with the US Dollar, it's hardly needed.

My 350 and lifetime maps have been great! always gets me to were i need to go no issues in guiding me.

i would opt for the lifetime maps and run the 350,with just a few updates it pays for it's self.

I have a 350 and love it. As far as not having enought room on it for the new maps. I went into the voice file and removed all the languages I didn't use (cant remember the last time I used Uzbeck) It freed up a lot os space on the GPS, and when I installed the new map update, it all went on the unit without using the SD card.

ditto

Removing text and helps files that are not needed will free up more space.

Ditto. New unit is only logic way that make sense unless you are antics collector or if your unit is too valuable for you because of your sentiment.

Don't forget to get the software updates when on the garmin site. I've had the 350 since late 07 and there have been at least 4 updates to the system itself. They've brought new menu items to the screen as well as other stuff. I also have not regretted getting the lifetime maps sometime ago. You get a new update every quarter to stay up to date.

Could you explain how that's done?

What is currant?

I thought politicians spoke Uzbek. Oops. I'm getting it confused with DoubleSpeak. Yeh! Delete the Uzbek.

See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31186 to free up more space.

Thank you...