Garmin GPS included as part of the vehicle

From the threads I've read here, car nav systems seem to be around $200 per update, that is, 2013.30 to 2013.40 as an example.

It ain't cheap.

I tried to find other threads about this but can't come up with the right search terms I guess, have you a link or two?

$149. Maybe less with a coupon
http://www.navigation.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Navt...

$149, vs lifetime maps on my 2460, when the time comes to update my 2460 I'll run it a few times against the in car one see if it matters ....

I don't think there were specific threads about it, just people talking about their new vehicles. Sorry.

It looks like you got the answer, though.

It would be nice for Garmin to duplicate the functionality and openness of our standalone units in cars. Given the high price, locked down nature (no custom POI sets etc.), and highly priced upgrades I've always gone with portable units. Yes, nav systems also have things like stereo, MP3 playback etc included in the head unit, but it just seems like a waste of $1-2000 dollars. Give me one with lifetime maps and then we'll talk.

The main issue there is that the automotive manufacturers do not want to have to deal with customer complaints and problems. If someone messes up their infotainmen unit during a failed update it becomes another issue for the car maker.....

IIRC, there is a guy on the Hyundai Sonata forum who said they physically mailed him a USB flash drive and he installed himself. They'd have to try to idiot proof it as much as possible, but that's true of everything.

I had the same option available in my Dodge Journey and the dealer said that they had to update it. I am not a big fan of the built ins anyway for reasons already mentioned in this thread and I like the flexibility to take my unit with me as I use mine in rental cars when I travel for work.

I have a Garmin 2460 as well, lots of reasons it's better, and you mentioned one, custom POI's are another, the built in is part of a package deal that was installed in the vehicle already. It may be a good thing in that I don't leave my GPS in the car all the time, due to extreme temperatures and theft possibility, so I don't always have it with me for around town trips, if I get a call to go somewhere I'm not sure of, the built in will handle it.

I just wanted to hear what folks on a GPS specific forum had to say about it.

Thanks for all the comments.

We purchased a Taurus last August with the Sync system and a built-in GPS was part of the package. The built-in unit is nowhere near as flexible as our stand-alone GPS. Of course, we might just have become accustomed to using our Garmin - but the built-in GPS is much more cumbersome to use. The ability to install custom POIs, the search capabilities and the FREE lifetime updates make our Garmin far superior to the built-in unit.

Although we like the Synch system, we still use the Garmin as our GPS.

There were two flavors for this vehicle, one was a Garmin, not sure what the other was. The Garmin was less expensive and since I am familiar with the operation of Garmin GPS's I went with the Garmin.

I am learning the limitations of a built in system, but I don't think the built in will be useless as mentioned I don't always take the portable with me.

but the cost for map updates can buy you a new garmin unit, that includes life time maps.

3. With a portable you take it inside, program it, update it, change your POI. you take it back to your vehicle in the morning & you're good to go. Portability is an even more valuable feature over indash when you are on a road trip planning your next day or two from your hotel.

2. I consider the ideal entertainment system an indash multidisk CD/MP3 changer+integrated Bluetooth. The upscale 10 GB storage systems for on board MP3 storage that comes with integrated GPS is actually less convenient.

1. So why would anybody want to pay multiple $1000s for an indash GPS system that probably less programmable, probably has less on screen data and part of a more cumbersome entertainment system. For that money you can buy a midrange entertainment system and the latest Nuvi every 2 years, and be a hero too by passing your older one down the line.

Too bad that there is no USB connection on them. I have read some articles where people have managed to "hack" their builtin systems, BUT it is only the logo/boot screen.