Garmin map updates, Yes or No?

 

When I have access to my computer I religiously update to the newest available Garmin maps. Having been away since the middle of October in Mexico and not able to update to 2015.30. I just did the 2015.40.

I know that there are people out there who think it's a waste of time.

Just as an example. The 2015.40 map now shows all the little roads in the townhouse complex where I live, none of the previous maps done that. Certainly not a very important update to anyone. I used to drive on no-mans land. That tells me that they are obviously adding more detail to the maps.

Whether this is related to the map update I do not know, but the spoken volume for directions seems to have increased quite a bit. Now I do not have to use the 100% setting anymore. But this could also be because before the update I did a factory reset to the 3790.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

some do, some don't

It's chicken and egg question. You will have those, who are into every update (like myself), those that are updating from time to time, and those, who don't care.

Unless someone is traveling extensively all around a country, for most people updates are not visible. If you live in CA what it matters if they put new highway in WI? But if update is in area that you visit frequently then you will see it as big change.

Time for huge changes in map coverage are in past. Now it's only small improvements here and there.

Ahhhh... yes.... Map Updates

No longer are there tons of new locations for us to navigate our vehicles on... yeah, sure, new housing projects, little streets here and there... and they are appreciated for sure.

But what I tend to notice most is the inclusions of more adds, and places... so when I attempt to verbally communicate with my 3597, it presents places I didn't even know about...

so from where I sit, it seems the updates are predominantly for places / adds.... not streets

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Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

I update daily my Norton Security

... & perhaps quarterly the OSM maps on my hikers. As for my Nuvi I will plug either one when mobile just to keep the batteries charged. Regarding the Navteq/HERE maps, I'm clearly in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp.

I do a map update once a year.....

I only update once a year because I only have 2mbps download speed at my house. I get constant failed download errors while updating my Garmin maps at that speed so I try to keep my sanity by only downloading once a year. When I had faster internet speeds of 20mbps I rarely got any errors and I updated with every new map update.

Waze and HERE maps are my choice of GPS now anyways.

Not everywhere

Jim547 wrote:

Waze and HERE maps are my choice of GPS now anyways.

In the jurisdiction where I live it is absolutely forbidden to use any handheld devices in the car by the driver. No cellphones etc. A dash mounted GPS just slides by the handheld law!!! But I'm also sure that a miserable cop would ticket you if you were seen making adjustments on the GPS while behind the wheel.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

to each

If you live in an area that is growing it makes sense to update since it takes some time for Garmin to update their maps. If you live in an established city with no new development, it does not make sense to update..... I travel for business so I always update....

Happy Monday!

DVDs for me

I don't have enough data to download updates, so I get them on DVD when I need them.

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><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598

Last update....

I also noted a lot more detail in the maps with the 2015.40 update. I was surprised to see that even the small roads inside the Shopping Malls are now also rendered!

I haven't been on a long trip with this update yet, but I've been surprised at how much additional road data is included, considering that the size of the files are not that different.

They must be using a new compression algorithm or something, but I also noticed that it seems to be a little more responsive as well...
That's why I love the Garmin GPS' they always seem to be improving their products over time.....

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"Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks" ~ Excerpt from the notebooks of Lazarus Long, from Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough for Love"

Every New Release

I update on that day. I like keeping up to date.

Update Regularly

What the heck, I've paid for 'em!

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Tuckahoe Mike - Nuvi 3490LMT, Nuvi 260W, iPhone X, Mazda MX-5 Nav

I also noticed the detailed shopping areas

ddmau wrote:

I also noted a lot more detail in the maps with the 2015.40 update. I was surprised to see that even the small roads inside the Shopping Malls are now also rendered!

I found that the recent map updates not only added some additional roads but also very detailed shopping areas including showing the parking lot details and actually guiding you to the exact stores front door location within the shopping center.

http://home.comcast.net/~rjrsw2012/pwpimages/Garmin%20app%20...

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

personal choice

I update as soon as new maps come out. There are new roads and other updates that improve the accuracy of navigation. That is what I have a GPS for, for accurate navigation, so I want the most updated information possible. I also quarterly refresh my custom POI for the same reason.

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___________________ Garmin 2455, 855, Oregon 550t

I update

You never know and often will never notice what is new. Arizona has many changes, unless they listed and you wanted to look thru thousands of updates you would never know what they are.

Usually...

I usually update but not always. I put in the last update but skipped the one before that.

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GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

Why not do the update?

If you have lifetime maps you already paid for it. Most probably don't notice many if any changes. I know I don't.
I'm sure they concentrate on more heavily populated areas or places with new road construction and less on more rural areas.
Unless you know of a problem area that you frequently travel most of us probably wouldn't know an area had been updated recently. I assume most of the map updates are still 3-6 months behind what is actually out there.

I update right away

Frside007 wrote:

If you have lifetime maps you already paid for it. Most probably don't notice many if any changes. I know I don't.
I'm sure they concentrate on more heavily populated areas or places with new road construction and less on more rural areas.
Unless you know of a problem area that you frequently travel most of us probably wouldn't know an area had been updated recently. I assume most of the map updates are still 3-6 months behind what is actually out there.

Agree. Unless you're limited by download speed, don't see why not but each to their own.

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Nuvi 2460

If you paid for the updates, might as well use them

A lot of times you don't realize you need it until it is too late and you are already enroute.

Sometimes I update and

Sometimes I update and sometimes I dont. I will always update before a major travel

New infrastructure

rigel wrote:

That is what I have a GPS for, for accurate navigation, so I want the most updated information possible.

Yep, new roads or diverted roads, new one way streets, no left turns, and speed limits are good reasons to update.

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nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

Once a year is enough for me

We typically make one long driving trip annually, and I update my Garmin shortly before leaving.

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JMoo On

UPDATE

Every update.

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3790LMT; 2595LMT; 3590LMT, 60LMTHD

Before a trip

I usually check for updates before I go on a trip.

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d

Map updates also include updates to POI's

I would think POI's would change more than roads. Sometimes I do searches for certain businesses while traveling.

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Steve - 2 Nuvi 3597

I update when the new map

I update when the new map comes available. Traveling as much as I do, it's been beneficial to have the most current map, and the most recent POIs as has been mentioned.

Once A Year

I don't use the Garmin as much as I do my Pioneer so I only use it when I travel so maybe once (or twice) a year. It just takes so damn long!

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Garmin: GPSIII / StreetPilot / StreetPilot Color Map / StreetPilot III / StreetPilot 2610 / GPSMAP 60CSx / Nuvi 770 / Nuvi 765T / Nuvi 3490LMT / Drivesmart 55 / GPSMAP 66st * Pioneer: AVIC-80 / N3 / X950BH / W8600NEX

I always upgrade.

I always upgrade.

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Garmin DriveLuxe 51 LTM-S

Add me to the list

I always update my maps - the POIs may be out of date, but they are 'less' out of date than the ones they replace.

There are always new little entries for my region - just the other day I needed to go to a client which I knew from experience was not in the database, yet the street is now there - it wasn't in the last release, even though his home was built some 12 years ago.

I don't need to babysit the updates, so I just start it going in the evening and it is done and ready in the morning.

No biggie.

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Currently have: SP3, GPSMAP 276c, Nuvi 760T, Nuvi 3790LMT, Zumo 660T

new map

I have lifetime maps so I might as well use them but I do wait a week or two after they release them ! I like to see if there is any thing wrong with the map before installing any new one's

Map Updates

On the last update I noticed the Directions now include landmarks . "Right on the next corner, across from CVS"

I agree I usually wait a bit

I agree I usually wait a bit as well.

I usually update once a

I usually update once a year.

I think Garmin will probably stop updating quarterly soon, if they haven't already.

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I never get lost, but I do explore new territory every now and then.

always

not too long after they are available.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

Map updates.

I usually update as soon as a new map is available. Someone needs to go first and alert forum members to any issues that may turn up. I always have fresh backups and use cloning to do controlled updating of my 3 nuvi's, so I am confident I can easily revert to a working version if serious problems are present.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

.

alandb wrote:

Someone needs to go first and alert forum members to any issues that may turn up.

And for that, we commend and thank you, Alan.

I'll usually update my maps ASAP as well but will usually wait until a Friday when I'm at the second residence and have access to my 60 Mbps connection...I am otherwise at a 10 Mbps connection.

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nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

Always

I always update as I am an update junkie. I have gotten burned with early updates the needed to be fixed with another version. Just can't help myself.

Nice: Yes, Necessary: No

I usually take all four updates. Is it really necessary? Not really (IMO/YMMV). I do it mainly for the POI's that Garmin provides. I think the minimum you should update is whatever Garmin states in their Lifetime Map Updates clause is required to keep your free map subscription in effect. (I think it's once per year?) Garmin Express actually makes it pretty painless now, despite all the grumbling (usually justified) cool that goes on about it!

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"Primum Non Nocere" 2595LMT Clear Channel and Navteq Traffic