Map Update Discontinuation for Certain Garmin Devices

Ok. Thanks for the information.

What's interesting in the list is that several models appear on the list multiple times with different part numbers. I wonder if that indicates hardware differences, a different original map, or something else.

Also, I wonder if Garmin is using Aus/NZ as a test to see the level of angered owners, and if a minimal amount of displeasure is shown, that they'll do the same for older devices whose original maps are of Europe, North America, etc.

Garmin gives new meaning to the term "lifetime". Makes one wonder if they were in control, we might see a list that says every one with the last name of Jones or Smith or ? will die next July 11th.

They should not use lifetime in their marketing. Just sayin'

Guessing these are all "old" models (i recognize the model of my first GPS in that list) that do not have the ability to show all the newer features.. or even fit the size of the current maps. At some point it's time to give up on old..

Yes using the word lifetime is deceiving. I recall reading somewhere a while back that in Garmin's own words was something to the effect of the meaning of lifetime was lifetime of the unit which they get to determine.

I don't even remember when I purchased it. I really don't use it anymore but keep updating it. It appears it came out in 2007 so I probably purchased in 2009. If I got map updates for 10+ years I got my monies worth. I haven't used it in 5 years as I updated to a Nuvi 2558 and presently use a Dezl 770. If they support a product for 10 years I feel I got my monies worth. Windows XP life cycle was about 12 years. Windows 10 came out around 2015 and support ends in Oct 2025.

It appears to be most of the Garmin automotive devices released prior to 2012. Some of the old models not listed (like the 8xx series) were possibly never sold in that market.

My old Nuvi 1390 is on the list, but my even older Nuvi 360 is not.

I am only updating the maps on the 1390 (and on my 2699). The 360 is hiding in a drawer somewhere.

/JCA

Do you have Australian and New Zealand maps installed? If not, then it doesn't appy to you.

I can just see this thread becoming the old "Lifetime" debate again. Garmin determines what devices, and when their lifetime has ended. Hardware does not last forever and neither do software updates. The Personal Computer area is a prime example.

To apply this to a human's lifetime definition is just a waste of time.

Used to have a 1490. It appears on that list. That was actually a pretty decent unit. I'd still have it if I didn't get the 7" (DS61/65) at one point.

These days my main unit is the driveluxe 50. It's portrait mode is key - limited dash space in the stinger for landscape.

I suppose a decade of support is reasonable, but don't call it lifetime.

Well, that's unfortunate. I would imagine other countries will follow.

What does that mean for the rest of us. Should we start to get worried that Garmin will continu on to US Nuvis.

^^What do you think? What does garmin have to gain by ceasing support of devices in one region only? The other shoe will drop shortly, i have no doubt.

Does garmin have a track record of regional device EOL rollouts? My experience only goes back to ~2008 so this is unfamiliar territory.

Keeping backward compatibility likely restricts what they can offer those of us with newer models. So, I am all for.. moving on. Nothing lasts forever.. as someone earlier has commented this is all about "lifetime".

I agree. Older hardware sooner or later reaches its effective end of life and manufacturers are in the business of making a profit by designing, building, and successfully marketing new and better products that their customers will buy. Simple economics. As you said, nothing last forever.

Phil

Looks like all the models require an sd card for map storage. I believe all the listed models have 2gb internal storage.

one of them on the list such as 1490; rarely using it but since last 2 years, it's updates very few and less than other models. Yep deceiving when lifetime isn't it in their word! Speechless...

I don't think that is quite true. Many of the listed models have 4 GB of internal storage and a few have 8 GB. Even the old nuvi 765 on the list has 4 GB. See the memory FAQ here: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34375.

It is curious why some models are included on the list and others are not. For example, the nuvi 765 is listed while the nuvi 755 is not. Both of those models were released in 2008 and have 4 GB internal memory. The main difference is that the 765 has Bluetooth and the 755 does not. My guess is that only certain models were sold in the NZ/Aus market and came preinstalled with those map sets.

i knew that it wouldn't last for ever ive got a 1450 with life time maps i will keep using it until it has no use any more sad to see it go but nothing lasts for ever

If (when?) Garmin does this for the NA maps, it will be interesting to see if they actually block or disable the downloading and updating of the map files or if they just eliminate support for the map updates and refuse to help customers if they contact Garmin support.

I think someone in this forum contacted Garmin a few updates ago for help with updating maps on the nuvi 8xx series (or maybe it was the 6xx series). Garmin support informed them that the device was obsolete and map updates were no longer available for that model. However, with some tinkering, some of us have continued to download and install the map updates with our lifetime map subscriptions on those old obsolete devices.

Like I said, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. I will be PO'ed if they block map updates on my nuvi 3597's, but don't really care about my old nuvi 755 or 855.

I use my Garmin Nuvi 755T for downloading the Large JCV file. I would be greatly disappointed if that became no longer possible.

Soon they will do same for other countries as well..

At least Garmin is not in the heart valve business!!
s

Could this yield possible litigation? If the whole company was defunct, maybe not but I'm curious to see if there were any loopholes not accurately disclosed to the consumer regarding using the term "lifetime".

Do any of the devices on this list support unicode maps? Recall that the European maps are available in both unicode and non-unicode flavors, and that you cannot install a unicode map on a device that doesn't support unicode. Could Garmin be seeking to introduce unicode support to Australia and New Zealand and are discontinuing support for these devices because they cannot take a unicode map?

Garmin's use of the term lifetime has always been clear, so it is what it is. I doubt in any case if what is happening in Aus & NZ will be mirrored elsewhere. There the definition is:

You will receive map updates when and as such updates are made available on the Garmin website during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. Third party content providers may change. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired

I have to agree with my friend sussamb. There is enough flexibility and vagueness in the Garmin policy to allow them to discontinue updates on old devices. And to Garmin's credit, it is remarkable that they have actively updated and supported electronic devices that are as much as 12 to 15 years old! I don't think that can be said about many other companies and electronics.

It is curious though that they are discontinuing map updates on older devices for AUS/NZ. It can't really be a memory issue as those maps would be significantly smaller than either EU or NA maps. Maybe the unicode theory that Strephon_Alkhalikoi suggested is an answer. It will be something to be on the lookout for to see if a similar announcement for other regions is forthcoming.

Incidentally, AFAIK there is no unicode version for NA maps.

I never read the fine print but I would think it was safe to assume they would have covered their bases ahead of time. If not, that would really be dropping the ball. As mentioned above, it still is amazing how long they did in fact support it.

There isn't, and that's because North American languages don't require it. It's a different story in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where the languages are written right to left.

I do know that Australia and New Zealand, as they speak English, don't require it either. But the lack of unicode support would give Garmin justification, flimsy as it would be, to discontinue map updates for the listed devices.

How about the whole list ?

For the info

Thanks for the heads up.

So "lifetime" means not our lives but the functional lives of our devices.

Kinda makes sense. I have two nuvi 2589 models. The recent map update exceeded internal memory and required sufficient size micro-SD card. Since one of them had a broken card retainer, it was "functionally obsolete."

By gluing largest micro-SD card that would work with the model, I resurrected it from obsolescence.

Anyone remember the famous alleged quote "1MB should be enough for everybody"? It indeed was enough back then. Not anymore.

This is helpful info.

IIRC it was Bill Gates and the memory size was 640K.

The first machine that I coded for (IBM 1620) was maxed out at 8K characters.