Garmin Map Update Watch: 2025.10

It'll happen when it happens. No sooner. No Later

Expect an update in late Q2 or sometime Q3 2024.

1 year from now.

We get all hung up on map updates, and I have no doubt that someplace in America there has been updated information. But, the chance it happened in your area is really.. really small.
Major exits off our Anthony Henday in Edmonton have been removed for years (at least two updates) yet still show. Speed limits have been wrong since I started using a Garmin ~9 years.

The way it’s going, there will only be one update next year and it will still be out of date. My in vehicle navigation system stays more up to date than my Garmin units ever have. And if I want really up to date info, I go to my Waze app on my phone. Now that’s up to date. We have a new apartment complex going up about a mile from where I live. The streets are already on Waze and it’s not even completely built yet.

I agree. I would love to see Garmin move to a model like that. Some Garmin automotive navigators are connected to the web anyway for traffic, etc. Stepping up to more frequent updates isn't like I am talking about science fiction. Even if the updates came weekly, that would go long ways towards keeping these devices more relevant.

Currently the frequency of the map updates is a moot point because they still are woefully incomplete by not showing current streets, addresses, etc. There are complaints of things missing from last year not showing on this year's map. So what does it matter if they update every week or month?

While we wait.

they have been phasing out older free lifetime maps models. i have the old 1450LM and it costs them to create new maps if they cant make a profit they cant stay in business its not a choice its common sense. a lot of cars are sold with a gps system built in so auto gps systems and phone gps have changed the market so went the horse and buggy !

Or after

I actually did see a needed update in my area with the last update. It was minor, two side streets which connected physically, but didn't connect on my GPS for routing. But it was near where I travel frequently, affecting routing when there is traffic. Bugged me enough that I was going to report it myself. But when I went to do that, I noticed that it was already corrected online, so I decided to wait and see if it showed up on the next update. Sure enough, it did!

I have enjoyed my Garmins over the years despite being made fun of by buddies. I know that Google Maps is more accurate and if I could I'd opt for Android Auto but my Rav4 isn't new enough.

To make a short story long, I'd like to update my Garmin (again) but feel the cost does not justify the wait. If Garmin could reassure me I'd buy a newer one for myself for Christmas but past history does not encourage me.

I would not buy a new one at this point.

There are standalone Apple Carplay units in the same form factor as a GPS, might be worth looking into.

While we patiently wait for Garmin.

And Merry Christmas to all those checking in this morning.

no map Christmas present today.

The sooner the better.

I'm betting it will be sometime in 2024.

We have a road that has been closed for the last year and a half due to a bridge replacement, road realignment, and constructing a new rotary. My lovely bride and I were out and about last week and I told her that I was going to go down to the bridge and check on the progress. We got stopped at the top of the hill due to the guard rail crew finishing up the last section of guard rail. I could tell that they were done because they were cleaning the road and starting to move vehicles. After about 10 minutes, they allowed our lane to pass. At the bottom of the hill I noticed the road closed signs were off to the side of the road. I checked Waze and the road was still showing closed. I drove across the bridge to the top of the hill and turned around. When I got to the closed portion, I activated the ‘Pave’ feature on the app. I drove down the road and when I got past the rotary, I hit the’Pave’ button again to stop the process and drove 3/4 of a mile to a grocery store. While my wife was inside, I pulled up Waze and lo and behold, Waze was showing the road as now being open. If only Garmin was that quick!

It seems like Garmin may have lost ground as far as features go on automobile navigators. The Garmin Nuvi 1690/1695 had nüLink! services. The Garmin Nuvi 1690/1695 are no longer being made, but those features were a good start towards a more feature rich automobile navigator.

https://www8.garmin.com/automotive/nuLink_services

When the demise of nuLink occured, Garmin stated “The network connectivity provider for your nüLink-enabled navigation device has decided to cease operations of its 2G network. Unfortunately, no other alternative service providers are available and the third-party services necessary to support the network connectivity operations of your nüLink connected services will be impacted. Due to these circumstances, after March 4th, 2015 your nüLink-enabled navigation device unit will no longer be enabled with connected services.”

When I look at the feature of the current Garmin models, I also don;’ think that nuLink offered anything significant as compared to what is being offered today.

I never owned a nuLink device so my comments are open to correction. As I remember, nuLink did not require a smart phone for access to the live services. It was built in stand-alone into the nuLink devices and powered by the AT&T cellular network. It required an annual paid subscription for the basic connection service. Also, some of the advanced services like traffic cameras and advanced weather reporting required additional annual subscription fees. It was a premium service in its day but has been largely replaced by the Smartphone Link and Drive app services which require a smartphone connection, but no annual subscription fee. Incidentally, Smartphone Link originally had an annual subscription fee, but Garmin eliminated the fee many years ago.

Prior to nuLink, Garmin offered another premium live service on some 7xx nuvi models called MSN Direct. It required a special power cord/receiver similar to the FM based traffic receivers. I think it also used the AT&T network and had an annual subscription fee. Like nuLink, MSN Direct was terminated when the provider discontinued the service. I remember several Factory members being angry with the short notice they received about the shutdown with no alternative being offered.

I had a Pharos GPS Phone 600 with Garmin Mobile XT on it. Garmin Mobile XT had Traffic, Weather, Hotels.com Rates and Fuel prices.

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/pharos-gps-phone-600-review

https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/blog/garmin-mobile-x-1

https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/bing/bing-and-c...

I wish.. the Smartphone Link and Drive app was able to upload/show the same detail as what I can get by asking SIRI to load Google Maps on my vehicles display panel.

New Year new map?

Count on it.. happening this year

for heads up!

I agree. A new Garmin map update will likely happen sometime in 2024. I imagine that Garmin maps are probably no longer a very profitable sector now that competition is available for no cost on smart phones. Garmin has broadened their product line into other categories as fitness and other categories. My daughter dropped Garmin long ago and now uses her iPhone for navigation.

Sooner the better, as long as it’s ready.

That sounds about right

Not holding my breath.... I'd turn blue!!

waiting. Hope update soon

Bump as we wait.

waiting,waiting

Still waiting

a bump to move us ever forward to the next page.

Just checking in.

Soon would be great.

after all it will be Feb 1 2024

December 30, 2030?

As Mr. Miyagi must have said sometime, patience is its own reward.
Sit back with your glass of wine and a good book and fall asleep. When you awaken you will be rewarded by the good Saint Garmin with 2025.10. Or not.

Phil

TikTok TikTok again.

There's a 3 day travel weekend coming up soon. Would be great to have new maps.

I hope Garmin does not continue to reduce map updates. I appreciate that many people are satisfied with phone navigation, but I am not. I find considerable value from standalone GPS.

Same here. I keep Garmin as backup method.

Page 2?

Sounds about right

for heads up

I am keeping fingers crossed for the new maps soon.

February is almost half over.