How fast are garmin map updates

Typically road changes take 2 - 5 years to make it into the map updates. Larger interstate projects tend to be updated sooner. Smaller residential projects tend to take longer.

That road was under construction(some what) when I escaped from Illinois 4 years ago. If I remember correctly it was the "tree huggers" that held up construction.

IS there any way to manually add a road on to your maps?

Not on a Garmin unit.

OK because they just recently changed an interection ino an overpass witha ramp. So every time I go through their it confuses my 660 temporarly.

it does so

That must be annoying to have such a major road open up so close to you, and your GPS knows nothing about it. It would make it hard to trust that the GPS is taking you on the fastest route.. at least until the maps get updated.

I have my fingers crossed that one of these days we'll have either a "live" map server, or at least monthly/weekly downloadable updates.

**sigh**

I also encountered similar issues driving through certain parts of WV this summer. It's always advisable to have a backup plan.

If they (any of the GPS MFRs) were really smart, they'd set up the "live map server" and make updates like the updates on virus checkers.

I rather for it to be one that I am familiar with and close by, then one that is far away and I have no idea where i am going...lol.

GPS MFRS are dependent on the map supplier--Navteq & Tele Atlas.

Then they need to BUY the map companies, then do it...

to buy a map company but have not been doing to well in the bidding wars.

Are map updates usually free? Sorry - I'm a complete GPS newb.

the latest map update from garmin was about $70. unless you purchased the gps after the update was released, then it would be free

Here is a suggestion. While I understand that it is not something that would be a snitch to implement I wonder if Garmin would ever consider it. (Maybe GarminTech would care to comment.)

As I understand it the current system is to send out Map Updates maybe once a year for a complete geographical location (i.e. USA, Europe, Southern Africa, Middle Eas, etc etc). During this time the new roads are added, checked etc.
However during this period more new roads, intersections or route changes continue to occur. So while you may have the latest map update it would never be 100% accurate.

My suggestion is this:
When purchasing and registering a Garmin GPS the user gets, say, 50 ‘update points’. Thereafter update points can be purchased (say U$D 10.00 for 100 points or so).
Then, instead of releasing a huge map update every 12-18 months or so, Garmin releases a mini-update of each road, route or intersection as soon as it is verified.
The user logs onto the Garmin website and navigates to his area (USA), state (California), city (Los Angeles).
In there it will list the additions and changes to the road networks.
The user selects only those he wishes to download and the appropriate amount of update points are deducted from his account.

Users will still be able to download ‘bundle’ updates (i.e. complete geographical area, state or city level) for however many points this may cost.

In this manner users can be selective to spend their money only the areas which they commonly travel (i.e. hometown) or areas they are traveling to. I am sure that many users would not have a need for roads and routes in Dudsville, Nowhere, to be verified before they can download or purchase the latest North America update.

As mentioned I realize that such a system would not happen overnight but living in the Software age that we do, it is do-able.

In addition to users getting map information update a lot more regularly it could also provide a constant revenue source for Garmin.

Comments?

Based on comments on this very subject on various forum boards, I gather that it takes about 2 years, and sometime longer, for even a major road addition or change to make it into the newest map iterations.

It certainly must help if you fill our the special form on NavTeqs site to reports additions, changes, or errors.

A lot has to do with the timing of the release as well...

If you report a change just as the newest version is being released, you likely will miss even the next update cycle since they have to put it on their list to verify.

This is merely MY deductions based on what I have read and my personal experience.

Tim

I'm surprised Garmin gets the map updates to work correctly at all. I just had the tech monkeys tell me that the City Navigator NT 2008 map update DVD is not compatible with both the Nuvis and the Street Pilot 2720 despite the fact that their own insert in the DVD case states that it's compatible with all the Street Pilots AND Nuvis...

So I suppose about the time our new 35W bridge is opening up, Garmin will update the maps to show that that route is closed.

I got City Navigator NT 2008 map update DVD and it is compatible with my Nuvi 360. I dit the updated with the DVD couple months ago.

I know it's compatible with the Nuvis because it worked fine on my 660. The Garmin tech told me it wouldn't work on the Street Pilot 2720, which is BS since the DVD sleeve lists all the compatible units.

I want to give my 660 to a family member because I don't need two GPSrs and I like the 2720 better for my purposes. I wanted to know if Garmin would let me unlock/use the update disk on the 2720 since I can restore the Nuvi back to the old v7 maps so there would only be one copy of v8 in use. I should NOT have to pay another $70 or whatever to use what I already own. Garmin has been no help as of yet via email. I will try to call them today.

I realize that they'd have to take my word about downgrading the Nuvi. If they don't let me do this, then they are attacking my personal integrity, which I won't take too kindly to...

edited to add: Garmin won't let me do it. GRRRRR!

I would like to think that the cartographers would be a bit brighter than that.

For the rest of the world, maps will be behind until there is a reliable interactive update system in place. With the amount of (scheduled) road construction that's done, the mapping will always be 2-5 yrs behind.

Exceptions of course, would be unplanned events such as your I-35 bridge tragedy.