GPS POI > GPS Forum > SatNav Discussion > Map Update - RIP OFF

b16kly · Guest

Hopefully anyone thinking of buying a GPS Sat Nav will heed this warning. Manufacturers recommend the maps and points of interest need updating about once a year to reflect new roads, POIs and the like. Guess what, they charge you up to $130 to download the updates. Almost the price I paid for the unit. The solution? Buy yourself a brand new Sat Nav from someone else who offer an equally good system but, unlike Garmin or Tomtom, do not rip their customers off. Pricing policies like this lose large numbers of customers and can seriously damage a companies reputation.

syd · Posted: 07/26/2009 08:52pm Post subject: Re: Map Updates - RIP OFF

I think you will find that Map updates for any GPS unit are expensive, but you don't have to update Every year.

I think updating maps every two or three years and points of interest every month or two would be adaquate.

johmazz2006 · Posted: 07/27/2009 07:04am Post subject: Re: New Map Update - RIP OFF

Suggest that you check the price of map updates from other GPS manufacturers/suppliers. You will find that they all charge heaps for new maps and updates and like previous poster suggested, update the GPS every 2-3 years and get the latest maps and technology at the same time.

vorak1980 · Posted: 12/09/2009 01:52am Post subject: Re: New Map Update - RIP OFF

Yeah, I did some research on this and they are all similar in price. It's how they make their money unfortunately.

Arty

djgreeny_68 · Posted: 12/11/2009 09:17pm Post subject: Map udates- RIP OFF

Here's another solution a lot of GPS manufactures are giving 3 year free maps and live traffic for new unit's:
http://poidirectory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3952

It's cheaper then getting updates every year or two and you get a new GPS every three year's
Very Happy

simonjodie

My inlaws just went on a road trip with their 18month old Navman and found a LOT of Australian roads had changed in that time. They were a bit annoyed that it was going to cot $150 to get updated maps for what is now an "old" unit. hen noticed that the map update is on "sale" for $100 but that it is only 2009. Already these maps need updating, even for major highways eg Melbourne - Sydney and Sydney - Brisbane.

simonjodie · Posted: 04/06/2010 02:26am Post subject: Update longevity

Forgot to say - Navman update is only one map. Have seen other gps updates that are valid for 3 years for the same price with very similar database. Suggets looking at these before purchasing a unit.

simonjodie3 · Posted: 04/07/2010 09:24am Post subject: update

Just saw another post where navman are supposedly offering 3 year updates for free with new units. Might be worth considering!

bertsarg · Posted: 05/06/2010 04:04am Post subject: alternative?

it costs a lot of dosh to make maps and most from other countries are bought in - still it is a bit of a rip off but what is the alternative?

dgreen

Unfortunately, today we live in a world of rapidly moving techology and sound commercial business dealings. We would all love to get technology and its results for the smallest outlay as possible. Sadly, we all live in 2010 and the reality of getting commercial products to market is not understood in its entirety.
GPS unit manufacturers do not do their own surveying for the creation of their maps etc. but purchase their mapping requirements etc. from companies like Tele-Atlas, Navteq etc. These companies in their own right have a huge investment in vehicles, equipment, personnel through many countries involved in surveying road systems etc for the generating of data that the GPS manufacturers purchase.
The GPS unit manufacturing companies then have to create mapping, POI files etc. etc. and this all takes time and cost, which finally has to be recouped from the sales of updated maps etc.
In regards to the dating of maps etc, new subdivisions and roadworks are changing on a daily basis, and it is quite acceptable that any maps mapping / updates is 12 - 18 months old. It would be an impossible task, both in resources and cost to expect mapping to be on a shorter cycle. (Even your UBD's and Gregory's Directories and based on the same principals).
As one who has been using Navman products since 2004, I get frustrated at times with mapping issues etc. but quickly realise how difficult the same situation was before the advent if GPS units.
Cost wise, mapping prices have basically halved since my first unit in 2004 considering inflation etc.
If one is unhappy with accuracy of maps and costs, may I suggest you revert back to road maps and street directories and then you may realise that the use and cost of GPS units is more convenient, less stressful and more time saving.

Regards,
Denis