My mom gave me my fathers GPS. He passed this past Christmas and she has no desire to use it (or even try to use it) so I asked her if I could have it since I don't have one.It's a TomTom. When I plugged it into my computer to see if I needed to update anything, I noticed that the map that is loaded on the device is outdated. Says it's 11 updates behind and I can subscribe to the map update service and get a year of updates (4 updates) for $59.99. I had no idea that you would have to pay for updates or maps. I am not buying anything because 'if' we need to use a reliable GPS, my husband and I have one on out smart phones. I don't go anywhere that I even use a GPS for but every once in a while, I could use one. Is this normal to pay for GPS updates? Do you update your maps? Just wondering if I can still use it (I would never solely rely on a GPS alone to get me somewhere without researching my directions first). Just don't know if it's worth it to try using it or not. I am clueless when it comes to GPS stuff.
Unless there is tons of construction, like new roads where there were no roads before it is kind of silly to update the maps. The west has already been tamed, we are just widening the roads we already have.
So no, I don't update my maps and it works just fine. If we are out of state we have google maps running too.
You both have GPS on your phones.
You don't need to do this.
I have an iPhone and use the Motion-X Drive GPS app. It automatically updates and costs $9.99 per year.
I wouldn't even bother with the Tomtom.
T.:
First off - sorry for your loss. May your father's memory be eternal.
Our Garmin required an update - we paid $89.99 for a lifetime updates. No, you do NOT "NEED" to update....however...ask these questions....
Do you have new roads or interstates being developed? What about new neighborhoods where people are buying brand new homes? If so - those new roads will be included on the updates.
If you aren't going anywhere "new" - like when we went up to Boston after my husband's father died - glad we updated - as it had been years since my husband had been up there and there were updates and detours that we wouldn't have known about otherwise.
It will still work. It will have "old" roads on it. So I think you would be fine.
Good luck!
Garmin charges $80 for the updated maps. I have not updated mine (I got it years ago) and it still works fine. The only problem without the updates is that road names may change or in my area they have added new roads (sometimes it shows me driving in the woods or in the water).
I paid for the lifetime updates, which I think includes 4 per year. I don't have a smart phone with GPS and don't want one, plus some of the areas we travel my husband's phone doesn't get very good service so we use the Garmin.
I have a TomTom, bought it 3+ years ago. We have a lot of construction in our area - I've never updated the maps. I know where the construction is and drive around it. I use the thing all the time, as long as you are vaguely familiar with the area you don't need the map updates. Sometimes it's fun to drive on a road the TomTom doesn't have and watch it go crazy trying to find you, lol. Happens a lot around here.
When my husband bought ours he paid extra for the lifetime updates.
We've had Garmins for years... and they continue to tell us to update maps... but... get this...
It costs LOTS (usually more than the $80 one other person mentioned), so we've never updated.....
And... you can often buy a NEW Garmin for not much more than the "update" that comes with FREE lifetime updates... (at least this is what hubby says.. I've not looked into it).
However, if we really need good info, or up-to-date road information, we just use our smartphone.... he drives, and I give him the info on the phone, since it can be illegal in some areas to use your cell phone as a GPS while you are driving.
I was driving today, and pretty much knew where I was going, but used my smartphone to get traffic conditions.... but my daughter read out the info... I never even looked at it.
I have had a series of GPS' s, all Garmins. I don't think we have ever paid for map updates ( maybe my husband has) but they tend to break on me so I end up buying a new one every couple of years. I use them a lot, the Garmin actually works better than the GPS app on my phone, plus there are places (especially on long trips) where you lose cell towers but there are still good satellite signals so the GPS still works even when the phone does not. I LOVE my GPS because I have a terrible sense of direction so for me it is worth it to have the GPS.
Nope.
I have a Garmin in the car. I don't update the maps. I have Google Navigator on my phone so when I have to have precise directions, I use the phone.
The only reason you'd need to pay for the updated maps is if there has been a lot of road construction and development in your area in the last few years. If you (like me) just need the GPS to nudge you in the right/most efficient direction when you're trying to get someplace from somewhere not usually on your route, you will be fine without the updates.
HTH
T.
