Help, where to get a cheap garmin map update

facingthefuture

We have a garmin 660 and the map is from 2007 I think so way out of date. Whats the best way to upgrade - haven't much dosh!

BargainGalore

Last time I checked it was around £100 but that was a while ago now, pretty silly price given I paid around £130 for sat nav and that was some years ago

I am still using a 2007 map myself

fwor

I don't think there's a legal way to do it any way other than via Garmin. All the main Satnav makers lock things down tightly because map updates is where they want to make lots of money.

I've concluded that it is more cost effective to keep one for a few years and then buy a new one when you start actually noticing map errors. It's not very green, but it's what the satnav manufacturers are forcing us to do through their map update pricing policies.

BargainGalore

Garmin sent me a DVD once to update mine that was soon after I bought it and it came with a new update so I rang them and they sent me a update which came with a code and I had to buy a memory card for upgrading map

The_Pedant

it's what the satnav manufacturers are forcing us to do through their map update pricing policies.

This is what my opinion used to be.

I guess it comes down to what you paid for it & how much the update costs.

I have a Garmin with European & US maps in. I've had it about 3 or 4 years now & have put off an update down to price. I was surprised though that for something like £10 more they will give you lifetime updates. As the price new for mine was about £250, it's a fair ol' chunk of cash to replace it. The maps are only half that though. So for me, it's 50/50 whether I update, or simply upgrade.

The cheaper models, I probably would be inclined to consider an upgrade to a newer model every few years.

Oh, one thing I recommend with Garmin is to not register the unit until as late as you can. As they typically offer you 1 map update if any are available when you register the unit, you might benefit from holding off when you register for a few months. I got a free US map update by holding out on mine.

fwor

The_Pedant wrote: »

Oh, one thing I recommend with Garmin is to not register the unit until as late as you can. As they typically offer you 1 map update if any are available when you register the unit, you might benefit from holding off when you register for a few months. I got a free US map update by holding out on mine.

It may have worked like that in the past, but it doesn't now. I've done updates for family members on two Garmin units recently, and the way it works now is that the unit records the date when the unit first receives a satellite lock, and then you have a fixed time after that to get your free map update. Holding off registering does not have the beneficial effect that you refer to now.

HoofeHearted

facingthefuture wrote: »

We have a garmin 660 and the map is from 2007 I think so way out of date. Whats the best way to upgrade - haven't much dosh!

Read the PM I have just sent you.:)