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Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

<needin4mation@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130126790.177464.278710@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

Depends on what unit you buy and what you want to do with it. Many units
come complete with full, auto-routable maps. Since business locations
frequently change and new streets are constantly being added in many
metropolitan areas you'll probably want to update the maps once in a while
depending on your local area.

If all you want to is a unit for hiking and/or off-road activities then get
a unit with good Topo maps and you'll be set for a few years anyway,.

Cheers
TC

needin4mation@gmail.com wrote in
news:1130126790.177464.278710@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.
------------------------------

I think the answer to your basic question is ... Yes! ... but not
necessarily "constantly".

While I agree with the other responder in that it does depend on your
particular needs/uses, you can either choose to spend your money up
front for a more capable unit (more expensive) that would include much
of that software or ... buy just the finctions you need and spend the
money later for software.

However, once you have the software that suits your needs, it is
correct that you should be good to go for years and ... most updates to
that software will be free for a very long time.

Either way, one should keep in mind that the GPS companies are in
business to make a profit ... and should.

--
PoGo
www.pogo123.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Teaching a pig to sing wastes your time and annoys the pig".

On 23 Oct 2005 21:06:30 -0700, needin4mation@gmail.com wrote:

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

If you purchase a Garmin product, it will likely come with a full set
of maps for your area and an unlock code.

For example both my SPIII and SP2610 came with a full set of maps for
the USA. Nothing was missing.

If you don't travel and you live in an area where roads don't change,
you never need to buy updated maps.

However, I bought my GPS to use both when at home and when traveling,
so I want to have the most up to date maps. Therefore I buy new maps
every year, but I certainly am not forced to do so.

Lizard@Lair.com wrote:

If you purchase a Garmin product, it will likely come with a full set
of maps for your area and an unlock code.

For example both my SPIII and SP2610 came with a full set of maps for
the USA. Nothing was missing.

Many of Garmin's other units, however, do *not* inlcude detailed maps.
For example, the 60C(S) and 76C(S) models don't automatically include
maps. Some dealers will sell the maps bundled with the units at a
discounted price, but you have to shop for those deals. I think the
main reason the maps are not included with some units is that the units
in question are more multi-purpose, as opposed to more-or-less
dedicated automotive navigators. Someone could conceivably buy a 60 or
76 with the intention of using it only for hiking or marine use.
Customers like that would probably resent paying a higher purchase
price so that the maps they didn't need could be included. On the
other hand, those who buy a 2610, 2720, or similar unit are most likely
going to use it primarily for automotive navigation, so including CN
maps with the unit makes more sense.

If you don't travel and you live in an area where roads don't change,
you never need to buy updated maps.

Even in my home territory, I find the businesses that are in the POI
database to be useful, so I would update occasionally for this
information even if the roads don't change.

Since I have a 76CS, I use City Select maps. The update cost for these
is currently $75. Given that the updates come out roughly once a year,
that figures out to about $6.25 per month. That's less than the cost
of going out to lunch once. When I think of it that way, the benefits
seem well worth the cost.

needin4mation@gmail.com wrote:

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

If you want the unit for street navigation, you will need detailed
maps. If you want detailed maps, almost all dedicated GPS receivers
can only load maps sold by the manufacturer of the receiver. There are
a few exceptions for Garmin, but I believe for most users these are
irrelevant. I have read that 3rd-party Garmin-compatible maps are
generally limited to parts of the world where Garmin's own maps do not
provide good coverage. There are also Garmin compatible maps made by
users, but from what I've read the process is not simple. I get the
impression that most people who make these maps do it as an interesting
hobby or because maps of their area are not otherwise available. I
believe that PDA-based units can generally use other maps, but I'm not
sufficiently familiar with the capabilities that I should say any more
on that subject.

needin4mation@gmail.com wrote:

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

As a 4 year user of Garmin GPS & maps, My feeling is:

That on the day you buy your 1st $100 Map Data disk... You

are committed to that brand of GPS for 'life'... No turning

back unless the GPS/Map system you chose is 'garbage'.....

I find now that owning 9 Garmin Mapping Packages is a real

benefit because when using Map source to view my tracks....

Just By 5 mouse clicks, I can view the same track info on 5 different
Garmin Maps..

Where the Map detail, Map type, Map vintage date, & Map Info all
differ..

Trails & Railroads are a true GPS hobby of info which merge
perfectly...


So just buy a mapping GPS with a $100 Map & you are ready to enjoy.

I find it very unwise to delete old Garmin GPS maps from my PC &
Map Source... Yes, my 40 GB drive is filling up with maps & JPGs
but the
old Metro Guide USA ver 4.01 still lets me auto Route on my new
GPSMap60C..

As you can tell... I'll never leave Garmin cause I have too many
Garmin
map sets.....

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware?

They usu get their map datya from either Teleatlas or Navteq. After
repackaging the software, they resell it with a profit.

If I purchase GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just >that little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

Sometimes that is more than a little bit more. And depending on your
need for new POI, new road details........you may not need to get new
maps every year.

Personally I update my road details with S&T at say $25 a year with
very very detailed map of Can+US. S&T supplement my full autoroute gps
program (iGuidance current version 2004). I am thinking about updating
with another program & map OCN (Navignon in Europe) if price is right.
And I can have choice if I want to as follows:

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/compareom ... ?TempID=21

Daniel

There is definitely something to be said for subscribing to map
services rather than purchasing all your maps up front.
1) Maps and routes change. Most obviously in areas with severe weather,
earthquakes and landslides. I doubt the changes are immediately
available, but there are times that large sections of highway or
bridges are not where they were when you drove through a year ago.
2) Maps take up memory and the initial purchase price is kept lower by
using smaller memory units. Though as we have seen the price of memory
does drop over time.
3) Buying the full package does tend to commit you to a specific
manufacture.
4) There are other services available from the vendors such as traffic
updates and weather (for instance:
http://www.mobilecrossing.com/products/index.aspx comes to mind) I live
in a congested area and this service is invaluable!!