$90 For Unlimited Maps?
My in laws gave me a Garmin GPS for Christmas and at first I thought I really didn’t need it, and didn’t use it until February, but once I started seeing how useful this tool was, I was hooked (much like I was with a cell phone) .
Initially, we started using it to find Gymnasiums in various parts of Ottawa, and then farther afield, as we traveled to various spots in Eastern Ontario and the Saint Lawrence Valley. I enjoyed getting the feedback of watching the journey on the little screen and getting estimates about when we would arrive and such (and the annoying voice of the narrator). Did I really need this technology, was debatable, but now that I am hooked, it doesn’t really matter any more.
The way this GPS works is you get an initial set of maps from Garmin and then if you want updated maps you can buy them as updates one at a time, or get a lifetime subscription where you get map updates (for your Geographic area, which is North America for me) allegedly for the life of your device (we shall see if this is the case). I finally broke down and bought the lifetime subscription, since it seemed to cost about twice as much as a one time update (thus getting two updates is the break even point).
Did I make the right decision buying this? I think given how much I use the device, it might end up being a useful buy (however, I still have the nagging feeling that I have been duped). Having up to date maps and information is very useful in my mind, but is it worth about $100?
I welcome any comments about whether this was a worthwhile purchase.
Another important thing to remember with your GPS is that it can be used as a surveillance device, if you update it a fair amount on line. I am not sure if there is a “don’t send my travel info” on the download capability or on the actual device (must look into this), but it was pointed out to me that the device itself does keep track of your journeys (that you take the GPS with), and may log this information with the GPS web site.
Is this information important? It can be, depending on who has the information. The GPS could say whether it thought you were speeding on your trip (which might be useful to law enforcement agencies). The GPS can also keep track of where you went, which would be useful to marketing firms which are curious about who shops where. Are you at home? If your GPS has 3G capabilities and updates data through the Cell Network, then, yes someone knows your car is not home at least. Is this me being paranoid, maybe, but keep in mind what information you may be sharing with the outside world, and whether you want it shared. I will now put my Aluminum Foil and Cheese hat back on to stop them from reading my thoughts.
I never could find the need of a separate GPS device. Googlemaps street by street directions has always been accurate on my BB and now the iphone.
GPS device does provide other features but I am not sure how frequently I would use them. Maybe once I own one, I might appreciate it better.
I would never go with a lifetime subscription for a technological device. Technology changes and GPS devices will definitely changes in the coming years. You would want to own the most advanced device.
GPS life time subscription is certainly not a necessity, it might become an addition if you plan to go for it.
I found out, through a friend that purchased an update, that Garmin releases are quite dated. Until Garmin implements a better way of updating their maps (something like OpenStreetMap maybe) I won’t purchase any updates from them.
FM
I think it may depend on where you drive to and travel to most. Last I checked, most major attractions in Canada and the US have not moved. But as a parent who is travelling to gyms in cities I’ve never been to, I want my GPS to know all the new schools in new developments so I don’t get lost. I don’t always have a reliable co-pilot to navigate for me and Google maps is not always right either. Our GPS also lets me know about traffic and alternate routes. It’s also nice to then be able to find the closest place to eat as well!
Bigcajunwife and Basketball Mom.
I agree with Jerry, you’re assuming this piece of technology won’t break within 2 years. Besides, how often do you need to update the maps? Are your roads randomizing every week? it’s not like a large portion of north america is uncharted
I am not a big fan of those Lifetime updates, because to me, if I can buy a $50 GPS (I did this year, TomTom One with TTS too, 2009 map) every 2 years, I may as well do that
Who knows, in 2~4 years, maybe everyone uses GPS on the Smartphone instead (like iPhone)
Crap, that’s a good point, oh well, guess I better keep this thing for a while.
I’m currently debating this as well – but my worry is what if my GPS unit breaks before the two year break even point? My unit is already a year old and you can’t transfer the maps from one unit to another as far as I understand.
I’ll probably buy the lifetime one as well and hope that nothing goes wrong with the unit.
Didn’t know about the no transfer part, hmmm, well let’s hope the units don’t break.