Garmin Map Updates

[lothar]

As bad as it sucks to pay for these updates, it's nothing compared to the scam on my Acura. $149 for a one-time map update. I love my Acura TL, but this is my last one if they don't improve the technology. Outdated and overpriced.

Pretty much all in dash navigation systems are scams because they're inferior and will never be as up to date and full featured as their standalone counterparts.
It's no different whether it's from Acura, Honda, BMW, Lexus, Toyota, Audi, GM, Ford, or what have you.

 

[Kaido]

Pretty much all in dash navigation systems are scams because they're inferior and will never be as up to date and full featured as their standalone counterparts.
It's no different whether it's from Acura, Honda, BMW, Lexus, Toyota, Audi, GM, Ford, or what have you.

I've never understood why major manufacturers don't partner with brand-names that actually have quality GPS systems like Garmin. Every single integrated GPS I've ever used has just been horrifically bad. I like using my phone with Google Maps, but my phone is small and requires a data connection, so I still prefer a dedicated GPS device, especially since they're coming out with larger 5" and 7" screens these days, which make them much easier to read.

 

[lothar]

I've never understood why major manufacturers don't partner with brand-names that actually have quality GPS systems like Garmin. Every single integrated GPS I've ever used has just been horrifically bad. I like using my phone with Google Maps, but my phone is small and requires a data connection, so I still prefer a dedicated GPS device, especially since they're coming out with larger 5" and 7" screens these days, which make them much easier to read.

Why would they partner with Garmin when they can pocket the initial $2,000 navigation premium fee, along with $149 for each additional map update for only themselves and not worry about splitting the revenue with Garmin?

There's no benefit for Garmin to partner with them for free.
For someone like Google...Maybe. But not Garmin.

 

[Kaido]

Why would they partner with Garmin when they can pocket the initial $2,000 navigation premium fee, along with $149 for each additional map update for only themselves and not worry about splitting the revenue with Garmin?

There's no benefit for Garmin to partner with them for free.
For someone like Google...Maybe. But not Garmin.

And that's the bottom line - they don't care about the customer experience, it's about cash. Thousands of dollars for a garbage nav system for the end buyer.

 

[JBT]

No kidding, I just picked up a 2013 VW GLI, and the damn map in the thing is already out of date. I didn't get the NAV for NAV, I mostly got it for the integrated backup camera and a few other features included at that model level.

Like others said though even my Garmin isn't that great. My Phone is about 100 times more useful and pretty much what I fall back to everytime.

 

[PricklyPete]

We bought a 2013 4Runner and have yet to use the navigation. Phone + BT is sooo much easier.

 

[Kaido]

No kidding, I just picked up a 2013 VW GLI, and the damn map in the thing is already out of date. I didn't get the NAV for NAV, I mostly got it for the integrated backup camera and a few other features included at that model level.

Like others said though even my Garmin isn't that great. My Phone is about 100 times more useful and pretty much what I fall back to everytime.

That's what's frustrating - I love having a backup cam for safety reason, but you usually don't get it unless you spring for nav. I think next year it's going to be required on ALL cars by law, so hopefully we can just get a nice LCD interface without having to pay for nav.

Although I would gladly pay the extra if it was Garmin or something good, that also had free lifetime map updates like the newer GPS devices do. Having wires and stuff is a pain, although it is nice to be able to pass the GPS back to a passenger to reroute as needed. Maybe a dockable system would work...

 

[JBT]

VW's do use Garmin software so it actually works fairly well. If I know the address I'm golden, if I'm out and about and need an address on the fly its less than helpful. Assuming I've got 4G, the wife can search on the phone in a few seconds and we are off and running.

VW wants $199 for software updates on the older models, I don't know if they used Garmin back then. Mine currently has no updates available, but also doesn't include a massive overpass near the airport thats been finished about a year now. I'm always driving "off road" when I used it...

 

[AMD K9]

I have never been ticketed for turning right on red where it was legal. So, no, they don't do that.

Pretty sure it is always perfectly legal to turn right on red. You do need to stop first which means no California rolling stops.