F20 Map Updates - NOT FREE

OJM · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 6

I've been a bit confused about updating the F20's maps, since purchasing the connectivity kit.

The kit, in my opinion, is a complete waste of money - it provides you with a USB cable, and a POI editor. That is it! No SmartST software etc.

I was a little confused about this, so I hunted for torrents on the web for the F20 software, and sure enough, only the POI editor comes on the CD - 400MB+ @ £15 and all for an Excel look-a-like data uploader!

Because of this, I wondered how do we update the UK map on the F20, when Navman release them, so I emailed Navman...

The answer was along the lines of, "you've got to buy them".

GOT TO BUY THEM!!!?!?!?!? WHAT!?

Now I don't know about others, but when I spend £100+ on a satnav system, I assume I am able to update it when new maps are released (ie, when new roads are built). I don't expect to have to fork out more money on updating it every 6 months!

I've emailed Navman back to confirm this, and to show my disappointment, and thought I'd post on here to show my email conversation;

Tim Buxton · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

I agree. It is ridiculous that you expect free map updates and I've forwarded my opinion to Navman accordingly.
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Tim

OJM · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 6

Sorry, not sure if I understand you correctly...

Did you mean it's ridiculous that we don't get the updates for free?
Or did you mean you think it's ridiculous that I expect them to be free?

Tim Buxton · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

The latter. Every time Navman issue new maps, they have to pay the data supplier for them. Do you really think they would supply such maps for free? A very few people have managed to get one free update out of them, under extenuating circumstances.
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Tim

OJM · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 6

So say, for instance, I was to purchase the top spec satnav, I'd still have to pay for map updates?

And people wonder why torrents are popular...

Tim Buxton · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

Yes you would. Just like if you bought a top of the range paper map in 2006, you'd have to buy a new one in 2007 if you wanted to stay up to date. Of course, you could steal one, but that would be theft.

Torrents are popular because people don't like paying for things. It doesn't stop it being theft, though.
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Tim

MaFt · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

Anita · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject:

Matjdm · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 09, 2007 Posts: 1

I liked to point out the Tom Tom allows you to update the maps for free :D

mikealder · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject:

No TomTom do not allow map updates for free other than with specific vouchers when kit is purchased close to an update coming out. They do permit free software updates, but these are not the maps - Mike

robertn · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2005 Posts: 564

Electronic maps are however unlike paper maps, which the printing and handling cost is a significant component.

My issue is not with paying for map updates, but the requirement to pay a for a new full licence fee for the latest maps when I already have paid a licence for the current maps. Most software vendors charge an upgrade fee - 20% per annum is typical, for software updates. Map vendors charge an upgrade fee of 100% per annum (release). Is this reasonable, I say no. However, it has not changed recently and the update costs have always been what they are today.

I accept Navman is free to charge what they like for an update, and I have a choice to pay it and get the maps or not pay it and don't get the maps. Using torrent is illegal and immoral, apart from the fact it won't work without a valid map key.

In summary I sympathise with you but cannot support your stance.

alix776 · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject:

but navman have to pay a full licence dont they and companies such as navman are commerical bussinesses.

also there is the fact that the newer data will have much more information ie postcodes. roadspeed data for navman to process this data for use with there products takes time and money that is why you pay a full licence fee when you buy a newer map.
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currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

robertn · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2005 Posts: 564

You miss my point. I have already paid for a large percentage of the data, errors and ommisions and all. I don't mind paying extra to get more features and updated maps (buy the way - for a 520 you get none of the enw stuff, as you need software to support it - another charge I bet). I object to paying for corrections to errors in the data, but even if it is possible it's not practical to seperate these, so I accept that a fee needs to be paid.

If Navman have to pay TA a full fee, then they have to pass it on to the consumer, so the problem is TA is not being reasonable, BUT Navman does not need to pass on the full margin, so navman is also unreasonable. You argue that Navman have to process the data etc at a significant cost, but they need to do this anyway for the new systems they sell, so the marginal cost of the upgrade market marginally more than £0.00.

So between Navman and TA, the price charged for a Map upgrade is all profit -100% cash into someones back pocket.

I have a message to Navman, TomTom, TA and Navtech. Online Maps are currently Free, Online routing to all intense purposes Free, Bandwidth is dropping. £100.00 / year will provide a hell of a lot of online based routing on my phone or PDA. The light at the end of Navmans tunnel is the head lights of an online juggernaut thats going to crush their gravy train.

Dispite having products for sale at 100% profit, Brunswick recent wrote the value of Navman down $200Million, I wonder why?

alix776 · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject:

online mapping is fine if you have a signal and yes gprs costs at dropping but not that much also ta and navteq supply the maps for download app such as smart to go
_________________
currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

zzf00l · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 17, 2006 Posts: 84

I would like to add that the reason we are now debating this upgrade cost is that our colleague didn't realise when he purchased the product that he would have to pay! I suggest that the reason he didn't know is because he wasn't properly informed.. and that applied to me also, not that I don't agree with having to pay... I just wasn't told.. just the same as I didn't realise that the new shiney CD's of Europe are worthless unless I buy a 'product key' .
This was my first venture into SatNav (as for many) and I suggest we were woefully ignorant of how things 'worked' and some allowance should be allowed for this.

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