How often do Garmin do map/software updates?

kuyler

Hi all,

I hope someone can help me with this. Am considering going for a Garmin Nuvi 760T (it's either that or the TomTom 720T), but one thing I would like to know is how often Garmin do map and software updates? While TomTom admittedly have many issues at the moment (especially with TMC) I get the impression that they release very regular map and software updates.

True, this may just hint at TomTom units needing more bug fixes than Garmin, but at the same time there seems to be a lot of long-term upgrade potential if I go for the TomTom 720T. Not only will that unit always be HD Traffic ready if I want to upgrade to it, but there also seems to be a good chance that brand new software functionality originally intended for the new 730 units will in time be made available for the 720s through a software update. But can I expect similar at Garmin? Or do they basically leave the old units isolated so that very soon they become obsolete? Thanks in advance!

PaulB2005 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

Garmin release updates once a year or so. The last one was December 2007 and was called 2008 (v10). The Nuvi 760 ships with the latest maps.

Software is updated when they release it. So far for the 760 there have been 5 updates as listed here

kuyler · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:00 am Post subject:

Thanks for the reply.

The Nuvi 760 came out in the last few months of 2007 right? In which case five software updates isn't bad at all. However, I am a bit surprised that there's only one map update per year!

Was going to ask more questions but I see that someone else has just started a TT720 vs 760 thread in the TomTom forum so will post them there.

PaulB2005 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:17 am Post subject:

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:28 am Post subject:

I suppose you could look at map updates this way (TT vs Garmin)

If TomTom releases 4 map updates per year, which is their eventual objective, it would appear on the surface that TT is keeping their maps, and thus your device, more up to date. But do you really intend to purchase every update? If so, you're looking at around $400 year/US.
So now you only plan perhaps one update at $100. Same as you'd get with Garmin. But street price of the Garmin map is about $55. Which is the better deal?

kuyler · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

First off, thanks to both of you for your ongoing help in both this and in that other topic.

@Paul: Yeah I fully understand how frequent software updates may also be a negative. However, the impression I get at the moment is that TomTom are prone to releasing buggy updates (take the latest one for instance) while this happens somewhat less often in the case of Garmin?

@GatorGuy: Indeed that seems a significant saving, had no idea Garmin maps were that much cheaper. I certainly don't really plan on purchasing more than one new map per year anyway.

One thing though... if we take the Nuvi 300 series for instance (1.5 to 2 years old), how well is that still supported in terms of software updates? And did any newer functionality that was introduced for later products successfully trickle back to the 300s again through software updates (hardware permitting, of course)? Because it seems that in these forums the general consensus is that TomTom will eventually include the new lane functionality of the x30 series in a software update for the x20s.

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

Garmin has already made features of the new 800 series available to the 700's, InstantfixII and MSN2 support being the two primary. I can't answer for the 300's without a bit of research. Suffice to say that Garmin has apparently made a strategic marketing decision regarding new features, as evidenced by the nuvi 700 upgrades post-purchase.

MaFt · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:

gatorguy6996 - if i remember correctly, the MSN stuff is only available in the states?

MaFt

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject:

Absolutely correct. There are at least a FEW members from the states here, correct? Very Happy

Google maps of course can load even your European destinations to the nuvi. I prefer Mapquest myself which will also load directly to the nuvi. Of course, if my nav is out on the road being used by my wife or perhaps an employee, I rely on MSN maps.live to remotely sent destination/routing directions directly and wirelessly to the 760. Pretty nice feature. Hopefully MSN will bet extended to you guys in the near future.

tynecomp · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 11, 2006 Posts: 130

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

US map update just released at $55 on Amazon with free shipping. I'll see if I can research the EU update for best price.

MaFt · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject:

from mory the EU map updates are usually about £45 / $90... rip off britain once again...

MaFt

gatorguy6996 · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Altho, unlike TomTom, the prices are not set by Garmin (at least in the US) In the States, we don't have the option of buying anything directly from Teleatlas.

tynecomp · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 11, 2006 Posts: 130

MaFt · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

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