Budget related GPS Update Question? Costly?

[kimsuenew]

Hello Dispals! Merry Christmas!

My DH works so hard, rarely gets anything for himself (unless its a tool and needed for his job as a mechanic), and is hard to buy for as he is content with what he has (even if it's old... if it still works and/or is still together, he uses it and does not want new)!

I was fortunate to fall in to some extra work hours over Christmas break from college and will get my check for it next Wednesday (leaving ordering out... it will have to be an in-store purchase). Recently while riding with my B-I-L for a lengthy delivery trip, he observed how nice the B-I-L "Tom Tom" was to have, ecspecially when needing to re-route due to a road issue. BAM! It gave me an idea for Christmas for him!

My question is this... I found out during my online research that updates for Tom Tom's and Garmin's are not free! Just how costly is it? I could not find an actual cost anywhere. The salesman at Sears told me that most people just buy a new cheap GPS rather than paying for updates as it is so costly. Is that true? Also how often must you update?

We are very "budget strapped"... DH is basically the only one working with two full-time college students (me included btw... and DS does work part-time but it basically covers his gas and insurance) in the house and I am scheduled for two major surgeries in 2010 (lots of deductibles and co-pays). The reason I included this is that I do not want to give him a gift that is a "money pit" because of needing constant or costly updates, but I would like to get him something that he would like and I think a GPS is it.

Is it possible to not update or simply periodacally? I know it would not have new roads or road closures listed, but would it still be totally functional otherwise? I am totally clueless with this subject and need help! TIA!

 

[Excide99]

Hi, I have two Garmin GPS units that I use. They do have updates and I just looked them up to update one of mine I think it was $45 one time use or around $100 for life time updates. You can go to Garmin.com get the exact amount. The Garmin I use for my vehicle is approx 1 1/2 yrs old and it works just fine without the updates. You don't need to update it, but as you said it will not have newer roads on it. I would also go with Garmin instead of Tom Tom. Paul

 

[Ephany]

DH and I both have Garmins. DH's is 3 years old and mine's about a year old. We've talked about getting the updates for his (about $100 lifetime) and probably will next year. He doesn't go to enough 'new' places right now to feel comfortable paying to get the update, he's rather a creature of habit. If we know that the place we're looking for is new, we'll type in the actual physical address rather than having the gps search for it. So far we haven't ended up seriously lost, so I guess we're doing ok without getting yearly updates.

 

[kimsuenew]

Thank you both for the information... I really appreciate it! I like the "lifetime" option... that doesn't sound so bad if updates are needed!

 

[andrews_dad]

I am still running on maps that are about 4 years old with an old Garmin. It gets you with new roads at times, for sure. A new development popped up close to my house 2 years ago and it is not in there at all. Stores change, etc. But for basic use on trips and stuff, still works perfectly.

 

[kimsuenew]

I am still running on maps that are about 4 years old with an old Garmin. It gets you with new roads at times, for sure. A new development popped up close to my house 2 years ago and it is not in there at all. Stores change, etc. But for basic use on trips and stuff, still works perfectly.

That will work then!

I was so worried about frequent updates but I see that is not an issue (and I am thankful)! I had thought about new roads popping up... but not anything like a new housing development! I guess that we travel rarely so it will be put to use only a couple of times yearly more than likely and my guess is that really, updates will not be an issue! Thanks for replying!

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[stefplus3]

I got the Tom Tom XL for christmas last year and it's still a-ok I've driven to Maryland from Massachusetts, all over New England without an issue and I haven't gotten any updates yet.

 

[agnes!]

I have a built-in GPS system in my 2006 Prius and haven't gotten an update yet, but was told that updates run at least $300...ouch.

agnes!

 

[kimsuenew]

I got the Tom Tom XL for christmas last year and it's still a-ok I've driven to Maryland from Massachusetts, all over New England without an issue and I haven't gotten any updates yet.

Awesome! I actually went with a Tom Tom!

I have a built-in GPS system in my 2006 Prius and haven't gotten an update yet, but was told that updates run at least $300...ouch.

agnes!

Ewwww... that is a lot of money! You have my "dream car" by the way!