2008 vrs R8 maps Has anyone that purchased a 680 since mid June received it with the 2008 maps instead of the older R8 maps? Garmin is not going to give free updates for the 680 even if you purchased it after they started shipping the ones with the 2008 maps. The map update runs about $75. 2008 vrs R8 maps Has anyone that purchased a 680 since mid June received it with the 2008 maps instead of the older R8 maps? Garmin is not going to give free updates for the 680 even if you... » Read More 2008 vrs R8 maps Has anyone that purchased a 680 since mid June received it with the 2008 maps instead of the older R8 maps? Garmin is not going to give free updates for the 680 even if you purchased it after they started shipping the ones with the 2008 maps. The map update runs about $75. « Show Less
342290
Try reading thru the 19 pages of this discussion group to find out how to get the free map updates from Garmin, if you know the trick.http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=87789&whichpage;=1
342291
I called Garmin on July 13, 2007 (yesterday) regarding the updates for my then Garmin Nuvi 680. (I have since returned the unit to Amazon)---Anyway, I was told the updates would be available in a few weeks and would not be free. The cost was available, but I assume it will be the $75. Evidently there are mixed responses either from Garmin, or from Garmin Owners as to what will be "free" and what will be available for a fee due to Garmin Customer Service not having a standard anwer to this question when you finally get a hold of someone there (30 min. wait on the phone).So, until it happens no one will know for sure. I called Garmin on July 13, 2007 (yesterday) regarding the updates for my then Garmin Nuvi 680. (I have since returned the unit to Amazon)---Anyway, I was told the updates would be available in a few weeks and would not be free. The cost was available, but I assume it will be the $75. Evidently there are mixed responses either from Garmin, or from Garmin Owners as to what will be "free" and what will be available for a fee due to Garmin Customer Service not having a standard anwer to this question when you finally get a hold of someone there (30 min. wait on the phone).So,... » Read More I called Garmin on July 13, 2007 (yesterday) regarding the updates for my then Garmin Nuvi 680. (I have since returned the unit to Amazon)---Anyway, I was told the updates would be available in a few weeks and would not be free. The cost was available, but I assume it will be the $75. Evidently there are mixed responses either from Garmin, or from Garmin Owners as to what will be "free" and what will be available for a fee due to Garmin Customer Service not having a standard anwer to this question when you finally get a hold of someone there (30 min. wait on the phone).So, until it happens no one will know for sure. « Show Less
630379
remember your tomtom or garmin wants you to buy or warez map updates $79-109 a year? Remember Garmin's MSN FOREVER $129 option has no service guarantee past about 4-5 years from now? FOREVER service with a no-guarantee after a year?? Sounds more like 4 years for $129. Say if you were to take an update for the maps $89 a year and then pay their $129 MSN LIVE one-way traffic deal. 4 years - $89,$89,$89,$89,$129 = $10 a month. WOW amazing. Dash gives you map updates often much more frequently than a year. Guaranteed. They don't just roll out a new map when the map makers do; they patch what is there and when you complain; they fix it. Garming 660 $399? Dash $399? - we'll call it even but we all know dash is way cooler being openmoko and that it will get haxored due to GPL of source and that nifty ethernet/usb dev port. The API and SEARCH (yahoo local!) and GEORSS are the killer man. I cannot tell you that someone that knows yahoo pipes; xml; a little perl or php can overload the fields of information (or get an API dev key) and make some applets that are going to be so cool. You just gotta trust me until the NDA is lifted alot of cool ideas that are home-grown. That already exist and have been working for a while; written by beta testers are going to RAWWK!! your socks off.
239921
Want to know if map updates are available for this GPS? Free or not. if not, in a year or two maps tend to become unreliable. Want to know how much cost?
639394
I bought mine 10 days ago from Amazon and it came with the 2008 map loaded. As Randy Thress said, you must register your product within 60 days and you get the 2009 map unlocked from the Garmin site for free.
1031558
just got mine today (08/22/08). included maps are the 2008 edition. when i registered the product i got a free download for the 2009 edition - which i am taking advantage of as i type this... according to the 'thank you for registering' email, the free update to 2009 maps is available until september 21st, and when you accept the download, you have 90 days to get it before the product key expires. (its a good 2 hour download alone, not including install time)
1392420
Just an update - Because I didn't want to take the chance of getting the older v8, and then having to go to Garmin for the latest NT2008-v9, I ordered mine today from PC Nation.I placed my order over the phone, they were very helpful, and they confirmed they have the new version. PC Nation is selling it for $9.00 less than Amazon, and they offer free 3 day shipping. Because I'd like to get mine before Thursday/Friday of this week, I opted for overnight by DHL - they have a special of $11.00ish.I just checked online, and my Garmin 350 has shipped. I should be getting it by tomorrow around 3:00ish PM PST.If anyone is interested, I'll write back tomorrow to let you know about my new toy! Just an update - Because I didn't want to take the chance of getting the older v8, and then having to go to Garmin for the latest NT2008-v9, I ordered mine today from PC Nation.I placed my order over the phone, they were very helpful, and they confirmed they have the new version. PC Nation is selling it for $9.00 less than Amazon, and they offer free 3 day shipping. Because I'd like to get mine before Thursday/Friday of this week, I opted for overnight by DHL - they have a special of $11.00ish.I just checked online, and my Garmin 350 has shipped. I should be getting... » Read More Just an update - Because I didn't want to take the chance of getting the older v8, and then having to go to Garmin for the latest NT2008-v9, I ordered mine today from PC Nation.I placed my order over the phone, they were very helpful, and they confirmed they have the new version. PC Nation is selling it for $9.00 less than Amazon, and they offer free 3 day shipping. Because I'd like to get mine before Thursday/Friday of this week, I opted for overnight by DHL - they have a special of $11.00ish.I just checked online, and my Garmin 350 has shipped. I should be getting it by tomorrow around 3:00ish PM PST.If anyone is interested, I'll write back tomorrow to let you know about my new toy! « Show Less
963862
I emailed Garmin about the 2009 map updates, and getting them free as well since you purchased one now with the obsolete maps on it. This is what they had to say. Thank you for contacting Garmin International. Our newest version of mapping software was released in May of 2007. The title of this update is City Navigator NT 2008. Map updates are released every 12 - 15 months. You can probably expect our next map update to be released sometime in the Summer of 2008. To check for this update please log onto our website www.garmin.com and click on "MAPS" at the top of the page. The next screen will show "MAP UPDATES", please click on it. This will allow you to type in your 'serial number' in the search field. Type in your serial number and click on 'Find'. This will display your mapping update if there is one to order. If nothing displays this will indicate that your Garmin is already fully up to date. If a map update displays you will also notice there is a link that should allow you to register your product to receive this at no cost. If this is an option your first mapping update will be at no charge. ** Keep in mind for the future, map updates are at a cost. ** Map update can be ordered online from our website www.garmin.com, over the phone at 1.800.800.1020, or in local retail store like Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart etc. The cost for this update is generally around $75.00 to order. This will be a DVD formatted software disk that will be able to load to your computer. You will need a USB cable to connect your Garmin to the computer for the update to complete. This process is said to take around 45 minutes. This update will give your Garmin device updates on streets, highways, construction, restaurants etc. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns regarding this update
976340
I did it. I believe Garmin still sells the updates, two ways: one at a time for$xx and lifetime for about 2*$xx.It saves a lot of mental hassle on should I do it or wait awhile to do it to save some money.DH
1289881
go to the gps find inf and look for 2008 version if sucessful it will show up there. I felt the same way you do and by using these updates in NC and SC I have not seen any updates. So you probably were sucessful as I was in two cases first getting the updates installed and two getting ripped off by Garmin see my rating and discussion. Good Luck.
2253736
Every site I've read (including Garmin's own site) says that the 680 will be released first quarter '07. That implies that it will be released by the end of March. I'm currently holding out for the 680 as I live in a major metropolitan area that is covered well by the MSN network
1031557
With purchase of "new" or "factory refurbished" units you can receive lastest city maps (2009 being current) if you download/install it with the first 30 days. HOWEVER (and this is what disappoints me greatly) the SD data disks I own for my hand held garmin WILL NOT work with the 550. I really like the Recreational Lake mapping and use it on my Vista, but really wanted to use in one the 550 (with the much larger and more readable screen) I wonder why Garmin sets up interface softfware for 550 to work with Google maps, but not with their own existing mapping programs. Awell.... I still love my 550 (got it for $130 refurbished and no probs so far) With purchase of "new" or "factory refurbished" units you can receive lastest city maps (2009 being current) if you download/install it with the first 30 days. HOWEVER (and this is what disappoints me greatly) the SD data disks I own for my hand held garmin WILL NOT work with the 550. I really like the Recreational Lake mapping and use it on my Vista, but really wanted to use in one the 550 (with the much larger and more readable screen) I wonder why Garmin sets up interface softfware for 550 to work with Google maps, but not with their own existing mapping programs.... » Read More With purchase of "new" or "factory refurbished" units you can receive lastest city maps (2009 being current) if you download/install it with the first 30 days. HOWEVER (and this is what disappoints me greatly) the SD data disks I own for my hand held garmin WILL NOT work with the 550. I really like the Recreational Lake mapping and use it on my Vista, but really wanted to use in one the 550 (with the much larger and more readable screen) I wonder why Garmin sets up interface softfware for 550 to work with Google maps, but not with their own existing mapping programs. Awell.... I still love my 550 (got it for $130 refurbished and no probs so far) « Show Less
1128180
Hi Kwilt. Fellow Cheesehead here (Waukesha). Very glad to see 2009 map version shipping with these. Saves me time and hassle. Guess I should have left mine at 'free shipping' instead of next day :-)I'm interested in the SW version that comes with it. Is it 4.5 or something else? Thanks!Mike D
1377800
To take the 5 answers so far, and chime in with my own answer. I am also looking at possibly buying this unit, and I did some searching around.Firmware updates for the radio (not including maps) are free from the JVC website. When a map update becomes available (there isn't one for this unit, yet) they will include it on the support page and forward you to Navteq (navigation com).http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/support/navi/nt500hdt/index.htmlUpdates for Similar (older models of JVC in-dash nav units) are $139. Looks like the updates come out about every 18 to 24 months. One example:http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/support/navi/nt1/us/index.html To take the 5 answers so far, and chime in with my own answer. I am also looking at possibly buying this unit, and I did some searching around.Firmware updates for the radio (not including maps) are free from the JVC website. When a map update becomes available (there isn't one for this unit, yet) they will include it on the support page and forward you to Navteq (navigation com).http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/support/navi/nt500hdt/index.htmlUpdates for Similar (older models of JVC in-dash nav units) are $139. Looks like the updates come out about every... » Read More To take the 5 answers so far, and chime in with my own answer. I am also looking at possibly buying this unit, and I did some searching around.Firmware updates for the radio (not including maps) are free from the JVC website. When a map update becomes available (there isn't one for this unit, yet) they will include it on the support page and forward you to Navteq (navigation com).http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/support/navi/nt500hdt/index.htmlUpdates for Similar (older models of JVC in-dash nav units) are $139. Looks like the updates come out about every 18 to 24 months. One example:http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/support/navi/nt1/us/index.html « Show Less
1291425
I have been in contact with a guy in China who informed me today 8/5/14 that there was a $81 cost to get the map updates. However mine was shipped (about 3 weeks ago) and it has the latest maps) for my area. I live in Missouri.
851731
I have a 255w some times it goes crazy taking you to a different place then you plugged in. The map update is close to $100.So I'm Locking for a GPS that advertises when there product maps were installed.
851730
Bob. Because Garmin updates maps 4 times per year, any Garmin model may or may not have the latest map. You are allowed 60 days after purchase to update your map (if needed) for free. I've owned and used several Garmins (one well over 4 years old) and have never updated a map yet (many people don't bother because the vast majority of the time a new map will have little or no effect on a person). However, if you must have the latest and greatest, Garmin offers a NuMap program for about 100 bucks, where you can download up to 4 map updates per year for the lifetime of your Nuvi.
568707
I called Garmin on July 13, 2007 (yesterday) regarding the updates for my then Garmin Nuvi 680. (I have since returned the unit to Amazon)---Anyway, I was told the updates would be available in a few weeks and would not be free. The cost was available, but I assume it will be the $75. Evidently there are mixed responses either from Garmin, or from Garmin Owners as to what will be "free" and what will be available for a fee due to Garmin Customer Service not having a standard anwer to this question when you finally get a hold of someone there (30 min. wait on the phone). So, until it happens no one will know for sure.