Subscription required? Is there a subscription required to use GPS (other than the MSN subscription)? Basically, I'm looking to get a GPS for occasional travel and don't want to pay a fee for it's use. Subscription required? Is there a subscription required to use GPS (other than the MSN subscription)? Basically, I'm looking to get a GPS for occasional travel and don't want to pay a fee... » Read More Subscription required? Is there a subscription required to use GPS (other than the MSN subscription)? Basically, I'm looking to get a GPS for occasional travel and don't want to pay a fee for it's use. « Show Less
2060514
No, GPS signals are always free all the time. "We the People" own the satellites.
1576306
I used it traveling from Germany to France just last december. Coming back to Germany i realized some major roads where outdated, it was as easy as hooking up the tomtom to my mac, create a username on the lifetime update for my unit and there, updated maps for free!!! Beware that they are quite heavy updates, so depending on your connection speed it may take a while. Feb 24, 2014 by joshzaid
991598
Did your GPS come with lifetime updates? If not, you may have to contact Magellan Customer Service to see if you can return it to be updated. Search GPS models and find one with lifetime updates and you will never have to worry about this topic again. My GPS unit gets 4 free updates a year. An update could cost you around $200.
1218084
No there is no monthly fee. Knowing Garmin, they want you to have to buy the Astro 320 instead of giving you an app. Not 100% sure about the app though.
76650
Yes. There appear to be no additional charges for this GPS. It is ad-supported though, which is fine as long as you don't mind knowing where every McDonalds, Starbucks and Red Lobster are on the maps all the time.
1254248
Gregg I just read your review. I live on SI and travel all over 5 Boroughs, NJ and PA for baseball and to NJ for work. I'm ready to spend the $$ (have a Nuvi 350) for the MSN traffic - did it get any better? Thanks
1909901
How about the 885 without MSN Direct, and adding the GTM 20, which gives Navtec fm traffic? That's what I'm considering doing. Might want to call Garmin to see if this option will give you what you want. If you do, would you report back? Yes. 855 is the one i mean. Sorry for the confusion.
947744
Good Eveining,The GPS is normally the current maps of USA and CANADA. I would assume that they would be the up to date ones. For the updates you would probably have to speak with the manufacturer. Unfortunately the cost is your decision. There are pros and cons for GPS so i would just think about if it is worth it to you financially.Thank you.
797438
Version 2 - 2009 Do not look or any password to allow them on the unit, it is not protected, but you cannot put the entire disk on at one time, and need to load each area map you desire individually.I really only use it for the topo maps anyway...not as a GPS. It beats folded paper in your pocket.You can easily load free maps into the unit though...MSR has them online for free. Once in, I clone the unit, using the backup feature. Garmin after market crap is expensive...way over priced.
1457498
No you have to pay for map updates. The maps that come with it are pretty up-to-date, but not the most up-to-date. The unit gives you a website to go to for updates, and the process is pretty straightforward, but it does cost some money
2268610
I was most interested in bluetooth.... SO I purchased the 285 W/WT, what is the cost of the MSN Direct. How do buyers like the traffic information? Don't you think another provider will step in when MSN Direct stops???
600732
No matter which unit offers the MSN.contact traffic option (which is what these higher end priced units offer). You will not be assured that you can use it in your area if it is not a MSN.contact coverage area. I just found this out with a Garmin 680. I live north of San Francisco in the Sonoma-Napa valley. Very populated area. Lots of tourist, travelers though here---but, MSN.contact is not available in this area, and will not be in the forseable future either. Check with Garmin or MSN.contact directly. Don't trust that you will have it just because the brochure or statistics for Garmin units tell you it comes with the unit. I have returned my Garmin Nuvi 680 due to this, and other reasons as well.
383188
You should chill out. You sound like someone who was raised on microwaved food and too much television. My update DVDs only took two days. They were massive files. I was thankful that I did not have to download them. I have had absolutely no problem with Garmin's customer service either. Probably has something to do with the polite tone I used to address them. I had no problem with the updates wiping out my favorites, but I will say that it warned me to back them up. Maybe you missed that same warning? How would you like it if someone circumvented customer service and bothered you with a petty issue like this? The actual IT people have a lot more to do than listen to your complaints. Also, why must the IT people all have wives? Did you ever think that in the "modem age" women would be allowed outside of their houses....Heaven forbid we let them work in IT at Garmin! Cheers, Bkcraft PS Nice extended use of punctuation. You wouldn't frequent MySpace, by any chance, would you?
1444795
No. No subscription unless you want traffic updates. But for route guidance and to get from point A to B, nothing additional is needed. Just plug in and go!
637193
Yes, you will need a simcard (with a subscription or prepay). The GPS itself needs to be able to send you SMSes from this simcard.
76833
I suspect that the 'LM' in the product name indicates free 'lifetime map' updates...you pay for it with the price. You will have to register with Garmin.So, NO ! you don't pay for map updates.
1400988
I used it traveling from Germany to France just last december. Coming back to Germany i realized some major roads where outdated, it was as easy as hooking up the tomtom to my mac, create a username on the lifetime update for my unit and there, updated maps for free!!! Beware that they are quite heavy updates, so depending on your connection speed it may take a while.