More About GPS Map Updates
About ten days ago we wrote about why GPS maps are often incorrect and outdated. On Sunday the New York Times wrote an article about NAVTEQ and their process for mapping changes to their data.
Navteq updates its database continuously, releasing new versions several times a year so its customers are not selling maps that are long out of date. But as long as GPS units depend on digital maps stored onboard - the satellite’s signal provides information only to determine a position, not the street grid itself - they are always going to have some holes because road networks are constantly evolving.
They also briefly talked about the expensive costs sometimes associated with map updates, particular for in-dash GPS navigation systems.
For consumers, keeping a navigation system up to date requires purchasing a new digital map. Automakers typically issue annual updates for their systems; most recent models require a new map DVD at $200 and up. (One for a Cadillac Escalade or a Jeep Grand Cherokee is $199, while the latest Lexus update is about $350.)
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I went to the local Circuit City a few months ago and observed a big difference in map accuracy/currency between the manufactures. I simply attempted to locate my house, which I have lived in for more than 3.5 years. The streets have been here even longer. TomTom and Magellan didn’t even have my street. Garmin did. Of the big three, I decided to stick with Garmin for my latest purchase. You can do this test yourself, by trying to find 12380 W Tonto St in Avondale AZ 85323. If your unit can’t find it, try finding it on a Garmin unit and then manually move and zoom the unit you are trying to find it on, to see if the streets even exist. Another test is to find a more recent street addition, which is the intersection of Avondale Blvd and W Coldwater Springs Blvd. They didn’t intersect on any TomTom or Magellan units. They did on the Garmin units. This test is by no means representative of the overall coverage and capabilities of a unit and its maps, but it was eye opening for me. Garmin seems to get information more quickly than the others (in this small sample).
If I buy a new Garmin GPS like 750 or 780 from an online store like Amazon, how to make sure that I am getting latest map? what is the latest map available now in Sep 08? Is 2008 or 2009? Do we have internal versions or 2008 will have only one map?
How to make sure if I am getting latest map when I am buying Garmin GPS 750 ot 780 from an online store? Do I need to expect 2008 maps for do we have 2009 maps available? Do we have only one version in 2008 or many?
Neal, you won’t know for sure which map the device has without turning it on, but Garmin has also just announced the Garmin nuMaps Guarantee.