Free GPS maps?

[Friend of Sonic]

Hi everyone. I picked up a Garmin Street Pilot C350 at a Savers for 49.99. It was in great shape, and boxed, so I thought I'd finally get a GPS. Everything works great, but my street doesn't exist in the set of Maps that are loaded on the GPS! So I went to Garmin's site and found I would have to pay 69.99 for updated maps. Yeah, that.

So is there anyway to update the maps on this thing for free? GPSMapSearch.com looks good, but I'm getting nothing but errors when I try to get the maps.

Thanks for any help!

 

[JPCERTIFIED]

Nope, you must purchase the pre pay card at retail or through Garmin itself. Amazon sells a lifetime update card for about $90. There is really no way to get around this.

 

[ITDEFX]

Another monopoly

How long does it take for Garmin to update their maps? There is a LOT of construction/re-routing/new roads because of that new metro line being added to the DC metro area and the GPS is going nuts because of it.

 

[mtxbass1]

[quote name='ITDEFX']Another monopoly

How long does it take for Garmin to update their maps? There is a LOT of construction/re-routing/new roads because of that new metro line being added to the DC metro area and the GPS is going nuts because of it.[/QUOTE]

You really need to go learn what a monopoly is. This is nothing like a monopoly. It's a vendor offering an update for a specific product they sell.

Most better GPS providers update their maps at least twice a year.

OP, you won't find this update cheaper than either from Garmin, or via a retail card in the store.

 

[Haggar]

When you buy a new Garmin, they give you 1 free map update. Since yours is used, you'll have to pay for them. In addition to Amazon, you can also get the maps for life prepaid card from BJ's Wholesale for less than $100.

 

[SynGamer]

Just throwing this out there, but there are other means of obtaining the map updates. I agree, it's BS that we have to pay $70+ to update each year, especially considering I only use my Garmin mostly within NY State...

 

[ITDEFX]

[quote name='SynGamer']Just throwing this out there, but there are other means of obtaining the map updates. I agree, it's BS that we have to pay $70+ to update each year, especially considering I only use my Garmin mostly within NY State...[/QUOTE]

I agree. I have a Gamin Nuvi 765 and my gf has the Garmin Nuvi 755t. I'm stuck on the early 09 map update while she got the later 09 map update. Both maps still have trouble finding certain places in the area..like for example a movie theater. Every time we punch it in, it sends us somewhere a mile away from the actual place. Honestly they should break it down to regional map packs at cheaper prices. I go between VA and MD and that's it. Who knows how long it takes for Garmin to update the map if my area has new over passes/roads along a major highway. Paying 100 bucks to get a new map that *may* not be updated for your area is a costly chance that some of us might not make. It would be very helpful if Garmin allowed us to update our own area and submit it to Garmin.