For Garmin GPS unit owners: The map data in your device is not by Garmin, but rather by NAVTEQ. NAVTEQ is the same company that also provides map data to other companies such as Google (The big G uses several companies for map data in Google Maps/Earth but NAVTEQ is definitely one of them).

It is official that Garmin will have access to NAVTEQ data through 2015 with an option to continue thru 2019.

Of companies that are in the business of map data, NAVTEQ is more or less on top of the heap. What this means for Garmin StreetPilot and nüvi (as well as other Garmin model) owners is that map updates will be readily available for several more years.

The reason this is good is because the #1 complaint by mobile GPS owners is that map data is inaccurate in some areas (such as "It doesn’t know where my home street address is"). With the extended access to NAVTEQ map data, Garmin can deliver updates as they become available from NAVTEQ in the form of data DVD’s and other mediums.

Hot tip of the moment:

Do you own a Garmin product and have found an inaccuracy in the map data? The best thing you can do is report it to NAVTEQ directly using their online Map Reporter. Those are the guys who apply data updates for map stuff so you might as well go to the source.