Garmin Listens, Has "nuMaps Guarantee"

Something that Garmin GPS users complain about – and rightly so – is that many new units are sold with outdated maps out-of-the-box. After that these same people are more or less forced into buying expensive map updates that cost $70 per unit.

Garmin has rolled out something called the nuMaps Guarantee that states:

Get the newest maps available and navigate with confidence with our nüMaps Guarantee™. Simply register your new Garmin nüvi or z?mo at myGarmin within 60 days of using your device and you’ll be able to see if a free map update is available for your device.
The nüMaps Guarantee program will begin on October 15, 2008. Anyone who first used their new Garmin nüvi or z?mo on August 17th or later will be eligible for a free map update if one exists within 60-days of the unit’s first use.

So if you’re just purchased a new Garmin GPS recently and felt you were screwed over by having outdated maps – not to worry. You can skip the $70 whack and get a free update.

My personal opinion on this: Perfect? Hardly. But at least it’s a step in the right direction.

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Patrick
Ok as far as it goes but it doesn’t go far enough in my opinion.
It should be one year not sixty days!
http://pcmech.com Audrey
right on! Offering 60 days just looks like they are customer service oriented at first. Stop and think about it a minute and they are offering very little to very few!

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
My nuvi 270 has two map sets, North American and Euro. Each would have cost me $75. The update upgraded both my map sets for free, saving me $150.
You consider that “very little” considering no other GPS manufacturer does this and will charge?
I’ve also been a Garmin customer since 2005. On any call I’ve ever had to place their customer service has been 100% spot-on excellent. Other companies only dream of having a support staff as good as Garmin’s.

Patrick
Well I’m glad you’re happy with Garmin but consider this situation. I bought my 250W last December which had current mapping (Europe) at that time. Within a year the maps have been updated and Garmin want EUR 80 for the update. I consider that it is not unreasonable to expect my unit to retain it’s currency for one year from the date of purchase whereas Garmin reckon I should be happy if it remains current for only sixty days!

Sheila
I just purchased a Garmin nuvi 750 online and when I called to change shipping option was pressured to buy the “updated 2009″ map. Did I get ripped off – would I have been elgible for this same upgrade at no charge?
Patrick
If you purchased it new (i.e unit not previously registered)from an authorized reseller I’d say you did indeed get ripped off. You would have had 60 days from the date of first use to download the *free* update.