Is it possible to get 'lifetime' maps with the navigation system?

[stw]

Good morning, all,

My wife and I are considering a CX-5. She really wants to get the nav system in it.

I have a Garmin Nuvi that I bought in 2007. A few years ago, I bought a lifetime maps update for it at a very reasonable price. Now many portable navigation units come with lifetime map updates. Is it possible to get reasonably priced lifetime map update plan with the CX-5?

 

[ekcooper]

Good morning, all,

My wife and I are considering a CX-5. She really wants to get the nav system in it.

I have a Garmin Nuvi that I bought in 2007. A few years ago, I bought a lifetime maps update for it at a very reasonable price. Now many portable navigation units come with lifetime map updates. Is it possible to get reasonably priced lifetime map update plan with the CX-5?

I can't see a way to update it other than 1 year at a time, but I've only looked one time when I first updated the SD card.

 

[KenMO]

I can't see a way to update it other than 1 year at a time, but I've only looked one time when I first updated the SD card.

I think the OP is asking about paying a one-time fee to cover all future map updates rather than paying as you go along. If you plan to keep the car for a long time and want to keep the nav system up to date, then a one-time payment for lifetime updates could potentially save money over the long term.

 

[stw]

KenMO, that is exactly what I am asking. I think I paid around $70 for my lifetime Nuvi map update package. Since these GPS devices are only as good their data, i prefer to keep them current if the price is reasonable.

I just called both tomtom and Mazda. The tomtom rep said that there is no lifetime option for their in-dash units bought in a new car. As mentioned in another thread, if there is a newer map within 60 days of the purchase of the CX-5, you can update it for free from them. You can get a map update at anytime from tomtom for around $40 or can get a year of updates (I think he said up to four in a year) from them for around $70.

The Mazda rep said pretty much the same thing, but that he thought a lifetime update might eventually be a possibility through tomtom. We shall see.

It is frustrating because tomtom offers lifetime maps on many of their products:
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/maps/lifetime-map-updates/

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

GPS units are In My Opinion a disposable item.

You could have gotten a brand new unit with brand new maps for $130 - $150 and thrown out your outdated Nuvi for a newer model with a new battery, better processor and receiver.

When you buy a GPS, you get a one time update, nobody said that you have to update the day you buy the unit, you can save that update for two years and do it then.

The Lifetime is not transferable, eventually the unit will crap out and need to be replaced, it's a waste of money.

Also, with a little research, you can easily download new maps onto an SD card for Free.

 

[sxa]

I have found that constant updates are not necessarily required. I bought a Magellan Roadmate 800 in 2009. It was a refurb unit and at that time it was already several years old. There were certainly times when it was wrong, but I never bothered updating the maps and never had any real issues. It was funny when driving on new roads and it showed I was driving in the middle of nowhere, but it served it's purpose. I would have a hard time justifying $70 for a years worth of updates when you can update it on your own for free.

 

[GAXIBM]

GPS units are In My Opinion a disposable item.


When you buy a GPS, you get a one time update, nobody said that you have to update the day you buy the unit, you can save that update for two years and do it then.

Actually I read that the one time update is only good for 90 days. There is probably a little flex but they can control that if they want to...

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Actually I read that the one time update is only good for 90 days. There is probably a little flex but they can control that if they want to...

must work differently in Canada,

 

[KenMO]

I have found that constant updates are not necessarily required. I bought a Magellan Roadmate 800 in 2009. It was a refurb unit and at that time it was already several years old. There were certainly times when it was wrong, but I never bothered updating the maps and never had any real issues. It was funny when driving on new roads and it showed I was driving in the middle of nowhere, but it served it's purpose. I would have a hard time justifying $70 for a years worth of updates when you can update it on your own for free.

It's not just roads that get updated. The updates are actually much more about POI's than roads. It's really frustrating to be travelling or in an unfamiliar part of town and have out-of-date information on gas stations, restaurants or hotels. Yes, I can certainly pull out my phone and Google for this kind of thing but it defeats the purpose of having GPS that can route you right to the destination.

 

[CXFive]

Good morning, all,

My wife and I are considering a CX-5. She really wants to get the nav system in it.

I have a Garmin Nuvi that I bought in 2007. A few years ago, I bought a lifetime maps update for it at a very reasonable price. Now many portable navigation units come with lifetime map updates. Is it possible to get reasonably priced lifetime map update plan with the CX-5?

$99.95 for lifetime updates.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=08442f1c-eef5-43d7-8e54-a69bc61fb077

 

[MikeM.]

It's not just roads that get updated. The updates are actually much more about POI's than roads. It's really frustrating to be travelling or in an unfamiliar part of town and have out-of-date information on gas stations, restaurants or hotels.

True, but the CURRENT TomTom POI database is more incomplete than the Garmin POI database from ten years ago!

 

[sxa]

True, but the CURRENT TomTom POI database is more incomplete than the Garmin POI database from ten years ago!

In many ways just having my phone for nav makes sense, but I am a bit obsessive compulsive and having a "Nav" button on my stereo that doesn't do anything would probably bother me in the long run.

If the TomTom hardware is the same as their other TomTom devices, it might be possible run Navit on it http://www.opentom.org/Navit which would be pretty cool. I haven't searched heavily to see if anyone is doing this yet with the CX-5, I will likely experiment with it once I get the CX-5.

 

[stw]

$99.95 for lifetime updates.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=08442f1c-eef5-43d7-8e54-a69bc61fb077

Interesting, CXFive. From that article you posted, "One mapping software update is free for 60 days after the initial purchase of the vehicle, after which each update costs $79.95. Or, the owner can purchase four updates -- one per quarter -- throughout the year for $39.95, or a lifetime of quarterly updates for $99.95."

As I mentioned above, I called both TomTom and Mazda a few weeks ago. They both said lifetime updates were not available for this unit. After reading the article you posted, I called Mazda back. They said it is possible to get lifetime updates, but that it would be through TomTom. She connected me to the TomTom folks who said that it was NOT possible to get lifetime updates. Alrighty then!