Lifetime maps worthwhile?

I have nuvi 350 with 2008 maps that came with the gps when I bought it 2
years ago. I always use it in the car without running off the internal
battery. I would like to buy the lifetime maps for N.A. but I don't know
how long the internal battery will last. I don't want to find myself
with lifetime map updates and a weak or dead battery in the unit.
Battery replacement is expensive and it would probably be better to
replace the gps if this should occur. I understand that the lifetime
maps can only be used with the gps that was registered with them.

My question is .... would it be worthwhile to buy the lifetime maps for
a 2 year old nuvi?

On 1/1/2010 4:07 PM, mortman wrote:


I buy a new nuvi every 2 years and sell the old one. never pay for a map
upgrade just buy a new disconued nuvi and get one free upgrade.
X Sub

If you never use the internal battery, then why does the life of the
internal play into the equation?


This is the real question. It all depends on how long you intend to keep the
current unit and how often you need to update your maps. I wouldn't do it,
at least not until they are updating the maps more quickly (as in how long
before real life changes are reflected in the new map updates).

Given Garmin's past history of "moving the goalposts" with their map
formats (ask owners of GPSV and 2610) - no, it's not worth it.

Given the continuing drop in hardware prices, the new one every 2
years or so is probably the better solution.