Do all GPS companies require additional maps to be purchased?

Is that how they make their money beyond the hardware? If I purchase
GPS am I going to constantly be buying new maps because just that
little bit more that I needed was missing? Thanks.

Depends on what unit you buy and what you want to do with it. Many units
come complete with full, auto-routable maps. Since business locations
frequently change and new streets are constantly being added in many
metropolitan areas you'll probably want to update the maps once in a while
depending on your local area.

If all you want to is a unit for hiking and/or off-road activities then get
a unit with good Topo maps and you'll be set for a few years anyway,.

Cheers
TC

needin4mation@gmail.com wrote in

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I think the answer to your basic question is ... Yes! ... but not
necessarily "constantly".

While I agree with the other responder in that it does depend on your
particular needs/uses, you can either choose to spend your money up
front for a more capable unit (more expensive) that would include much
of that software or ... buy just the finctions you need and spend the
money later for software.

However, once you have the software that suits your needs, it is
correct that you should be good to go for years and ... most updates to
that software will be free for a very long time.

Either way, one should keep in mind that the GPS companies are in
business to make a profit ... and should.

--
PoGo
www.pogo123.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Teaching a pig to sing wastes your time and annoys the pig".

On 23 Oct 2005 21:06:30 -0700, needin4mation@gmail.com wrote:


If you purchase a Garmin product, it will likely come with a full set
of maps for your area and an unlock code.

For example both my SPIII and SP2610 came with a full set of maps for
the USA. Nothing was missing.

If you don't travel and you live in an area where roads don't change,
you never need to buy updated maps.

However, I bought my GPS to use both when at home and when traveling,
so I want to have the most up to date maps. Therefore I buy new maps
every year, but I certainly am not forced to do so.

Lizard@Lair.com wrote:

Many of Garmin's other units, however, do *not* inlcude detailed maps.
For example, the 60C(S) and 76C(S) models don't automatically include
maps. Some dealers will sell the maps bundled with the units at a
discounted price, but you have to shop for those deals. I think the
main reason the maps are not included with some units is that the units
in question are more multi-purpose, as opposed to more-or-less
dedicated automotive navigators. Someone could conceivably buy a 60 or
76 with the intention of using it only for hiking or marine use.
Customers like that would probably resent paying a higher purchase
price so that the maps they didn't need could be included. On the
other hand, those who buy a 2610, 2720, or similar unit are most likely
going to use it primarily for automotive navigation, so including CN
maps with the unit makes more sense.


Even in my home territory, I find the businesses that are in the POI
database to be useful, so I would update occasionally for this
information even if the roads don't change.

Since I have a 76CS, I use City Select maps. The update cost for these
is currently $75. Given that the updates come out roughly once a year,
that figures out to about $6.25 per month. That's less than the cost
of going out to lunch once. When I think of it that way, the benefits
seem well worth the cost.