Lowrance iFinder public-domain software?

Listen, this is just so I won't have to know that I 'didn't' ask.....;)

I recently bought an ifinder (express, model as it comes with a 32mb
s.d. card with 'point's of interest' on it.). That's fine 'n' dandy,
'Lowrance', but since it's no longer sold, and the date info on the card
say's 2002, I seriously doubt those points-of-interest are current,
nomesain?;) What I wanted was 'updated' freeway info for the U.s. or at
least southern U.s., and she said, "Well you should get Mapcreate 7." Well,
Mapcreate 7 is 'real-nice', now....
.....'bout $99.00 how. What I was wonderin', was if there was some
'public-domain' add-on's, such as topographical, U.S. point's of interest,
map-update's, etc.?? As in 'free'.? Or, REAL cheap? Thing is, I don't like
puttin' good-money into something that's no longer manufactured!! Though I
used my digicam's 1GB s.d. card to upgrade the 'firmware', to 2.0, (which
supposedly brightens the screen., aot), There is hopefully some stuff out
there that can make it a bit more powerful, ...I hope.....anyway, if anyone
has any advice, other than (get a new Garmin this, or You need a new Garmin
that......please respond!?

Xevius.

I have not looked too hard for software to support the iFinders, there
are some minor things available. But when it comes to serious info
like maps and roads, that tends to be a cost item. Oddly enough, as
far as I can tell, most of the avilable map packages are based on USGS
photos and maps. Of course I am sure a lot is put into these packages
to keep them up to date as well as making them more functional than
just a mere map in your GPS. So in that sense, $99 is a real
bargain... well, at least that is the going rate. There are some
packages that are more like $50, but I don't see where they offer the
same degree of functionality or are not updated or both.

If you like the way the iFinder operates, is it really a stretch to
put $100 into a map program? I believe you can use it with any
Lowrance GPS if you later decide to upgrade. But I may be mistaken.
Garmin and Magellan license their map programs to a single GPS serial
number. If you lose your GPS you need a new map
package... :^( Lowrance may be doing the same thing.