Garmin Lifetime Update

[Hilary Laite]

Doesthe Garmin Montana 750i include lifetime city navigator updates? I see that it comes with City Navigator installed. I cannot see any confirmation that updates are included, or if I am expected to purchase a map any time I want the update.

If this is included, is there documentation anywhere that says this? I am aware that folks who purchased 750i's when they first came out, do have lifetime updates. I did not want to assume that is still the case.

I have heard that it is included. However, I am not aware of anything in writing. The "sales" web site does not say (or I missed it in the cloud of marketing smoke). It is not listed as an automotive device, although there is a windshield mount for it.

Asking support, I got two different answers. First, only automotive products received lifetime City Navigator updates.. and second, any device that includes City Navigator installed on the device, will receive lifetime City Navigator updates. Looks like the second one is true.

This is for sure? It DOES include lifetime for City Navigator? For what region of the world is this and how detailed is it? I ordered my Montana 750i and don't know a whole lot about it, but I'm reading up on it while awaiting its arrival. I am in Japan. What region is included in the updates and how do I update it? Thank you in advance.

Set off on every drive reassured your sat nav has the latest possible picture of your onward journey. Streets may change, businesses move and traffic restrictions come and go, but with Garmin nMaps, your sat nav will have access to the latest Garmin update on roads, junctions, road signs and speed limits, everything it needs to calculate the very best possible route to your destination.

Garmin wants you to be completely satisfied with your new purchase and is committed to providing the most accurate, up-to-date mapping possible. If a map update becomes available within 90 days of purchase, nMaps Guarantee entitles you to refresh your sat nav maps absolutely free.

Please note this free offer is only available within 90 days of first acquiring satellites when driving AND on registration of your device. Once this 90-day period has expired you will need to purchase one of our ONETIME or LIFETIME map update products.

Navigate reassured that you always have the latest maps for Europe. Be confident your Garmin knows new businesses, road changes and junction alterations. With this one-off purchase, refresh your points of interest, routes and addresses as soon as new content is available.

Streets change and new businesses open their doors. Make sure your Garmin sat nav has the latest maps available with nMaps Onetime. This one-time purchase replaces your sat nav maps with the most up-to-date streets, motorways and points of interest like restaurants, hotels, cashpoints, petrol stations and more.

Enter your product key into my.garmin.com to download a new set of map updates up to four times a year. Whatever the original maps on your Garmin, as long as an updated map is available, get nMaps for the whole of Europe and enjoy a Lifetime of confident navigation.Choose your map region from below to purchase and download:

I went to the Garmin site, downloaded the Lifetime Updater software and then tried to download the new map info (2012.3) for the Lower 48 states and it goes into "Preparing Files to Download" but never gets past that.

I'm now trying it on the second computer after 4-5 failures on my work PC. Eventually on that PC, I would get an error message: "Lifetime Updater had an error and had to stop; contact Garmin Customer Service if the problem persists" (or words to that effect).

I updated both my Nuvi's last week and had my first experience with the new Lifetime updater program. I agree it needs some work. Everytime I boot my computer, it keeps telling me I have a new map available. If I open the program, it thinks I still have an older map on my 255WT. Not so. My map is up to date. I emailed Garmin about this last week, and still have no response from them.

Yea, when in doubt read what they tell you. I would call customer support and ask them before starting a thread accusing them of a scam. Sorry I don't think expecting people to have the intelligence to read the message and understanding it can be fairly classified as a scam. There are many things to fairly criticize Garmin for and I am all for criticizing them for these things. However, it seems to me you should follow the directions and call them before starting a thread like this and suggesting a scam. Or at least ask for help without suggesting a scam.

In spite of several naive "true believers" above.....YES the "Lifetime Updates" program is ABSOLUTELY a scam....(NOT just an opinion....FACT)....and this subject has been covered before....but the gullible people keep coming....

When GARMIN arbitrarily decides that a particular model number has reached the end of it's "useful" life, then YOU get no more free maps. It makes no difference that your unit and maybe 10,000 of your closest friends units are still working perfectly, NO MORE FREE MAPS..... YOU don't get to vote, even though you are the one that payed for them.

That is exactly what has happened to thousands of buyers that have any models that have been discontinued. Their units may work flawlessly for years to come , but they are denied receiving what they paid for.

If you send your unit in for repair, make sure you tell the person on the other end you have the lifetime update so they can reset registration on their web so you can again register the replacement unit and continue on with your lifetime update.

As for the lifetime updates, it pretty much is for as long as the unit can be updated. I had a 750 that was several years past the obsolete date that was being updated. I noticed the updates were getting bigger and bigger. I suppose at some time the unit would not have enough memory and at that point I would probably be at the end. Or that there is a change in the file format that can not be accommodated on the unit. Your pretty much dead at that point.

This is straying way off topic. The OP contents the lifetime updates are a scam in the sense that Garmin takes your money and you are never able to download any updates. The OP is basing this "scam" claim on it not installing on his computer and telling him to call Garmin for assitiance. The OP's claim is obviously absurd and the problem is the OP accused Garmin of a scam instead of calling custemer service like the program directed him to do. So the topic is not how long you can download the maps from Garmin (there are other thtreads on that), the OP's issue was a contention Garmin takes your money but you are not able to download the maps.

Well, I have to put my 2 cents in here.. I own 2 Garmin GPS's and I have have found using them to be quite easy. But when 1 of the parameters of your purchase is the "Lifetime Maps Update" you have to ask ? Who's Lifetime? Now my Nuvi 265w was sold to me with this benefit. I didn't expect a ""LIFETIME"" mine or yours... But, I did expect it to last the lifetime of the unit. I understand units like this a lifetime is 2.5 to 3.5 years. After you buy it, get it home, register it, and set it up. The disclaimer on the Garmin Lifetime Maps update is ....... Ready...... 90 days after the unit is registered or after it connects to the 1st satellite. Now why would I EVER, invest into another Garmin? Only reason I have 2 is because one was a gift. Garmin sells high end handheld and automotive GPS units... To Garmin the update doesn't cost them a thing. >Except repeat customers< So I hope that all who are looking to Buy a new GPS of any type. I would stay away from Garmin products. Well unless you life expectancy is less that 90 days or can afford to piss money away. Don't get me wrong I get that a map update may not be all that important. To some it is due to changing highways, and roads in many major cities. I live in Las Vegas NV the past 8 years and the roads have changed a few times. With added Exits and Junctions as well as closed exits and roads. IMO Garmin has false advertisments in regards to the "Lifetime Maps".

3a8082e126