Garmin Lifetime Updater

[Billi Mayhue]

Iwent 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 customersI've owned my Garmin 60CSx since I purchased it new in April, 2006. I purchased a "Lifetime Maps Update", as you refer to it, when they first became available. I'm still getting updates for the unit more than seven years later. I've gotten far more than my money's worth for my $99 or so.

I forgot to mention that I bought a Garmin Oregon 650 earlier this year, and bought the lifetime map updates for that unit, too. Given how much I would have paid for separate map updates, it's a heck of a bargain, even if the offer expires at the end of the unit's lifetime (as defined by Garmin). And based on my experience with the 60CSx, that useful lifetime can cover a good number of years and a good number of updates.

That's for the NuMaps guarantee -- not Lifetime Maps. You have 90 days from when you first turn it on to register it and download a one time map update. This is so that you can buy a unit that has been sitting on a store's shelves for a year without worrying about it having old maps. You take it home and have a one time update to get the latest maps.

I totally agree. I have 4 Nuvi's and a hat full of handhelds and I've never felt the need to upgrade. I have 10 year old maps on my Magellans that show roads the new Garmin maps don't and are still great to cache with. Unless you're running a delivery service or something I don't think upgrading is worth the trouble.

I'll respectfully, and strongly, disagree with this based on my use of Garmin units over the past ten years in Central Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The roads, and especially the freeways, have changed drastically over that time time period. If I hadn't kept the maps up to date, the unit would have led me astray more than half the time I took the freeway system anywhere. The surface roads haven't changed a whole lot, but the highways certainly have.

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