Comparison of map licensing terms

[TPKeller]

I am quite disappointed with Garmin's recent change in policy to restrict most of their road map products to one GPSr, after many years of allowing one map product to be used on two GPSrs. So much so that they are forcing a formerly unquestionably loyal customer to start looking around at other options. Congratulations Garmin! The aspiration of every marketing department!

 

I am only familiar with the Garmin products, so I would like this thread to be a place where those who are familiar with other brands can provide information so that we can compare and contrast the various policies in place.

• To the best of my knowledge, most of the handheld Garmin GPSrs are now sold with only a rudimentary base map.
   
  
• Any detailed maps must be purchased seperately, and are now valid for only one GPSr.
   
  
• At least some of the map products may be purchased as a DVD or directly loaded onto a MicroSD chip.
   
  
• Retail price seems to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 for the US based mapset.
   
  
• Upgrades to the mapset seem to run in the neighborhood of $75, and are released about once per year.
   
  
• Garmin has a good reputation for excellent road maps.
   
  
• They also carry topographical maps, and marine maps (both navigational and bathymetric), which are all separately priced.
  

How do the other major brands compare?

 

Thanks,

 

Theron

[+fratermus]

I am quite disappointed with Garmin's recent change in policy to restrict most of their road map products to one GPSr, after many years of allowing one map product to be used on two GPSrs. So much so that they are forcing a formerly unquestionably loyal customer to start looking around at other options. Congratulations Garmin! The aspiration of every marketing department!

dimentary base map.

...

[*]Any detailed maps must be purchased seperately, and are now valid for only one GPSr.

 

Garmin MetroGuide is not locked and can be massaged to autoroute. Works great on my 60cx (and on the VentureCx before that). Used versions are available relatively cheap (other than the more $$$ MG v4) on eBay and other places.

 

The last locked software I bought was for Apple }{e around 1980, if I remember correctly.

[segler999]

The Delorme PN-20 comes packaged with topo maps. Not only is this included in the package, but it is the best topo mapping you can get on a gpsr. It does autoroute, but topo is the reason for getting the PN-20.

 

The complete package is $299.95. Compare that with ~$450 for a 60CSx plus topo mapping.

[+imajeep]

This is more for the benefit of other readers, since the OP seems to be pretty familiar with Garmin. The Garmin Topo map products are not locked. I migrated my topo maps from an eTrex to a 60 CSx with no issues.