Do you have to purchase updated maps for all brands of gps systems?

Question

I was reading updates on Garmins are 60 plus dollars, does this sound right? If so, how often do you have to update? I am also looking at Tom Tom's.

Answer 1

yes ... but call the company because garmin gave my dad a free updated map. he bought the gps day after thanksgiving, he found out that the map was outdated, he called walmart to see what the return policy is, then he called garmin and complained/argued that he just purchased the gps and it has an outdated map. garmin sent him one ... an $80 value for free

Answer 2

Nautical Charts are updated as needed.

If going to a city, state or country overland, I would just buy a map with the most recent date.

Interstates have and are being built since 1956, I do not think that a yearly update is a real need for hills,mountains and valleys that have been here since,,well the big bang.

GPS is NOAA , so is basically already paid for by taxes, for graphical maps that are displayed on system X.Y or Z that is what the charge is for.

Use the GPS, but get a recent Chart or Map when traveling to distant places.