Sounds like yet another Australia tax to me! Has anyone tried to find out the cost in Europe for the same thing? For whatever reason all most? Tomtom sells updates for Carminats in cooperation with the auto manufacturers, so back to the concept of an auto part, at least in Australia. They eventually told me when the old one came out, but only gave vague guestimates as to when the latest version would be available.
Given that they update them annually maybe? Added to the financial misery, it was like pulling teeth for the provider of the maps, TomTom, to give information on when the currently available DVD was published, and when the latest version would be released. I agree wholeheartedly that built-in GPS maps are a ripoff. We have used it in Australia and Asia and more recently in Chile in and have found it quite good. It uses data from Open Street, is free and has mapping for most countries.
If you have an android device, there is Map Factor Navigator. They are good for about a month before you are required to update them or they expire. Now where was the closest petrol again? You can always use the offline maps option on Google Maps to download the relevant sections you want before you travel there. Another reason updates can be handy is the databases of shops, services, speed limits, and such, although failing the test of accuracy as often as not get updated. Manufacturers treat map updates like OEM parts. A good point, though I believe the integration into the car of the built-in GPS provides some benefits. I shall, Brendan - although where I can go from here remains to be seen. This is one reason we now use Google Maps whenever in mobile reception areas. They want far more to update the maps than it would cost for a current model with lifetime maps. We have an external Navman, and we have the same situation. Let us know how you progress with the issue ShaneB. No response overnight, so I followed exactly the same process and this time the new map took. Taken aback in the sense that I could buy a TomTom with lifetime maps and speed cameras for around that price. My wife and I recently decided to update the map on our 2 year old Subaru Outback.