got any idea where I can pick up free map updates for my RAC/Route66 satnav?
After forking out £78 (roughly) for it, I dont see why on earth I should have to pay to get my maps updated, or my speed camera locations updated either for that matter. It seems to me its a way for the companies that sell them to make extra profit from the customer. They didnt exactly pay for the satalite to be put in orbit as most satnavs run on the GPRS network, which was originally put up there for the military to use, so no cost there. Also it only costs them a 1/3 of what they charge to have each unit built, so profit there for them. 
Sorry… Rant over!!!
Thats why I put dodgy maps on my tomtom. I am not paying £50 everytime to update.
what is the model of your satnav?
SWraith:
got any idea where I can pick up free map updates for my RAC/Route66 satnav?
After forking out £78 (roughly) for it, I dont see why on earth I should have to pay to get my maps updated, or my speed camera locations updated either for that matter. It seems to me its a way for the companies that sell them to make extra profit from the customer. They didnt exactly pay for the satalite to be put in orbit as most satnavs run on the GPRS network, which was originally put up there for the military to use, so no cost there. Also it only costs them a 1/3 of what they charge to have each unit built, so profit there for them.
Sorry… Rant over!!!
IT hat on
Rant mode on.
Why should you get it for free?
Correct the satellites were in place, but the companies who create the Sat Navs devices, probably have to pay for the data from the satellites. They then have to pay people to develop the sat nav software to read that data, they have to pay people to test the software, they have to pay people to develop and test the hardware. I have no idea how much is spent on Reasearch and Development by these companies but you bet it is quite a bit as users want new features, new maps and various other updates or newer better technology becomes available.
So how much did they want for an update then?
Rant mode off
Colingl:
IT hat on
Rant mode on.
Why should you get it for free?
Correct the satellites were in place, but the companies who create the Sat Navs devices, probably have to pay for the data from the satellites. They then have to pay people to develop the sat nav software to read that data, they have to pay people to test the software, they have to pay people to develop and test the hardware. I have no idea how much is spent on Reasearch and Development by these companies but you bet it is quite a bit as users want new features, new maps and various other updates or newer better technology becomes available.
So how much did they want for an update then?
Rant mode off
There is no cost to the GPS service, it is provided free by the US goverment. The cost of the unit in the first place should cover the cost of unit design, development, software and hardware. They use the same map year after year but the only difference is they add new roads etc, but I don’t see how they can charge £50 a time for the same map you had last time but with some road changes.
bubsy06:
There is no cost to the GPS service, it is provided free by the US goverment. The cost of the unit in the first place should cover the cost of unit design, development, software and hardware. They use the same map year after year but the only difference is they add new roads etc, but I don’t see how they can charge £50 a time for the same map you had last time but with some road changes.
Colingl:
IT hat on
Rant mode on.
Why should you get it for free?
Correct the satellites were in place, but the companies who create the Sat Navs devices, probably have to pay for the data from the satellites. They then have to pay people to develop the sat nav software to read that data, they have to pay people to test the software, they have to pay people to develop and test the hardware. I have no idea how much is spent on Reasearch and Development by these companies but you bet it is quite a bit as users want new features, new maps and various other updates or newer better technology becomes available.
So how much did they want for an update then?
Rant mode off
There is no cost to the GPS service, it is provided free by the US goverment. The cost of the unit in the first place should cover the cost of unit design, development, software and hardware. They use the same map year after year but the only difference is they add new roads etc, but I don’t see how they can charge £50 a time for the same map you had last time but with some road changes.
They can charge because they know which roads to add or delete,
But the main reason they can charge fifty quid a time is that they can update maps but you cant!