New GPS – Old Maps?

Even new devices may need a GPS update

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has taken off in recent years, with new models and features being introduced every month. Portable and dashboard-mounted GPS navigators are now almost standard in many cars and trucks. However a common source of frustration for many drivers who rely on GPS has been the limited availability of good GPS map updates.

GPS can pinpoint your exact position in space using signals from military satellites, but for drivers that information is of little use if it doesn’t interface with an accurate, up-to-date road map. Without periodic map updates, drivers using GPS navigators may not be much better off than those using old paper street maps. The street grid in downtown Manhattan probably isn’t going to change anytime soon, but roads in many fast-growing cities and rural areas are changing all the time. In addition, GPS mapping software can contain information on the location of hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. That kind of information can change almost overnight, and requires regular updating.

Unfortunately, providing timely GPS map updates isn't easy. But customers who invest in expensive GPS navigators are now starting to demand better and more frequent updates, and manufacturers are trying to respond. Today it is possible to install Garmin updates on a yearly basis, and same is true for other brands. And companies are experimenting with new strategies for keeping their mapping software as current as possible. To update Garmin Nuvi and StreetQuest city maps for North America, a new Garmin City Navigator 2009 package is now available. What updates are available for your GPS unit depends on the specific brand and model—keep checking this GPS Update blog for the latest news and information.