Da Man asked:
I’m deciding whether to buy a GPS or get one in a new car installed.
How long can you keep the portable GPS, maybe for a long time, about 10-20 years. That’s how long, I hope I can keep one if I buy one.
Related posts:
- Which portable GPS systems for automobiles do you reccomend? TLW asked: The only “extra” features I’m really sold...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
you can keep it as long as you want. you can download software updates from the internet to keep the maps current.
I have a Garmin GPS from 2002 or so. I have “kept” it but actually don’t use it much currently, as it is non-rechargable, and needs batteries replaced every 10 hours or so, and if I’m driving a long trip the batteries may be dying off just as I get to the destination and need directions off the interstate.
And by example, I think that whatever the state of the art today might seem backward and barely useful 5 years or more from now, and think of such items as having a useful life of around 5 years, something else you can buy in your new car and it fails to help remind you to buy a new car later (did I just say “planned obsolescence?”)
With technology always adapting, most people probably would not keep each unit more than a couple years. The problem is that the maps need updating every year or two depending on your location and where you travel. I have a Garmin that is 2 years old but when I bought it, the maps on it where already a year old. The problem is that an update is $70-80 and a similar model new is a little over a $100. I recommend a cheaper unit, the bluetooth in most don’t work well and will annoy the person on the other line. Garmin works good for me, I am happy and travel all over the US. I just need an update really bad. Also portable is the best, the risk of getting one stolen is minimal now that they are so common and you can transfer it to other cars that you may use for travel or as you buy and sell your next vehicle.
GPS direct from the car manufacturer usually cost up to $2,000 but might include a couple of luxuries like back-up cameras, but updates can be up to $600 for them.