In Dash GPS are they worth a darn ?

Gundog wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
An in dash unit can cost close to $2000 and a good, large screen, portable unit can be bought for a few hundred. Keep in mind that "LIFETIME" maps are not really what you think. This is what Magellen has to say and as I found out from Garmin GPS, they have similar limitations as to how long you can continue to get updates for your GPS.


For all lifetime map subscriptions, lifetime refers to the useful lifetime of the device, considered to be 3 (three) years from the date of the first use. For all lifetime map subscriptions, you will receive map data updates when such updates are made available on Magellan’s website during the device’s useful life for that compatible Magellan device. “Device’s useful life” refers to the period during which the device has all required technical capabilities, including sufficient memory capacity and current operating system, to download and use current map data. A device’s useful life is considered to be a maximum of 3 (three) years from the date of the first use. A device will be considered past its useful life if it is more than 3 years old or if no updates have been downloaded for more than 2 years (24 months).

I have a Garmin portable that I have had for years with free updates I just updated it the other day. I have had it at least 5 to 6 years. I have had Magellan in the past I much prefer Garmin. I have Garmin in my boat they are very easy to use.

You are right and I loved my Garmin, which had lifetime updates. I had the big screen units with the lifetime updates and the last time I went to update them I was told that they no longer supported that unit. Garmin did offer me to send in my old unit and they replaced it with another GPS unit. The only problem is that the replacement had a smaller screen. They did give me a choice of two different models but they were both small screens. I guess the time limit for Garmin is determined by how long that particular model has been on the market. If you buy one towards the end of it's updateable life, you may only get a few years of use. To Garmin's credit, giving me a new unit in exchange for my old unit was a decent offer, even tho I lost my big screen. I do not know if Magellen makes the same offer on their lifetime units when the reach the end of their life.