Hello,

If I purchase Garmin Mobile XT at this time, will Garmin allow me to download map upgrades in the next 12 months, or how does that work? I understand they have 2009 maps to be released very soon and I don't want to miss out on the 2009 maps!

Thanks

Roger

p.s. any happy Garmin Mobile XT users out there? I'm also considering OnCourse Navigator 8 to be released early June.

Roger, we do not have the answer about Garmin Mobile XT map upgrades. Garmin Mobile XT is still a very new product and the availability / pricing of a new map update will have to come from Garmin.

OK Doke...thanks. Last year I bought a Garmin Nuvi 260 for a relative. While connected to a PC by USB cable, we checked for map updates, found the 2008 maps, and installed them. But if I recall it was after we registered the product. Might be June-July when 2009 maps are released for XT so I'll have to call cust. service at Garmin and find out whether I'll be entitled to an upgrade if I buy XT now.

Thx; Roger

SalesTeam:

Roger, we do not have the answer about Garmin Mobile XT map upgrades. Garmin Mobile XT is still a very new product and the availability / pricing of a new map update will have to come from Garmin.

I called Garmin today. They said that if I bought Garmin Mobile XT now, I'll be entitled to the map upgrade when it is released. They could not be sure of a release date, but since the City Navigator 2009 has been released recently, they think it won't be too long. Whether the entire program will be updated for this year is anyone's guess.

Thanks for sharing DrRoger!

Whoops, looks like I spoke too soon. I had an email today: (looks like once you buy an SD card, you're stuck with that card for the life of it. No upgrade possible):

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

Our update policy is if you purchase an eligible mapping product and you receive anything less than the most current version you can update the maps to the current version for free. You have 30 days to take advantage of that offer once your unit is purchased and the update disk is available. So no you do not get a free update for up to a year however if you by a Garmin XT product on DVD today you would be able to update it for free to 2009 if it does not have it once the update DVD is ready. Please Note that pre-programmed cards DO NOT get any kind of free update. This cards are not updateable and if you are planning on getting a pre-programmed card you will need to make sure it has 2009 on when you buy it as we will not update these cards.

With Best Regards,

Jason S, Software Support Specialist iQue Team Garmin International