Beginning October 15, 2008 Garmin will offer free map updates for nuvi and zumo PND buyer’s for the first 60 days post-purchase. As part of the nuMaps Guarantee program, anyone who’s bought a zumo or nuvi device on August 17 or after will be eligible for the program.
Navteq, supplier of Garmin’s map data, says “Our research indicates that portable navigation device users are more satisfied with their systems when the map data is up-to-date.” We really hope that the senior exec that came up with this bit of brilliance deadpanned it when it came out of his mouth. Nothing like spending money to conduct research confirming the obvious.
All kidding aside, we’d love to see PND makers like Garmin tweak their business models to make map updates easier by eliminating payment altoghether. If two-way internet-connected PND’s ever become ubiquitous, it would be a boon to customer service for Garmin to set up an automatic update system that’ll keep maps fresh at all times. Maybe that’s something we’ll see come nuviphone’s release, but in the meantime check out the press release after the jump.
Buy With Confidence: Garmin(R) Offers nuMaps Guarantee(TM)
New nuvi, zumo customers eligible for free map update Within 60 days of new device activation
OLATHE, Kan. –(Business Wire)– Aug. 27, 2008 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today its nuMaps Guarantee, which will ensure that new owners of select Garmin personal navigation devices (PNDs) receive the most updated map available.
“Garmin strives to make sure that our customers have the most current and up-to-date maps. As roads and points of interest change, we work closely with our map provider, NAVTEQ, to continually update our databases,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Now, when a customer starts using their new Garmin, they can be assured that their unit will have access to the latest version of road maps.”
“We’re pleased with Garmin’s efforts to make the freshest, most accurate map data available to its customers,” commented Cliff Fox, Senior Vice President, Map Division at NAVTEQ. “Our research indicates that portable navigation device users are more satisfied with their systems when the map data is up-to-date.”
After a customer purchases a new nuvi or zumo PND, they can check to see if they are eligible for a free map update simply by registering their unit at http://my.garmin.com within 60 days of the first use of their new PND. If new map data is available anytime during that 60-day period, the user can request and download the new data, free of charge, by following simple online prompts.
The nuMaps Guarantee program will begin on October 15, 2008. Anyone who first used their new nuvi or zumo PND on August 17th or later will be eligible for a free map update – provided their unit is registered with Garmin and a new map is available within 60 days of the unit’s first use.
For more information on the nuMaps Guarantee, visit http://www.garmin.com/numaps.
