Comments on: Garmin Figured It Out. Subscription Based GPS Sucks! Will Verizon Catch On?

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:36:01 +0000

..or just download the mobile, gps-enabled version of Google Maps, for FREE and have a a better product that is completely free.

By: BBAddict

BBAddict — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:32:12 +0000

I also tried the Garmin trial. Was very disappointed. The display was not good at all, and it often sent me in crazy directions. I uninstalled the trial and I’ll just pay for TeleNav. In my opinion, its great and has well displayed maps and navigation.

By: Sandflea

Sandflea — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:52:33 +0000

I, too, am very disapointed in VZ for locking down this device. It’s akin to locking down a WiFi modem on a new laptop unless you go with a wireless service. I paid for the device – ALL OF IT – including the GPS radio – and I deserve to use it. Period.

FTW.

By: pd

pd — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:23:14 +0000

Whether or not Garmin stays in business is moot, you would be buying the license from vzw and they’re not going anywhere. If you get a new phone every two years, you would save about $160 by purchasing a license instead of a subscription.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:27:35 +0000

I use VZW navigator and I don’t think others eraluxe how much of a benefit it is! Once you use it once you are hooked! I also don’t think that people realise you can add and remove the feature whenever you choose not to mention a previously made point that garmin won’t last very long and what happens when you get a new phone. That’s another 100 bucks out of your pocket! No deal…

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:52:27 +0000

SAAS providers who only charge a one time fee, vs. monthly recurrring, seldom survive very long.

By: fetus

fetus — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:13:56 +0000

My “one-time fee” was paid when I bought my 8330. The fact that I can’t use the GPS in my phone (that I paid for) is frustrating but there isn’t anything I can do about it.

By: Thought

Thought — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:36:14 +0000

The offer does indeed sound better than it given that the one time fee only covers the life of the unit…so when you upgrade you would have to pay a new fee.

By: Al

Al — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:42:27 +0000

I used a demo version of the Garmin on my ATT 8310. Compared to Telenav (subscription at $10/month) it was much slower to re-route and would freq ask me to make a wrong turn. I thought I would love the Garmin. I didn’t make it through the 30 day period. On the telenv, I frequently set up favorites on the website, something that I was unable to do with the Garmin. That said, my company pays the tab.

By: Trey

Trey — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:39:51 +0000

Interesting concept. As stated on the Garmin web site “With this purchase, download software directly to your BlackBerry for the lifetime of your device.” Lifetime of your device is the device in you hand. If you are like me and intend to upgrade from my Curve to a Bold that would mean I need to make another Lifetime purchase. From the Garmin EULA:”This One-Time Purchase subscription applies to only one (1) Device. During the first twelve (12) months of your subscription, if your original Device becomes non-operational you may be permitted, at Garmin’s sole discretion, to make a one-time transfer of the Garmin Mobile Application to another supported Blackberry Device. To make a request for such transfer, please contact the Garmin Customer Service department via http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support/supportcontact. No transfers are permitted, for any reason, after twelve (12) months from the purchase of your subscription. Although software fixes, updates and patches are included in the One-Time Purchase, a free upgrade to the next version(s) of Garmin Mobile is not.”

Free, Unlimited and Lifetime aint what they used to be.