Why no recent map updates?

No, there has been no update since 2024.10. We've all been waiting, patiently, most of us.

impatiently waiting

Big thread of people waiting for the next map update here:
Garmin Map Update Watch: 2024.20

A history of when maps have been released can be found here:
Release Date History For Garmin Maps

For the North American 2024.10 map it was released last Feb 01, 2023 (a Wed), some 278 days ago as of this post.

Seems Garmin is seeking it's fortune along other products. The automotive base is being ignored.

I think in the future we'll be lucky to get a yearly update.Three month updates are history.

In-car navigation systems have largely replaced stand alone units such as Garmin, TomTom, etc. With Apple Play and whatever the other one is called, you can get better maps through Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps. Waze in particular, is updated on a daily basis. Garmin cannot compete in a world such as this.

Unfortunately, it appears that Garman maps, at best, will be updated just once a year going into the future. You can see the trend from past map updates being released, especially in our post Covid world.

My 2019 Kia Sorento maps are updated only twice a year from Kia. They too have to be installed first on your computer, then transferred to an SD card or USB stick to be installed into the Infotainment center. If your maps have not been updated for some time, it can take HOURS to perform an update. I'm dreading that task come December. Mine have not been done in 5+ years.

NO matter what Garmin does with their map updates, at least the update process is a one and done job taking about 20-30 minutes time. Yes, it is nice to have the latest and greatest, but it is still better than totally dropping any and all map updates altogether.

I can see the next Garmin update coming in late February 2024.

Apparently the years of 4 map updates is over. At least they're still free.

The VW updates from VW are confusing. Older ones you buy from a 3rd party vendor and if I recall they were about US$ 100.00. A savvy Google searcher could find a cheaper source. But apparently VW now offers free updates for newer models i.e 2021 up.

But having said that, even though the system in my car is "Garmin" based it is not very easy to use especially for long trips. Easier to use in a city.

In my past travels I always used my Garmin since I could plan MY OWN routing on my laptop such as bypassing Cincinnati or other larger cities which the car Nav system does not allow me to do.

Since I bought the car, just about 2 months ago, I have yet to do anything with the Kia Infotainment center maps. It is a personalizing project I will do only after I update my maps from Kia.

I use my Garmin unit for all of my distance drives. Easy to program POI's, reroute for traffic issues and updating. Since my Kia is not over-the-air update compatible, I'm not going to spend the $$$ for the company programs that work on and off at best.

I can live with once-a-year map updates from Garmin. I do not travel to strange new developments like I use to back in the day. Most major roads and improvements are caught on the Garmin updates when the new version comes out. Other changes may never get caught. We have all seen that.

If I really need to get somewhere that Garmin doesn't have on their map, I pull out the phone and open Google Maps for the answer.

Garmin, on it's absolute worse day is far better than what we had back in the 80's with a trunk full of city and county maps, all folded and filed away. I do not ever want to go back to those days again!

@The_WB

The problem with the kia updates is they also add (and DELETE!!!) features from the infotainment unit.

When I first got my car, I had a manual day/night/auto settings. After the first update they got rid of the manual, so now the system decides if it's day/night.

I updated the car (stinger '22) spring or fall of 2022. The current update bring nothing of value to me other than updated maps. This area hasn't changed all that much so no need. Usually takes ~30-40 min to update. I do it with the car in accessory mode with the battery tender attached.

Didn't anyone hear, someone issued an executive order banning map updated to standalone GPS's that run on electricity until they are converted to run on 049 model airplane gas engines!

I totally agree that depending on one's situation, Garmin is the best option and I personally can live with once a year updates. BUT, and this is a big BUT, Garmin, just don't take my personal POI's away. I have thousands of hours invested in creating, updating, and deleting them and it's become the closest thing to a hobby that I have.

Phil

I'm a Garmin fan, and I use mine daily as a volunteer driver for seniors to locate new addresses or use the recent locations (https://drivehappiness.ca/). But, there is no question about the convenience, in a new car of saying.. Siri load Garmin Maps.. and seeing live traffic. My cheaper trim (2022 Palisade) did not come with the info package that requires uploading/installing updated maps. But the display I do have works just fine for me.

For ease of use, freestanding tomtom eats kia inbuilt tomtom
freestanding tomtom maps, update the inbuilt kia tomtom,

last map update July 2023

Zx1100e1, Yes, I have read about the Kia feature swap/drop issue with their Infotainment updates. The real problem with them is, once you update, there is absolutely no way you can reverse it if you lose favorite features and you want them back.

Adding insult to injury, Kia, in their wisdom, bundles vehicle operational software updates into their Infotainment center updates as a total package installation. You cannot just update operational enhancements separate from Map function updates. It is a one-way, all or nothing process.

That is why a number of Kia owners have engine problems with knock sensors since the software update to correct that issue was bundled with Infotainment updates.

Kia changed that in 2022 by offering OTA updating on 2022 and newer models, but they did not apply it retroactively to older models. Stinking thinking on Kia's part.

One reason why I love Tesla. Nighttime OTA updates while the car is charging. Thought out ahead of time by the manufacturer for customer convenience keeping your Tesla up-to-date remotely.

At least with my Garmin, I can pick and choose my updates at any time. This is a real plus for me. All done on my time, not rammed down my throat by an automobile company and bundling necessary operational updates with their Infotainment center updates that takes a lot of time to perform.

The creating of custom POI's was a big draw to Garmin for me. I use CCTurbo's program and plot out where I want to go in advance on Google maps putting the POI's on my Garmin ahead of time. I too have many hours of work in my POI library, so losing this function would be a major "Booooooo" to Garmin.

almost bob, I don't mean to be a smartass or something, but what in the world does that one sentence even mean. I need a comma or period or something.

Phil

I always look forward to a new Rand McNally Road Atlas. Something magic about all the different colors. Of course, this might just be because I am an Eagle Scout and Pathfinder. Garmin is still a lot easier when you have both hands on the wheel!

The new map update is now available. Version 2024.20

Someone within the last week or two said Europe 2024.10 was available

I should have been more specific. City Navigator North America 2024.20 was released this afternoon. I already downloaded it without any problems.