If Garmin aren't ripping us Europeans off, explain this

[mrTickle]

If electronic mapping software is so expensive, how come I can buy a copy of Microsofts Autoroute 2004 for £29 quid?

Autoroute covers all of Europe, right down to street level - just like City Navigator. The Autoroute mapping idata is even supplied by the same people that supply Garmin! There are other alternative products to Microsofts Autoroute, selling for less, so it's cheaper buying electronic maps, rather than paper maps. For me, this puts that "expensive Governmental and copyright costs" myth to bed. I think the true cost of Garmins software is around the price they charge for a new cartographic release ( ie going from City Navigator 5 to version 6 ).

The more I think about how Garmin rip us lot off, the happier I am in the knowledge that I've saved myself around $ 1 335.00. I could almost get another 2 American 2610's with the money saved getting an import. Come the revolution...

 

[BurnieM]

Just a side issue - WARRANTY;

Garmin in some countries will tell you that you have to send the unit back to the retailer that you purchased from. This is not correct.

The Garmin importer in your country should honour the one year international warranty. This applies even if the importer is not owned by Garmin.

Garmin US will respond to complaints over this and will apply pressure (but it is not quick).

Some importers will charge a 'service fee' for imported units. GME (Australian importer) charge AU$50 for warranty service.

Do not expect any service if you purchased from a non-Garmin authorised re-seller (many on Ebay).

 

[AdamZ]

If electronic mapping software is so expensive, how come I can buy a copy of Microsofts Autoroute 2004 for £29 quid?

I don't think that the comparison is fair it is more applicable to relate to Microsoft Mapoint (retails around £800). Mapoint has twice the functionality of Mapsource and Autoroute has half the functionality.

Also MS Autoroute Maps are based upon the maps available well before it enters Quality Assurance ( I know that may seem a contradiction in terms for Microsoft).

That means that Autoroute 2004 has maps published in November/December 2002!!

In addition the volume costs work better for Autoroute than Mapsource.

Check the costs associated with the latest Ordanance Survey 1:25,000 available for Memory Map . These are £100 per Map or £130 in 1:50,000 Landranger series. I know Memory Map does a lot more but that is a big price difference.

The issue is not the copyright fees etc it is the price differential between the USA and the UK. But that has always been the arguement from CD's to Computers.

Awhile ago I bought £500 worth of Henckels Kitchen knives and it was cheaper to buy in the US, import into the UK, pay the UK VAT and Import Duty than to buy the same knives (German Manufacture) in the UK or Europe. At that was when there was 1.47USD to the £1.

 

[AdamZ]

Also Ordanance are extremely restrictive on copyright. See the Memory Map FAQ:

Q: Can I upgrade my Memory-Map Navigator or Discoverer OS Edition to the new Memory-Map 2004 with the FREE download?

A: No, Ordnance Survey licence restrictions mean that the new MM2004 range can not work with any current MM2003 or MM2002 OS maps. An upgrade is available for existing users to purchase the new MM2004 range. This will provide new 2004 Edition Ordnance Survey maps as well as all the new Memory-Map 2004 features including 3D View

By the way check the 3D in Memory Map

 

[roadrider]

For me, this puts that "expensive Governmental and copyright costs" myth to bed.

Geez, There is no myth about royalties to goverments, cororate companies etc, they all recieve their relevant royalties. from whoever uses their information, usually based on volumes sold. Each company thats wants mapping info will negotiate a different fee based on what and how they want it, and of course how old the information is (old info is cheaper).
Mapping technology in Europe is not free it has to be paid for, end of story. Try using Microsoft Mapoint and then look at the price.
John

 

[Howard Millichap]

Just a side issue - WARRANTY;

Well, I just received a brand new e-trex vista FreeOfCharge to relace one that I bought in the USA 2.5 years ago because the display was playing up.
That's what I call warranty.

 

[mrTickle]

Howard, you up for a bit of off-roading?