Until today I've paid Garmin more than 3.500 € for gps devices.
On those devices I have a couple of "unlocked" maps whose street value is less than 400 € and to companies NOT directly associated with Garmin.
I really hope that this is a bugged firmware version, otherwise Garmin really intends to commit suicide!!!.
Garmin's interest is selling devices, not selling maps.
The hype and the community around Garmin is because Garmins are "half closed-half open" systems.
And what will happen if they block freeware maps, what about bikers, hikers, climbers, bicyclists and their online sites and free maps.
If this is another ex-navigon's executive bright "idea" it's their funeral (like Navigon's) and not mine!
IMHO I stil believe that Garmin is more interested in selling devices with preloaded-prepaid maps than locking out their devices from a world that really advertises their devices for FREE, like this forum, because that's what we do here, we solve problems, discover new tricks and features, change splash screens, Pois, alerts, icons, create maps and beta test almost everything about Garmin.
People read us, they get happy and they go out to buy Garmin devices, not maps, and they buy them one after another.
Bookmarks