Tag Archives: Maps+

“Garmin’s” $50/Year Add-On Map SUBSCRIPTION — I Am NOT Impressed Or Happy. Ridiculous.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 6, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. Image from ‘Garmin‘.
From ‘techradar.com‘ (click) to access post.

The $999.99 ‘Epix Gen 2‘ Sapphire Black Titanium that only leaves my wrist when I charge it for 30-minutes each day while I shower.

Click to ENLARGE. The TOP-END Garmin Epix Gen 2 currently on my wrist.

I have been an AVIDLY loyal ‘Garmin‘ customer since 2017. I have invariably sported a top-end Garmin. I have never skimped when it came to costs & my Garmin smartwatches. So, when Garmin pulls this kind of exploitative stunt I feel betrayed. Yes, I fully appreciate that creating detailed, accurate & value-added maps is hugely expensive. But, so are the HIGH END Garmin watches — & these maps only work on the high end watches. That is why I feel queasy. Just feel like Garmin is squeezing us TWICE — once when we pay the premium price it asks & THEN by coming up with these OPTIONAL subscription plans.

Well, I am NOT going to SUBSCRIBE — on principle. Plus, I don’t really use the maps on my watch. Screen is too small! I like having maps on my wrist, but rarely EVER use them, other than as a source of amusement. IF I am truly out & about I, these days, invariably have my Google Pixel phone with Google maps.

So that is where we stand when it comes to these maps.

Glad to see that I am NOT alone in saying that this is ‘not cricket‘. Will be interesting to see if we get more folks complaining.