Unfortunately, the updates are never free. VW buys the updated maps from a dedicated mapping company that expects payment on a "per client" basis.
So, if VW offered you free updates for life, they'd be eating into their profit on the car-- eventually, they'd be paying you to own the car.
I believe the standard price for car companies is about $200 per update (give or take based on volume sales).
If you have a Garmin portable unit, you will find that the updates can be as low as $75. This is purely based on Garmin's map purchasing volume.
The discs are all protected against copying because they are, in fact, owned by the map company-- we are just buying a license to use their property-- so you don't have the "right" to duplicate and distribute their materials.
Unfortunately, if you have a VW navigation system, you are going to have to give up some $$$ in order to get the latest maps.
So, if VW offered you free updates for life, they'd be eating into their profit on the car-- eventually, they'd be paying you to own the car.
I believe the standard price for car companies is about $200 per update (give or take based on volume sales).
If you have a Garmin portable unit, you will find that the updates can be as low as $75. This is purely based on Garmin's map purchasing volume.
The discs are all protected against copying because they are, in fact, owned by the map company-- we are just buying a license to use their property-- so you don't have the "right" to duplicate and distribute their materials.
Unfortunately, if you have a VW navigation system, you are going to have to give up some $$$ in order to get the latest maps.
