Verified answer

The basic positioning technology has no ongoing cost after you buy your GPS unit.

However, relating the coordinates it has calculated to something you can make sense of requires a map to be displayed. That's when there can be associated ongoing costs.

Now a lot of GPS systems come pre-loaded with a set of maps as part of the original price and you can use those maps forever for no additional cost. But of course such maps do not change to reflect the building of new roads etc or if you travel to another country not covered by your map set.

So you may need to occasionally buy an updated set of maps. But you can do that on an irregular basis when you feel the need for it.

But of course companies like to have a ongoing way to charge fees, so some GPS systems have maps that are not sold to you up-front but are licensed to you for a monthly fee. This is often the case when your GPS is integrated with your mobile/cell phone as the maps are not held on your phone but the part of the map you need for your current location is downloaded on demand into your phone. This allows your phone provider to demand you pay an ongoing fee for that service, and if you stop paying, you stop getting the maps downloaded. Frankly these "deals" are a bit of a rip-off in my opinion.

And there can be other associated services linked to GPS, like traffic congestion information, which again may charge a monthly fee for the service. Clearly such information changes constantly and cannot be pre-loaded for a one-off cost, so if you want those kinds of services, you will have to pay an ongoing fee for it.

In summary, a basic GPS unit can be bought without ongoing fees and that is the kind of GPS that most people own. If you are being talked into a deal with some kind of ongoing fee, ask a lot of questions about why that is and what you are getting for your money. You may find it is just a rip-off or a service you don't feel you really need. Certainly if you get asked to pay ongoing fees, shop around and see what other options are out there. Try stores like Johnny Appleseed that specialise in GPS technology (I don't know if they operate in your country) as you will generally get the "straight facts" from them.

oh my god these little machines are amazing! all you do is just pay for the machine and thats all! there is no monthly fee. its really cool i got one for christmas and after that morning i had to drive ar ound the city with it for fun it was a blast its so cool it knows exactally where to turn and everything. and mine at teh menu you can click on where you want to go to... like a a hotel, a restaraunt, a gas station or you can just put in two adresses and it will give you the easiest and fastest route this little machine is amazing! i really suggest you get one!

its all free but now big brother in the sky knows exactly where you are all the time just install a microchip in your arm

features are free