a gp without map software be like a computer with no operating system . City Navigator definitely make life easier and if you get the 2gb microsd -lrb- transflash -rrb- memory card , you can load the entire dvd of north american map -lrb- about 1.6 gb -rrb- . I be a little surprised , however , that even with the new version 8 I be find several innacuracy -lrb- road and poi -rrb- . I realize that old road be change and new road be build and business come and go . but Garmin charge about $ 130 for the City Nav NA v8 and about $ 100 for the upgrade . I just think that for as much money as you spend on the unit , case , power adapter , mount , memory card and the map , you should at least be able to get update free for a period of time . in my mind , that be equivalent to a motherboard manufacturer provide firmware update for a couple of year . anyway , the cost of maintain current map and innacuracy be why I give it 4 instead of 5 star .