Maybe so - I paid $120 for mine - no free updates - that was about 2 years ago. Is it from a reputable source like Walmart or Best Buy?

It might be for one of the less expensive models.

There are many models and prices HERE and HERE.

I think that due to the different features, it might be something that would be hard to buy for someone else. I, for one, doubt if I would ever use it, even when traveling out of town or state.

I'm not sure what my neighbor has, but I 'think' it is a Tomtom, and it shows their residence to be in a field down the road from where they live. They have also found numerous other discrepancies.

Just for the fact that it has lifetime updates would make it worth it, in my opinion. I have a Tom-Tom and love it, but I think the last time we purchased updates it was $40.

it's a VIA 1405 TM with a 4.3" screen.
it's on Groupon, which has a money back guarantee.
Would not be deliverd by Christmas

Here is a link that might be useful: TomTom

The same one, I believe, is $89 on Amazon with the lifetime updates. They (Groupon) don't seem to have sold many. I think it said 25. And it is "on sale" for 6 more days. You could order if from Amazon and have it for Christmas.

We have the Garmin--you might compare the two. Not sure about the lifetime updates who is doing it--the company or the seller?

For that screen size, Consumers Reports (the new 2012 buying guide is out) gives a score of 73 to a $280 Tom Tom model and a $300 Tom Tom.

A $160 Tom Tom model gets a 62 in that list.

I know that "lifetime maps" [and lifetime traffic] is a good thing, but the makers' definition of lifetime and mine are quite different.

Here's how Magellan defines it:

For maps and traffic data, "lifetime" is defined as the life of the product or 3 years, whichever is reached first, or until Magellan no longer receives relevant map and traffic data.

Also, one detail that I stumbled across when I was researching GPS units: Make sure the updating software program that the GPS maker uses will work with your computer. (If you have an Apple computer, its operating system won't work with the Magellan updating software. Don't know about Tom Tom.)

pammy...that is good info...thanks

I'm not sure. I have a Garmin that came with my car when I bought it from a dealer.

People get hung up on "lifetime updates" which is a misnomer. With it, you can get updates for the life of the unit, *not* your life! Once it's EOL, you're SOL. It's more of a sales pitch than a practical item. I have a Magellan 2000 that's probably 6+ years old and know what? Very few roads have moved. It still does the job for me just fine. The reality is that if you insist on having the "latest and greatest" you'll replace it regularly anyway and updates will be of no value to you. I wouldn't pay extra for that gimmick.

It was amusing though. They did move a highway and expanded it a bit and while I was using it on there it showed me driving in the middle of a field!

The relative value of a unit depends on the model number. TomTom makes some very cheap units up to very expensive units. In reality, if it does the job for you, that's all that really matters. A cursory search shows BestBuy, Amazon and Newegg all selling this unit for $109 so whether it's a good deal is for you to decide. Does it have the features you want and/or need?