Let us explain how our Downloadable GPS Maps Upgrade Subscription Policy works on Garmin compatible devices:
Note: this policy came into effect 02 May 2018.
Free Upgrades
If you purchase any of these products:
- Complete Africa Mapset: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
- Complete Africa Mapset: 5 Year Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 5 years)
- Single Mapsets for specific countries/travel regions: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
You will be entitled to all the map updates we release within the next 12 months / 5 years depending on which subscription product you purchased. This could be up to four updates as we aim to release updates every quarter, but it may also depend on the number of changes we make to our map content. We will however release at least two map updates per year. (ie. you now receive subscription upgrades).
At Tracks4Africa, we will now officially update our Download GPS Maps for Garmin units a few times a year: The following is a guideline of how our updates will be released – but we may skip a quarter here or there if there are no significant map content changes or even slot in a release that contains a map fix if required:
- Month 1 (March) (ver 24.03)
- Month 2 (June) (ver 24.06) (ie. for 2020 our upgrade release was 20.05)
- Month 3 (September) (ver 24.09) (ie. for 2020 this release was issued on 7 August 2020 ie. version 20.05.02)
- Month 4 (December) (ver 24.12)
You can subscribe to:
- Complete Africa Mapset: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
- Complete Africa Mapset: 5 Year Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 5 years)
- Single Mapsets for specific countries/travel regions: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
If you have subscribed to a Downloadable Map:
- You will be entitled to all the map updates we release within the next 12 months/ 5 years. (single/complete mapset subscription)
- Then, for the Complete Set of Downloadable Maps Yearly Subscription only: When the subscription ends, a 50% discount will be available, and you can either subscribe to another years subscription of complete maps, or purchase an SD card with that 50% discount – regardless of when you come back to buy.
- Then, for the Complete Set of Downloadable Maps 5 Year Subscription only: When the subscription ends, there will be no discounts on any GPS maps you may want to purchase then. The 5 year subscription is already a very good deal! (ie. unless you have previously purchased our GPS Maps on SD Card or our Complete set of downloadable maps Yearly Subscription – you will always retain your loyalty discount, and if in future you opt to purchase the sd card or complete set of downloadable maps with 1 years upgrade, you will get your discount again)
- Also note – when the subscription ends – it does not imply that your GPS Maps will stop working – your maps will continue working on your GPS device regardless of your subscription coming to an end!
Subscription Upgrades
You will receive all the relevant map updates we release within the next 12 months / 5 years – for purchases of:
- Complete Africa Mapset: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
- Complete Africa Mapset: 5 Year Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 5 years)
- Single Mapsets for specific countries/travel regions: Yearly Subscriptions (ie. includes map updates over 1 year)
See here how to access your FREE downloadable GPS Map Upgrades in Subscriptions
50% Discount Upgrade
The 50% discount on the Complete Map Subscription for 1 year will only apply when you renew your subscription – ie. when you opt to subscribe for the next year again when there is a new release available and your current subscription has expired.
You can however also apply this 50% discount to a new release on SD card instead.
This 50% discount will always be available to you regardless of when you come back to buy.
Note: there is no 50% discount on future purchases of Complete Map Subscriptions for 5 years.
What must I do to ensure I receive my subscription upgrades?
Since you would’ve subscribed on our system, we are aware of your subscription. Each time, the next release is loaded onto the system, you will received an email notifying you of your upgrade, and the download will be available on your Account page under “Subscriptions” on our site.
What must I do to ensure I receive my 50% discount upgrade? (Not applicable to the 5 Year Subscription)
There is nothing you need to do, since you are subscribed on our system, we are aware of it.
The 50% discount on the Complete Map Subscription for 1 year will only apply when you renew your subscription – ie. when you opt to subscribe for the next year again when there is a new release available.
The system will automatically supply you with a 50% coupon at checkout. If you choose to purchase the next release GPS Maps on SD Card, the 50% coupon will be available at checkout on that product too.
Do I get 50% discount on Complete Map Subscription for 5 years?
No, unfortunately you do not – it only applies to the Complete Set of Downloadable maps for 1 year subscription.
Do I get 50% discount on single downloadable map purchases?
No, unfortunately you do not – it only applies to the Complete Set of Downloadable maps with 1 year updates.
What if I miss a Subscription Upgrade Email?
No problem. Your subscription downloads are available for download on our Account, under “Subscriptions” on our site. They never expire.
See here how to access your downloadable GPS Map Upgrades in Subscriptions
How do I access my Subscription Downloadable Maps
All your subscriptions, including you upgrade subscriptions, are available under your Account, under “Subscriptions”. You can download them anytime from there.
Each time you enter into a subscription with us, your initial purchase order email will also contain download links for the maps, and thereafter, on each subscription upgrade, you will receive an email with the links.
See here how to access your downloadable GPS Map Upgrades in Subscriptions
What happens to my Downloadable Maps once my yearly / 5 year subscription ends?
All GPS Downloadable maps you received during your subscription year/s, will be forever be accessible on your Account on our system, under “Subscriptions”. You can download them anytime, even once your yearly / 5 year subscription has expired.
You can keep using your maps on your GPS unit – they will not stop working just because your subscription has ended.
Installing Subscription Downloadable Maps
You will have to download the maps to your PC, run the executable files and use Garmin Free Software, called Mapsource or Basecamp, to view your maps on your PC and to transfer them to your Garmin GPS unit, via a USB cable.
Please see our FAQ for User Guides, Videos and more.
What’s new in a release?
Note that we are on a daily basis updating and working on our maps with regards to new data and information we receive from our community of travellers. Further to that our GIS and Research teams are working on other projects for improvement constantly.
While the changes vary from region to region, there are always roads and places that need to be updated. You may not see radical changes from one release to the next but we are constantly adding to the map, fixing errors or taking places off when we know they have closed.
If you know of any such changes you are most welcome to let us know at newdata@tracks4africa.co.za.
Subscription Release Versions vs SD Card Release Versions
Please note that our Subscription Products and SD Card products are too completely seperate products, and managed differently. The release versions for the two products also varies:
SD Card Release Versions:
- May (eg. 24.05)
- October (eg. 24.10)
- Due to COVID-19 impact on retailers we have decided not to release a packaged 20.10 version. We opted to update the 20.05 maps to version 20.05.03 and use the same packaging as for 20.05. All customers who purchased 20.05 will receive this map update together with an additional map update in May 2021 (version 21.05).
Subscription Product Versions:
- March (eg. 24.03)
- June (eg. 24.06) (ie. In 2020 this release was versioned 20.05)
- September (eg. 24.09) (ie. In 2020 this release was versioned 20.05.02)
- December (eg. 24.12)
Therefore, if you purchased for example a v23.10 SD Card, and opted for your free upgrade on a Subscription product – you will receive the latest version that is available on the Subscription product, which could be v23.12 or v24.05 etc. depending on when during the year you opt for this product as your upgrade. So the SD Card product versions will usually never be the same as the Subscription product versions and vice versa.
Any problems?
Please contact our sales team at sales@tracks4africa.co.za with as much information as possible such as:
- Your full name & surname
- The email address you registered with on our system
- Subscription map and version you signed up for