Did Garmin lower the price on the 705...

[Mr. Bloom]

...and then start charging $100 for the map disk??? Or was it always like that?

[OakLeaf]

The 705 was always available either bundled with the map chip, or without, and yeah, it was $100 even. What I didn't realize is that the bundled chip doesn't contain the software to run the mapping program on your regular computer.

DON'T take my word for this without verifying it with Garmin or someone who knows, but it's my understanding that if you buy the map disc separately, you can load the maps onto your own micro-SD card and get unlock codes from Garmin to let the 705 recognize it. That would be a better deal, because then you can run it on your computer as well as unlock it in GTC.

[Mr. Bloom]

Wow! Now THAT'S a racket.