It's a monthly fee from what I understand. There are simpler (monochromatic) GPS ..handheld for hiking etc that do not require a service fee, the satellite that feeds it, is free.

Now, that means there should be some that use the basic GPS satellite (no charge) and the maps are loaded into the unit, but not updated through a service. I think that some of the satellites quit scrambling the data, so it can be picked up without going through a service

OH! I used to subscribe to PC Magazine (when it was ONLY computers ) thanks for reminding me it's on the web Is it a Garmin or a Magellan after all???