A couple of the biggest changes I've noticed are they've finally added the Red Hill Express in Hamilton, extended the 410 up to Mayfield in Brampton and added in new Trans-Canada Hwy 2 in New Brunswick.
A quick check in mapsource between various map versions shows that they added rivers and parks out in Red Deer and Lethbridge, AB.

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Their online mapviewer does not seem to be updated. Would anyone who has it mind telling me if they have included the Dartmouth Crossing area in Dartmouth NS? It's the big "black hole" in the 2009 maps from my perspective, living close by, but if it's not in the 2010 I may pass on this upgrade.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=44.703741,-63.561058&spn=0.018515,0.042615&z=15

Yes, they've update the Dartmouth Crossing area, roads and a few POIs. It actually looks better than maps.live.com which uses Navteq. In the Garmin maps Wright ave connects between Hwy 118 and Burnside Drive.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=44.70185~-63.571959&style=r&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&where1=Wright%20Ave%2C%20Halifax%2C%20NS%20B3B&encType=1

I've got the update installed with mapsource, so if you want a screenshot let me know.

Thanks Bootprint. Off to start the big-arse download I go...

A couple of questions about this lifetime map thingy... :) I'm sure that someone will know:

- If you have a unit that came with North American maps only and you subscribe to the North America AND Europe lifetime update plan, will this essentially replace buying the Europe maps upfront? Presuming, obviously, that you have enough memory to store them both internally or on an SD.

- The lifetime plan is good for the life of the unit but cannot be transferred to another unit in the event of it being lost/stolen/bricked/etc., correct?

- They seriously update these things quarterly? Obviously some areas will be different than others, but are there substantial updates to the maps and/or the POIs? There obviously won't be a consensus on this question, but some anecdotal thoughts would be appreciated.

Never thought I'd "buy into" updating maps, but I am also surprised at how frequently roads change and new areas spring up.

Thanks everyone!

Stang - here are answers to a couple of your questions, from other web sites:
- "This map update can only be used to update the preloaded maps that came installed on your Garmin device. For example, a Garmin GPS device preloaded with North America maps only cannot be updated with a nüMaps Lifetime Europe Map Update, and vice versa." says the MySatNav website http://www.mysatnav.ie/garmin-numap-eur
If you purchased the European maps for your unit, you could then buy the North American and Europe lifetime upgrade.
- From a Canadian member of GpsPasSion (http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=124763&whichpage=3):
"For those like myself who are wondering about Lifetime Update and lost/stolen or defective systems and transfers, here's what I just got from Garmin (direct quote):

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.
With the lifetime map updates, it is only good for that one device. However, if your device was stolen, and you could provide a police report, we would be able to transfer that map update for you. If your unit comes in for repair and is exchanged out or if it was stolen and you have a police report, are the only two times the map updates can be transferred."

Hope you find this helps... I have just subscribed to the North American and European updates for my 770... now for another trip to Europe to make it pay!

Thanks Hursley - I ended up biting the $180 bullet and got the lifetime map updates (I have Europe and North America pre-installed).

Although the price is a bit steep, I don't plan on replacing my trust Nuvi 270 for a few years. I like having it, but I don't really need anything more for what I use it for. Fingers crossed that it doesn't die in the next few years. Another big consideration is that I can write it off for my business - if it was purely personal I don't know if I would have been quite so eager.

The downloading of the maps takes quite a while as the files are a few gigs each. Installation takes quite a while as well. But generally it was a pretty easy, but lengthy process.

As for the updates themselves, some new roads that weren't on the old maps are now available, and a couple of anomalies were corrected (like my sister's 7-year-old-house not being on the 2009 maps although surrounding, much newer roads were). Nothing earth shattering, but a few noticeable changes. Some roads that were opened in the last year or two are still absent, however, so it definitely isn't up-to-the-month or anything like that.

I have started submitting errors, changes, and new roads to Navteq through their web site reporting form, although I'm not sure how long those take to show up in a map update. Anyone know?

So that's my experience with the map updates if anyone is wondering and/or cares. :)

We are planning a trip from Western New York to Myrtle Beach in the spring and the GPS unit we have is 2 years old. I never updated the maps so after a short trip this weekend and finding several changes we decided to bite the bullet and get the update. I opted for the Lifetime over the one time because just 2 updates will pay for it. I also purchased via Amazon instead of Garmin because it's a bit cheaper and I also got free shipping. I know I could have gotten the download but I am one who likes to have a hard copy. KWIM

FWIW I update machines every 2-2-1/2 years so I don't choose to update maps between purchases.
As I am planning on a European trip, I will get a new Garmin in the late spring of 2010 with both North America and Europe maps pre-loaded [Latest editions]. The current Garmin goes into the second car.
I left my old Nuvi 350 in South Africa last April with the South Africa maps. I gave it to a friend as an 80th birthday present.

My 2¢ worth on Lifetime map updates.