Stick Girl

Did anyone else receive a letter from MBUSA regarding a navigation update? I can't tell what version this is supposed to be from the letter. Cost is $249 MSRP. Wonder which dealerships offer it lower than the MSRP?

Also, I thought that the dealership installs the update, but since there is no mention of taking it in for this service, how is the update done by the owner?

Thx.

jvc300

Stick Girl,

Another forum I was on did a group buy of the nav dvd and took turns updating their systems. A member would update their car then mailed to the next person on the list. Just a passing thought........

rhampar

Just got mine today also. Does anybody know what changes or updates are made to these DVD's? Since my car is only a yr old probably won't go for the update till next year.

ghstudio

I have never seen a map update that told you what was updated...that's on a car, or on a gps. Garmin does quarterly updates of their US navigation maps and no one ever knows what's in the updates.

However, in this case, the update is likely from the 2010/2011 maps to the 2011/2012 maps. You can see what's on the 2012 maps by going to your dealer and finding a car with the new nav system....and see if there's anything you can find that isn't on your current map. I bet there are no changes in your area...and that's without knowing your area.

El Cid

Have received two of the letters in last six months and both said to take it to dealer. Cost was about 250.
Personally, I don't drive outside my area enough to warrant annual updates or even bi-annual. Also, how often are new roads built?
Of course, the list of restaurants, gas stations, etc. should be changing - but how old is the information that the M-B contractor used when they created the DVD?

dfordham

The update consists of two DVDs. You simply insert the first DVD and follow directions to insert the second one when it tells you. Takes a couple hours but is foolproof.

You can also buy it from the supplier (navteq.com). It comes in the same Mercedes packaging and cost is the same.

As for what is updated, all Navteq says is that roads and points of interest have been updated. No specifics.

Regards,
Don

dfordham

That is, of course, a violation of the software's license agreement.

Regards,
Don

Stick Girl

Thanks for the details on how it is done. Not sure if I'll take advantage of the update. Like El Cid, I don't venture too far for it to be very beneficial.

jvc300

That is not correct. According to the MB parts department. Once you own the disk you can transfer from one car to another.

I can update my car and my neighbors.

There is no limit on how many cars you can update.

Regards,
Joe

dfordham

I have the license agreement in front of me. Here are some excerpts:

"The Data is provided for your personal, internal use only and may not be resold."

"Your limited license does not allow transfer or resale of the Data, except on the condition that you may transfer the Data and all accompanying materials on a permanent basis if: (a) you retain no copies of the Data; (b) the recipient agrees to the terms of this End User License Agreement; and (c) you transfer the Data in the exact same form as you purchased it ..... "

This is a typical commercial software EULA, the same as you would find if you bought a copy of Microsoft Office. Software developers are not charities and they only make money when you buy a copy from them, not your neighbor.

Now, if you were to share with your neighbor, or even resell to him, what are your chances of getting caught? Pretty slim but I wouldn't be chatting about it on a public forum. Check the actions of the RIAA in their low volume random lawsuits against music pirates. To my knowledge they have won every one.

Regards,
Don

samkimg

For my P2-equipped 2010 E350, I have no dedicated DVD drive for my Nav system, I've just been going to my dealer and they've been updating it for free.

dfordham

The W212 Nav system doesn't have a dedicated DVD, it is hard drive based. To do the update, you use the DVD/CD player/changer you usually use for your music. Once the update is done, the update DVD's are removed.

Edit: You have a great dealer if he's doing it for free!

Regards,
Don

jvc300

Interesting that the dealer would tell me otherwise. However, I did not participate in the group purchase. So I'm not worried about getting caught . The other forum was very open about the whole transaction.

I stand corrected.

Joe

dfordham

This isn't the last time a dealer will give you wrong information.

Regards,
Don

stemags

Is it really worth the 250? And I wonder if top end Indi's can do it as well
I would certainly do a group buy thing,,what the heck

Stick Girl

This past weekend, I took a trip out of town. Navigation led me right to a dead end road, and I lost about 30 minutes backtracking. This is one time the $250 would have been money well spent!

ghstudio

It is a serious mistake to assume that the latest maps will be better in your specific area. You need to go to a dealer where they have the latest map (2012 version) on a demo car and see if it would have taken you on a different route or had better maps in the area where you had a dead end.

Don't just assume that the new map has all the updates....

Stick Girl

Understood. I do think that the nav update would have helped in this case because the old route lead to a ferry and the new route (not shown) was a bridge and a new major highway. I just wasn't aware of it.

Even driving to my brother's house (which has been there for a few years), the nav displayed "unmapped roads" in some areas. Go figure...

Mr Snappy

I recommend that you update the Nav about once every three years. Paying $250 every year is a little silly since not that much changes. And remember, even though the roads around you may have changed, it does not mean that the little vehicles that NAVTEQ send out has gotten there yet, especially in the middle of the country.

Garmin is headquartered here, and we still have trouble getting timely updates!

PHML

Tonight...I drove on roads that aren't shown on my Navi...I guess I should update my Navi soon.

mafialink

How did you make it home?

Its gonna happen as soon as you get the update. Just and enjoy

K Rick C

Can someone tell me where the Navigation drive is located on a 2009 E-350?

venchka

My experience with NAVTEQ base maps in two vehicles, 2004 Volvo built in April 2003 and 2012 M-B built in October 2011, is as follows:
The maps are old when you get the system in new vehicle.
The maps will get you where you are going. I haven't encountered a dead end road like Stick Girl mentioned.
I updated the maps for the Volvo after about 6 years. While better than the 2003 maps, they aren't perfect.
The maps delivered with our 2012 GLK were the latest version according to Navteq. They are still not up to date by a couple of years. Example: The new bridge across the Mississippi River at Greenville, MS opened in 2009. It is not located on our 2011 base map. The old bridge is shown on our screen and we were driving in blank space on the screen.
Until and unless our navigation systems are connected to Google Maps in real time, the base maps will be behind the times. Even GOOGLE maps aren't infallible.
We carry paper maps and BlackBerrys running Google maps as back up.
Bottom line: Wait a few years to update your base maps.

Wayne

El Cid

Got another "offer" this past week, but not biting at $250.
Another problem with NAVTEQ that is created by state politicians in SC is that many highways in SC have TWO or more names. There is the official, time honored, long existing, on the street and interstate exit signs names. Then there is the let's "honor" (suck-up) to some politician or fat-cat by puting up a sign and naming a section of road after him. No problem with naming bridges, interchanges, etc. as navigation maps don't recognize them. However, SC DOT records both names when they do it for a road and then NAVTEQ gets that information.
Problem is you may be travelling down a road and street signs all say White Horse Rd, but map on screen says Joe Smith Highway. Not really NAVTEQ's fault because politicians gave it two names and DOT has to honor what the politicians do or risk losing some funding. So their records show both names.
Depending on length, some roads could have 3, 4 or more names.
So, if travelling in SC, don't be confused. Fortunately, NAVTEQ apparently still recognizes the real name if you enter it as a destination, which you would since all businesses, residents and the US Postal Service and 911 systems still use the real names.

konigstiger

MY09 navigation utilizes hard drive built into COMAND unit see attachment for update instructions.