thunderbirl

I've recently updated my 2008 NTG2 nav dvd and confirmed that I can't trust saved destinations when the nav dvd is updated. I'd seen this on the last update (https://mbworld.org/forums/5292348-post4.html) and confirmed again yesterday with the latest updates.

The destinations are retained with right street address, but they don't take me to the right places. I ended up being routed a couple miles away. Once I reentered and saved the same street address - it works.

Seems that there's some sort of disconnect between the street address that gets saved in the computer and the internal referencing when the dvd is changed.

Breadcrumbs (or whatever they are called for "off roading") seem to be maintained... weird!

poolmanEd

I have had the same thing happen when I got a newer DVD.
Just so you know you are not alone.
Don't know how to fix it though.

thunderbirl

Thanks for the confirmation...

I've also found that destinations saved as GPS coordinates are retained. Thus, I'm still thinking that there is an indexing mismatch with regard to the old destination with the new records in the address database. It seems to happen for each revision of the nav maps.

This isn't a huge deal for me as I've only got about a dozen or saved locations. If I simply re-enter the exact same address - it works. I sat down and did one after another a couple weeks ago and now know that every destination in the nav system will work.

I guess I could use the coordinates to save the location as I visit one by one...

2008 ML 320 CDI

Thunderbirl, I'm pleased I came across your thread. I have a few questions please:


* You did this update on your 2008 ML350, right? I have a 2008 ML320 CDI and am thinking of doing an update myself with the "Mercedes Benz Navigation DVD 2014".


* Did you have the update done by your dealership or did you do it yourself with a bought DVD? If you used a DVD, what update version (v.11?) did you use and how many DVDs were in the package? (I believe there might be two DVDs and I wonder what each of them does.)


* Does the update for the maps automatically bring about an update for the COMAND Firmware and how much different is the new Comand Firmware to your previous Firmware? Was your previous Comand Firmware the one that came with the vehicle when it was new, i.e. whatever was installed in 2008?


From what I've been able to find out so far there is a substantial difference after the update in terms of menus, new functions and appearances. I'd like to know that I wouldn't be wasting my money doing the update and that the update process is relatively easy and risk free when you do it yourself. If you would help with your experience, I would greatly appreciate it!

N_Jay

What year DVD did you update from and to?

2008 ML 320 CDI

N Jay, is your question directed to 2008 ML 320 CDI or to thunderbirl?


I, 2008 ML 320 CDI, have not yet done the 2014 update and am currently still using the Navigation disc and Comand Firmware that the vehicle was originally issued with when new in 2008.

thunderbirl

I did the update myself on my 2008 ML350. My single disk (dual layer) update did not involve the dealership.

I don't remember anything specific about updating the COMAND itself and found no "functional" changes.

The 2014 update provides nominal map improvements over the 2012 update I had done. The 2012 update was a huge improvement over the 2008-OEM version. I think that the ability to enter addresses improves only because the updated maps are more detailed. There are more (and more current) points of interest.

Updating the maps was easy.

I don't think I've had any experience with COMAND updates. I'm the second owner, but knowing the car's history - and the dealer$hip's intere$t$, it's likely that the COMAND software is the original for the vehicle . I wasn't aware that COMAND updates might be bundled with map updates, but if there is a functional software update for the NTG2, I'd like to hear what it does.

Best of luck...

N_Jay

thunderbirl and/or poolmanEd.


I have 2012 (I think) in my 2008, but did not notice the issue (but was not paying much attention either).

2008 ML 320 CDI

OK, so with a 2014 Maps update there will be a huge improvement in the maps over the original 2008 Maps version and most of this improvement already came about with the 2012 Maps update. Thank you very much thunderbirl!

There certainly is a Comand Firmware update as well but you have to find someone at a dealership who even knows about this and that is the biggest challenge with it. Some car owners have had trouble with their sound systems, something to do with the volume and their ipods and in those cases the dealership would update the Comand Firmware which would correct the problem, but it would also bring about improvements with the menus, functions and visual appearance in the Navigation Menus and the Map Display. One such prominent improvement for instance was "stars at night and clouds in the day on the horizon with the bird's eye view in maps". Perhaps you already received these improvements with your 2012 Maps update or perhaps you didn't and the Comand Firmware was updated just enough to make the 2012 Maps update work.

Apparently, if you do a jump in the Maps update from say 2008 directly to 2014, the 2008 Comand Firmware can't manage the update jump and therefore you are required to first do a separate Comand Firmware update and then do the Maps update. Now supposedly the intermediate Map updates (2009, 2010,2011, etc.) each updates the Comand Firmware enough each time so that you can make smaller jumps from say 2012 to 2014. So in my case I need to do the jump from 2008 to 2014, but if it doesn't work I need to know that the dealership here can do the Comand Firmware update for me.

From other sources it would seem that the Comand Firmware update consists of 3 separate sub-updates - 1)Audio Gateway (AGW, stereo, tuner, MOST fibre optics, Diagnostic interface), 2) Navigation Processor and 3) Display Unit. Whether all 3 x sub-updates would be updated each time you do a Comand Firmware update and exactly which of these get updated when you do the Maps update, I don't know.


Also, some updates take 150 minutes to complete in which time the Navigation System must not be switched off. Whether it takes this long for the Comand Firmware update only or whether a Maps update takes this long anyway would also be interesting. Thunderbirl, how long did each of your Map updates (2012 & 2014) take please? If your updates were relatively quick, then perhaps that is an indication that not much was updated in line of a Comand Firmware update.

N_Jay

I had not heard about the Command Update.


My car is an early 2008 (First month of production) with 2012 maps and does not show a birds eye view.


Anyone know for sure if and how to get it updated? (and maybe the cost?)

2008 ML 320 CDI

I know you can cross reference threads in this forum, but I don't know how. There is a thread on MBWorld with title "COMAND Software Update" and it is 7 pages long.


Below is a single post by Drtmpkns excerpt from that thread.



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07-04-2012, 07:05 AM #121 Drtmpkns
Newbie



Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1
Drives: 2013 E350 Sport 4Matic


2009 C350 Sport - COMAND Firmware Update + NAVTEQ 2012.2 v.10
Folks,

I thought I'd add a few photos and relay details of my recent dealership visit in which I had the COMAND firmware updated in my 2009 C350 Sport W204 with the MELCO/NTG4 HU (version 11.02.00 which does not indicate year since it was factory-installed in my 2009). I also update the NAVTEQ maps to the latest 2012.2 v.10 edition. My vehicle has 2,000 miles remaining on the factory warranty.

Having read this thread, I scheduled regular service and also mentioned that I'd like to have warranty service completed regarding the HU COMAND firmware updates. Per recommendations, I mentioned I was experiencing problems with the AUX low volume from the factory-installed iPod integration (which I never use, I have all my music on an SD Card), and that I occasionally have to "reboot" the system when it gets stuck on "Loading Speech Data." This was sufficient justification for the dealer. I also spoke to the Service Manager and showed him photos of the screens UCFBETA92 posted to prove I was missing the "boost" function which "fixes" the iPod volume issue. As an additional precaution, I also took a photo of the MOST error log found in the Engineering Menu as it listed a number of Fan/CD/Etc error codes. I figured at least I could prove there was something odd going on before service clears out the error logs. There's actually a lot of interesting information in the Engineering Menu sub-items for those that are curious.

One note: It did take a few conversations with the original Service Advisor to get them to understand the difference between the NAVTEQ DVD maps updates and the COMAND firmware updates. The latter isn't something the average Service Advisor or customer requests very often if at all, so I'm not surprised some folks on this thread are having difficulty getting a straight answer from their dealerships.

Ok...

I now have all the same updates as UCFBETA92. I didn't notice any "new" startup warning messages or MB STAR enhancements, but here are the new changes I noticed post-update:

* I have the "skyline stars" effect in Bird's Eye view in Navigation.
* I have the time showing in the upper left corner of the Navigation screen at all times now.
* I have the analog clock under System|Time settings.
* I have the AUX sound "boost" option.
* I have an "Information" section now when listening to the radio, with stations that support HD FM (I guess) relaying over-the-air info like song information, DJ, etc. Not all stations support the information, but for those that do, it gives you a pop-up screen instead of just scrolling some of the info above the radio station.
* I have an additional NAV menu selection called "Map Version" that lists the current NAVTEQ maps installed.
* I have at least half a dozen new sub-menus/options in the Engineering Menu mostly related to hardware settings and diagnostics - also includes an "END" option which I didn't have previously (in order to "exit" the menu previous to the update I simply turned the HU off and back on again).
* To exit NAV Full Screen, I used to be able to press the CLR button, but now I must press down on the COMAND joystick/knob.

On the dealer invoice, I have the following data which may (or may not) help when you go in to talk to your Service Advisor:

-----
Op Code: 829905 Software Update - Radio/COMAND, Perform 1333 W8
Op Code: 024762 STAR Diagnosis System (SDS), Connect & Disconnect 1333 W8
Line: 48036 Customer request check for update and perform if available for the COMAND unit. Updates available. Performed update on the COMAND unit. Saved information to paperless files."
-----

Hope all this helps!






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07-04-2012, 02:46 PM #122

N_Jay

That is a 2009 C.
Is there anything that implies it would work on a 2008 ML/GL?

2008 ML 320 CDI

Well exactly! That's why I was happy to find thunderbirl's thread. In any case, the Comand systems may be different on the various platforms, but in general they still have most things in common. I'm pretty sure you can update the Comand Firmware on a 2008 ML, but you can't simply walk into a dealership and ask for it because all you'll get is a blank stare with stars in the eyes. I've already tried it once and that's what I got!


The problem today is that technology is advancing so fast that the people who generate the technology can't keep their own support staff up to date with the changes.

N_Jay

The command systems come from two different manufacturers.
Becker or Alpine. There are entirely different units with entirely different HW/FW/SW.


They are updated on different schedules.


The 2007/8 ML/GL is an Alpine unit, commonly called NTG2 or NTG2.0


I don't know if the 09 C is Alpine or not, or of the same hardware generation as the ones we have.

2008 ML 320 CDI

I don't expect the Map update disc (or any other firmware disc for that matter) for the W204 C class NTG4 system to work on the ML or GL NTG2 system, but I do expect the 2 systems to be upgradable in a similar manner.
The W204 C class example was merely brought into this discussion as evidence of the existence a Comand Firmware update and the possible improvements that come with it.








Anyway, if I eventually find out what is possible for the ML/GL, I will post it here.

thunderbirl

About 3 to 5 minutes each.

If you can tell me where to find the software revision code or the map revision code from within the NTG2 system display, I'd be happy to share the version numbers I'm running.

2008 ML 320 CDI

Thunderbirl, my wife is currently using our ML visiting her family and so won't be back until after the Easter weekend. For now I can't physically go through the system to see if I can find it, but I've also read elsewhere that the version number is not always displayed on the system.
I suspect that you're running v.11 for the 2014 maps as that is the version given online for sale for 2014 for the 2008 ML. If you come across the version of the Comand Firmware you're running, well that will be very interesting! Do you remember if the navigation menus looked a lot different after the 2012 update? It seems the big improvements came with the 2012 update.
I'm starting to think I should simply see if I can get a Comand Firmware update done when our ML returns in a week or two and if it isn't too expensive. After that I will look at getting a 2014 map update.
Thank you for your trouble in this!

N_Jay

Don't get too excited.


I am quite confident that NTG2 system is enough different from the NTG4 system that any update for one is irrelevant to the other.


Ours are severely limited non-hard drive systems. I think the NTG4 is a hard drive system.


The disk is 99% maps, not much else.

2008 ML 320 CDI

Received the 2014 MERCEDES BENZ MCS2 MCSII COMAND NAVIGATION DVD V11 three days ago and installed it on the system of my car. After inserting the new Maps DVD disc for the first time, the system automatically did a sub 5 minute installation and after that, the system worked the same way as it did before. This was an upgrade from a 2007 Maps DVD directly to the 2014 Maps DVD.


N Jay was right about the Maps Update DVD for these particular systems being 99% maps and not much else.

I was hoping for more changes other than just some changes to the maps, but there aren't any that I've noticed so far. The menus, start-up, information provided and screen layout all look the same as they did before. The new maps may have a somewhat different appearance now with different colours used for the background and roads, but to tell the truth I don't quite remember what the maps looked like before. Whether or not some of the COMAND software was upgraded with this installation, I can't tell.

poolmanEd

bought the DVD at the dealership and popped it in myself, the NAV did the rest on its own. Had to delete the faulty destinations one by one as I came across the destinations, and re-entered them as needed.