No more nav map updates for W221 or W216?
09-28-2018, 06:15 PM
#1
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2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
No more nav map updates for W221 or W216?
My dealer informed me, and MBUSA has now confirmed, that there will be no more nav map updates for NTG 3.5 (MY 2010-2013 S-Class and 2009-2014 CL). The last release was BQ 6 46 0341, v.14.0, for calendar years 2015-2016.
Further, the MB nav map update site for MY 2007-2009 S-Class and CL indicates that v.15.0, BQ 6 46 0340, also covering calendar years 2015-2016 is the last release for NTG 3.0 systems.
Personally, I find that infuriating. V.14.0 was the only update for NTG 3.5 after the 2013 model was produced. Its road data dates from 2014, and it contains errors that were a problem even when the discs came out (among other things I am constantly told to take an exit ona local Interstate where none exists; they were detours during road construction). Cutting W221 and CL owners off after just one update is simply ridiculous, and will have me looking at other brands for my next car purchase.
The first message I received message for NTG 3.5 owners from MBUSA said specifically:
"We can confirm that there will not be additional navigation updates for the NTG3.5.
"We appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts We welcome your feedback as it is invaluable in our on-going efforts to provide a product that meets the demands of our customers.
"While we cannot promise this will change in the future, it is comments such as yours that help us to provide feedback to the appropriate individuals within our organization, so they can consider improving upon the features available for our products."
That language suggests that perhaps with enough feedback from W221 and CL owners, perhaps they could reconsider and at least one more update might be released. I note that for the '05-'06 W220s, map updates were released covering dates through 2014, eight years after the last W220 was produced. Here, we get three. That is a sorry decision by Mercedes, and we owners should say so. The email address is support@mbusa.com
I continued to inquire, and after a month of trying for clarification, I did receive an updated response from Mercedes Customer Assistance today:
"I have confirmed with our product specialists that there is not a new update out for the NTG 3.5 systems, and we do not have knowledge of when an update will be released.
"Should you need to contact us via email in the future, please visit the www.MBUSA.com Contact Us page."
While that is a disappointing outcome, it does not seem to foreclose the possibility that another release could occur in the future. I suggest that MY 2010-2013 W221 (S-Class) and 2009-2014 W216 (CL Class) owners make such contact, and let them know of your interest in an update.
Further, the MB nav map update site for MY 2007-2009 S-Class and CL indicates that v.15.0, BQ 6 46 0340, also covering calendar years 2015-2016 is the last release for NTG 3.0 systems.
Personally, I find that infuriating. V.14.0 was the only update for NTG 3.5 after the 2013 model was produced. Its road data dates from 2014, and it contains errors that were a problem even when the discs came out (among other things I am constantly told to take an exit ona local Interstate where none exists; they were detours during road construction). Cutting W221 and CL owners off after just one update is simply ridiculous, and will have me looking at other brands for my next car purchase.
The first message I received message for NTG 3.5 owners from MBUSA said specifically:
"We can confirm that there will not be additional navigation updates for the NTG3.5.
"We appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts We welcome your feedback as it is invaluable in our on-going efforts to provide a product that meets the demands of our customers.
"While we cannot promise this will change in the future, it is comments such as yours that help us to provide feedback to the appropriate individuals within our organization, so they can consider improving upon the features available for our products."
That language suggests that perhaps with enough feedback from W221 and CL owners, perhaps they could reconsider and at least one more update might be released. I note that for the '05-'06 W220s, map updates were released covering dates through 2014, eight years after the last W220 was produced. Here, we get three. That is a sorry decision by Mercedes, and we owners should say so. The email address is support@mbusa.com
I continued to inquire, and after a month of trying for clarification, I did receive an updated response from Mercedes Customer Assistance today:
"I have confirmed with our product specialists that there is not a new update out for the NTG 3.5 systems, and we do not have knowledge of when an update will be released.
"Should you need to contact us via email in the future, please visit the www.MBUSA.com Contact Us page."
While that is a disappointing outcome, it does not seem to foreclose the possibility that another release could occur in the future. I suggest that MY 2010-2013 W221 (S-Class) and 2009-2014 W216 (CL Class) owners make such contact, and let them know of your interest in an update.
Last edited by Skylaw; 09-28-2018 at 06:18 PM.
10-03-2018, 12:13 PM
#2
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2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
UPDATE and Possible Workarounds
UPDATE: A Mercedes Executive Referral Manager confirmed yesterday that there will be no more nav map updates for NTG 3.0 or 3.5. Below are some possible workarounds.
There are mirroring devices for the NTG 3 and 3.5. One such solution was presented by member hilarushi at https://www.benzworld.org/forums/aud...es-comand.html - it is a wireless solution using the phone as a wi-fi hot spot transmitting to a wi-fi rebroadcaster (such as Anycast) with an HDMI output that in turns feeds into a device that converts the HDMI output to analog RCA output ( ), in turn feeding into the MMI aux inputs that can be selected and displayed on the COMAND screen. One would have to use that somewhat balky setup with a Video In Motion device (I would recommend the one by NAVIKS, having used one for a brief time). The setup can be used with either iPhone or Android.
A second method is wired; using an Apple Lightning to HDMI output cable (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/M...5c5f5782896ea6), one that then connects via an HDMI cable to the same HDMI-to-analog device used in the wi-fi connection above. Selection of the RCA video is again made on the "Video" menu of COMAND. I do not know if iPhones having 30-pin output will work as well, but there are a number of HDMI adapters for various Apple devices. I have not explored similar cables for Android.
A third method is to use a video interface such as that by NAVIKS - https://naviks.com/i-24075303-2010-2...interface.html. It is also used together with an iPhone HDMI interface, and North American cars require a Video In Motion bypass device as well (https://naviks.com/i-21933022-2010-2...ionbypass.html). All together, including additional cables, etc., you're looking at nearly $650 for a DIY installation. As far as I can tell, this is the approach closest to the device to which you linked.
All of those methods transmit audio together with the smart phone map display, so you can get turn-by-turn instructions. None of the methods offers nav data on the multifunction display. The first two methods involve a bundle of unsightly wires that would need to be hidden, and require a power source. Frankly, I would only use such a setup if I were traveling in an area I am totally unfamiliar with, and I'd be tempted to do it just using an iPad instead of using all that stuff.
There is also a fourth method, which actually involves replacing the OE COMAND monitor. It involves a replacement unit (the monitor, in any case) for COMAND 3.0 and 3.5 that offers Android compatibility, but as yet the site does not state that it offers Apple CarPlay. https://www.sardincar.com/mercedes-b...imedia-player/. A similar screen replacement is discussed at https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...uchscreen.html (you'll have to sort through some snarky posts - sorry) - but this site says its unit offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility (via a 4G hotspot), and provides all original COMAND screen controls. I have no experience at all with this system, and the first website (at the time of this post) does not provide pricing; the second indicates about $675. I do not know if this unit is for the CL.
There are mirroring devices for the NTG 3 and 3.5. One such solution was presented by member hilarushi at https://www.benzworld.org/forums/aud...es-comand.html - it is a wireless solution using the phone as a wi-fi hot spot transmitting to a wi-fi rebroadcaster (such as Anycast) with an HDMI output that in turns feeds into a device that converts the HDMI output to analog RCA output ( ), in turn feeding into the MMI aux inputs that can be selected and displayed on the COMAND screen. One would have to use that somewhat balky setup with a Video In Motion device (I would recommend the one by NAVIKS, having used one for a brief time). The setup can be used with either iPhone or Android.
A second method is wired; using an Apple Lightning to HDMI output cable (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/M...5c5f5782896ea6), one that then connects via an HDMI cable to the same HDMI-to-analog device used in the wi-fi connection above. Selection of the RCA video is again made on the "Video" menu of COMAND. I do not know if iPhones having 30-pin output will work as well, but there are a number of HDMI adapters for various Apple devices. I have not explored similar cables for Android.
A third method is to use a video interface such as that by NAVIKS - https://naviks.com/i-24075303-2010-2...interface.html. It is also used together with an iPhone HDMI interface, and North American cars require a Video In Motion bypass device as well (https://naviks.com/i-21933022-2010-2...ionbypass.html). All together, including additional cables, etc., you're looking at nearly $650 for a DIY installation. As far as I can tell, this is the approach closest to the device to which you linked.
All of those methods transmit audio together with the smart phone map display, so you can get turn-by-turn instructions. None of the methods offers nav data on the multifunction display. The first two methods involve a bundle of unsightly wires that would need to be hidden, and require a power source. Frankly, I would only use such a setup if I were traveling in an area I am totally unfamiliar with, and I'd be tempted to do it just using an iPad instead of using all that stuff.
There is also a fourth method, which actually involves replacing the OE COMAND monitor. It involves a replacement unit (the monitor, in any case) for COMAND 3.0 and 3.5 that offers Android compatibility, but as yet the site does not state that it offers Apple CarPlay. https://www.sardincar.com/mercedes-b...imedia-player/. A similar screen replacement is discussed at https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...uchscreen.html (you'll have to sort through some snarky posts - sorry) - but this site says its unit offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility (via a 4G hotspot), and provides all original COMAND screen controls. I have no experience at all with this system, and the first website (at the time of this post) does not provide pricing; the second indicates about $675. I do not know if this unit is for the CL.
Last edited by Skylaw; 10-04-2018 at 07:52 PM. Reason: add title
10-08-2018, 10:05 AM
#3
Maybe it would be possible to create an updated "v14.5" map disk with injected data from a newer W222 disk. The whole "authorisation / cracking" would be another topic but something tells me that it shouldn't be an issue for a dedicated cracker.
I guess it is time to start searching for the right type of forum that could deal with such situation.
I guess it is time to start searching for the right type of forum that could deal with such situation.
