RNajarian

Since I put 20,000 miles a year on my DD and use my Navigation system pretty heavily I've decided to bite the $500 dealer only Nav/Command update bullet on my newly acquired 2012 C350. The current version (NTG4.5 version 16 2017) was released in January 2017. I am running version 10 released in 2012.

Does anyone know when the next update is due to be released? Is it annual? If so, I would wait 5 months for version 17 if it was released in Jan 2018. Sure miss the do it yourself DVD install

Here is a link to a thread which discussed the issue
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-c...ap-update.html


Thanks

EDIT: I found some additional information I would like to share.

The first is an industry write up of the updated (2012) NTG4 Command system . . .

"COMAND Online NTG4.5
Comand NTG4.5 is the latest 'main-stream' Comand system and is known as Comand Online because it can connect to Mercedes Benz online internet services via certain bluetooth mobile phones.
It has a fixed 7" colour display with 800x480 pixel display.

It first became available in late 2011 with the face lift W204 C class, and the W212 E, W207 E and W212 CLS classes along with the R172 SLK.

Mercedes Benz seem to be rolling this COMAND system into all the standard (i.e not S/CL) vehicles and it is now in the W176 A class W246 B class, W166 ML

The maps are stored on a hard disk, and althought the map update DVD is available cheaply, a PIN code is needed which can be bought from Mercedes Benz Dealers and specialists like Comand Online.

The system supports (optonally) the Media Interface (fully integrated iPod kit), integrated dual-tuner DAB digital radio, Harmon Kardon (option 810) and B&O (opton 811) depending on which model seriels it is integrated in. It also supports Digital TV.

It supports 7 digit post codes, and downloadable applications allowing you to use facebook and other similar web sites on the COMAND screen."



The second is a good explaination on the new NAV update process on another Mercedes Forum. Thanks to BertL

"FWIW, one of the (few) documents I was able to read when I had my STAR Tek subscription yesterday, was that copy protection was introduced with the new 2nd Gen NTG 4.5 head unit that came in with the R172s as part of 2013 MY. The DVD used for the map update now requires a one-time-use key/code that syncs with the car model and specific head unit via the dealer service computer. There is a way for a dealer to retrieve the code for a specific car once its been used if its needed (I suspect in case a head unit has to be replaced so the owner does not have to buy the maps again), but it seemed to go through a bunch of verification steps that I didn't pay a lot of attention to.

Looks like MBZ has cracked down on DVD map sharing and copying to shore up their licensing agreement with the map data provider in more recent models -- interestingly enough, just as Lexus did with their new head unit they introduced with their 2013 models that forces map updates to now also involve a dealer and connection via their service computer to enable the maps one can buy on a USB stick, vs a customer being able to do the map updates without any service or license keys as I always have before (buy the DVD from an authorized discounted parts dealer, pop in the DVD, it updates, and it was done. Those days are gone.)"


SECOND EDIT 8-4-2017
Well even further investigation reveals that some online sources claim it IS POSSIBLE to upgrade NTG4.5 Command Systems yourself without the aid of a Dealer. Let me state that at this point I do not recommend it, because though I have found several sources online who will sell you both the NTG4.5 Command Update version 16 (2017) AND the VIN generated pin, I have yet to find anyone who has actually done it.

The following sources all claim the update can be done at home without the aid of a dealer.

The first vendor, located in the U.K., for about 199 English pounds (roughly $322 8/4/17) will sell you the
VIN generated pin. You must find/provide the latest map DVD.

Another eBay vendor is selling the Most current map on DVD and states "rarely people need to go to dealer for firmware update, just plug DVD in and in most cases you are done."

A third vendor from Canada who appears to understand the process best of all will sell you the most current map and a Pin (generated from your vehicles VIN) on a flash card (you provide) for $125.

My research revealed the pin is generated from a SDS unit, connected via the internet to the factory's database. Not sure how non MB affiliated vendors can obtain the pin, but the fear of bricking my command keeps me from going this route.

In essence, there are people out there who claim the update can be done at home, I have yet to find someone who has done it. The fear of bricking my Command unit and the subsequent dealer book time to repair the situation will keep me from going the non dealer route.