gocal73

Generally, I like my Garmin Map Pilot. I think it is a good value compared to the MM Package. However, I have some questions.


1. Is there any documentation for the use of Garmin Map Pilot other than the sketchy "MAP PILOT Quick Start Manual"?


2. I notice that there is map upgrade through Mercedes-Benz Download Manager for most of the world - except the USA. Anyone know if the US has a Download Manager and if there is an upgrade available for us? My North America version is 2.3. I live in the SF Bay Area. When crossing the new Bay Bridge, the Garmin shows the car in the bay. It wants to follow the path of the old bridge which is currently being dismantled. So, an upgrade would be nice.


3. What is Garmin Safe Mode? Sometimes the Nav will go into "Safe Mode" with this "target" icon on the screen. The data and information displays also disappear. I usually have to shut off the car to get back into regular Navigation mode. Weird. Anyone else experience "Safe Mode" or know what it is?


4. Live Traffic - Garmin says traffic will show up as Green for free-flowing traffic, Yellow as slow traffic and Red as stop-and-go. I have XM Traffic. However, free flowing traffic shows up as orange instead of green. Any one else experienced this?


Thanks!

bdwg22

When you're driving safe mode limits some map functions. Hit the back button to exit. I discovered yesterday hitting the squares button on the controller let's me change radio stations without having to switch to radio and keeps the map up.

gsw5700

Anyone know how long we get free garmin map updates for, and free traffic? Thanks

gocal73

I was on the COMAND system and looked up Navigation. It recognized that I have the Garmin SD card. For operating instructions it mentioned the Quick Start booklet that came with the card and a PDF file that is on the SD card. It says this PDF contains the instruction booklet for the Garmin Map Pilot. Has anyone accessed this file? Is there full instructions for the operation of the Map Pilot?


Thanks.

oachim

hi,

more info about garmin pilot upgrade policy on mb site here.

maps update should be available once a quarter.

no word about traffic info and no idea how this works.

regards
amo

98woody

is there any way to get a copy of the Garmin SD card???

gocal73

Yep. Buy one. I got mine at $500 (MSRP $600) as part of the deal when I bought my car. Actually, it's worth the cost. Just trys my patience sometimes when I can't find the documentation. I tend to want to read instructions on anything costing me more than $100. Also, since it's working well, I don't want to pull the SD card out of the car. This car is way too tempermental for that.

gocal73

Yes. If you are anywhere in the world EXCEPT for North America you can get the information you describe. However, if you live in one of those under-developed, technologically challenged countries like the USA and Canada, you can't use the MB Garmin online site. Maybe once we get that "internet" thing here in the States, we'll be able to enjoy all comforts of MB Garmin. Afterall, the developed countries are always picking on us under-developed nations by doing bad things to us, like dumping their Bleeding Seats and misaligned bumpers on us.

98woody

Im talking buying a homemade copy of an original from an individual for $50.

gocal73

Wont work. As soon as the card is inserted into the W205, it is mated to that car alone. Found out the hard way when salesman tried putting their demo car SD card into mine. It went crazy.

98woody

that stinks, didn't want to spend $500 on a garmin card that should come standard on the car

benzland

Well said. I managed to download "Download Manager" to no avail since it required login and password, and if you are in the USA, that country does not exist in their list and you can not register.

I contacted MB USA and they got back to me with "there is system upgrade expected, but no map update. No further details are available". Strange since the map files I saw on my SD card are from March 2014. If there is no update since than then we have lot of catch up to do in good old USA. On positive note the hope gets higher that that new system update might as well be Apple Carplay so that I can really use Google Maps on my Nav screen, and dump Garba...ouch Garmin.

solarflare

Actually, I thought it was asking me to register in a weird way. So I typed in what I thought would be my username and password. It gone through. I suspect they don't check and it will update.

There is definitely a map update. I saw mine updated to 2015 map. It took a while to download.

gocal73

So you updated your Garmin maps? What country did you use? Or did you use something other than Mercedes Download Manager? When you finished, could you tell the difference compared to prior to the update?

solarflare

I have the North America maps. I just download the Mercedes download manager and type in user name and password. I did not use the old one long enough to notice any difference. I just want to update to the latest.

benzland

Just typing any username and password worked. Thanks much for that hint.

It upgraded v2.2 which came with c300 purchased last month which had build date of 12/2014. Now it is garmin map North America map v4.0.

Thanks to power of this forum. May be MB USA should listen in around here too.

solarflare

Okay, I need to make a correction. I went to the software and check the version of the map. It says 2014. So I guess the software update had not update the map. I did see 2015 version of the software after everything was done. I will check again once in a while to see if it will be updated.

Edo81

My Garmin V2.3 was perfect, then I updated it and it became quite slow at the boot (+/- 30 secs). Moreover I cannot add really working speedcams (i.e. I add the .gpi files as POI but I can not visualize them on the screen and when I'm near to a speedcam I just hear a "bip" although I tried both with .mp3 and .wav files). Did anyone experience thos kind of problems?! Thanks in advance!

cheerful

Could anyone point to where to download the "Mercedes Download Manager"? I am in North America and can't seem to find a way to update the software/map.

Thanks

cheerful

Would you mind sharing where to get Download Manager?

Thanks

Plepster

Here's what I've used...

http://apps.mercedes-benz.com/apps/b...rmin_map_pilot

There is a 2015 maps update. A person at my local dealership said there was another map update coming after the current update, but he had no idea when.

IstvanC

One thing that bothers me a lot, is after paying in Sweden, about $750 for just a software. I was hoping for something nicer graphics vise.

The layout really looks like it's been made for a portable 4" aftermarket navi. Many things while seeing the maps are very big, like the top and bottom row with info text. For me, way to big and could have been much neater.

Then we have the "arrow" or the car, or whatever icon you choose to represent your position and vehicle, that is also way to big. Just looks silly! And then the map it self, it's not that high resolution depending on the range of zoom you have. It sometimes looks blurry. And could have been so much better cause this 7" screen in our cars is much sharper then this.

As I said, many things feels like they just took the maps, layout and graphics from there portable navigation. And didnt bother considering we have a larger screen, and higher resolution. That's at least how I feel, and considering I paid 750$ just for a software, they could have put more into it.

A good 300$ Garmin navigation with a touch-screen, Bluetooth etc feels like a bargain

cheerful

Thanks!

Banker4935

Have 2015 c class with Garmin Map Pilot SD Card. When it says alternate route available, how do you change to the alternate route?

gsw5700

Hard to remember off the top of my head, but goto either my route or traffic, scroll to the very top and select something like 'select alternative route or detour' and it will calculate a way round the bad traffic