CoolBDPhenom03

Hopefully this thread won't get deleted since it's about my installation.

P/N: A204 827 01 65

It'll obviously take some time to see what the changes are, but according to the offer, here are the changes:

Restaurants: 442,784
Shopping Centers: 4,976
Gas Stations: 104,868
Hotels: 67,560
ATMs: 122,282
Coffee Shops: 26,501

The changes are for the U.S. and Canada. My particular offer letter was $250 via dealership, website with free shipping, or a 1-888 number. My local dealership had two in stock before I picked up my copy so I'm not sure what other allocations would look like. If my car were 1 or 2 years old, I wouldn't bother with the map, but since our GPSes are built in and I doubt my nav unit has been update since it drove off the lot, I decided to spring for it.

This update is for:

C-class MY 2008-11
GLK-class MY 2010-12
SLS AMG MY 2011-13

The instructions indicate it may take 150 minutes for the complete install and that you should remain stationary. I actually drove around town taking care of errands that would allow me to leave the car on (nothing too long or nothing that would take me more than a few steps from the car). It did take a little over 2 hours though. I believe my COMAND unit automatically shuts off after one hour so I would recommend maybe doing this in your garage at home, the engine doesn't have to be on, but I would start the car maybe every 30 mins (at least every hour) and run it for a little while to ensure the COMAND stays on.

The update actually consists of 2 DVDs, but I'm not sure why. The first disc takes you up to 97% completion (about 2 hours) and the second disc takes you to the remaining 3% (less than 10 minutes). You first insert Disc 1 into the first CD slot and the update begins automatically. It will prompt you to insert Disc 2, but you need to go through the process of ejecting the disc since it won't do it automatically if you just hit "eject." Also, when you insert Disc 2, it doesn't go back to the status screen for the update. Just hit "Navigation" and you'll get back to the screen to monitor the progress.

You should also make sure this is relatively uninterrupted. The system is smart enough to resume when you turn everything back on, but I wouldn't recommend letting it shut off. Also, you cannot use the navigation at all while the update is in progress (obviously).

One thing I can't recall is that now, there is a little grey box in the bottom, right corner of my nav screen. Can you guys confirm if you have that or not? Even when I punch in a destination, no information populates the box...it's just blank.

Cavu

Thanks for the info on this update. I just did the online order yesterday.

I think that black box is just showing you that you don't want to go near Oakland.

Actually, I have the box on mine as well. It does look weird, though I never noticed it until you brought it up.

CoolBDPhenom03

Well I guess I hadn't noticed the little box either, until the update was completed. That's why I couldn't remember if it was there or not.

sighting

hehehe, agree, stay away from oakland..
I have that box on mine but if i press the main controll down one it changes to data..

CoolBDPhenom03

I can't remember if I had anything there. Maybe I need to tinker around with the settings. I just wish there was a way to get an update that allows me to pull SiriusXM traffic alerts. I had it on my Garmin before MSN Direct pulled the plug.

vdubpower

i just got my letter too, i thought , or assumed the maps should just update themselves via gps..... i guess not huh....this seems antiquated like the system in the w220 nav systems.

anyways, is this update just adding restaraunts and gas stations etc....if so , whoopee....roads are the important thing, i think

CoolBDPhenom03

Yes, the roads are updated. I only provided the number of items that have changed. They did not list the miles of roads that have been accounted for, nor did they release at what point in time they are taking into consideration for the update. I'm guessing late 2012 or early 2013.

I should also note that there is a Gracenote Database update contained in this update. My CD player now recognizes album and track names of more current music I insert.

At the 0.5 mile zoom level, I can definitely see more POIs showing up as well as more street names.

vdubpower

wait so the roads are updated thru the dvd or thru gps real time???

CoolBDPhenom03

I believe the whole navigation software is only updated via DVD.

tuffcalc

I did the same update (2013.1) - I don't have that little black box on my Nav screen. My comand firmware has been updated to the newest version by the dealer - that might be why mine doesn't have it.

From your picture it looks like you are running an older Comand firmware version.

CoolBDPhenom03

How did you get the new firmware?

tuffcalc

Mine already had the newest installed from the factory ... but checkout this thread to see how others did it:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...re-update.html

CoolBDPhenom03

I just talked to my service tech, he said it may not be much of a change. The interface won't have a "facelift" like the newer cars IF a firmware update is available. Also, on the newer E-class, there are some bugs that affect the satellite radio. He said they also generally wouldn't apply the update unless there was an issue with the COMAND unit.

b16

GPS cannot push any data. A GPS reciever can only triangulate between known GPS satellites for distance thus giving you your Longitude and Latitude.

abcut973

How do you know you have the latest GPS maps and latest firmware?
Engineering mode?

CoolBDPhenom03

There are settings menus on the nav screen. There, you can find the version. This new one is v13.1.

aamirani

The black box shows your cellphone signal strength I believe. At least that is what it shows on my W212.

CoolBDPhenom03

You might be right...I haven't had my car for about 2 weeks so I've had bt switched off. I'll double-check that tomorrow when I'm back home.

jvanbrecht

I refuse to spend $250 on what is essentially a $5 update.. maybe 10 years ago it would be worth it, but no one sells maps anymore.. tey make money providing value added services to the GPS/Maps..

I'm perfectly happy with using google navigation on my android :P its free, gets traffic updates, does voice navigation (and input).. and the updates to the maps are frequent versus the already out of date maps on any CD you will get (especially in the DC area which is always under construction).

vdubpower

good points

i never really use mine for POI, its more of a pain in *** to get to the right function

CoolBDPhenom03

It's much easier on a Garmin.

jl9j

You could buy used from a member at a cheaper price. Once they are done with their update and are kind enough to share with other users.

You could also look for it on bittorrent. I did my W211 update that way, but seem to have a hard time finding the W204 updated maps.

I agree $250 for a map update is ridiculous when my phone can do a better job.

CoolBDPhenom03

Yup, you're right. Silly me...I didn't have either of my phones' BT activated so it just appeared blank. I guess I didn't notice it before because it always auto-detected and connected. Glad I'm not going crazy

C-63AMG

I kept reading man update review - I thought you had something to tell us

Paculdo

was thinking of doing this update in the dealership..SA said its $245. have to leave the car there though so i'm getting a loaner..

by the way, how would i know the current version of my nav? was looking at setting but there isn't any version info there..