ecohen2

I stopped by the dealer yesterday to find out if I could get my maps updated. For some reason they don't include rest stops, exits etc that have been around since early 2000. The dealer said that by the time you include parts and labor it would cost around $400.

Does everyone else just use their phone?
Is my dealer really a stealer?
Back when I had a BMW it wasn't hard to download the map data, burn a DVD and upgrade it myself, is that possible?

Thanks for your advice,
Ed

Jasonoff

http://mb.navigation.com/product/Cat...en_US/MBNA/USD

It's just a DVD. Insert and follow on screen prompts. Paying the dealer to "install" is a joke.

Conv_GSDriver

So for 2012 and up it does not give me the option to buy the DVD but instead guiding me to go to my nearest dealer so they can update the HERE software. Would they charge that outrageous price?

INS1GNIA

Unless you know the dealer or have an amazing relationship, they will charge you $200-400, so I've heard from others looking to update theirs.

Conv_GSDriver

Great :-/ thanks insignia.

ecohen2

Apparently after 2012 they started using HERE maps that get copied to the hard drive in your car. There is some special software required to transfer the DVD to the hard drive that only the dealer has. I was told that it takes 2 hours for the DVD to get copied...

Is this total BS?

otakki

It's a total scam for MB to rape its customers for updates on such a sub-standard navigation system that is nowhere near the performance of any off-the-shelf and much cheaper Garmin or TomTom units.

C63amg Tokyo

That is just outrageous to charge for a gps/navi software update. Just a money grab. I was just at the Benz dealership for an emissions test and I asked about having my software updated. The service staff informed me that there will be a newer version coming out this November and I should wait and it would also be a no charge update. Maybe it's different in Japan? Anyway, I hope someone chimes in with a way to update for free as I think this should be a free service for everyone.

aussie e55

in australia at MB dealership was quoted aus. $640.00 for update a joke.
i have a garmin unit paid aus. $119.00 with FREE lifetime updates

Conv_GSDriver

I can understand a dealer needs to make money but it's not even a price that is acceptable. If they charge you $20-30 to upgrade for their time, I can almost be ok with that price but to charge in excess of $200 for something we get free upgrades from any other GPS product we have is absurd. My phone does GPS just fine.

kiznarsh

I just use Google maps when I really need directions, but when I was out in a remote area once, the GPS was a little more accurate. Still think it should be a free upgrade.

ecohen2

From the folks at HERE:

Thank you for inquiring about HERE Maps. As with any independent business, each vehicle manufacturer determines its own map update pricing for its navigation systems.
If you need additional assistance, please send us your feedback by replying to this email.

Kind regards,

HERE Customer Service
P.O. Box 1588
Orem, UT 84059




This cannot be that hard to reverse engineer and update... Does anyone else have a technical background beside me? I am all for figuring this out as part of the forum...

Jasonoff

First you need the actual update DB (or however the data is stored). Then you need to figure out the communication protocol to transmit and extract the data to the HD. I'm willing to guess the process is encrypted somehow, and lastly, it's illegal, so good luck.

ecohen2

Hmm, not sure that is exactly right... My guess is that the map format has not changed from either the default HERE format or the default COMMAND format. The only thing that appears to have changed is that the system now loads the map on the hard drive instead of the having a DVD player.


I also don't think it is illegal if I buy the new map from HERE...

Meanwhile, I wrote Mercedes a lengthy email about why they need to correct the pricing on this... Ill see what happens...

Ed

ecohen2

Did some research...


Amazon also sells a new unit with updates for less than what the dealer is charging:
Is this our unit?

Ed

Conv_GSDriver

On the product description, it states that it is for vehicles with option code 508 installed from factory. I would have to look at my datacard to see, but it also states that it is for a 2013 vehicle. I like the direction this is going to find a better solution to these updates.

Jasonoff

But that transfer (write) protocol will likely be proprietary. Whether it's pulling it from the DVD or black box to write to the internal HD is what you need to figure out. If it's just overwriting what's there then it should be a piece of cheese but I highly doubt that.

Gottcha. Right now it's 250 to get the DVD (you can find it cheaper). I guess there's no other option but the dealer right now for 2013+?

jas0ndotc0m

on the w204 FB page, i had someone trying to sell me the w204 gps update dvd for 40 bucks. I asked if it was the original copy or a duplicate and he told me it was a duplicate. He said it is loaded through a DVD to your GPS HD. I then discovered that you can find all the updates online and they have one almost every year. Unfortunately, I couldnt find a copy for my car.

I hope this information can help you out, the maps in LA is way off and mine could use an update.

ecohen2

Does anyone know about this? http://thetechjournal.com/auto/becker-map-pilot.xhtml

If you go to the Becker Map Pilot website, it appears that we can upgrade our system. It appears to be a completely different interface that is compatible with our cars...

Ed

zcct04

It's more than just an 'upgrade'.The Becker unit is an optional way to get an integrated nav system without the Comand screen setup. It requires a piece of hardware that mounts in the glove box ($600 from dealer, a third of that on ebay) and it only works on cars that have been pre-wired for it.

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...p-pilot-2.html

ecohen2

That is far cheaper than upgrading our existing maps and appears to have similar functionality. I am just appalled at Mercedes for charging such an outrageous amount of money for a map update. I already have the factory COMMAND system so I would assume this is a swap for that unit..

Ed

ecohen2

I finally heard back from Mercedes corporate. They are willing to sell me the map for about 1/2 the price the dealer quoted me. I also heard back from Becker who say the unit is compatible and will work fine with our car..

I will probably do the update from the dealer this year and then move to the Becker unit in two years...

Ed