Should I even bother with built-in navigation?
 

Hi, all,

I just got my first Mercedes and I'm new to the forum, so please forgive me if I ask some ignorant questions.

From what I've gathered reading the forums so far, it would appear using the built-in navigation system is NOT the way to go.
a) I have a 2014 E350 for which I would have to pay to get nav system updates.
b) There don't appear to be any newer updates since 2016, while there has been loads of construction where I live.
c) The updates don't appear to really be up-to-date, so it would be a waste of time/money.

While I like the idea of using the built-in bigger-than-my-mobile-phone display, it would appear I'm better off just using my mobile phone with Google Maps, which stays up to date.

Am I missing something?

If not, anyone have any good suggestions for a mobile phone holder (or whatever you do to view your phone's GPS) for the 2014 E350?

Thanks for your help,
Fred

Navigation updates are released regularly twice a year but just not advertised/promoted on the web. You have to contact your local dealer for the latest version. I have the latest version 2019 V19.0 installed on my E350.

List of MB Navigation version for Comand NTG4.5 (2012-2015) with their part # I've been keeping track of:

Q6460*** - NTG4.5 V19 (2nd Half 2018)
Q6460370 - NTG4.5 V18 (1st Half 2018)
Q6460361 - NTG4.5 V17 (2nd Half 2017)
Q6460352 - NTG4.5 V16 (1st Half 2017)
Q6460347 - NTG4.5 V15
Q6460337 - NTG4.5 V14
Q6460335 - NTG4.5 V13
Q6460334 - NTG4.5 V12
Q6460325 - NTG4.5 V11
Q6460324 - NTG4.5 V10

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...eedb656699.jpg

95% plus of all my destinations are in the data already contained in my outdated navigation. Waze is a nice compliment. It's 100% up to date, and does provide real time data. No reason to forego one for the other

I don't have a cell phone, but that's what I would use.

Same for me plus Google maps. I see no need to update the vehicle nav.

cell phone can easily be dangerous in an accident so I prefer to leave it in the console and use the nice large screen..

but really how often does one need navigaton.? me once a year maybe?
Remember we have been with out navigtion for 100 years and used maps until Garmin came along in early 2000 and even then we did not need it we just thought it was cool.

Dont get me wrong it is nice to know which exist have gasoline or food etc.

So I say update the map - get to know your dealer at the same time...
not like you have to update it every year...
maybe if you know you are going some where new thenget it updated beforehand

and while they update map tell them to check for comand software updates (fixes lots of things)

I would never use a nav that did not adjust for traffic, much less pay for it. Die hard Wazer here

Google maps have live traffic with no additional cost, while for the car you have to pay Sirus to have it.

Several misconceptions here. The map database is readily updatable beyond 2016, as already noted. Like zeemob, my 2016 has recently been updated to map version 2019 V19.0. In addition, version 2019 has all the road changes here in North TX... and no part of the country is seeing more construction than the Dallas area. So, the updates "really" are updated.

I agree that the daily updated, real time db in the cloud is the long term way to go, but only if/when the car display will show it in the bigger format than a tiny cellphone. But that ability (Apple Carplay and Android Auto) appears limited to the 2016 models only, and only when you can Rube Goldberg it's installation.

Meantime, I find the Comand Nav system to be prefectly fine for 98% of cases. Learn how to use the voice commands and it is downright impressive, and safer..

I hardly ever use navigation to travel from Point A to Point B. I like driving with my map orientation set as North Up with no destination entered This way I know in advance what lies ahead. Zoom In and Out every once a while...

I just use the cell phone. It's nice having the map though but mine is out of date. I have a decent large sized phone and I also use a dashboard mount for the phone so I'm not holding it. Only drawback is when someone calls you in the middle of navigating and the map goes away. I go to new places all the time so I need the navigation. Normally I just punch the destination in earlier on my computer so it's already memorized when I got to the phone so I don't even need to enter the address, I just pick it off a list and it's usually the most recent one. With traffic, depending on the time of day that you go, it can always be different routes. I tried the Sirius traffic once, it's about 20 minutes or so out of date, the google maps time/traffic was more accurate.

That brings side issue to the whole system.
I used live traffic with Sirus a lot in my Ford Truck when we travel across the country with our camper.
On several occasion the darn thing would try to direct me on 20 miles detour becouse some traffic delay in front of me. Since with camper I was not in hurry, I ignored the recommendation, only to find that delay was minimal.
Now when you say Sirus takes 20 minutes for updates, that brings new light to the issue.

I use google maps with this mount.
https://www.iottie.com/Product/Detai...Mount-_Online_

It is a wireless charging mount for the windshield. It is good for my Xs Max. Usually, my phone is almost always 90% or more in the battery as I leave the phone on a wireless charger when not in use.


On the other hand, the 2019 version is supposed to be released this month (as per my SA's words).
I called MB USA Customer care and mentioned my maps are still 2015 and I never used my 3 free updates. They sent me a coupon for one. Will be using this month to make the maps up-to-date.

Note: COMAND had been replaced under warranty 2 weeks ago and the maps are still the same as 2015. COMAND doesn't come with a new set of maps, to my experience.

I am in opposite school. On long trip I use car navi as it is convenient and even when I know the route, it is good secondary check when you get distracted. Easy zoom-in/out, showing cellphone signal and more. I also use the dashboard display that gives precise measurement to my exit, when I am trying to beat back up traffic.
Than when I come to the address in new development is when I use android with google maps, as this will lead me straight to the door, when in my older MB, the GPS will lead me to the starting numbers on the street.
Lot of streets in Las Vegas are 20 miles long ;)

I much prefer the navigation in the car if for no other reason than it has a big screen. Not sure about how current updates really are, but do the "phone" companies really have access to newer mapping than whatever company does the M-B updates? Of course, the M-B ones are only current as of day the DVD was made, but still.
I use mine quite a bit just to remind that I will need to turn soon and to let me know how I am doing time wise. Amazingly accurate on time.
If I am going somewhere new, I look on computer before hand for a route and may make notes. Just in case. Also I have found that M-B's source, Googlemaps, Mapquest, etc. use some routing that may not be the best.
I do not have mapping on my phone and do not wish to.
Always amused by people who want to watch a movie on a five inch screen, but then insist on having a 55 inch flat screen at home.

As for a good phone cradle, I have this in all my cars and highly recommend it. Well built, choose from two mount tensions at the louvers, one button release of phone, etc.

Thinking about this further...

I really like the "POI by Name" search function in Navi... A thousand miles from home, I was asked to join a group for dinner, at "XYZ Barbeque" Not knowing the town at all, I simply used voice command to tell the system to search for "XYZ Barbeque, X town" and it found it easily, prompted to start route guidance, etc. The map db has not failed yet to find business addresses.

I also like the integration with mBrace. Just use the "Send to Benz" function to input "Fry's Electronics" in the cellphone. Before I could enter the apostrophe in Fry's, mBrace had found the store (among three in Dallas). I just "sent it" to the car from my table in a restaurant, and when I return to the car, I was prompted if I wanted to start route guidance to Fry's. No fiddling with Navigation (built-in or hand-held cellphone) in the car. Nifty. Impresses the ladies, too.

Always use it in both cars, other than looking a bit dated it works very well. I have Sirius Traffic in both cars as well (I don't pay for it, but I do pay for Sirius radio, and it just seems to still be there...). Anytime it tells me something crazy I double check it with google maps. Many times its not THAT far off, not as far off as the Garmin I have in my pickup with live traffic too.

As mentioned above the Mbrace integration is great as well.

Waze with magnet vent mount on passenger side center vent. I only use the nav to show upcoming highway exits. The other week my phone had slipped under the seat so I thought I would try route guidance on the nav. After what felt like an eternity entering the address, I was reminded why I gave up on the built in nav years ago.

Think again.
My 2014 MB navi is not showing freeway 101 in AZ.
The freeway was build in 1980's and completed in 2001
It is like that with all burned mapping. First remember that it is government supplying the data and those guys are never in big rush.
Than it is factory delay.
Google maps not only makes updates as soon as something is documented, but they take customer feedback to make corrections and it works as I experienced.

I hate vent mount phone holders as here in the south you want that vent blowing cold air and not being blocked by some phone...

and when you need to use it for hot air, the phone gets hot pretty quickly.