Use Google maps on your cell phone and watch it through Apple Play on your 12.3 screen.
Google maps are the absolute best nav directions available.

 

besides detailed paper maps and knowing how to read them. Google maps has taken me on pretty roundabout routes on occasion, routes that a thinking human would never have chosen.

 

when I'm traveling in areas I'm unfamiliar with, I'll look at google maps on my large screen desktop before setting out, and look at the routes its going to suggest.

I also usually ignore its traffic avoidance routes, as those can be pretty torturous for just a few minutes savings.

 

Android can get annoying for long trips, when you do lot of stops. Even with cable plug in center armrest, It looks that all supply power goes into running GPS, so there is no charging, or minimal charging during the drive.
Than the darn thing will give you voice directions when you keep it in the pocket during dinner.
When I have destination that is not on my car maps, I zoom the destination area and comparing to my android destination, I mark the point where I want to go, so the car maps will remember it.
It happen to me couple months ago, when going to my son new house in Georgia. The development is several years old, so my 2016 maps did have streets mark, but for some reason they had totally different names on car and different names on google maps.
Than before clicking final destination I compare miles to destination.
Happen to me on several occasions that even google will direct me on 200 miles freeway loop, where there is 150 miles highway shortcut.

 

I'll take "why do I carry paper maps" for $1000, Alex

 

huh, i don't have any issue with charging my phone while navigating and using the media player over android auto. its a 5 watt or so charge, not the 18W rapid charge of a proper USB C charger, but its adequate to charge the phone while using it and driving. My phone is a Pixel 3A, my wife has the Pixel 3A XL, both charge fine while running.

 

How can I tell what version of the mapping software is installed in my car? I know the dealer said the updated the Command system when I bought the car, but I have no clue.

 

The firmware version is something that can be pulled up with XEntry, but not otherwise. your 2016 /shoudl/ have the NTG5.1 Comand hardware, this is distinguished by having silver bars between the buttons on either side of the head unit, the previous NTG 4.x did not ahve this.

if you are going to get the AA/Carplay actuator from vladimir on ebay, https://www.ebay.com/itm/262451909947 you can contact him with your VIN, and he can look it up in Mercedes database (any time the flashware is upgraded, the versions are recorded centrally).

 

The only reason why car proprietary navigation is still relevant is that it is via satellite.

So, wherever your phone can’t pick up signal it will still take you home, even if it takes you through the scenic route.

Otherwise, phones are updated instantly and for free and will always be ahead.

MB sure doesn’t even want to compete with google and soon will probably incorporate their systems and stop spending money on it.

 

only thing thats 'via satellite' is GPS for your current exact position. The built in car navigation, much like older satnav's such as Garmin, have the maps permanently stored onboard. car makers have a pretty crummy track record of supporting their own systems with mapping updates much past 2-3 years from date of manufacture... this is not terribly surprising as they've been rapidly undergoing evolution in all this infotainment software since the mid 20teens. .

google maps can cache the mapping along your route, as long as you are online when you pick your destinations.... mine, if it thinks I'm going to travel through areas with poor cellular service will ASK me if I want to save the maps locally. sure, you won't get traffic updates when you're offline, but then, places with no cell service usually don't have much traffic.

 

In addition to usual suspects: google and waze that use web access to access maps, there is an app that lets you pick, download and store on the phone the map of the area or country you are interested in: maps.me. You can download or delete maps from your phone as you heed it.
I does not have the traffic information because it uses static maps. I have used it several times when traveling to Europe and had pretty good experience. I had only one hiccup die to my own ignorance: I did not realized the San Marino was not covered under Italy maps. I was kind of a spur of the moment, lets make a detour and and visit this place kind of deal. Luckily it is a tiny country and I was able to get where we wanted to go.

As far as MB navigation goes, I embarrassed to admit that I do not even know how to enter a destination target. I guess spoiled by the ease of use of the phone apps. Phone also makes it easy to review the route to make sure it is not doing something goofy. Also, given that I often drive different cars on long trips when I need the navigation sticking to the same interface from the phone is easier than learning different interfaces.

Max