ollsanta

You can update Mercedes Benz Navigation system for 249.00, purchase the latest at www.navigation.com/mbmap
Are they worth it?

MBRedux

No... buy the latest Garmin for the same money and get a far superior GPS with free updates, or get the latest iPad GPS app and blow all of them away!

ble2716

Agree, they are better but the are not integrated into the car.

Looks clunky with all the clips, suction cup, wires hanging down.
Bad idea, IMO.

MBRedux

ble2716

This isn't too bad, but still blocking the radio.
Sorry but I am not buying it.


Back to the original post, NO I don't think it's worth it, unless you live in sub division area with a lot of new roads in the past 2 years.

venchka

That is the key. Unless you spend a lot of time going to BLANK areas on your current map, why bother? The first vehicle navigation system that I bought was delivered with an out of date map-2003. I finally updated in 2010. The new DVDs were a HUGE advancement over the original. I'm good now for another decade. As I recall, the 3 DVD set was only $200. Not M-B naturally.

Wayne

MBNA109

Not worth it to upgrade unless you feel you are loss all the time with the current setup.

& even then there are less expensive options. Best one is the Google Maps navigation on android phones. Free & always updated.

emdem

Here you go... I image they'll get cheaper over time and come up with a Google version... pretty cool tho...

http://www.azentekonline.com/cms/content/view/100/186/

jiw71

Unfortunately, I also have the navigation option in my vehicle. Although I am satisfied with the interface I have issues with:

1. Lack of cross street names.

2. Outdated POI's + inability to type in a specific POI. (The system only gives it's choices.)

3. Three year wait for updates.

4. The ridiculous fee to update this system.

I took delivery of my 2011 in August of 2010. While doing extensive travelling in January 2011 I noticed that the Navigation system was in error concerning some road mapping and many POI's were outdated and/or lacking - not to mention the lack of cross street names while navigating. I discussed this with the local MB dealership in March of 2011 and was told that no updates were available.

I was recently told by the dealership that an update will be available this month (December) for $225.00. Meanwhile I have been relying on my portable Garmin for accurate mapping and up to date POI's when travelling out of town. (The garmin is dash mounted just above the nav screen.) I doubt very much if I will pay $225.00 for an update that will be outdated in a short time.

venchka

Had an occasion to use the Nav. System last Saturday. 2012 System, v. 9 software.

1. I tried voice input. System balked. Naturally, a small hotel in downtown Houston, TX wasn't on the list of national chain hotels. Google maps & my Blackberry found the hotel by voice entry in 2 seconds.
2. Lisa patiently went through the manual entry procedure. Getting to the point where the system allowed her to input the actual street adress took a couple of guesses for multiple choice questions. Once we got to the right place, the system accepted the address: 220 Main Street. Bam! We had guidance.
3. Yesterday we drove from the hotel south to Rice Village using the map. Piece of cake. I even discovered that the system displays lane layout at intersections (left, left-straight, straight-right, right) along the bottom margin of the screen.
4. From Rice Village, we called up Wayne's World (saved location for my apartment) & the car got us home just fine.
5. I haven't paid much attention to street names. I'll check it out. Are you zoomed in/out to a scale that doesn't show the information you need?
6. Early results: I like it. The voice input may not be the answer. The map information is more than adequate. Superb actually. The day/night auto switching is nice.

Wayne

MBNA109

Another comment about manufacturer NAVs:

I drove my sister's Jag XF & Buick Enclave over Thanksgiving weekend both were bought within the last 3 years.
Those NAVs were even worse than the Merc's! You are pass the turn before the voice guidance tells you to turn.

These manufacturers really stick it to consumers with how they package their options.

The MMI package with the NAV was an expensive option that just fails on the GLK.
It was packaged by MBUSA in such a way to pad revenue without providing value.

My wife tells me our MMI NAV looks great in the GLK but I tell her it is already out of date info wise.
Even more tell tale, it tells me I am off the map & should head towards the road before it gives guidance!

With the ways roads & POI's are popping up every where, it's nice to have my Android phone & it's constant updates as a backup to the $3K GLK NAV.

venchka

I guess I'm just old and slow.
June 2003: New car with our first ever nav. system. Old map. Really old map. Asked dealer repeatedly if there was a newer map I could buy. No response.
Late 2009-early 2010: Original DVD quits working. Finally find a newer, updated 3 DVD set from the dealer's parts desk. Same price as no-name ebay vendors. Buy it. Maps are fine. Life is good.

Wayne

cindyclk

JIW....you must not be zoomed in and not using full screen. Every cross street for 1/2 mile shows up. Unless you live in a city where they are doing a total reconfiguration of the streets, why do you need an update every year? I lived in Boston during the "Big Dig" ($18 billion dollars...thank you taxpayers outside Massachusetts). The updates could not keep up week to week. For the vast majority of the country, the streets don't change much....and there is always your iphone. The large screen/nav shown in the above thread is not my cup of tea.

go1ndr

Anyone know if there is an upgrade that includes 3D maps? I just picked up my newly ordered 2012 GLK350/AMG with the S33 Comand System and heard it could be upgraded to include 3D. I checked with my service writer at the dealership and he's looking into it but says he had't heard of it. Anyone know? Thanks!

jiw71

JIW....you must not be zoomed in and not using full screen. Every cross street for 1/2 mile shows up.

You are correct. Every cross street does show up - BUT NOT THE NAMES!

venchka

Check for system version. V.9 is the latest and all 2012 GLKs have it. System settings, map style I think, has 2D and 3D settings.

venchka

Jiw71,
Move to Texas. Cross streets are marked with signs. About 100 feet before the intersection. Your nav system alerts you of turns 1 mile, 1/4 mile, 500 feet and Turn NOW!

Wayne

MBNA109

Wayne - where/how can we find NAV version on the MMI?

venchka

Comand knob highlight NAVI on screen.
Press Comand knob a menu opens
Use Comand knob to scroll to the bottom of the menu.
Highlight SYSTEM.
Press Comand button. System version appears.
Your 2011 may have v. 7.

Wayne

jiw71

Move to Texas. Cross streets are marked with signs. About 100 feet before the intersection. Your nav system alerts you of turns 1 mile, 1/4 mile, 500 feet and Turn NOW!

I wish I was told that I should move to Texas ...............before I purchased the Nav option........geez!

venchka

LOL! I just went and looked at my map. The display is very sparse when it comes to street name. Sorry.
I also looked at the NAVI menu.
Top item: Map style. Options: North up
Heading up, my favorite.
Bird's eye view. 3D
Last entry:
Map version. 2011/2012 v. 9

I hope this helps.

Wayne

venchka

OK. Here's the deal on street names: Missing until you zoom in to 0.05mi scale. Verified on my way to work this morning. My guess: They want you looking at the road and not the TV screen.
If you program an actual destination, the machine gives ample verbal & visual warning when you need to turn, veer, move over, keep left or right, etc. In two locations: the TV screen AND the speedometer dial.
That said, we still travel with state maps, Michelin North American road atlas and 2 Blackberrys with Google maps loaded.
Why all the backups? I can scan a paper map for a route over a few hundred miles faster than a computer. My Blackberry won't tell me where I am at the moment. Go figure. The maps & atlas give Lisa something to do. Which often lead to interesting and engaging conversations followed by miles of intense silence. Grinning.

Don't get lost y'all!

Wayne

jiw71

Thanks to all for input & suggestions, but as one can see, there are simply no solutions to the issues in my original post. It is what it is.

venchka

1. They are there at a map scale of 0.05mi. Read at your own risk.

2. Educated guess: It costs money to be listed in these databases. That will automaticially eliminate a lot of businesses. That's where a phone running Google Maps fills in the gaps.

3. I updated my older system once since 2003 because the original DVD died. I think you are expecting too much from a fixed system. Again, a mobile device with internet access can fill in the gaps. How many miles of roads can be built in 3 years anyway?

4. Granted the price is a bit much. In my case with the Volvo system, I spent $200 for one upgrade/DVD replacement which included 3 DVDs to replace the ONE DVD included in the original installtion. Less than $25/year so far. I don't forsee needing to upgrade either system.

EDIT:

The updated DVD has been available from Navteq since September. You should have gotten the email announcement.

Another reason not to update: Harris County extended a major 4 lane street about 2 miles from US 290 (Freeway) to the major 6 lane Farm to Market Road that my office is on. The intersection opened this year. The latest version of Navteq maps doesn't have the new road on it. No worries. I drove from my office to US 290 yesterday on the new section of Jones Road. According to the map, I was "offroad". The system was telling me to go the old way. I ignored it. When I got back "on the map" the routing was updated and everything was cool. After awhile you learn when to tune out or turn off the nav. system and "go your own way."

Be safe.

Wayne

cindyclk

I would never want an add on navigation because of its looks...I travel all over the east coast and have never run into a problem w/ streets, names, directions or POIs.
Obviously you are not using your nav correctly. Every cross street shows up wth their names....again...use full screen(read manual how to get to full screen) and zoom in. Please report back that you now see the street names.
Are there so many new streets that you are getting lost that you need an update often? I'm using an '04 version in my '2 MB and don't get lost in the entire northeast region.
re: POI..usually when using navigation, you don't know the names of restaurants etc...the POIs guide you there. I couldn't even begin to count the number that are listed when I do a navigation for a destination just 10 miles away. Why do you want to type them in?
I do believe the price is inflated but then again your car is also. I tried purchasing the updated maps for the '02 directly from Navtec and they quoted a price over $300....ebay was the answer.
I would never want an add on navigation because of its looks...I travel all over the east coast and have never run into a problem w/ streets, names, directions or POIs.