Mini Rant: Paying for Navigation Map Updates

jasch1124 · July 12, 2015

Let me start by saying I love my truck and know this is pretty much standard across manufacturers to pay for a map updates. For those of you that didn't know, navigation map updates will come at a cost of $159.99 and can be found in a DIY kit from GM found here: http://gmnavdisc.navigation.com/product/Catalog/Catalog_Chevrolet_Silverado_2015_USBMap/GM-Next-Generation-Infotainment-System-Map-Update-V.2015-zid23496379/en_US/GMNA/USD. The more economic option would be to pick up a used kit via eBay for around $100.

It's crazy to think my $50K+ Silverado (as well as more expensive vehicles i.e. Corvettes/Suburbans/XTS/ELR) with such an expensive option has a maintenance cost of $159.99 keep it top of the line when I can get a portable Garmin at a local retailer can sell me a unit with Lifetime Updates for under $150.

I live in a pretty well developed area where a new road is a rarity so I will not be updating at that cost but for the consumers that live or commute to areas that change more frequently I can't help but feel bad.

$160 map update has to be over 80% profit and GM even wants you to fit the bill for shipping the new kit too. At that cost I might as well grab my ankles and some Vaseline.

I'm new and have to say this forum is great! Happy Truckin!

JRaschke11 · July 12, 2015

Totally 100% agree with you.

I do see a brand new kit for $75 bid or $100 buy it now, so a little lower that going to GM.

I think you would be pretty dumb to update it every year, that is stupid expensive. You would need to live in an area that changes a lot and rely on your nav for everything. But $75 every 3 years doesn't seem as bad.

Should be free for lifetime of the vehicle of course.

thewhitestallion · July 12, 2015

Let me start by saying I love my truck and know this is pretty much standard across manufacturers to pay for a map updates. For those of you that didn't know, navigation map updates will come at a cost of $159.99 and can be found in a DIY kit from GM found here: http://gmnavdisc.navigation.com/product/Catalog/Catalog_Chevrolet_Silverado_2015_USBMap/GM-Next-Generation-Infotainment-System-Map-Update-V.2015-zid23496379/en_US/GMNA/USD. The more economic option would be to pick up a used kit via eBay for around $100.

It's crazy to think my $50K+ Silverado (as well as more expensive vehicles i.e. Corvettes/Suburbans/XTS/ELR) with such an expensive option has a maintenance cost of $159.99 keep it top of the line when I can get a portable Garmin at a local retailer can sell me a unit with Lifetime Updates for under $150.

I live in a pretty well developed area where a new road is a rarity so I will not be updating at that cost but for the consumers that live or commute to areas that change more frequently I can't help but feel bad.

$160 map update has to be over 80% profit and GM even wants you to fit the bill for shipping the new kit too. At that cost I might as well grab my ankles and some Vaseline.

I'm new and have to say this forum is great! Happy Truckin!

for that price, there is no lubricant...

ShotgunZ71 · July 12, 2015

I have the NAV on my truck. Didn't particularly want it, but the truck had everything else I wanted, when I wanted it. Google Maps on a smartphone is a better way to go. She even speaks through the bluetooth, which is nice. Plus, it's always automatically updated. You could use Siri, but she's likely to drive you into a lake...

JRaschke11 · July 12, 2015

I have the NAV on my truck. Didn't particularly want it, but the truck had everything else I wanted, when I wanted it. Google Maps on a smartphone is a better way to go. She even speaks through the bluetooth, which is nice. Plus, it's always automatically updated. You could use Siri, but she's likely to drive you into a lake...

Google Maps is definitely the go-to. Could always order the truck without nav, then pay that company on here like $600 to have your Intellilink screen mirror your phone. Voila, for barely more money you have Google maps displayed on your head unit.

Edited July 12, 2015 by JRaschke11

chuckl1218 · July 12, 2015

When I bought my truck, the nav maps were woefully old and I am in a high growth area with several new toll roads and other modified streets. I wanted to just get the latest, so I upgraded. Now it is reasonably close. Before, it was really unusable. Oh, BY THE WAY, the update now includes verbal warnings for "divided highway ahead" or "ferry loading ahead" which can only be turned off by turning off voice prompts when not in use. No warning they did this and no one really knew about the provider including these added features. So, who decided that we needed these new map features, anyway and no way to just turn the feature off?

Oh well...

jeffsig · July 12, 2015

Does the 2015 have the same maps as the 2014? Because my 15 has the voice prompts where my 14 did not.

Smoothbassman · July 12, 2015

Even though I have navigation, I use Google maps for navigation. It has traffic info, construction, all of that integrated. I only use the head unit on long trips so I'm not burning up my data on my phone the whole time.

I can't wait until Android Auto / Apple Car Play comes to these units next year. After that tech gets stabilized you will not see integrated maps in vehicles anymore. Your smartphone will run it all.

Spurshot · July 12, 2015

I hardly use the Nav in my truck. On a long road trip it makes for interesting, but unnecessary, status. I've driven most of my long road trips more than once. The route is never a question. Our smartphones are quicker and more accurate/up-to-date to find gas, food, and lodging. On short trips around L.A., I usually know where I'm going in advance. If not, the Nav will get some limited use. It's pretty far down the list of needs and when I do think of using it, it is cumbersome to use. I gave some thought to replacing it with the new X008 Alpine unit...but what's the point? I can always find where I want to go with either my smartphone, my 4G iPad, my GM Nav, or, unbelievably...my paper map/atlas!

As for maps not being integrated into vehicles, I think people that live in rural areas and travel where there is no cellular signal would find a system like that to be of little value.

GMC-AT · July 12, 2015

so do you just plug in the new USB update and the thing automatically updates? anyone have any link on ebay or a used one?

hurricanoday · July 12, 2015

I thought they made them vin specific so people can't buy used ones or make copies etc?

I do really like the remote link feature of send to the head unit but other than that I don't use the nav. Doubt I will use it much when my onstar trial runs out and will just use my phone google maps like everyone says.

I think the updates should be free if you are in warranty (or just free in general the prices are ridiculous)

chuckl1218 · July 12, 2015

Yes, just plug it in and it updates by itself..

Don't know for sure, but I was told it is VIN specific as well. That's why I didn't even try to buy a used one.

Last C5 · July 12, 2015

Does the 2015 have the same maps as the 2014? Because my 15 has the voice prompts where my 14 did not.

My 2014 has the voice prompts. You can turn them off.

savaytse66 · July 20, 2015

This is what frustrates me about the purchasing process. I was in my local dealer looking at a '15 Sierra a few days ago, and I specifically asked the salesman about updates, and he told me they were completely free. I asked because not only did our '08 Yukon require paid updates, but they were never available!

As stupid as it sounds, the infotainment in these GMs has been my #1 excuse for holding out on a new vehicle for the past two years. The nav in that Yukon was just plain awful; the route it chose was often inefficient, gave us wrong directions a few times, and we were forced to use 6 year old maps towards the end. My wife's '14 Acadia is better, but still seems clunky to use.

I don't know what to do. Mayble I'll just get a '15 and start shopping for aftermarket units that support Android Auto.

ember1205 · July 20, 2015

I used to love in-car navigation systems. Of course, my first experience was with two Acura vehicles that had the Alpine systems in them and there was a significant focus on integration between the maps and the POI information and then having everything roll over to the Bluetooth so you could easily call the POI locations for whatever reason. After that, I went to Toyota, Ford, and now GM. Suck, crap, and moderately tolerable.

Thank goodness I have an excellent Garmin that works excellent and has LMT (Lifetime Maps and Traffic). It's completely voice operated (you literally do not have to touch the screen for anything, including getting it to "wake up" - you choose a two-word phrase that it recognizes and goes into voice op mode), has a large screen, and is very flexible in programmability.

While I have NAVI in the truck, I simply don't use it because it's extremely sub-par. If the Garmin can't do it / doesn't have the info, there's no way the truck can accomplish it. In those circumstances, I grab the phone and use Google Maps.