Mini Rant: Paying for Navigation Map Updates

[Spurshot]

How did we ever live without these things?

 

 

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.

 

 

My 2014 is the first OEM Nav equipped vehicle for me. My wife bought Ford Flex with nav the year before. Hers is better, but not as easy as a Garmin either.

 

If I were doing it again, I'd just set aside some money for an aftermarket nav-radio. This is the one I'd get. http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/x008u/

 

This shows the installation in the 2014-15 GM

http://www.access1alarm.com/vehicle-specific/chevrolet/silverado/navigation-8-silverado

[Sooperdave]

I prefer the free NAV method. iPhone using either the Apple maps or Google maps. Free updates and works perfectly! I'll never ever buy NAV in a vehicle as it's a complete waste of money IMO. GM is not the only manufacture that charges for the updates just so you guys know. I work for Toyota and we charge the same here. Updates come out late October and generally run $170 per update.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Sooperdave

[Aussieshed]

Google Maps, but lately I've been using Waze more so it gives me locations of cops, debris, traffic jams etc. I'm really liking the app, however it can drain your battery a bit, but better than it use to be.

[99silveradoz71]

Just saw a story on the news about this tonight. A guy bought a 2015 3500HD, which apparently was made 3/14, so he ended up with an old software version with outdated maps. According to the story, a new version came out in August, so he was able to get updated after a call to GM.

[Matt Mas]

So are the used copies of the 2016 USB version VIN specific, therefore being unable to purchase used versions?

[wulfgott]

The worst part about these updates is they are usually still out of date despite having the latest and greatest one. Routinely they are missing roads that were added in the last 2-5 years or even some that have been around for decades.

 

When I bought my new 2015 LTZ I did actually want the NAV. Mainly, for the 8-inch screen however rarely use it. I rely on WAZE almost 90% of the time and google/apple maps/onboard nav the other 10%. I wanted it in the vehicle for those times where I have zero cell coverage which happens more often than you think when off road or out in the desert or the like. I don't regret the purchase really. It is a nice redundancy though when needed.

 

I am just going to assume that carplay will not be added to our 2015 and older vehicles even though we have the IO6 system and the like. I was under the impression it was going to be on 2014/2015 model years but never got implemented.

 

The aftermarket systems have almost all of the integrated systems beat.

In a couple years maybe depending on how much of my factory integration I can keep I will most likely get a pioneer system to replace the factory. such as the AVIC or APPRADIO models.

 

Sorry for getting off topic a bit.

[patriot]

ever hear of bittorrent?

[Badass69]

I'm about ready to go back to paper.... factory nav is always useless and can't find the address even if it's in a place that's 100 years old. Not only that but the method to input is almost always a fight. However lately Google has been an utter fail too and sends me to places that don't exist because it's a couple streets off.... even if I have the correct address entered. I don't know what's going on there as it keeps happening more frequently to me. Paper at least is right as long as the street existed at the time of publishing.

 

Sent from a potato

Edited November 8, 2015 by 1994Vmax

[morrislee]

In car nav is nice for one thing, anticipating up coming roads on low visibility weather conditions. This is what I mainly use it for.

[Mark L]

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...

 

 

100% agree!

 

My Denali has NAV and I absolutely hate it! It sucks, plain and simple.

 

The voice recognition software GM uses is a joke!

 

I cannot tell you how many times I tried using it and was cussing up a storm.

 

I stick with Google Maps on my Nexus 6 over bluetooth. It works and Google has the absolute best voice recognition software in the world, IMO

[JRaschke11]

Built-in nav is worthless for actually programming a destination and following it, but great for just generally getting a bearing of where you are, what roads are ahead, possible shortcuts, side roads, etc.

[Z45]

The Nav software is copyrighted like all other software. It only works with one VIN, the one you need to provide to buy it.

Btw - It took almost 2 hrs to complete the update, was 2 disks for the CTS.

 

Edited November 28, 2015 by elcamino

[AgDoctor]

I have it on mine and the wife's vehicles and it is horrible. The screen mirroring on the 2016s will be nice if it allows full use.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[AhuraPro]

The 2nd day I owned my 2015 All Terrain I programmed in the 6.8mi drive to my office, there were 3 MAJOR errors in the mapping. One error was attributed to an interstate name change dating back to 2012. I was so pissed, then I found out that GM disabled the HD radio (advertised feature on the window sticker) and the iPhone interface was handicapped. Just unacceptable. I called the intellilink support line and they were less than worthless. I asked then for a map update at least, GM declined and said I could ask the dealership and hope they give it to me on goodwill (aka make the dealer pay for it) which is chickenshit if you ask me... The dealer did their job, GM set the expectation with the consumer.

[GordonFan24]

Can you use the NAV without an Onstar subscription? The maps in my 2016 GMC Sierra are way out of whack. Roads that have been in place for years don't show up. According to the website, mine should be up to date. Poor excuse for a NAV system in a $56K truck.