The problem with built in navigation...

[aphex]

I bought my 2005 Mazda3s with built in navigation back in the summer of 2004. At the time, we were told Navteq updates the maps every year at a charge of $200 per year's dvd. No biggie at the time, I would just upgrade every other year, 2006 to begin.

Anyway, its now coming up on 2008 and we have yet to see a SINGLE update from Navteq. They released a '2005.1' update at the end of 2004, but it was confirmed that it was just the same maps with a small firmware upgrade.

This sucks, since the entire area where I live is basically new development, its all just blank space on my nav screen. Also, many gas stations/restaurants/etc have changed quite a bit since 2004.

Just a heads up to those of you looking to buy built in navigation. At least with a portable unit, you can go out and buy a new one if they stop releasing updates. When its built in, your stuck

 

[woodie1]

I hear you. My 2005 RL wasn't very up to date when new. Now, with all the growth and development plus changes to the Interstate System I have to watch the Highway Signs to make sure I take the proper ramp to get where I'm going.

 

[jagec]

Aftermarket navi >>>> built-in navi.

$200 a year, wow, you could practically buy a new GPS every year at that rate.

 

[mcturkey]

Yeah, aftermarket navigation is vastly superior for updates, reliability, and price. It just doesn't integrate as nicely. Having to pay for new maps is a bit silly to me since I can access the most up-to-date maps available directly from the internet via my phone and a GPS receiver. Granted, it's not quite as nice as a stand-alone unit and is useless if you're outside of cellular coverage, but the real-time traffic updates and always-current maps are a huge benefit.

Seems to me that if you can download Google Earth with all the map data, why can't you download maps for navigation software? I know the nav companies want to charge for updates just to make money, but this is silly.

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, I hear that! I have a friend who has a 2002 Nissan Maxima with a nav system installed in it, who just got a Garmin Nuvi for his car. Why? Because the maps in his car are so outdated that they're useless now, and he says that he can't get a update CD anymore

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Yeah, I hear that! I have a friend who has a 2002 Nissan Maxima with a nav system installed in it, who just got a Garmin Nuvi for his car. Why? Because the maps in his car are so outdated that they're useless now, and he says that he can't get a update CD anymore

Well luckily I haven't reached that point yet... Maybe I could just convert my built in nav into a 7" dvd player...

 

[Pliablemoose]

I always sort of wondered about that.

The technology changes so much, I was always concerned about making a $20K+ car that outdated over what amounts to a $200 add on.

What they'd do if they were smart is develop a standard unit that could be easily replaced: in dash, double DIN sized or so.

 

[tnitsuj]

That is why I will never buy a car with built in NAV. I enjoy being able to sell my add on Garmin units every two years or so and get a new and better one for a lower price !!.. I must say I miss my old Streetpilot 2610, my NUVI although much faster and more accurate is hard to hear with its little tiny speaker.

 

[Aikouka]

My built-in nav just isn't as accurate as the little handheld systems. My brother's $200 Mio was more accurate than my $2000 Nissan built-in nav (technically that's the tech package pricing, but you can't get just the nav anyway). He definitely made sure to gloat because of that :|.

I should try to get a free update because of how poor the directions can be .

 

[JackBurton]

BitTorrent?