[CharlieJ]

I was notified last week that there was an map update available. I ordered it ($149.79 w/tax) and the thumb drive arrived today. Note that the thumb drive is VIN specific.

The instructions are to remove any devices plugged into an Infotainment USB port, turn on your engine (Accessory Mode will not work), plug the update thumb drive into a port and let the thumb drive update the system. This will take approximately 90 minutes! Just saying.

Plan on doing the upgrade when we leave St. Pete, FL for NCM to attend the R8C Reunion. Will have lots of 90 minute periods to accomplish.:wink-new:

 

[meyerweb]

$150 for a map update, when Google Maps updates all the time, for free, makes me just as happy I didn't order Nav.

 

[jsvette]

Interested to read your evaluation CharlieJ (or anyone who has done it) of the update's value once you have done it.

 

[rdslon01]

I wonder if this update will let 2016 vehicles know that an area between I-85 N and I-77 N is not farmland, but rather the super-wide I-485.

Even if an update did include adding I-485, I still would not pay anything for it when, as another poster said, Google Maps are free.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

I ordered the update as well, it has not arrived yet. Its kind of frustrating that you cannot download an update, at a reduced price.

Garmin updates used to cost $$$, but are now free online. The most recent Garmin update now shows my 500 foot driveway as an unnamed road. Not sure I like that.

 

[wingrunr21]

$150 for a map update, when Google Maps updates all the time, for free, makes me just as happy I didn't order Nav.

This is especially true for 2016+ where CarPlay/Android Auto are standard. Not going to lie, once Waze releases support, I may shell out the $1200 to have it integrated.

Interested to read your evaluation CharlieJ (or anyone who has done it) of the update's value once you have done it.

Given it's just a map update, I'm guessing that totally depends on whether you hit holes in the map regularly. I live in an area that is a big empty spot so I'm mulling over buying the update.

Garmin updates used to cost $$$, but are now free online.

I just look at it along the same lines as OnStar. There are plenty of ways to get the same service for significantly cheaper or free. The days of expensive map updates or paying for connected vehicle services are numbered. Just depends how much longer the market will put up with the high prices.

 

[legion]

I was notified last week that there was an map update available. I ordered it ($149.79 w/tax) and the thumb drive arrived today. Note that the thumb drive is VIN specific.

The instructions are to remove any devices plugged into an Infotainment USB port, turn on your engine (Accessory Mode will not work), plug the update thumb drive into a port and let the thumb drive update the system. This will take approximately 90 minutes! Just saying.

Plan on doing the upgrade when we leave St. Pete, FL for NCM to attend the R8C Reunion. Will have lots of 90 minute periods to accomplish.:wink-new:

Does the 2017 map update look different thank the 2016?

 

[jonathandeane]

I did the update on my 2014 and my map looks the same.

 

[USCANAM]

A while back we were involved with the post that described how to utilize your Garmin in the info screen compartment.
It was for that reason I decided not to order the nav system on the GS.

Now, I'm not that computer savvy, so imagine my surprise and joy when Kenny G at MacMulkin hooked up the Apple Play in the GS so I could make the navigation apps in my iPhone 6 appear on info screen.
And it's all free.

 

[eric.snuder]

If Onstar sets the navigation, why would the upgrade be necessary?
I just call Onstar and give them the address and they program it for me. I have no sense of direction!!

 

[jsvette]

I did the update on my 2014 and my map looks the same.

Do you notice any changes or enhancements at all now that you have done the update?

 

[Ret9580]

I've used the navigation maybe once. I use WAZE and it also updates for free.

 

[jonathandeane]

Do you notice any changes or enhancements at all now that you have done the update?

We use waze also and now the nav matches that a lot more closely. We still use waze at the same time though.

 

[wingrunr21]

If Onstar sets the navigation, why would the upgrade be necessary?
I just call Onstar and give them the address and they program it for me. I have no sense of direction!!

The OnStar nav is a separate plan + if the address isn't in your map (like my home) then they can't program it since your car doesn't know where to go.

 

[rsvettez51]

A while back we were involved with the post that described how to utilize your Garmin in the info screen compartment.
It was for that reason I decided not to order the nav system on the GS.

Now, I'm not that computer savvy, so imagine my surprise and joy when Kenny G at MacMulkin hooked up the Apple Play in the GS so I could make the navigation apps in my iPhone 6 appear on info screen.
And it's all free.

Well it's not really free. You are paying for it with your cell service, and everything you buy that is in any way advertised. Just like you are paying for the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA... and any number of other sports.

It might be more accurate to say it's got no ADDITIONAL cost, until you run out of data plan.

I for one won't update the map for several years. Especially at $150+ tax... That can buy a lot of data...

 

[red vette]

I got the same letter for my 2014 and called the dealership and the service writer who is first class. He said to wait 5 years before updating the NAV. He told me that several customers did the update and saw no difference. Most of the Stingray owners in my Corvette Club as well as me are taking his advice.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

I opened the package for the update. The instructions say you have to have the engine running for the entire update process. An early poster says it takes an hour and a half.

Sounds like its time for a ride to nowhere to get the update done.

 

[rohard]

I just finished updating from GM 23480133 to V2017 (GM 84198834). The book said 50 minutes, mine took 3 hours and 55 minutes and a 1/4 tank of gas.

I will have to drive it tomorrow to see if the data base is any better, but streets in my neighborhood put in 2 years ago do not appear to be in this version.

Does anyone know how to verify that the software in the operating system and the firmware is the latest version for the hardware that is installed in GPS for the 2014's? I suspect I may have either old firmware or there is something wrong with the system. I don't think the mapset is that big, and the install was glacial, sometimes not moving 1% in 10 minutes.

I remain unhappy with the whole mylink system, it is the poorest system of the 4 cars I have (including my 2008 ZO6, which updates off of CD's and loads much faster, has 3 route selection, direct GPS coordinate input, the list is long!).

However, the rest of the car is outstanding, it is just the GM can't seem to ever catch up on the electronics. I always wonder if they try to keep OnStar alive in the premium range by cutting back the onboard GPS. Either way, this was a frustrating expierence.

 

[Marcho Polo]

$150 for a map update, when Google Maps updates all the time, for free, makes me just as happy I didn't order Nav.

Well google maps is not 'free' you do pay for data. I have a 20gb family plan and used my iphone and google maps for routing a two day trip. It used almost 1gb of data and there were plenty of places where I got no service and could not get any maps to show up at all. It was frustrating when I needed to look at the map and had no service. This was in Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin areas.

There are good and bad with both sides to this, and since I wanted PDR, I got the Nav with it. I don't mind the Nav in this car at all. I prefer my Garmin, but I'm not about to hook up a Garmin when the built in Nav does good enough for me. I will always prefer a built in solution over using my phone for anything in the car.

 

[meyerweb]

Well google maps is not 'free' you do pay for data. I have a 20gb family plan and used my iphone and google maps for routing a two day trip. It used almost 1gb of data and there were plenty of places where I got no service and could not get any maps to show up at all. It was frustrating when I needed to look at the map and had no service. This was in Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin areas.

There are good and bad with both sides to this, and since I wanted PDR, I got the Nav with it. I don't mind the Nav in this car at all. I prefer my Garmin, but I'm not about to hook up a Garmin when the built in Nav does good enough for me. I will always prefer a built in solution over using my phone for anything in the car.

I'm glad I still have unlimited data. For a no data solution, that will work everywhere, even if you have no data, look at the Here We Go mapping app (it used to be just "Here."). You can download maps, an entire state a a time, to your phone's memory or SD card, and then it works just like a standalone GPS: no data connection needed. Or, as you say, a Garmin. But so far the only place I've driven with no service was in the wilds of West Virginia. Even in the middle of nowhere in Texas I was able to use Google Maps.

If, as another poster says, streets built two years ago aren't in the 2017 map update from GM, I wouldn't consider that an acceptable solution for me.

To each his own.