[Bucket List]

Two hot issues in this forum have been on paint (OP) and GM's nav system issues. We have heard from members who have questioned GM execs recently about the paint, and while I am unsure that they have an answer yet, at least GM has acknowledged an OP issue and are working to correct it. I have also seen threads from members noting that they were going to question GM reps about the Nav system at the NCM 20th Anniversary Celebration. I have seen nothing recently about any discussions with GM about Nav issues, OnStar subscription requirement just to have system accuracy, or the lack of the BringGo app for the Stingray. Hopefully some members have had a chance to discuss the Stingray's nav system with GM reps and can share their conversations here.

 

[Z51Stingray]

They're closing their eyes and hoping it fixes itself or goes away.

 

[Bucket List]

I thought with all of the discussions that this issue had received on this forum that there would be more interactions with GM reps at the recent NCM event. Since I do not have my Stingray yet, I cannot say whether or not the nav system has issues....but I have seen enough of the comments to have "adjusted" my expectations. Hopefully members of this forum will keep the heat on GM to, at a minimum, address a number of the issues already identified by current owners. It was a tough decision to include the integrated nav in my build, especially with the price bump with the new PDR, but I did so hoping that things will improve before they get to building my Stingray in early 2015.

 

[mjw930]

Please note, the Nav system issues reported here ARE NOT Corvette specific. If you have a GM MyLink system with Nav on any other GM product it's the same system. The Corvette team only gets what corporate delivers to them.

 

[Bucket List]

Please note, the Nav system issues reported here ARE NOT Corvette specific. If you have a GM MyLink system with Nav on any other GM product it's the same system. The Corvette team only gets what corporate delivers to them.

I wish that was truly the case. If that was the case, then our Stingray system would be the same as the Sonic and Spark with BringGo and we would be able to link our phones with nav to our Stingrays.......

 

[mjw930]

I wish that was truly the case. If that was the case, then our Stingray system would be the same as the Sonic and Spark with BringGo and we would be able to link our phones with nav to our Stingrays.......

Splitting hairs again. It's the same as every other MyLink that offers embedded Nav. The BringGo is for 2 models and was never targeted for anything higher up the food chain. Whether that's a good or bad decision is another thread.

My point is this isn't a Corvette team issue, it's a corporate GM issue.

 

[Rich427]

Here is a link to a recent thread on the Corvette Forum about Garmin versus GM Nav. Take a look at the comments by Talon90. He is a moderator over there, but also an expert on the nav system. He just gave a seminar on the nav system at the '14 caravan gathering at the museum last week. It was recorded and will eventually be posted on CF. I hope this helps!

2015 Garmin versus GM Navi/PDR - Corvette Forum

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

I have an idea. If GM can license entertainment system technology from Bose, why can't it license GPS/Nav technology from Garmin?

 

[rdslon01]

I wish that was truly the case. If that was the case, then our Stingray system would be the same as the Sonic and Spark with BringGo and we would be able to link our phones with nav to our Stingrays.......

Mark's point is that the NAV problems are a GM problem in every GM vehicle in wich NAV is offered without BringGo. I know this is true for the Cadillac ATS, and I suspect it is for the rest just like Mark said.

Also, many people will say, "Mine is okay!" even though it has buggy software just like everyone elses. It just happens to be the case that they have not hit a bug yet, or they don't realize they hit a bug (like the "disagreement" my wife and I had the first time we hit the NAV bug and thought it was user error instead of realizing the NAV is crap), or they don't care for what they want it for in their limited use cases.

 

[cutnout]

Please note, the Nav system issues reported here ARE NOT Corvette specific. If you have a GM MyLink system with Nav on any other GM product it's the same system. The Corvette team only gets what corporate delivers to them.

True all true. GM "pools" certain designs and procurement for economies of scale (nothing new here). They and other mfgs. all do it. I just looked at a new Suburban yesterday and it had the same infotainment in it. cutnout aka Charlie

 

[C7DriverOnt]

The NAV is ok at $800, expensive but you get HUD, it's built in and it does a reasonably good job to get you where your going.

Is it as intuitive to use as my Garmin, nope. If it is true in the future they might want some exorbitant price to update the maps, if you have to make an appt and "allow" a GM tech to do it then it sucks. If you have to pay for a PDR in 2015 that you don't want to get NAV then it sucks.

I use it , it seems fine, I do like the HUD but there are a few qualifications as to how I would rate it as you can see, that's the short of it.

 

[mjw930]

Here is a link to a recent thread on the Corvette Forum about Garmin versus GM Nav. Take a look at the comments by Talon90. He is a moderator over there, but also an expert on the nav system. He just gave a seminar on the nav system at the '14 caravan gathering at the museum last week. It was recorded and will eventually be posted on CF. I hope this helps!

2015 Garmin versus GM Navi/PDR - Corvette Forum

Talon90 provides a lot of good information and it's true, once you understand the Nav it has a number of integrations but should I need a 90 minute training course to program in a 500 mile trip?

My gripes with the system aren't that it's defective or can't get you where you want to go as contrary to what others have posted. it's only let me down when the roads were literally 6 weeks old like a couple new bypasses in KY on the way home. Or that it's not well integrated into the HUD and dash, it is. No, my problem is it's horribly underpowered which has caused them to do stupid things like limit POI searches to things within 20 miles of your present location! I wanted to put in a quick route to a restaurant 65 miles away with a very unique name. One that my Ram, Garmin and VW GPS can find with literally 5 clicks. The GM unit couldn't find it so I had to first put in the city the POI was near and then start over with the POI search. That may sound silly but it's just one example of how they have adjusted the code to accommodate the lack of processing power. If that's not why it's programmed that way then honestly, those programmers need to be let go.

IMHO the MyLink unit is slow, underpowered and non intuitive but it's a hell of a lot better than Ford's Sync mistake

 

[rohard]

Here is a link to a recent thread on the Corvette Forum about Garmin versus GM Nav. Take a look at the comments by Talon90. He is a moderator over there, but also an expert on the nav system. He just gave a seminar on the nav system at the '14 caravan gathering at the museum last week. It was recorded and will eventually be posted on CF. I hope this helps!

2015 Garmin versus GM Navi/PDR - Corvette Forum

A direct link to his presentations and *.pdf's, which IMHO, are very informative is below. I don't know if he is a Chevrolet engineer or just a Corvette lover but he sure has helped me understand the system better.

2014 Infotainment System

I do have a significant difference of opinion about the technology that GM is using in the MyLink system. I personally detest the ties between the hated, old style, built in cell phone (remember built in cell phones from the 90's) that they call OnStar and our expensive built in system. GM in the Spark and Sonic, have more "connectivity" with our smart phones than our top of the line Corvette's. It seems to me that GM is more interested in keeping OnStar afloat than they are in giving us a state of the art, interconnected system that uses our already provided smart phones with data plans already paid for and phones that are constantly updated and ever more powerful. To add salt to the wound, those of us with 2014's are already technically obsolete, with the 2015's having 4G with data plans, while Chevrolet seems to be intent on competing with Apple, having announced (but delayed) their AppShop. The above link gives some good "workarounds" for the many deficiencies in the system, but that is what they are, workarounds. To get the full benefit of the Nav system, one would have to have OnStar Directions and Connections service ($30/month +/-) and Sirrus Traffic and Weather ($20 +/-), although as is pointed out in the presentations in link above, there are shortcuts to cut the montly cost, and the system will operate (w/o real time information) on its own. How many of us want to take our cars to a dealer for a Mapset update, as is now proposed (at an unknown cost)?

(And for those that like their privacy, read OnStar's Privacy policy. They specifically state they can track your car, and I see no feature in the car that allows me to turn that feature off. Want to argue with the service manager about a warranty claim next time he says we see you have had your car at the local drag strip/race course last year, to bad your transmission is shot, but that voided the warranty. As you can tell, I am really bummed out about this.)

 

[Bucket List]

IMHO the MyLink unit is slow, underpowered and non intuitive but it's a hell of a lot better than Ford's Sync mistake

Mark, do you own a Ford with Sync? I am the OP here and as I have stated I cannot verify the usability of the Stingray nav because I do not have my Stingray yet. However, I have been an active monitor of this site and read enough to get a sense that the nav system has issues. Granted, the nav the Stingray team has been given is a corporate decision...but it "appears" to be a decision that is frustrating a number of owners and a poor business decision.

I own a 2013 Ford Explorer with My Sync....and it has been awesome. I have NEVER had it miss an address or point me to a location in another state as some have posted. It does equal or better than a Garmin that a friend has had. I am not paying for services such as OnStar....and I think that I can update the map myself, though I have not felt a need to do that yet. This is not saying that other Ford owners love the system or have had problems....but it seemed your comment about Sync was unjust given all of the gripes that we can find about MyLink.

I decided to order the nav because of Ford's Sync and the hope that the issues get addressed before my beauty is built. I would gladly have paid for the nav if it would have included BringGo. If it could have integrated my phone also into the HUD...well that would have been perfect and I would not have batted an eye at the $1795 cost.

I cannot seem to get away from the feeling that the whole GM nav system is being handicapped to keep OnStar afloat. I do not see Ford doing that to its customer base.

Please do not start a Ford vs GM flame fest...that is not the issue here. I just want a nav worth the $1795 I am paying and I hope GM is listening....

 

[rohard]

I cannot seem to get away from the feeling that the whole GM nav system is being handicapped to keep OnStar afloat. I do not see Ford doing that to its customer base. ....

OnStar actually announced they were discontinuing their FMV (For My Vehicle) program this year. Article says ford and Toyota main customers. Wish it had been an option (to delete) on my car!

"As far as OnStar FMV goes, we have decided to discontinue producing any additional OnStar FMV units. Those who have purchased OnStar FMV will continue to receive OnStar service for as long as they choose to subscribe. We have gained a number of key insights by launching OnStar FMV that will be very valuable as we investigate future ventures in the retail space."

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/03/onstar-quietly-discontinues-fmv-program-exclusive/#ixzz3CJNhuVXx

 

[rdslon01]

It also looks like GM is trying to keep Sirius XM afloat. The most important part of a navigation to me is real-time traffic overlays. GM navigation needs Sirius to do that instead of pulling data for free from Google Maps (which, by the way, is super detailed and accurate with real-time traffic).

 

[talon90]

Talon90 provides a lot of good information and it's true, once you understand the Nav it has a number of integrations but he is also a bit of a Corvette apologist. By that I mean I don't think he's objective. For anyone to believe just because a Garmin has an easy to use interface it must be dumbed down or, on the flip side, the GM system is super powerful but I need a 90 minute training course to program in a 500 mile trip is a bit of a Kool Aid drinker.

My gripes with the system aren't that it's defective or can't get you where you want to go as contrary to what others have posted. it's only let me down when the roads were literally 6 weeks old like a couple new bypasses in KY on the way home. Or that it's not well integrated into the HUD and dash, it is. No, my problem is it's horribly underpowered which has caused them to do stupid things like limit POI searches to things within 20 miles of your present location! I wanted to put in a quick route to a restaurant 65 miles away with a very unique name. One that my Ram, Garmin and VW GPS can find with literally 5 clicks. The GM unit couldn't find it so I had to first put in the city the POI was near and then start over with the POI search. That may sound silly but it's just one example of how they have adjusted the code to accommodate the lack of processing power. If that's not why it's programmed that way then honestly, those programmers need to be let go.

IMHO the MyLink unit is slow, underpowered and non intuitive but it's a hell of a lot better than Ford's Sync mistake

Do tell? How should I be? How should I respond? More than half of the interactions I have with people are over the fact that they simply do not know how to use the system. Should I just pile on to get along? I had 20 appointments with customers in their cars at the most recent NCM event. To a person, they didn't or couldn't read the manual, didn't understand a feature or didn't even know that certain features existed in the system. Is that the systems fault?

If understanding the system and trying to explain it to others makes me an apologist then I guess I'm guilty as charged. Since so few other folks are objective in their assessment of things I do tend to err on the other side. I've been working on and with Corvette navigation systems since 2008.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

Seems to me that if many of the people trying to use the system have much difficulty, because it is non-intuitive and hard to learn, that itself is a "defect". It means the system is not user friendly.

 

[talon90]

Seems to me that if many of the people trying to use the system have much difficulty, because it is non-intuitive and hard to learn, that itself is a "defect". It means the system is not user friendly.

Have you used the Stingray navigation system?

 

[corvettrob]

I have used the Nav many times no problems , I also have the on star app ,
Find a location then I down load from the app to the car . It works perfect . iPhone 5