In Car GPS/SatNavs.

[Auspom]

All the vehicles that i have owned have never had an in-built GPS/SatNav system as i have always used the likes of my TomTom for guidance.
My question is if i buy a vehicle with the above already fitted how do you update the likes of maps etc as i would imagine different make vehicles fit different make SatNavs in their cars ?
Any assistance would be most welcomed.
Tony

 

[xtrailman]

My last two cars have had satnav, i wouldnt buy a car without one now, i also have a Garmin 1370T which i have compared side by side with routes, the built in sat nav is far better imo, not lest the bigger screen, and better grathics.
To answer your question, DVD type versions fitted to earlier Nissan's can be updated for £40 via sites like this one.
http://www.satnav-updates.com/index.php?cat=2011_NISSAN_X7___X6_SAT_NAV_DISCS&ActinicSID=3fd0224551e2b37d6655e5015a5e7493

The latest versions are now hard drive systems, I'm not sure how these can be updated.

 

[NigelHutson]

Most in-car sat navs are nowhere near as good as the likes of Tom Tom, although some are better than others. However, if you want to update a car's system there are generally three types.

1. DVD disc. New ones of which can be obtained from the Manufacturer's Dealer or a Company like Navteq. Second hand ones are often advertised on Ebay, so it depends how new you need the disc to be, as they're not cheap.
2. Hard Drive. These can generally only be updated by main Dealers. Again, not cheap.
3. Some vehicles have SD mapping, so the same applies as point 1.

Whilst I'd be the first to admit that I like the bells and whistles in a car and would probably opt for a fitted sat nav, I have found the ones I've already owned to be totally illogical at times, taking you stupid routes, and coming off at motorway junctions, only to rejoin the other side. TomTom in my personal opinion is a far better system, but obviously not as neat and a theft risk.

 

[MichaelE]

My friends Nissan Pathfinder doesnt do post codes which isnt great if you dont know the street name.
I believe all Nissans are like this unless you have the later HD versions.
My Mercedes command HD system is much better than the previous DVD based system and they upgrade free of charge every year.

 

[otherclive]

My Garmin 1490T has far better screen graphics than the Xc70 in built. For £75 I can update Garmin for my ownership duration. It also can be programmed using Mapsource via the PC so when towing I can make sure it takes me the van-friendly route. The xc70 uses DVD and only gets updated free in the first two years but on most owners club websites you will find members selling the superseded DVDs which will only be 12 months out of date. The Garmin can run for 2 hours on battery and has been used as a town map in its pedestrian mode. All satnavs have quirks eg shortest route will likely show you back streets and village centres you did not even know existed as well as some fords and green lane by ways hence you should get the Sorento.

 

[Martin24]

The most reliable one I have found is SWIMBO!

 

[Tony_5041742]

Both have their ups and downs. In car units are by their nature so much better integrated with the car and its controls, and as others have said the screens tend to be bigger and you don't need mounts or wires. On the other hand, they are a premium price to purchase and upgrade. Re the question about upgrades - some in car units are DVD based, so it's just a question of buying a new DVD. The last couple of cars I've had used disk based sat navs, so I assume that upgrading maps etc would have been only possible via a dealer.

 

[xtrailman]

Most in-car sat navs are nowhere near as good as the likes of Tom Tom, although some are better than others. However, if you want to update a car's system there are generally three types.

1. DVD disc. New ones of which can be obtained from the Manufacturer's Dealer or a Company like Navteq. Second hand ones are often advertised on Ebay, so it depends how new you need the disc to be, as they're not cheap.
2. Hard Drive. These can generally only be updated by main Dealers. Again, not cheap.
3. Some vehicles have SD mapping, so the same applies as point 1.

Whilst I'd be the first to admit that I like the bells and whistles in a car and would probably opt for a fitted sat nav, I have found the ones I've already owned to be totally illogical at times, taking you stupid routes, and coming off at motorway junctions, only to rejoin the other side. TomTom in my personal opinion is a far better system, but obviously not as neat and a theft risk.

The Mazda cx-5 has the built in tom tom sat nav as a reasonable £400 option.

 

[RayS]

Michael, which model and age of Merc. do you have ? I have W211 E220 cdi SE with Comand and have been unable to get an update frommain dealer or third party. The original map set was way out of date as delivered and was updated at first service 2 years ago. Slightly better but still not showing sections of Spanish autopista which have been open for 5 years to my certian knowledge. Also will only take 3 character post codes and will not recognise my own home post code at all. Very dufficult to program with 'via's' or intermediate points to force a route.
MB tell me since the newer cars have internet updating there are no plans to update the old ones further. The system is, I think, HD as it is reprogrammed from a DVD which does not remain in the car.

I would certainly not spend the considerable money again, but go for a stand alone which could be set for trucks to avoid potential towing difficulties.

 

[weejock]

Ray it maybe worthwhile to ask if you were to obtain new maps would they install ?

Most of the maps come from either navteq or the company tom tom now owns. So it might mean the map dvd's are generic.