NAVTEQ Map Update V6.0X

[tojohnso]

In case you were wondering, I just checked the NAVTEQ web site for Ford products and found that they have a new map update V6.0X available. The previous update was V5.1X. Considering my 2011 EL has V3.1X (WTF?) installed, I'm getting suckered, er, the update.

It really bites that the cost of these updates are so high. The Garmin GPSs have $125 (last one I bought anyway) lifetime updates 4X/Yr. I'm also really excited that it's going to take 3 1/2 hours to perform the map and Gracenote update.

Update can be found here:

Navigation Maps for your Ford

For our factory GPS, select Expedition XT and the year. If I'm not mistaken, the XT means the head unit has the hard drive installed.

 

[spotdog14]

I think I have version 4 in my 2008.

As far as the expense I will say its one of the best mapping software I have ever used (both on and off road). It had roads that neither my atlas or google maps had.

 

[tojohnso]

Spotdog - I'm sure it's better than an atlas and/or Google maps. Neither of which is in the same league as other GPS systems. Especially Garmin.

Garmin uses NAVTEQ maps as well, but they provide updates four times per year (the rate NAVTEQ offers updates) and as I said previously, they are available for a one time fee of $125.00 for the life of the unit (used to be $125 per update). In comparison, our Ford NAV systems only get one update per year and the data is old. For instance, my v3.1X has maps from 2009. My 2011 is 2 years newer than that. In fact, it was built in August of 2011 and had an old update. I can't believe the original owners didn't demand the most up to date maps when they took delivery in October of that year.

So - not only do you get to pay five times the cost for the unit, you get to pay a much higher price for updates. Granted, I bought my Expy used so it wasn't as bad for me to aquire it, but I'm stuck with the high cost of updates AND get to spend several hours updating it whereas it would only be an hour for my Garmin. It's a rip off on many levels.

 

[jimb726]

Im confused, where does it take you several hours to update? I updated mine and it tok 5 maybe 10 minutes.

 

[tojohnso]

Im confused, where does it take you several hours to update? I updated mine and it tok 5 maybe 10 minutes.

What were you updating? Sync or NAVTEQ maps? The maps update comes with 4 DVDs. Two are software updates. Two are maps. The software updates apparently use only one DVD. That took me about an hour to complete. The Maps update is still going with the first disk.

Our stock head units come with 40 GB Hard Drives. 30 of that is reserved for the system with 10 provided for the jukebox. Have you ever copied a disk to the Jukebox? It takes about 6 minutes. And that's just one CD that holds about 600 MB to 720 MB of data. The DVDs area capable of 4 GB to 6 GB of data. I think the processor in these things is based on the 8088/7 from the 80's. The DVD player must be 1X only. ;-)

 

[tojohnso]

Okay - so what you get with this update (after 3-4 hours) is:

Map DB Version 12/10/02/01
NAVTEQ Map Release Number Q2 2012

Gracenote CDDB 5220
Software B4U32013 (for a 2011 Ford Expedition EL XLT Premium)

So - With this update, you get a NAVTEQ update almost a year old. Nice. The only saving grace is it's a cleaner install than carrying around a portable GPS and you always have it with you. Plus, in my case, maps three years newer than what were there before (Q2 2009). Maybe I'll do it again in another 3 years. I hate that....like to have updated info.

 

[GaryH2]

Garmin uses NAVTEQ maps as well, but they provide updates four times per year (the rate NAVTEQ offers updates) and as I said previously, they are available for a one time fee of $125.00 for the life of the unit (used to be $125 per update). In comparison, our Ford NAV systems only get one update per year and the data is old.

So - not only do you get to pay five times the cost for the unit, you get to pay a much higher price for updates. Granted, I bought my Expy used so it wasn't as bad for me to aquire it, but I'm stuck with the high cost of updates AND get to spend several hours updating it whereas it would only be an hour for my Garmin. It's a rip off on many levels.

I've always been concerned about that with the built in nav systems, that's why I have my Garmin. It sits really nicely in the rectangle at the top of the dash with the beanbag mount. The built in navs look a lot cleaner though.

 

[tojohnso]

So now that I've been using the update for a little while, I've come to like it. Haven't had the truck for very long and the one time I used it we went to Edenton, NC as a "practice" trip.

The few things I've noticed that I didn't see before (were they there and I just didn't notice?):

- On the highways, the little pass-throughs police tend to use to stage/run radar appear on the map.

- When the next turn is approaching, the right side window has a bar on the left that diminishes as you approach the next turn. Found to be pretty helpful as I tend to question which turn the GPS want me to make when there are several choices in close proximity.

One of the things I had the opportunity to experience was a traffic issue along my route. It automatically alerted me and asked if I wanted to route around it. Though I know this feature exists on regular GPSs like the ones I've had from Garmin, I didn't "buy" the feature. So the integration with Sirius traffic is really nice. In fact, the integration with other systems in the car is nice. I am surprised, though, that when GPS signals disappear like when you drive through a tunnel, the system isn't tied in to the speedometer to keep your position on the current road accurate. That's something they should have done.

One thing I'd really like to see on this GPS is constant display of the speed limit when you are not on a route. It's a common feature on after market GPSs and even our G2 Sync NAV now displays the speed limit. Maybe with a future software update?

 

[spotdog14]

So now that I've been using the update for a little while, I've come to like it. Haven't had the truck for very long and the one time I used it we went to Edenton, NC as a "practice" trip.

The few things I've noticed that I didn't see before (were they there and I just didn't notice?):

- On the highways, the little pass-throughs police tend to use to stage/run radar appear on the map.

- When the next turn is approaching, the right side window has a bar on the left that diminishes as you approach the next turn. Found to be pretty helpful as I tend to question which turn the GPS want me to make when there are several choices in close proximity.

One of the things I had the opportunity to experience was a traffic issue along my route. It automatically alerted me and asked if I wanted to route around it. Though I know this feature exists on regular GPSs like the ones I've had from Garmin, I didn't "buy" the feature. So the integration with Sirius traffic is really nice. In fact, the integration with other systems in the car is nice. I am surprised, though, that when GPS signals disappear like when you drive through a tunnel, the system isn't tied in to the speedometer to keep your position on the current road accurate. That's something they should have done.

One thing I'd really like to see on this GPS is constant display of the speed limit when you are not on a route. It's a common feature on after market GPSs and even our G2 Sync NAV now displays the speed limit. Maybe with a future software update?

Referring to the speed limit comment.

At least for me I find that whenever a GPS (I have a Tomtom and have used a Garmin) displays the speed limit I find that it is wildly inaccurate. The Tom Tom I have has the most recent update on it and for some reason it thinks all the highway speed limits in Michigan are 55 instead of 70, its very irritating.

But overall it sounds like it was a good update.