Navigation Maps Update Questions

I have no PiP but rather an 06. I'm still using the original map DVD that came w/my 06, since the work has to be completed sometime in 05 or earlier.

I haven't had a huge desire to pay to buy a newer map DVD since it's so expensive.

 

Apparently lots of folks, mainly with the Base trim, don't consider the Nav system worth getting map updates, particularly for $200 or whatever it is, compared to getting a comparable tool on their smart phone.

 

For me, I prefer using my Garmin PNDs (I have two of them) over free formerly random 3rd party turn by turn apps on my smartphone (e.. Mapquest on iPhone and Google Navigation when I also had an Android phone). Now that I have an iPhone 5 and its built in audible turn-by-turn directions, I've get yet another choice.

My 1st Garmin was bought to go w/my other car that had no nav. I sold that car as well. The second was a freebie from my bank. It was cheaper to pay the tax hit for it than to pay for Garmin's update for my 1st GPS unit. I only bring a Garmin along if I'm going somewhere unknown and I'm pretty sure I need the more up to date data. Otherwise, I'm fine w/the over 7 year old data I have on my 06's original DVD. Not worth the almost $200 Toyota wants.

 

I dont have experience with Toyota's HDD nav system. But on the HDD equipped nav system in an Infiniti, it required a trip to the dealer. They have a tool that they can use to connect to they system and update the maps on the HDD. I didnt watch it being done. That's just how it was explained to me. I imagine Toyota's HDD nav employs a similar method.

For the Base model, since the maps are stored on flash memory, I imagine an update would be similar to the Entune update that was stored on a USB stick. But since I havent read about anyone doing this and I'm not curious enough to spend time on the phone with a service rep (who may or may not know anyway), I don't know for sure.

The answer to that question is most definitely NO. I've heard that Lexus (or at least in the past), provided free map updates for 2 or 3 years. But I've never experienced that with Toyota (or Infiniti for that matter).

I've never found a dedicated Toyota site that explains the map updates, but I have referred to a Lexus site on many occasion. I think its safe to assume Lexus and Toyota use the same map data. What I'm unclear about is how Toyota's nav system generations match up with Lexus nav system generations. I've heard its 1 generation behind (Toyota that is), although I'm not so sure that's the case anymore since Toyota and Lexus both seemed to have gotten the Entune system within a year of each other.

In any case. Here's the release notes for the latest Lexus Gen 5 and 6 map update (v12.1):

http://lexusnavigation.com/pdf_docs/2012CY_GEN5_6_ReleaseNotes_v12.127092012085128.pdf

Here's the latest release notes for the Lexus Gen 7 map update:

http://lexusnavigation.com/pdf_docs/2012CY_GEN7_ReleaseNotes_v12.127092012084403.pdf

I'm sure the raw map data is the same across Gen 6 and 7. The first page of each PDF seems to indicate that is the case as well.

 

Like to live dangerously, eh? Apple redraws maps after Australian drivers led astray in the bush | Technology | guardian.co.uk

 

Ha. I've only rarely used iPhone 5 nav. A few times to test it out and another times because the location was too new and not in my 06's nav DVD. But, I wasn't in Australia or going into some TOTALLY unknown city/region.

That said, I'm NOT a fan of TeleAtlas' data (TomTom owns them now). I've posted about my disdain for TeleAtlas a few times before.

 

not to get too sidetracked, but i held off on upgrading my 4S to iOS 6 because of all the noise around maps. Then about a month in, I said to hell with it, I want the other features (love passbook, iCloud tabs, and newer versions of the iWork suite which require iOS 6). Well, I've used it a few times, and it has twice led me to the completely wrong location in San Francisco. I mean, what the hell, this is in Apple's own back yard!

 

Wow. That sucks. As I said, I haven't used it that many times to navigate me and I don't like TeleAtlas'/TomTom's data. On the flip side, prior to iOS 6, there were no native turn-by-turn directions w/audible prompts. One had to depend on 3rd party apps.

Back to the Australia issue, there's this: Apple Fixes Australian Map Error That Caused Police Warning, Issue Traced to Official Gazetteer - Mac Rumors.

 

yeah that headline is misleading – if you read carefully – the official gazetteer is perfectly fine, apple just can't' figure out how to parse it properly (and it's a pretty basic error at that too, really makes you wonder).

Edit: and it's even wrong two blocks away from my house in berkeley – we have a small side street that is basically blocked every two blocks so that there's no through traffic – and the maps give directions to go right through one of those barriers.

TomTom's data does suck. I wonder whether their own GPS units are just as bad. But I can't believe how Apple was not aware, or did not bother fixing, such glaring problems right in their own neighborhoods.

 

That sucks... you should report the problems in the Maps app itself.

Yeah, I posted about why I dislike TeleAtlas data (and stay away from any PNDs for the US that use their data) at I think I want a Garmin Nuvi 350, any other good alternatives? | PriusChat. I usually advise people do the same. Some people will chime in saying yeah, TeleAtlas data is crap vs. Navteq and others will seemingly defend TeleAtlas.

Unfortunately, there is WAY too much data, so they may not be aware. Shortly after the Maps initial uproar, there was this rumor: Apple Turning to Select Retail Store Employees to Help Improve Maps for iOS 6 - Mac Rumors.

 

i've reported them months ago and it hasn't changed. the consensus online seems to be that few of the changes that people have submitted have actually been implemented. this one got fixed due the insanely bad publicity it got.

i think there's no question that today, google has some of the best data available. unfortunately, apple doesn't seem to want to pony up the right cash for it (i know google wanted more branding, i'm sure apple could have paid them off to remove that requirement). consumers suffer as a result.

 

The head unit with Engine is so new that I don't think a map update has been released.

 

My Garmin has lifetime traffic and map updates. I don't think I'll be paying for a Toyota update any time soon.

 

it's worth to have garmin or tomtom with lifetime map update in big cities like NYC.
espcially true if you drive often to different places.

 

^^^
The crazy part is the decent Garmin PNDs w/lifetime map updates can easily be found for less than the price Toyota wants for a single map update DVD. However, this problem isn't Toyota specific. Seems to be the same issue w/most/many other automakers.

 

It has nothing to do with payments or cash. Steve Jobs said that Google ripped off the iPhone concept and he would go thermonuclear on them. It is that simple. The plan to remove Google maps was put in place years ago and Apple is sticking with it.

Mike

 

fixed!