Nav sys update rip off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,893
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
No thanks. I was sooo happy to have my factory NAV this past weekend so that the directions came up in my HUD so I didn't even have to look down at my dash.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Modesto Cali4nia
nav disc update
I own a 2k7 Corvette, it came with nav disc # 3. Last year I called the 1-800# & ordered an updated disc (#4) NO problem. It was shipped out almost immediately. This year I received a "post card" in the mail telling me to place an order for disc # 5. I called & they said the "new version" disc # 6 wouldn't be out until late Sept. early Oct. so I decided to wait & get that one (being it's the last FREE one) ...Last week (Friday) I called and wanted to place an order for the newest nav disc. Well, I was informed I "couldn't skip a year"...so I was back to the 2009 disc # 5 instead of # 6 for 2010. NO BIG DEAL....so my last FREE nav. disc update is in the mail. Absolutely NO hard feelings on my part. Will I spend 200 bucks for a newer version in a couple of years? Who knows, I"ll cross that bridge when I come to it. It's all good!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
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No thanks. Ever wonder why the screens on the portable units keep getting bigger? Because they're hard to see as it is. Now you want us to be distracted even more while driving by trying to see a tiny phone screen?
No thanks. I was sooo happy to have my factory NAV this past weekend so that the directions came up in my HUD so I didn't even have to look down at my dash.
No thanks. I was sooo happy to have my factory NAV this past weekend so that the directions came up in my HUD so I didn't even have to look down at my dash.
The GM NAV is not perfect, but I prefer it over having to stick a portable on my windshield or dash somewhere. The advantage of having a fixed system that interfaces with the HUD is worth the OEM Nav's shortcomings to me. However, I do think that GM charges too much for the updates though. I'm all for everyone making a buck, but my guess is that the profit on the updates must be huge. When you can buy a brand new portable until for what GM charges for just updates it really is expensive. A lot of users would buy new disc's every year, but with the price most of us wait and just update every could of years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
In my opinion, it would be a great "customer loyalty appreciation" move for GM to provide all of us with a free (or even reasonably priced) set (that will cost them less than $5 each to reproduce - they can take it out of my bailout contribution). I truly hate to see it, but I think that the new GM will soon go the way of the dinosaur.
Sure, it would be nice to have free Nav updates for life (I elected to cough up the hefty fee for my last Nav update too), but honestly, I don't think a free Nav update would seriously change anyone's mind about whether to buy another GM car.
If someone is really that cost conscious, they can choose to stay a year behind on the updates, and most likely get them for free from another member here on the forum. Or, they can buy a $100 Garmin nav, and stick it on their windshield. But they won't have the additional screen size, integrated and enhanced functionality, and they *still* have to pay $70 for an update!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
No thanks. Ever wonder why the screens on the portable units keep getting bigger? Because they're hard to see as it is. Now you want us to be distracted even more while driving by trying to see a tiny phone screen?
No thanks. I was sooo happy to have my factory NAV this past weekend so that the directions came up in my HUD so I didn't even have to look down at my dash.
No thanks. I was sooo happy to have my factory NAV this past weekend so that the directions came up in my HUD so I didn't even have to look down at my dash.
We have enough dead children and motorists over driver distractions.We have members who do not like the Nav in the Vette because they cannot watch a movie while driving.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
Same problem here, bought my '08 in August of 2008 and in early 2009 tried for a free upgrade by calling the NAV line directly. Same story, the free updates stopped with the 2007 model. No big deal, got the new version via a Forum member that needed something I had. Good deal all around. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 1,656
From: Atlantic City NJ
The cost of the duplication of the disc on that scale is actually probably less than .10. If that were the only cost associated with the navigation DVD I would be inclined to agree with you. GM does not produce nor do they even own the data that they provide. They pay an exorbitant license fee to the data company. There are only two as I recall that provide all of the navigation data for all of the GPS systems and companies out there. The navigation data company will collect a per user fee (each disc sold) as well as a license fee from the automaker to provide this "service". The "free" update isn't really free as someone still needs to license it and pay the per user fee for each of those sets of discs. In the end, you and I pay for it. This is also why the cost of the update is much higher than with other navigation systems. Garmin for example uses the same license and data across their entire line of units. Considering the volume that Garmin sells (easily outsells the Corvette 100 to 1 and as such can easily leverage the license fee across many more installed units and has a great deal of leverage to negotiate a lower per user fee. You will see the cost of the Corvette navigation discs come down dramatically once the platform is able to move on to a more current architecture than what is currently installed.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see a future version on the factory unit be disc free and use OnStar to download your info the same way Garmin or Tom Tom does.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
GM recently told me that "your 2008 vehicle is not eligible for a free disc update". Note to GM: "after 13 Chevy's (including 8 vettes) your company is no longer eligible for my business!". Charging $200 for a $5 update to an overpriced $1500 option adds insult to injury. Has anyone figured a way to get a better deal on the upgrade (other than buying a Garmin or tom-tom or other system)?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 4
From: Florida
The data provider is probably Tele-Atlas. I have Garmin built into my head unit.
Eventually, cars will have a wi-fi or similar type of connectivity. You'll probably have something like Google maps in your car and never need an update again.
The latest 3D photorealistic GPS is cool...this is the next big wave. Imagine what they'll charge for these updates!
Eventually, cars will have a wi-fi or similar type of connectivity. You'll probably have something like Google maps in your car and never need an update again.
The latest 3D photorealistic GPS is cool...this is the next big wave. Imagine what they'll charge for these updates!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Me too... the dealer I bought my 09 from last year was less then helpful. To be honest, I doubt ver 6 has much more than a few new gas stations and McDonalds/burger joints in terms of updates. I'll wait to hear more reviews before investing $200 in the upgrade.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The data all comes from the same place. Different GPS providers have different companies that provide the data but the original source data all comes from the same sources which are pretty much all public data bases. The addresses on my street are screwed up in the source (which I have access to) and they are screwed up in all of the GPS systems I have ever seen and they are also screwed up on Google Earth. As far as I am concerned none of the current systems are worth what ever they charge for them. If its more than $50 the price is too high.
The Google Earth sky views are all based on public data bases. The ones that are Google's are the street views which don't cover much of the country. The closest street view to my house is about 15 miles away and it shows an Interstate Highway bridge.
Bill
The Google Earth sky views are all based on public data bases. The ones that are Google's are the street views which don't cover much of the country. The closest street view to my house is about 15 miles away and it shows an Interstate Highway bridge.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Oct 6, 2009 at 07:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 4
From: Florida
The data all comes from the same place. Different GPS providers have different companies that provide the data but the original source data all comes from the same sources which are pretty much all public data bases. The addresses on my street are screwed up in the source (which I have access to) and they are screwed up in all of the GPS systems I have ever seen and they are also screwed up on Google Earth. As far as I am concerned none of the current systems are worth what ever they charge for them. If its more than $50 the price is too high.
The Google Earth sky views are all based on public data bases. The ones that are Google's are the street views which don't cover much of the country. The closest street view to my house is about 15 miles away and it shows an Interstate Highway bridge.
Bill
The Google Earth sky views are all based on public data bases. The ones that are Google's are the street views which don't cover much of the country. The closest street view to my house is about 15 miles away and it shows an Interstate Highway bridge.
Bill
RMX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort Illinois
OK guys, I know the rules - and I have no contract for free upgrades on the 08. In my opinion, it would be a great "customer loyalty appreciation" move for GM to provide all of us with a free (or even reasonably priced) set (that will cost them less than $5 each to reproduce - they can take it out of my bailout contribution). I truly hate to see it, but I think that the new GM will soon go the way of the dinosaur.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Then who do you take it out on? The NAV system is purchased from GM and that's the only place you can purchase an updated CD. I doubt that GM buys the mapping software from Garmin. If you've ever used a Garmin you wouldn't make statements like this. For the $199 cost of a GM update each year you can purchase a Garmin for less then that each year and have the latest mapping software.
Although you could buy a portable for less than the cost of the update, you'd still have a portable unit. Any in dash system you buy will require the $100 update.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Fleabay is one place that sells them cheaper, just buyer beware. Be also aware that the NAV discs sometimes updates the software of the NAV unit itself. So if you have a system say you had lockpicked so you can enter addresses while driving, they can over ride that aftermarket part with an update. I was thinking about getting the lockpick for my Yukon Denali but numerous people had issues with lockpick with the new release (4.0) and now they are up to 5.0. The good thing is that it allows me to select preset addresses and you have to be below 5 mph instead of in park.
Yes, I think they are expensive, especially for a system that doesn't have a form of traffic warning. Chevy's flagship's NAV is outdone by the Tahoe and even Trasverse in features. At least the Corvette NAV has a PAL option where the Denali's NAV does not right now and vise versa for no NAV.
Yes, I think they are expensive, especially for a system that doesn't have a form of traffic warning. Chevy's flagship's NAV is outdone by the Tahoe and even Trasverse in features. At least the Corvette NAV has a PAL option where the Denali's NAV does not right now and vise versa for no NAV.