replacing the stock nav/stereo unit
04-17-2019, 12:10 PM
#82
Melting Slicks
Today I had my installer put in a Kenwood DNX874S Mutimedia Receiver with built-in Garmin Nav in my 2011 GS.
Here is what I found out today after getting this head unit installed that does not make me happy ...
In my other car, I have mobile Garmin "Drive 60LM" GPS. This GPS can be moved from one car to the next if needed. This GPS comes with free map upgrades for life. Usually a new map update comes out about once every 6 months.
So, since my Garmin "Drive 60LM" GPS has free map updates, I thought that the Garmin Nav in my new Kenwood head unit would too .... WRONG !
I just checked today to see if there was an update now available for my new Kenwood / Garmin .... Yup, there sure is .... and it costs $70 to download it !
I had no idea ! !
_________________________________
Kenwood, Mutimedia Receiver with Garmin Nav . . . DNX874S
6.95” Motorized LCD Capacitive Touch Screen
Built-In Garmin GPS and HD Radio Tuner
Plays CD, DVD, SD and USB Flash Drives
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
Pandora, Spotify and Sirius XM Ready
Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling and Audio Streaming
13-Band Equalizer with Digital Signal Processing
Front and Rear Camera Inputs
____________________________________
Here is what I found out today after getting this head unit installed that does not make me happy ...
In my other car, I have mobile Garmin "Drive 60LM" GPS. This GPS can be moved from one car to the next if needed. This GPS comes with free map upgrades for life. Usually a new map update comes out about once every 6 months.
So, since my Garmin "Drive 60LM" GPS has free map updates, I thought that the Garmin Nav in my new Kenwood head unit would too .... WRONG !
I just checked today to see if there was an update now available for my new Kenwood / Garmin .... Yup, there sure is .... and it costs $70 to download it !
I had no idea ! !
_________________________________
Kenwood, Mutimedia Receiver with Garmin Nav . . . DNX874S
6.95” Motorized LCD Capacitive Touch Screen
Built-In Garmin GPS and HD Radio Tuner
Plays CD, DVD, SD and USB Flash Drives
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
Pandora, Spotify and Sirius XM Ready
Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling and Audio Streaming
13-Band Equalizer with Digital Signal Processing
Front and Rear Camera Inputs
____________________________________
How current are the maps in your new unit? I know the 2 standalone units I've bought over the last 20 years came with very old maps so an update right away was pretty much manditory.
04-17-2019, 03:38 PM
#83
Drifting
Now I'm glad I bought the non Nav. kenwood unit. $70 for an update??? that should be illegal. I plan to just use google maps or Waze as I have in the past, but hopefully through android auto.
04-17-2019, 05:46 PM
#84
Melting Slicks
I just installed a Pioneer unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - here is my post about it: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...h-2330nex.html
04-18-2019, 08:54 AM
#85
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: SW Florida
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
yes, this has completely turned me off on the kenwoods. I don't understand why they will sell a stand alone gps for under $100 with free lifetime map updates but insist on screwing everyone who spends substantially more on a premium head unit. It's not like the map updates are trivial, i update my standalone unit about twice a year because i drive through some areas that have major road construction projects going on year after year. With the old maps the unit thinks you are 4-wheeling and keeps telling me to "drive to the highlighted route".
how current are the maps in your new unit? i know the 2 standalone units i've bought over the last 20 years came with very old maps so an update right away was pretty much manditory.
04-18-2019, 11:58 AM
#86
FYI, I spoke to Crutchfield about the map updates for Kenwoods, and in addition to the cost, Garmin says they will only guarantee map updates will be made for five years from when the model is released. After that, you may not be able to get updates for it at any price. Crutchfield thinks it may depend on how many of a particular model are sold.
So just be aware, after 5 years you may not be able to update your Kenwood at all.
So just be aware, after 5 years you may not be able to update your Kenwood at all.
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04-18-2019, 01:29 PM
#87
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2017
Location: Morris County New Jersey
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I know with my Pioneer unit, they offered 1 free map update within 30 days of purchase if I remember correctly. I am kind of surprised that Kenwood and Garmin don't offer a similar map update so that the unit can at least be up to date at time of purchase and install. As far as updates after 5 years, I wouldn't really be concerned about that. As long as Kenwood and Garmin continue their relationship, I would assume that you will be able to continue to get updates after the 5 year mark. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built in navigation is becoming less and less of a selling point for head units. I still prefer to have built in navigation, even though in my case I almost never use it.
04-18-2019, 02:41 PM
#88
Melting Slicks
FYI, I spoke to Crutchfield about the map updates for Kenwoods, and in addition to the cost, Garmin says they will only guarantee map updates will be made for five years from when the model is released. After that, you may not be able to get updates for it at any price. Crutchfield thinks it may depend on how many of a particular model are sold.
So just be aware, after 5 years you may not be able to update your Kenwood at all.
So just be aware, after 5 years you may not be able to update your Kenwood at all.
04-18-2019, 09:27 PM
#89
Don't make that assumption. Crutchfield called Garmin and was told that Garmin would not be offering updates beyond the 5 year mark for some of the Kenwood models.
04-19-2019, 03:42 PM
#90
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2017
Location: Morris County New Jersey
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They are not going to promise you on going infinite support. There are no guarantees regardless. Even if they offered 20 years, companies go out of business. A lot depends on if Kenwood and Garmin continue their relationship in the future and the terms of their future agreements. So I guess we can't really say for sure either way. If sales drop on navigation units, maybe they end their relationship. Imo, most people are better off with a unit without navigation anyway. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built in navigation becomes redundant and probably effects sales of navigation head units. I have it in my Pioneer, but it was a personal preference for me since my car had factory navigation. For most I would recommend an aftermarket head unit with out the built in navigation.