Keeping it very simple.... put the USB into your system, look at the PROPERTIES for the drive and it should show both the size of the drive and the Used/Free space... that will get us "hand grenade close" to what I was wondering..... 12-15GB is what I am guessing....

I will check my F-150 SD card when I get a chance.... just for grins...LK

 

Good guess!

Elmer

 

Thanks.... I am also guessing that the USB Drive itself is a USB 2.0, as is probably the port in our car... have not seen the spec for the car (USB 3.0 being MUCHO faster) so those would be the limiting factors in how long it takes to "load" the replacement Nav DB. Even if they shipped a USB 3.0 USB drive, if the port is only USB 2.0 it is the least common denominator factor.... can only go as fast as the port....LK

 

It says USB-1 on the sticker that is on the USB. Is there some way to confirm USB 1, 2, or 3. I doubt it is a 3 in the car.

USB 3 usually has a blue color on the connector, this one is black. The car USB connector is black so I suspicion USB 2 is the bottle neck.


Elmer

 

The loading of the Map DB is the only REAL data-intensive app use for the USBs. Listening to music, charging, etc. does not place heavy streaming demands on the device/port. I suspect they did not want to add the additional $1 or so to sport a USB 3.0 in each of the ports....smile.

Now if they are sending out the updates on a truly USB 1.0 flash drive, that is INSANE..... huge difference of throughput USB 1.1 vs 2.0!!!!....like 40X faster!!!!....LK

The USB 1.1, or Full–Bandwidth USB, specification was the first release to be widely adopted by the consumer market. This specification allowed for a maximum bandwidth of 12Mbps. This type of USB connection is ideal for connecting devices that have low bandwidth requirements, i.e. keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.

The USB 2.0, or Hi–Speed USB, specification made many improvements over USB 1.1. The main improvement was an increase in bandwidth to a maximum of 480Mbps. This specification retained a backwards compatibility which allows USB 2.0 controller cards to support USB 1.1 devices. USB 1.1 devices used on a USB 2.0 controller card do not benefit from the additional bandwidth provided and will be limited to a maximum bandwidth of 12Mbps. The additional bandwidth provided by the USB 2.0 specification is best suited for supporting devices requiring the high bandwidth, i.e. mass storage devices, video adapters, data transfer cables, etc.

The USB 3.0, or SuperSpeed, specification made further improvements to USB technology. The primary improvements include an increase of bandwidth to a maximum of 4.8Gbps, support for full duplex communication and an increase of the amount of power available to connected devices. This specification retained a backwards compatibility that allows USB 3.0 controller cards to support USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices. USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices used on a USB 3.0 controller card do not benefit from the additional bandwidth provided and will be limited to USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 maximum bandwidths respectively. The additional bandwidth, full duplex communication and power availability provided by the USB 3.0 specification is best suited for supporting devices requiring high bandwidth, i.e. large mass storage devices, video adapters, data transfer cables, etc.

 

Ya know what? I'm think they have a 1.0 USB on the car. I can backup 120GB in 35 minutes to an external SSD from my desktop with 3.0. 2.0 used to be 1.5 hours or more.

We're only talking 12GB here and it's taking 50 minutes? Sure sounds slow to me.

Elmer

 

Slow it is!!!! Only real thing that has me leaning toward 2.0 onboard is the report that charging works well through USB port.... for some anyway. USB 1.1 was never high enough a power rate to charge very well, if at all.....

Will be interesting to see if the 2018 updates come on a 2.0 or 3.0 flash drive.... even if the onboard is only 2.0..... maybe the C8s will have USB 3.0....LOL...... LK

 

From the progress messages I saw during the update, it *appears* there is some sort of file or data manipulation/ETL going on in addition to the file transfer, so the 50 min process duration might be due to more factors than just simple USB transfer rate.

 

Here is the poop from my 2017 version of Nav Map for my 2015 F-150 SD Card.....LK

 

Someone has to do the data collection, integration, deltas, make it into an update package, all of that. So "free" is a stretch, but $170 is ridonkulous.

A bigger question is why is ridonkulous passes spell check...

 

2012 Volt v2014 navigation update DVD discs (2): 11.87 GB total file size
2013 Volt MyLink v2017 navigation update USB stick: 3.52 GB file size
2014 Corvette MyLink v2017 navigation update USB stick: 11.40 GB file size

For whatever reason, it appears the DVD disc based updates are larger! This really surprises me since the 2012 Volt's navigation was rather basic compared to the 2013 Volt's and the C7's. It's nuts how much larger the Corvette's is vs. the 2013 Volt, which a little more basic, but still very packed with features, info, etc.

 

This thread originally was asking about the availability of the Nav update. That was all, but as usual the discussion moved toward complaints about the update itself. These are all First World Problems with easy solutions.

Problem: The update takes 50 minutes!!
Solution: Drive somewhere for 50 minutes.
Problem: You must have the engine running the entire time!
Solution: Drive somewhere for 50 minutes.
Problem: I'm an IT person and it should not take 50 minutes!
Solution: But it does.
Problem: It uses outmoded USB ports!
Solution: But they still work.
Problem: Google maps is better!
Solution: Use Google Maps.
Problem: The update is outrageously expensive!
Solution: Don't buy it.
Problem: The updates should be free!
Solution: Really? Then so should housing and food.
Problem: The update is not up-to-date!
Solution: You're right; it isn't.
Problem: Everyone should use Google Maps/Waze
Solution: Some of us would rather not.

Most of these issues are not worthy of concern. Other solutions are IMO klutzy and lack integration compared to the native Nav system. Believe it or not some of us have tried other solutions such as Google Maps, Waze, and Garmin devices, but still prefer the native system. I liked my Garmin until the battery died, which you cannot replace. And updating a map on that thing took several hours. Not so hot compared to 50 minutes. And though some of you claim your updates on Google Maps are free, you're forgetting that the average life of a Smartphone is less than two years before you upgrade. One way or another, you're paying for that new phone with all those "free" apps. The lack of currency of the updates is the biggest issue with the built-in nav system, but 95% of the time it works just fine. I'm guessing "fixing" these non-issues is far down the priority list for GM, and if they have any discretionary time for fixes, I'd vote on fixing the A8 as a whole lot more important than worrying about download time of a nav update.

 

... BUT, as the thread starter, I was not ASKING about the update but informing members as to WHEN it should become available. I too like the integrate solution (as stated several times) and the question of time to update is, as noted, probably a factor as to which USB device/port is involved.... personally an hour drive to allow the update to take place is a pleasure!!

Thanks to all for your insights and opinions and as noted, I did not expect all of the "alt" notions about the Nav solution, but again thanks to all..... LK

 

The timing is good for me. I will be attending a Vietnam Reunion out of state.

 

Thanks for your Service.... I am also a Vet.....LK

 

Nothing is free. Anyone who thinks otherwise lacks either the knowledge of basic economics or is not intelligent (as in mentally incapable of higher thought).

Google has convinced most people (and Facebook hasn't helped) that things are free. They aren't. Data mining has a cost, not one you pay in direct $$$ at the time, but long term you pay, and you pay dearly. I prefer to pay $$$ than to pay with my information. $$$ is something I use to barter, my data is MINE.

I wait 2-3 years between map updates, usually there is enough change at that point to justify the $150 charge.

BTW, Google is wrong from time to time, especially with construction closures, so I wouldn't give them a free pass either like most people do.

 

Google map folks have been led up a dirt street near my house vs. city streets because I guess the "avoid dirt roads" flag was not turned on...LOL. It is a continuation of my street that has not yet been developed and it DOES connect with paved streets... and it IS shorter, but only contractors and builders going to work typically use that 2 block section.... other than unsuspecting "freebie" folks....ha ha....I have to caution visitors NOT to turn at a certain intersection but to continue straight....then it selects the city streets....been this way for 5+ years.....LK

 

Google Maps is missing a small road that leads into my neighborhood (and has for a few years now) while GM's v2017 map updates are not. Neither are perfect, and sometimes its nice to have both (and a real atlas)!

 

I always get the latest Atlas at Costco for myself and our Son (they do a lot of camping) and between that and online sites I can plan a trip without fear.... almost....smile. My F-150 has a 36 gal. tank and gets 20+ mpg so have a long fuel range with that and, I might say, I was blown away with the hwy. mileage of my '15 at 80+ mph!!

I stash my trips into Excel point to point with hyperlink notes (e.g. Trip Adviser) in case I want to reference or change locations or plans via my netbook.... maybe kinda **** for some but doing 5-6 week trip to Europe through many countries it helps keep things and stops in order.

In Europe, my Garmin works only about as well as here.... have yet to try Google over there... is that supported!?....LK

 

V.2018 available now.... $139.98 plus shipping and tax....."$20 off"...got mine!...LK

http://gmnavdisc.navigation.com/prod...en_US/GMNA/USD