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I've done the update in my 2015. I have not done a 'distance' travel yet so cannot comment on the "improvements" ..... if any. But, like others, I like having the NAV integrated into my vehicle. Yes, it is not perfect but nobody's is......my opinion. We have WAZE and Google on our phones......as backup. But again I say I am happy with the update/upgrade from GM.
I've always thought that the NAV systems in our C7's were absolute crap... The update won't help...trust me.
Use your phone for GPS - it won't get you lost and you never have to pay for updated maps...
I think this depends upon where you use it. I was on a trip from Seattle, WA to Lewiston, ID and I lost cell service in eastern Washington. I was low on fuel and driving blind, though I do have a great sense of direction. I came to a couple of Ts with no cell navigation to help me know which way to go. My rental car didn't have navigation. Vehicle navigation doesn't rely on the cell towers. With that said, I do 99% of my driving in areas where I have cell service and not only is it more updated it also shows traffic conditions. However, I don't want to ever be somewhere that I'm unfamiliar with the area and not have something to help me with directions. I'll keep my vehicle navigation updated every 2-3 years.
Last edited by MrClean21; May 17, 2019 at 05:17 PM.
I think this depends upon where you use it. I was on a trip from Seattle, WA to Lewiston, ID and I lost cell service in eastern Washington. I was low on fuel and driving blind, though I do have a great sense of direction. I came to a couple of Ts with no cell navigation to help me know which way to go. My rental car didn't have navigation. Vehicle navigation doesn't rely on the cell towers. With that said, I do 99% of my driving in areas where I have cell service and not only is it more updated it also shows traffic conditions. However, I don't want to ever be somewhere that I'm unfamiliar with the area and not have something to help me with directions. I'll keep my vehicle navigation updated every 2-3 years.
That's why you should download the maps for offline usage. Google Maps allows this. In fact, if you plan a route and are going through a remote area GM will prompt you to download the maps for offline use.
I find it easier to just use the maps that are already in the car rather than downloading them to my phone prior to going somewhere that may or may not be the way I decide to go.
Although I like to use Google maps and Waze, the wife enjoys using the CUE system in her 2014 Cadillac so I bought her the newest update in the past month. Took about 45 minutes to update. Not sure about any updated POIs or enhanced features. But if she likes it, I'm not worried about 100 bucks.
What I can say after looking at some of the files, most of them were updated as of 5/2018 and 8/2018. Literally one year old. But, once you opened some of the .dat files they were updated as of May 2019. I saw in one of the files the c-date was May 2018, almost a year old.
Just ordered the Update.
And since they don't make them until you order one for your VIN, the website says because of the demand, it won't ship until the week of the 27th.
Taking a road trip after the Holiday and if it arrives in time I'll install it before leaving