Just returned back home from being away for a while and opened my mail. Received a letter from GM on map update that is normally $149 but on sale for $99. Opened on 2/1 but sale over on 1/31 as luck would have it. Perhaps fate that deal over. My maps are 2022. I wouldn’t see a need every year to update but perhaps every 3 years. So now maybe year 4 for me next year.

Thoughts? Update worth it? Other legit sources cheaper when time comes?

Thanks!

 

What? Do C8's have map updates now -- I've been using AndroidAuto for so long I didn't even think the built in Nav still had updates on physical media. Guess I could look at the owners manual to figure out where the updates are located/inserted if I really want to know.

 

Just so people are aware, it’s an SD card in center console. When I drive i run navigation on Nav so it feeds HUD and use Appleplay/Waze on the screen for police and other current time awareness. This way I get both.

If you use Waze for directions, it won’t feed the HUD. The system only allows 1 direction system to be active at a time.

 

I do every other year but am going to Waze.

 

By the time GM updates their navigation data base. And likely from google. Edits same. Then creates the SD cards, packages them for sale, markets, and ships them out they not even close to being 'current'. Maybe as of 2023 and certainly newer than their old one. But vastly inferior to the one you have in your pocket. Your phone that you've already paid for. Google Maps or Apple Maps, WAZE are all current at the time you start the car. Don't get buying yesterday's newspaper today?

 

Waze!

 

I typically update mine every 3 years or so. My '22 is coming up on 3 years old so I'll probably update mine this year as I do use it.

 

For those with 2024's/'25s NO longer is there an SD Map! Nope, Google now charges ~$30/month to subscribe to their Maps over the air! Actually I think it is GM who gets all or most of the money! Can also by OnStar subscription from GM. On a matter of principle I refused. So started to use WAZE "when needed." (We'll see how long that is free as Google owns WAZE!)

It took a ~2 hr workaround to get road speed limit to display on Dash (and HUD) as that is from a Google Map. That was a pain, took the help of a poster who stayed on the phone when I did mine! Are some tricks. But although I have a Google map for road speed limits can't use Google Navigation. If you try a message pops up saying need a subscription. Yep, Mary Barra said they estimate getting ~$3 billion in ongoing fees from car owner's by 2030. And not just the initial car buyer but the 2nd, 3rd etc owner.

GM is not the only one, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Tesla etc are doing similar. After all "we" accept paying monthly fees for what was once free: watching TV, listening to Music, etc. Why should car makers not do the same? As Mary said, she knows she 1st needs to sell cars. She also said folks have to perceive a value to the purchase. GM has hired high level folks who have a proven record of getting folks to spend a monthly fee for what used to be free or purchased as a one time CD etc.

Yep I have the last disk you could buy for Dreamweaver my website software. It's no owned by Adobe who provides at a monthly fee, combined with other "stuff" I don't need. Same with the new office computer I bought 6 months ago and thought I would lose QuickBooks since I don't have a disk, purchased as a Download some years ago. Fortuity found a a way to load on the new computer. This 82 year old is not used to paying monthly fees for what I have not in the past. Understand the World has changed and will have to at some time. BUT IMO GM did a poor marking job the way after buying a $130,000 3LZ E-Ray from day 1 had to pay Google a fee to get road mph speed limit showing on my Dash.

I did get 30 Days of their ~$50/month OnStar free where I had the Road Speed showing. Didn't know when my 30 day free trial was over it would go away! Mary needs to find some better marketing folks. Should have given me the $30/month reduced OnStar features free for a year. Then I would be hooked. Yep, then 30 days before the Free deal ended send a message "You're in Luck" we are offering a half price for 90 days of the OnStar you have been enjoying!

Yep marketing something folks won't be happy to buy requires:

 

The Native Nav update is to refresh businesses in the data base. Roads don't change every year by and large. There may be a section closed, a new interchange, etc, so if you're using it for routing, it's not worth the expense. If you're using it to find a business Google Maps updates on the fly, not yearly so again updating is not worth the expense.

My 2¢

 

I find myself out in a field every so often in my 2020 but I can live with it.

 

I use Android Auto and it's still free with Traffic Info and updated maps.

 

I do the same, works great....

 

Oh yeah. Roads do change. I have taken cross country trips (in my F150) using a built in map data base maybe a year old or so, and I can say that I frequently encountered road changes. Fortunately, I normally use multiple nav systems, so I had Waze running on my phone, and my wife (the very lovely Andreabump) likes to use Maps. So, I can typically catch errors without incident.

So, if planning a trip into an area that unfamiliar, I would not rely on an older built in nav data base. The reason I don't update mine regularly is just because I use phone based Nav mostly and that updates in real time. And I carry paper maps. The problem is, or can be, cell data are not available everywhere, and then you need to rely on stored map data - either in your car or in your phone.

 

Apple Car Play for my 2020 works great

 

Be advised that in the past Waze had and likely still has the SDK that tracks all your driving behavior using the accelerometer and location data on your phone.

 

I have a '21 and rely on the onboard GPS a lot. I chose to buy the upgrade. However, car is hibernating for another approximately 2 months so installation will have to wait. Regarding Android Auto and Waze, I have used them, but still like the onboard option best. I also often drive in areas with little to no cell tower access so totally relying on phone systems is not a good idea. Yes, I am an "old guy".

 

100% Waze and Spotify with Apple Car Play and my iphone. Waze and a V1 are a very good combination too.

 

I found out about that on one of my long drives. Waze/Goolge Maps work fine until you're too far away from cell towers. Then they can't be reprogrammed. If they're running when you loose cell service, you can still be shown on the map, but you can't get "turn" directions or change your chosen route, where I don't loose those functions with the cars native nav app.

There's better "blanket cell coverage" on the east coast than in western states. .. .... .You don't have to get too far off the freeways out here to loose cell coverage.

 

Have a ‘20 and we still drive around the US. Can use car play but I like having the car have the map .

so from time to time I do update.

once we just stay around the home area I will no longer do so