software updates

Raffles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 30

I realize that the latest Medion unit is a fairly recent release; however, I'm a little worried about the total lack of information regarding any update service. My mailed requests about this issue has come back from the Aldi support desk (they insisted I bark up Navigon's tree) and Navigon ("No, updates are Aldi's responsibility.") empty.

Road networks change, perhaps not so often per location, but in any case certainly at some time somehere there's construction going on. Having a source of both software and mapping updates (free or subscription-based) is not a luxury but a prerequisite.

Should you hear from either Aldi, Medion or Navigon regarding this sore point, then I'm all ears.

Thanks.

P.S. Apart from this blemish, the unit is a dream!

Raff

Darren · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 10:06 am Post subject:

It's a fair point and it's always an issue when buying a re-branded product such as this. However, no other PDA mapping application provider offers free or subscription map updates. It's a frequently discussed topic but put simply, you can expect to have to buy a later release of the software, most likely Navigon when it is available if you wish to obtain map updates.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Raffles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 30

Darren,

My brother-in-law bought the Navman a month ago. Last week he received an email from the place he got it, informing him that the latest mapping software update is available for download, get this, for free at the URL provided.

I'm not so much riled at the fact that we Navigon-users haven't got an update yet; it's the fact that we're getting the run-around (more customers have had similar pillar-to-post experiences) when asking about it.

If a Navigon update becomes available, I have no objection if we need to pay to acquire it, so long as the amount is not too outlandish.

If anyone hears more on this issue from any party concerned, then I'd love to know.

Raff

Darren · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 8:50 pm Post subject:

You're confusing a software update with a mapping data update. Most developers will offer bug fix/software ujdates during the software lifecycle as Navman, Tom Tom and many others have done and continue to do, none offer map updates as yet.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Raffles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 30

Darren,

I'm sorry, but I beg to differ. A friend of mine got a new car 2+ years ago; included was a VDODayton unit. These people send him a CD of the updated maps once every 6 months or so. Granted, this is not a PDA system, but still, I say that mapping updates are crucial if the navigation software is to remain up to par in terms of accuracy.

In light of this, I feel that a subscription-style method is the way to go for Navigon too. We users are going too easy on them; let's remember that it's only a matter of time before all the construction, all the additions that are going on now will be reflected by confusion, detours and other suprises down the road, simply because the maps in the unit lag behind the real-world.

Raff

Darren · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2003 10:14 am Post subject:

I'm not denying it's a good idea, simply explaining that it's not offered by anyone else in the PDA mapping arena.

In-Car systems such as the VDO are not a fair comparison, they cost upwards of £1500 and the map updates when available are £200+. My Jaguar Satnav had no update for two years and when it was released they wanted £320 for the single pan-european DVD. It's a fact that the map data makes up more than 70% of the cost of the software package. On that basis the updates would cost well in excess of £100 and few users are prepared to pay that when they can buy the latest version with new features etc for little more.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Raffles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 30

I take your point re the price difference. I didn't realize the maps were that costly to upkeep.

Also, reading the "PocketPC GPS at aldi next week - £349.99" thread, I noticed that the Navigon maps are some of the most recent around, and that you can edit the maps yourself (on your PC) when you've found a discrepancy in the (main) roads and streets.

Raff

Darren · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2003 10:40 am Post subject:

They certainly are the most recent, all the errors and missing roads, new junctions, estates etc that are missing from my copy of TomTom are corrected and present in the Medion/Navigon software.

I also have a copy of Navigon's Map Package and it is identical to the Medion product. The only differences are the icons for POI's are more detailed, petrol stations have a brand icon i.e. Shell or BP but that's the only thing different I can spot.

For all it's pluses I find the interface unintuitive and the colour scheme a little gawdy, railway lines are too similar to roads and whilst the software shows the presence of water features i.e. lakes or canals it's often way off, a canal near to where I live appears on the wrong side of the road for a mile or so and a n on-existent river appears in another area!

Back on the subject of map updates, I think we can expect this to become a hot issue as GPS sales increase, it has until now been a relatively niche product with small volumes selling to early adopters who accept faults more willingly. They are now selling in huge numbers to end users who do no0t expect to have to live with bugs and data errors and will be vocal in their complaints. This can only be a good thing Thumbs Up

_________________
Darren Griffin

Raffles · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 30

Gosh, I never considered myself an early adapter ;-) My guess is that you're right, though, about the software being tweaked to perfection over time.

Incidentally, for what it's worth, I've been reading some Dutch forums on other navigation suits; a number of them mentioned getting this erroneous off-ramp-on-ramp loop, so it's not so much a Navigon-bug as an in-car-navigation-as-a-whole bug.

Raff

Darren · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 1:40 pm Post subject:

It appears to occur most in applications using Navtech data, certainly Destinator used to suffer from it in the earlier versions and Navman SmartST was not immune. Both use Navtech as does Navigon/Medion. TomTom Navigator uses TeleAtlas and does not have this issue (although it has many of it's own!)
_________________
Darren Griffin

216b · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 30, 2004 Posts: 4

i hope it's not getting too far from the original point - but: how do I tweak the maps? Question

lexuscol · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 25, 2004 Posts: 102

I don't think you can tweak the maps in Navigon although you can alter the interface with add on skins, If your German reading isn't that great then I would leave well enough alone and just get used to the navigation program, you will then start to accept whats happening and enjoy it more.
I just make a mental note of what the program is doing or not doing when I am navigating and the more you use it the more you can see how complex the programs are and that we are lucky we have them at all at an affordable price. My Lexus had an installed system which cost 2000 pound and it still fell over and the map updates were nearly as expensive as the car if you subscribed to them all. I changed my car and opted for the stand alone route if you don't like the software you can change it as and when.
_________________
-------------------
Col

tt go 730T

crankyman · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:59 pm Post subject:

	PocketGPS
	Web