MMI Software and Map Updates
09-05-2014, 04:05 PM
#31
I agree that the built in nav systems are nothing buy an additional money maker for the dealer. I've had a couple of different garmin for years and they work well, include lifetime free updates, and one of mine includes lane change, traffic, and even the send to garmin feature. Totally disappointing that the Audi MMI nav which works well with google earth, send to car, and even traffic is easily outdated and costs so much to update.
The best feature to me is using the audi connect app and "send to car" since its so easy and efficient. The google earth overlay is nice and the traffic alert and flow works well. I actually like the MMI a lot more than I would expect but still am concerned with the need to update for a high amount in the future.
I'm lucky that where I live in Santa Cruz, CA we don't have any land for growth or changes so it is unlikely I'll have issues in town. However, the road trips are another story as clearly this is when the nav comes to play and is useful!
The Q5 is made for road trips!
The best feature to me is using the audi connect app and "send to car" since its so easy and efficient. The google earth overlay is nice and the traffic alert and flow works well. I actually like the MMI a lot more than I would expect but still am concerned with the need to update for a high amount in the future.
I'm lucky that where I live in Santa Cruz, CA we don't have any land for growth or changes so it is unlikely I'll have issues in town. However, the road trips are another story as clearly this is when the nav comes to play and is useful!
The Q5 is made for road trips!
Map updates from any dealer, any car line, are ridiculously high because they have the monopoly and can get away with it.
A Garmin or Magellan with lifetime maps usually has 3-4 updates per year and costs $35-50 more than a similar unit without the lifetime updates. So it is certainly possible to offer updates more often, and at a much lower price. All the rest is simply gouging because the maps come from the same sources and the car makers certainly can negotiate volume deals.
I'd like a built-in nav, but for $1800? less? you can buy a top of the line Garmin or Magellan or a nice tablet with cellular and live maps instead. In some places, the updates really don't matter. Many places aren't building new roads. In some others like DC and Florida, construction is ongoing and updates every quarter are important. Updates every other year? Would be worthless. Well, actually in DC I've seen ALL the nav systems say "Hey, you got us here, you get us out of here!"
A Garmin or Magellan with lifetime maps usually has 3-4 updates per year and costs $35-50 more than a similar unit without the lifetime updates. So it is certainly possible to offer updates more often, and at a much lower price. All the rest is simply gouging because the maps come from the same sources and the car makers certainly can negotiate volume deals.
I'd like a built-in nav, but for $1800? less? you can buy a top of the line Garmin or Magellan or a nice tablet with cellular and live maps instead. In some places, the updates really don't matter. Many places aren't building new roads. In some others like DC and Florida, construction is ongoing and updates every quarter are important. Updates every other year? Would be worthless. Well, actually in DC I've seen ALL the nav systems say "Hey, you got us here, you get us out of here!"
10-18-2014, 04:49 PM
#32
AudiWorld Senior Member
02-17-2018, 06:48 AM
#34
AudiWorld Member
02-19-2018, 08:16 AM
#37
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Based in South Africa so will have to go and check with the dealer in any case. Just though the maps etc. were available somewhere for me to do the firmware / maps upgrade myself.
Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the reply.
