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As many of you know, the European Nav+ requires you to make some slight modifications to some files within the North American navigation map disks (i.e. "the software) in order for them to work in the European Nav+ (i.e. "the hardware). Again...this is only for folks who want to use their Nav+ in North America.
Dan Gold, the architect of the original Nav+ "How To" site, had to remove the section that outlined how to modify the NavTeq/Audi mapdisks because Volkswagon of America asked him to take his website down (long story). Therefore, the instructions are no longer posted. Here's his original site: http://www.nav-plus.com
Some of the early adoptors (not me) still have access to the information for how to modify the discs. I've learned that if you have access to one modified map disk...you can then load it...then eject it...then load a map disk that has not been modified. If you post your question here...or on the Yahoo forum: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/AudiNav/
To view all discussion threads: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/AudiNav/
Questions can be sent to the team at: [email protected]
In my opinion, unless you are experienced in burning/copying media like this (as this is more involved than burning files to a CD or DVD rom)...then it might be more of a hassle for you.
Here's what you do..if you don't want to attempt to modify the mapdisks:
1) Purchase the appropriate D-navi map disks from NavTeq, ebay etc.
2) Find someone (via the yahoo forum...or this forum) who has a modified disk that they can let you borrow.
3) Insert modified map disk into Nav+ (you need to make sure the release dates for both disks are identical). Allow some time for the updated files to load (you'll see two horizontal bars on your Nav+ screen).
4) Eject modified map disk
5) Insert the appropriate D-Navi mapdisk (i.e. the unmodified version) into you Nav+ and you should be good-to-go!
Disks (D-Navi) that should work:
- Blaupunkt TravelPilot CD-based
- Audi Nav CD-based
- VW MFD CD-based (I've tested the Touareg disks)
- Mercedes Benz Command CD-based (except ML class)
A mapset from NAVTEQ for an audi can be found here:
http://www.navteq.com/ProductFinder?action=productDetail&productId=126
Also worth noting, Navteq typically releases a new update in the January/February timeframe. That update is based on road changes/additions/points-of-interest up until June/July of that previous year. For instance, the 2005 release (with RouteUSA) came out in January of 2005 and is based on all additions etc up until June/July of 2004.
Other useful information....
Picture of North America and mapdisk location #'s:
http://www.vwnavi.com/vwnavi/photos/albums/userpics/US_Coverage.JPG
Map disks/Release dates:
In January 2004, Audi/MB/VW/Blaupunkt released a major update to the D-Navi CD map discs. The significance of this release is the RouteUSA/Travel America option. RouteUSA is a registered trademark of NAVTEQ. RouteUSA is a feature that has all of the USA interstate/highway system loaded on each of the 10 D-Navi discs for North America. The benefit to this is that you can navigate from Boston to Miami without having to replace map discs along the way. Of course, if you wanted street-level or point-of-interest information, you’d have to insert that respective mapdisc…and so on.
Ejecting the Navigation Disc:
For most users in North America, you’ll have to operate your Nav+ with a modified map disk or CD-R/RW. This means that you’ll have a disc media that will probably be slightly larger in thickness than discs shipped straight from Navteq or Audi etc. Or sometimes, the faceplate of your Nav+ isn’t perfectly lined up with the drive mechanism. To remove the disk, you just need to repeat the disk-eject process and it will come out. This process can vary with how cold or warm the interior is during eject. What I’ve done is actually purchased a backup Nav disc from a VW Touareg (can be found on ebay.com etc for cheap money). When my modified disc was originally inserted, it loaded up the appropriate modified files so that the Nav+ could read from a US-based navigation disc. Once these modified files are loaded, a non-modified disc (of the same release date) can be inserted and fully functional. I’m not sure if this will work if I change map discs from a different region (such as #7 to #8 while taking a road trip); I haven’t tested it. This way, my modified disc becomes my backup if I should ever need it. For most folks, you will probably spend 95% of your navigating off one map disk. Of course, your mileage will vary.
See also this post in additional nuancies, tips, quirks etc with the Nav+:
http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=193
I hope this was helpful for you.
Dan Gold, the architect of the original Nav+ "How To" site, had to remove the section that outlined how to modify the NavTeq/Audi mapdisks because Volkswagon of America asked him to take his website down (long story). Therefore, the instructions are no longer posted. Here's his original site: http://www.nav-plus.com
Some of the early adoptors (not me) still have access to the information for how to modify the discs. I've learned that if you have access to one modified map disk...you can then load it...then eject it...then load a map disk that has not been modified. If you post your question here...or on the Yahoo forum: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/AudiNav/
To view all discussion threads: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/AudiNav/
Questions can be sent to the team at: [email protected]
In my opinion, unless you are experienced in burning/copying media like this (as this is more involved than burning files to a CD or DVD rom)...then it might be more of a hassle for you.
Here's what you do..if you don't want to attempt to modify the mapdisks:
1) Purchase the appropriate D-navi map disks from NavTeq, ebay etc.
2) Find someone (via the yahoo forum...or this forum) who has a modified disk that they can let you borrow.
3) Insert modified map disk into Nav+ (you need to make sure the release dates for both disks are identical). Allow some time for the updated files to load (you'll see two horizontal bars on your Nav+ screen).
4) Eject modified map disk
5) Insert the appropriate D-Navi mapdisk (i.e. the unmodified version) into you Nav+ and you should be good-to-go!
Disks (D-Navi) that should work:
- Blaupunkt TravelPilot CD-based
- Audi Nav CD-based
- VW MFD CD-based (I've tested the Touareg disks)
- Mercedes Benz Command CD-based (except ML class)
A mapset from NAVTEQ for an audi can be found here:
http://www.navteq.com/ProductFinder?action=productDetail&productId=126
Also worth noting, Navteq typically releases a new update in the January/February timeframe. That update is based on road changes/additions/points-of-interest up until June/July of that previous year. For instance, the 2005 release (with RouteUSA) came out in January of 2005 and is based on all additions etc up until June/July of 2004.
Other useful information....
Picture of North America and mapdisk location #'s:
http://www.vwnavi.com/vwnavi/photos/albums/userpics/US_Coverage.JPG
Map disks/Release dates:
In January 2004, Audi/MB/VW/Blaupunkt released a major update to the D-Navi CD map discs. The significance of this release is the RouteUSA/Travel America option. RouteUSA is a registered trademark of NAVTEQ. RouteUSA is a feature that has all of the USA interstate/highway system loaded on each of the 10 D-Navi discs for North America. The benefit to this is that you can navigate from Boston to Miami without having to replace map discs along the way. Of course, if you wanted street-level or point-of-interest information, you’d have to insert that respective mapdisc…and so on.
Ejecting the Navigation Disc:
For most users in North America, you’ll have to operate your Nav+ with a modified map disk or CD-R/RW. This means that you’ll have a disc media that will probably be slightly larger in thickness than discs shipped straight from Navteq or Audi etc. Or sometimes, the faceplate of your Nav+ isn’t perfectly lined up with the drive mechanism. To remove the disk, you just need to repeat the disk-eject process and it will come out. This process can vary with how cold or warm the interior is during eject. What I’ve done is actually purchased a backup Nav disc from a VW Touareg (can be found on ebay.com etc for cheap money). When my modified disc was originally inserted, it loaded up the appropriate modified files so that the Nav+ could read from a US-based navigation disc. Once these modified files are loaded, a non-modified disc (of the same release date) can be inserted and fully functional. I’m not sure if this will work if I change map discs from a different region (such as #7 to #8 while taking a road trip); I haven’t tested it. This way, my modified disc becomes my backup if I should ever need it. For most folks, you will probably spend 95% of your navigating off one map disk. Of course, your mileage will vary.
See also this post in additional nuancies, tips, quirks etc with the Nav+:
http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=193
I hope this was helpful for you.
