I have called a Volt Advisor twice now (got the same guy 2 days in a row), searched the web and this forum trying to correlate the nav map version in my 2012 (201103) with the one available for purchase on the GM Navigation Disc order page (2012 Global A High Nav Disc Part# 22827639 $199.99). I can't seem to get get an answer. I would think that my vehicle, having been built in early May, would have the 2012 version of the maps. Does anyone know how to translate the version of the disc to the version displayed on the Volt config screen?

Thanks in advance for any light shed to this mystery.

I did a poor job of asking the same question and was assured I have the current version. I kind of hope not because mine is not current with "new" roads. I know the map companies are dependent on local governments to update them and users like us to make suggestions (which I've done), but my old Garmin updated the road over a year ago.

Just because you have the CURRENT update doesn't mean it will display "new roads". Based on my experience with DVD based Nav syatems the data is usually 12 to 18 months old and even then many new secondary roads/streets never get accounted for.

GM and other car manufacturers typically buy their GPS maps from companies like Navteq. GM may only buy the map once a year and it may take GM another several months to integrate the map into the GPS DVD release. So... When you buy a DVD update it might already be 6 months old.

When you are using a Garmin, TomTom Magellan Etc... The Maps are typically updated much more frequently. Also companies like Garmin get their map data from a variety of sources. (Including individual drivers.) I was able to add my own driveway to the Garmin database right on their web site. I made my own driveway appear on my GPS this way. The best and most current maps tend to be Google Maps, Bing Maps and Mapquest. These maps are constantly being updated and corrected every day. The best maps you can get... Are on your smart phone. (And the updates are absolutely free.)

Car manufacturer GPS units are over priced. The GM GPS maps are always out of date. When you do pay your $199 for your GM update your map will still be out of date compared with Garmin or your smart phone.

Automotive GPS systems are an extremely poor value compared with other systems.

I just bought a house that was built in 2006 as part of a new development and the road is not in my GM nav. There are roads in there that were changed configuration in the 1980s that are still incorrect. I talked to my Volt advisor about this and she had me submit a request to the GM Nav people. I did that and never heard back from them. Pretty useless onboard GPS and I just feel stupid having a separate GPS mounted on my car when I need it.

I am well aware that the GM Nav system is inferior to portable units. I just want to keep my vehicle's system up to date with the latest map. I would hope the maps get better, even though inferior, with each new version. No one has updated the Nav maps in the 2011 or 2012 model year?

I am taking a pretty long trip next month with my 06 Colorado so rather than buy an external GPS I got external blue tooth GPS antenna to pair with my iPad and a box to connect the ipad to the Colorado Radio and a mount for the iPad to attach to the windshield. Best of both worlds, MP3 tunes and large GPS display. I haven't settled on the software app yet, but several are available, like Garmin, Magellan ... Nice part is if I don't like the app I can just load another.

As an update...Talked to a different VA today who called a dealership who said the disc on the GM ordering site is newer than the map version in my 2012 built in May. I am pressing them for a free update as I would expect my vehicle to be loaded with the latest released software. I don't think it is appropriate to ship a car with software that requires an immediate $200 fee to get current.

Why do we have to pay $200.00 to update our Volt's nav system???I paid $80.00 to Garmin for unlimited updates for my Garmin Neuvi. I do the updates right from the Garmin website. GM seems to have their head in the sand with their Nav system.

Got another call from VA today who hooked me up with a local service advisor. The procedure is to make an appt to see if the Chevy dealer can update the map and, if not, they say they will order me the DVD. I pressed my VA to tell me the version of the 2012 map that GM sells so I can compare it to the vehicles map version. She said she would email her GM contact to try and get the version. Stay tuned for further updates.

My Volt was also built in May 2012 and has Application version 12D1 and Map Data V 20.11.03 just like YosemiteBrent. Has anyone purchased the map update from GM's website (http://www.gmnavdisc.com/disc-search.asp?lang=en&make=CHV&model=VOLT&year=2012) and confirmed the same version number (or a newer one)?

I agree about this. I have old maps too. It seems like they should just contract it out to Garmin or someone and have it feed maps in like an app/ on a phone. We'll probably be there is a few years. I think many people would pay $29.95 a year to have continuous updates, but $200 a CD, please. I did what maynard did, and I have a $85 Garmin with lifetime maps.

It seems like they should just contract it out to Garmin or someone and have it feed maps in like an app/ on a phone. We'll probably be there in a few years.

Tesla already does this in their new Model S - seven years of free updates.

GM and other car manufacturers typically buy their GPS maps from companies like Navteq. GM may only buy the map once a year and it may take GM another several months to integrate the map into the GPS DVD release. So... When you buy a DVD update it might already be 6 months old.

When you are using a Garmin, TomTom Magellan Etc... The Maps are typically updated much more frequently. Also companies like Garmin get their map data from a variety of sources. (Including individual drivers.) I was able to add my own driveway to the Garmin database right on their web site. I made my own driveway appear on my GPS this way. The best and most current maps tend to be Google Maps, Bing Maps and Mapquest. These maps are constantly being updated and corrected every day. The best maps you can get... Are on your smart phone. (And the updates are absolutely free.)

Car manufacturer GPS units are over priced. The GM GPS maps are always out of date. When you do pay your $199 for your GM update your map will still be out of date compared with Garmin or your smart phone.

Automotive GPS systems are an extremely poor value compared with other systems.

Value is also about perception and it is different for each individual. I value not having wires dangling in my vehicle, and not having to worry about putting a portable unit away or taking it out when I return to the vehicle so it's worth the extra money to me. How often do most of us travel to places we are that unfamiliar with and where the roads have changed so much? If that's the case then portable is a great idea but for me, I'll live with the infrequent times the roads don't match, it'll be lose enough for me!

Steven

Automotive GPS systems are an extremely poor value compared with other systems

Sad to say, I agree. Maybe the only exception is the Garmin based system in the new Chrysler model like the 300 series.

My Volt was also built in May 2012 and has Application version 12D1 and Map Data V 20.11.03 just like YosemiteBrent. Has anyone purchased the map update from GM's website (http://www.gmnavdisc.com/disc-search.asp?lang=en&make=CHV&model=VOLT&year=2012) and confirmed the same version number (or a newer one)?
Responding to myself :rolleyes: I brought my Volt to the service department and the advisor consulted with his technology specialist. They couldn't determine if the current map update on GM's site was the same version number as my car, so they made a few calls. The people to whom they spoke said 20.11.03 is the current version. The advisor has one more call in to an upper-level fellow on the east coast, so perhaps he'll get a more definitive answer.

What my service advisor believes is that the March 2011 map updates were sold as 2012 maps, much like the 2013 Volt is now being sold in 2012. Unless someone buys that update, installs it, and verifies a more recent version number, there's no way to really tell for sure (on our end, as consumers) whether the maps in our car are the same being sold on GM's website as 2012 maps.

Regardless, when the 2013 maps are released, then we'll know for sure they're new!

I wrote to gmnavdisc@helm.com regarding http://www.gmnavdisc.com/disc-search.asp?lang=en&make=CHV&model=VOLT&year=2012 and these were the three responses I received:

1) "Yes the price of the disc is $199.99 plus shipping and handling."

So the person who sent me that obviously didn't bother to read my e-mail, since I never asked about the price, only about the version number.

2) "I apologize I do not have the version number for the disc. Listed is the item number." (sic)

So GM doesn't know the version numbers of its own software?

3) "We house and distribute the disc for GM. We do not make the disc. GM provided us with item number that determine the most current update." (sic)

That explains it - www.gmnavdisc.com (http://www.gmnavdisc.com) is just a distributor of discs made by NAVTEQ and they have no idea what they're actually selling. What's even more stupid is that GMNavDisc doesn't even know when these discs were first available, which would also answer the question. They're completely clueless.

I guess the only way we'll be able to definitely determine whether that navigation update is more current than the data in our 2012 Volts is for someone to buy the 2012 update, install it, and see if the version number changes. That's just stupid.

Does anyone with a 2013 Volt have a newer map data version number than 20.11.03??

I just checked my Nav version. - App version 0170 Database version V20.10.04 This is a 2011 Vin 00177 which I got in December 2010. I guess I will wait till something newer than 20.11.03 comes out.

After multiple fruitless calls to dealer who wanted me to bring in car so they could perform diagnostics before they would order the disk I called the GM Nav site, 877-628-3472. I told them about the version and the build date of the car and the person looked up my VIN and put me on hold while she made a call. She came back and said they would send me a free update. It will arrive in 3-5 days via UPS. They gave me all kinds of contact info and ticket numbers, order numbers, and a confirmation email. Really customer centric phone call. When I get the disc I will let everyone know how the process went and what the post install map version comes up as.

That's great! I look forward to your eventual update. When I called (both GM Nav Disc and my Volt Advisor), I was told that my Volt had the current map version, but of course no one at Chevy or GM can tell me the actual version number of that 2012 disc. It's like if you called Apple and asked if the 2012 operating system currently being sold was Snow Leopard, Lion, or Mountain Lion, and they couldn't tell you.

Well, got the discs last week and installed the update yesterday (Sunday). Took most of two hours. After all that.....Version still reports as 20.11.03. The discs Helm sent were labeled the 2012 High Nav A.

I guess that's great news for those of us with version 20.11.03 in our 2012 Volts, but bad news for you since you had to pay $200 to find this out. Thank you very much for taking one for the team! I hope GM will let you return the discs for a refund. I'm surprised the software wasn't even self-aware enough to know it was the same software already installed in the car. Apple Computer GM ain't!

I guess that's great news for those of us with version 20.11.03 in our 2012 Volts, but bad news for you since you had to pay $200 to find this out. Thank you very much for taking one for the team! I hope GM will let you return the discs for a refund. I'm surprised the software wasn't even self-aware enough to know it was the same software already installed in the car. Apple Computer GM ain't!

They sent it for free. See my earlier post...

Even better!

They sent it for free. See my earlier post...

Any difference?

I guess that's great news for those of us with version 20.11.03 in our 2012 Volts, but bad news for you since you had to pay $200 to find this out. Thank you very much for taking one for the team! I hope GM will let you return the discs for a refund. I'm surprised the software wasn't even self-aware enough to know it was the same software already installed in the car. Apple Computer GM ain't!
When I try to install software and it is already on the machine, I expect a reinstall. Perhaps the current install is defective in some way.

Any difference?

Not that I am aware of.