Update mapping for GPS unit.

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Camden

115 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#91998 25-Oct-2011 20:02

Hi

I have a Uniden TRAX 430 GPS that I bought from Dick Smiths about three years ago. The unit works fine and I find that the basic nav features are reasonably easy to use.It came with both NZ and Aus maps included.

However now that the unit is three years old I would like to update the maps information to the latest available. I asked Dick Smith Ltd can I buy an update card,disc or whatever but they don't sell updates or in fact they said they don't sell this brand anymore. Rang Uniden direct and the cost of a map update is worth more than I can go and buy a comprobale new unit like a TomTom or Navman for.
Can anyone suggest any other ways of updating at a reasonable price or does one nowadays just "bite the bullit" with built in obsolesence,chuck the old one in the bin and buy a new one? It just seems bad to throw something away that technically works well.From memory I think the update price was approx $250.

Thankyou

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537454 25-Oct-2011 21:45

I suspect that Uniden will have their proprietary map format, so there is nothing you can do.

I suggest you buy a Garmin GPS. No matter what maps it comes with, you can use the free NZOpenGPSMap, updated every Friday. There are lots of other free maps available for it, should you want to take it to other countries.

Regards,
Peter.

http://beddha.free.fr

smarsden

118 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537471 25-Oct-2011 22:22

Another consideration with the Garmin units, is that they occassionally do special offers where you can get free lifetime map updates. This was one of the main things that made me decide to buy one of their units last year, as map updates (with all brands) can tend to be rather expensive, as you've discovered.

Camden

115 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#537491 25-Oct-2011 22:53

Thankyou for both your replies. I will look into the Garmin brand. What made me look into this was on a recent visit to Auckland and heading to East Tamaki from the airport I was being told to make wrong turns as the roading network had been changed slightly since I bought my unit.Luckily from previous trips i could remember to figure out the right way.
I saw recently adverts about that lifetime update service included with the unit so will do some more research.That NZ free maping site sounds good as well.

Thankyou

Regards.

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537496 25-Oct-2011 22:58

Bear in mind that, no matter how often you get map updates from Garmin, they can be up to 2 years out of date. With our free maps major road changes are usually in the map when (or even just before) they happen.

http://beddha.free.fr

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#537520 26-Oct-2011 05:52

My 4 year old Tom Tom maps have those Auckland road changes included (I live in the area). Overall Tom Tom is probably the best solution, but pricey.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Camden

115 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#537537 26-Oct-2011 08:24

Two years seems a long time for maps to be updated especially from a major supplier of equipment that dosen't come cheap.Are all the makes like that? I wonder how the free map people can be instantly up to date.
Neil,perhaps my unit did not like the rental car I was in and went on strike as it was not mounted on the dash of my previous XC70 or my present V50 !!!

Regards

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537866 26-Oct-2011 17:49

I wonder how the free map people can be instantly up to date.

It's because some users provide feedback about what happens to the road network in the forum and the major road works are advertised. Mappers (like myself) then update the map and a new version is compiled every Friday. It's a bit like open source.

http://beddha.free.fr

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#537945 26-Oct-2011 20:30

Camden: my previous XC70 or my present V50 !!!

On the weekend I drove my 1971 144 where it is stored, as I do every month or two until I can afford a paint job. It is still my best car, and only 125 000km on the clock. My dad was the first owner. Rest of the time I drive an old S40. Before a 145 (which should never have had a WOF), 240, and 760. Had a 164 project, but it went nowhere unfortunately.

My Tom Tom maps do not update, I did not pay for that. But was very much up to date with new roads when I got it 3-4 years ago, and still great. The other day I went to the Auckland airport via the brand new road and it went fine. I suspect if it detects you are on a road it thinks is under construction, then it will flag the road as open and use it for future route planning.

My brother has a Garman in South Africa which I borrowed last I we were there. They also drive on the left like us, but his Garman directed me to go right around a roundabout not left!

A 50 year old road around the corner from us was originally correct on Google Maps, but then around the time that almost all maps changed to Google Maps half of that road disappeared and the route planner would not direct you through it, even though it was the only road into the area in one direction. Street view showed it was a through road, but not the map. It took about 3 years to be corrected.

But how you update your unit, who knows. Perhaps try searching torrents (oops, I did not say that, but it can be a last resort if no customer service available).

You can never have enough Volvos!

smarsden

118 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537952 26-Oct-2011 20:39

Beddhist: Bear in mind that, no matter how often you get map updates from Garmin, they can be up to 2 years out of date. With our free maps major road changes are usually in the map when (or even just before) they happen.

I'm somewhat amazed by this, and I don't think have found it to be the case with my Garmin map updates. I only recently came across my first road that wasn't quite accurate, and that was at an intersection that was still in the process of being realigned, but have also found it definitely contained things like the new Taupo bypass road not long after it was opened. Granted, most of my driving with it has been around the Auckland area, with the odd trip down to Hawkes Bay with it, so maybe I've been lucky that there hasn't been huge changes on the roads I've gone on (which is why I may not have noticed any roads significantly lacking).

I don't doubt though that the free maps option is going to be far more up to date, especially with users constantly providing updates, and is something that I've considered putting on my Garmin too, just to see what they're like. As I understand it I think you can then have multiple maps, so you can choose which one you wanted to use if you wish - either the Garmin provided ones, or the free ones.

Beddhist

57 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#537957 26-Oct-2011 20:49

Yes, you can load both, BUT you must make sure that only one (routable) map is active for the area you are in or expect routing not to work. So, if you load the NZOpenGPSMaps then you must disable the Garmin map.

http://beddha.free.fr