NAV coverage

[Wayne]

Edit: This no longer appears to be a missing road situation, but in fairness to the responders, I've left that text unedited in the message below. This is now simply a thread on the differences between the 'detailed' coverage areas on various versions of the NAV software.


I think I found out why roads are apparently missing for some people on the NAV DVD. Only select areas appear to be covered in any detail.

If you hit the MENU button, then press "MAP DVD", you will see a "COVERED AREA" button at the bottom of the screen. Press it, then scroll thru the various areas. This shows you where 'detailed' coverage is available.

Now this is Lexus-quality coverage, but not Street Atlas USA coverage. You'd think it'd be the other way around...

Since neither Toyota nor Denso are talking about what changed between each version, I thought it might be interesting to photograph these screens, and post them to this thread. This may be the only way I can think of that people can figure out what minimum version is required to get any roads missing from their area...

Since I bought my Prius this summer, I'll go first. I have NAV version 5.1. Here are my screens.

So, who else has a different (higher/lower) version? What about the '06???

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by Wayne@Nov 25 2005, 01:07 AM
Since neither Toyota nor Denso are talking about what changed between each version...

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Funny thing. For our Volvo XC90, neither Volvo nor Navteq will say what's been updated either...

Strange that multiple companies won't release any info on what they actually updated.

[Wayne]

Originally posted by DocVijay@Nov 25 2005, 04:15 PM
Strange that multiple companies won't release any info on what they actually updated.

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Denso uses Navteq also, so wouldn't bee too surprised to see that we're using the same database.

I suspect they just don't want to put anything out that would more or less alert people that all roads aren't already included...

[Jeff Beaver]

Originally posted by Wayne@Nov 24 2005, 10:07 PM
I think I found out why roads are apparently missing for some people on the NAV DVD.  Only select areas appear to be covered in any detail. 

That's incredible. It looks like it's tied to a memory issue, or more properly, a lack thereof. Flash memory is expensive, but it isn't that expensive. Apple manages to cram four gigs into a $250 Nano. Garmin, which is the only after market GPS I'm familiar with, offers complete coverage of every road in the US and Canada. There will always be something that slips through the cracks, as in the case of infrequent errors and new construction, but otherwise it's very complete -- and includes close to 6 million POIs. All of that can be accomodated in two gigs. The portable car nav units, some of which lack enough memory to hold all of North America, are supplied with all the maps on DVD and a means to transfer what is needed to the GPS. In my case, that means most of four states. You would think that for what Toyota charges you would get maps that include deer trails and driveways!

Jeff

[Maytrix]

Originally posted by Jeff Beaver@Nov 25 2005, 04:52 PM
That's incredible.  It looks like it's tied to a memory issue, or more properly, a lack thereof. Flash memory is expensive, but it isn't that expensive. Apple manages to cram four gigs into a $250 Nano. Garmin, which is the only after market GPS I'm familiar with, offers complete coverage of every road in the US and Canada. There will always be something that slips through the cracks, as in the case of infrequent errors and new construction, but otherwise it's very complete -- and includes close to 6 million POIs. All of that can be accomodated in two gigs. The portable car nav units, some of which lack enough memory to hold all of North America, are supplied with all the maps on DVD and a means to transfer what is needed to the GPS. In my case, that means most of four states. You would think that for what Toyota charges you would get maps that include deer trails and driveways!

Jeff

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Who needs flash memory, I'd be happy with multiple DVD's. Or are there multiple already? I've never looked. If it's just one, then I figure they might as well have multiple one's for each region.

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by Wayne@Nov 25 2005, 12:07 AM
I think I found out why roads are apparently missing for some people on the NAV DVD.  Only select areas appear to be covered in any detail. 

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Looks like an honest map of cell phone coverage -- "Can you see me now?"

[Wayne]

I appreciate the responses, but I really would like this thread to be photographs of the various NAV coverage maps.

So, anyone got version 4.2? Something earlier? A 2006? Show us your pics! We might actually be able to generate our own list of what changed between each version!

[naterprius]

The coverage area is for POI's. ALL public roads are supposed to be on the disc.

Nate

[Ghoti]

I believe my car has a 4.3 DVD. I will take some pictures next time I'm in it, and will post them here, most likely tomorrow.

[Wayne]

Thanks, Ghoti.

Nate, I can find no reference that says the detailed coverage maps apply only to POIs. If you have one, please post it...