Customer Reviews

Freshmaps Activation Service Card

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Addendem Nov. 5/08 AND March/09

I downloaded and installed the 4th quarter Navigon freshmaps (4Q)and most recently the 1Q/09 update.
Both downloads were done through Navigon Fresh, with my SD card in a SD reader; the downloads took 3+ hours but went smoothly and the installation proceded without any problem.
When I checked my 'current map' on my Navigon GPS it indicated my maps were the newest available.

Conclusion: this download and installation of the latest Freshmaps (4Q) was easy and without any problems; much better than my experience with freshmaps for the first freshmap update (3Q)...so whatever the problem that caused my difficulties with the first freshmap update (3Q) seems to have been rectified. (see original review below)



Original review of 'Freshmaps' dated Aug 22/08

This review deals with my problems installing FreshMaps onto my Navigon 2120 GPS. I make no comments as to how the updates worked once finally installed. (I will try to comment, at a later date, on the functionality of the product once I've had time to assess it)

I purchased the Navigon FreshMaps card, and activated the service through the Navigon website by typing in the access code found on the card. So far no problem.

I then attempted to download the FreshMaps that were now available from a program I'd previously downloaded, called 'Navigon Fresh'. BTW, I believe all downloads from Navigon are now done via the 'Navigon Fresh' program. Having it on my computer would enable me to do the following very useful things...
1.) update software.
2.) download FreshMaps and
3.) Make Backups of the my GPS Navigon SD card on my computer.

I connected my GPS to my computer via the correct USB cable and pressed the down load link. A message appears stating there was no MN (My Navigon) software on my SD card. I checked my SD card...there was a MN file on the card...what's up???

Next I tried connecting the SD card to my computer via a SD reader. Eureka, success! When I pressed download FreshMaps it responded, but when it came time to actually download the software, it tells me the Navigon SD card is full and I'll have to delete something from it to make room. Apparently the 'new' software doesn't overwrite the 'old' software. So I start deleting some files from my Navigon SD card (making a backup first), but I still got the 'not enough space on the SD' message every time.

Getting a larger, 4 GB SD card for example, was not an option, as no one makes anything larger than 2GB card for regular SD. There is a 4GB SDHC card (Scan Disc High Capacity) but this would not function in my Navigon GPS (I know, I tried).

So I decided to go out and buy another 2GB SD card (more $$ spent!!). I inserted it into the reader, pressed download, and I got the message 'no MN software' on the SD card...WOW, stymied again!! So as a last resort I copied a 'MN' file from my backed-up copy onto the new blank SD card and...it worked! Finally after all the snafus, I was able to begin the download of the NEW FreshMaps I'd purchased. And even then, this download took 4-5 hours on a DSL connection! BUT, I got it downloaded, installed and my GPS is now working with the latest maps.

Conclusion:
I guess what is SO annoying is the lack of download/installation instructions with this product. There was no hint as to any unusual installation procedures on the FreshMaps package or the Navigon website. What should have been a seamless, easy download/installation, wasn't; it turned out to be an exercise in frustration. I was lucky, if I hadn't thought to copy the 'MN file' onto the new blank SD card this update would never have downloaded and worked.

You know, maybe I missed something obvious in the download procedure or I didn't see something, a 'it's right in front of you' moment...but I don't think so. I hope my trials and tribulations with this product will help someone else. This very well may be an excellent set of updated maps, but if you can't download/install them a little easier than this, it's hardly worth the effort.

For the inconvenience and the lack of the barest of info regarding downloading and installation procedures... 1 Star


R.Nicholson

As other reviewers have said; Navigon has left North America. I sent an email yesterday to them about map updates and this is the respond I received:

Dear Valued NAVIGON Customer

Thank you for your inquiry.

To activate the feature you have to buy the activation code card, but accessories, map material and content are not available in North America through NAVIGON.

Unfortunately we don't have information concerning the availability of these products at other major retail shops.

Sincerely

--------------
NAVIGON Support Team

I can say I'm glad I didn't buy the version with the freshmaps because that would have been a wasted $70 as I've only had my unit for just over a year now. It seems they have pulled all support for their products and map updates are unavailable. I can say I'm really irate over this because as far as I see it; my GPS is now a paperweight. Thanks for screwing everyone over Navigon; you suck!

I love my Navigon 7100 GPS. I have had it for about 9 months now and it has performed well. I purchased the FreshMaps Map Update service to keep current. I found the instruction somewhat confusing. Also the code number that had to be entered from the package was so small I had to use two magnifying glasses to read the darn thing. Give us older folks a break! The packaging was plenty big enough.

It took several attempts to get the Navigon Fresh program to install correctly. When I did get the program to install, and checked for updates it found none. I have just returned from a trip to VA, PA, and New Jersey. During this trip, there were several exit ramp instruction that were incorrect. The most notable one was my own exit here in NC. When getting off, the GPS advised turning right. If I had made a right turn it would have taken me in the opposite direction I should have traveled. It still has the old exit, which was replaced over two years ago. Yet the program said there were no available updates.

Navigon really needs to get their act together and get more current maps. Most of the errors were due to new interchange ramps and re-routing of the traffic flow.

I am going to do another (or should I say another attempt) update and see if any of these errors have been corrected. If they have not, I could not recommend purchasing this update mapping service.Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Navigon has left the GPS hardware business, and so far it looks like they will not be releasing maps for FreshMaps on the schedule they promised, if at all. You will also have no technical support, and many people who purchased FreshMaps and attempted to register their purchase after Navigon shut down their GPS business have not been able to do so. I highly recommend you do not purchase this product.

I have an old Garmin GPS and updates are $80/year so Navigon's price is an excellent bargain compared with what others want. The update went find without problems. The only complaint I have is the same one I have for the Garmin updates. It seems to take an average of 2 years for changes to get to a GPS (both companies use the same source Navteq). If you go to an online service that uses Navteq, you will see pretty fresh information so I think it's the process of getting the data to the GPS manufacturer and then formatting and testing the data.

Better than not having any updates available but still lacking in important new roads. Maybe in other parts of the country Navtec is current but in the Austin, TX and its surrounding communities, the newest Navigon update falls woefully short of my expectations. Toll roads and new roads that have been in place for nearly two years and in some cases over three years still do not show up on the newest release. The product is still valuable for finding established addresses but falls short when looking for the fastest or shortest route due to the roads that have yet to be included. Still love my Navigon and still think the upgrading subscription is a good buy. Just dissappointed it is not more up to date.

I purchased the Fresh Maps from Amazon for about $50 +/-. You get 12 updates over three years, which is one update every 4 months for 3 years. I sucessfully downloaded the update using the free Navigon software available on Navigon's web site to my Navigon 7200T. It took nearly 5 hours to download the new maps over a DSL line. I have not had an opportunity to use the unit since the download, so I can't say what the changes are yet or if there are any improvements. The only reason I am giving this a 4 star rating is the amount of time the download takes. If it wasn't for that, I would rate it 5 stars, since it is a real value given the other GPS systems charge more than the cost of Fresh Maps for each and every update you get.
Given how technology changes, I figure in 3 years when the updates run out, I may be looking to replace my Navigon 7200T with a newer version. Who knows what they will be able to do in 3 years.

My Navigon 7100 is invaluable to me as I travel quite extensively throughout the U.S. By taking it with me, and either using it in my personal vehicle or in a rental when having to fly, this unit with the updated Freshmaps gets me there 98% of the time. I have noticed that it does get confused occasionally and I have to make an adjustment to let it " recalculate route ". By being patient when this happens, it works out. No more gas station stops asking directions. I am amazed at how well this unit works. I will take 98% accurate anytime over getting lost at all, espeacially at two in the morning in a strange city.

B.Taylor -- Michigan

After easily doing the update to my 2100 max, I can no longer put in addresses that used to work.
Basically saying that those addresses are no longer on the map. This means it is of little use compared to the one that used to work.
There is also no way to go back to the previous map since I did not save it before the update.
After writing to Navigon, they gave me no reply as an answer to the problem that they had created.
I have been ignored by their support staff.

I purchased FreshMaps last week, registered it and instantly downloaded the latest map/POI update (1st Qtr 2009). Setup was easy, and the download/install process took less than 2 hours. (and it's done automatically - you don't have to baby sit the install.

Once complete, I discovered several POI's that were not present before, and after checking the file sizes, I saw that the states where I travel mostly showed significant increase.

All I can say is that it is extremely important to me that my GPS is current, and FreshMaps guarantees that in the most cost effective solution out there. For less than $.05 per day, I get 1 update per quarter for the next three years. How can you beat that?

All you have to do, is register the Fresh Maps subscription and plug the GPS into the USB port, Open "Fresh" (the Navigon free update software) and click on Map Update. The wizard then walks you through creating a backup of your current software, and a download install of the new map software. That's it. Nothing to it.

Based upon the feedback I have received on my review of the 8100T, there are obviously user preferences out there that would prompt someone to like one GPS over another. That's what the free market is all about. Yet, when it comes to the basics of keeping the device current, it's hard to argue that there is a better solution out there than Fresh Maps. It's by far the least expensive, and it does what it says it will do - update your map/POI's on a quarterly basis. As always, just my $.02.