NAV updates not free?!?!

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Morey

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Back when Chrysler was still in charge, they had informational signs posted in the Customer Lounge.

Those signs explained that the Navigation updates should only be updated about every 3 years.
New Roads are hardly constructed each year
a new highway takes about 6 years to Open to traffic

So the yearly update is just new businesses that have opened or moved
with an occasional highway extension & new Housing projects.
These updates cost $149 plus shipping
They also include a Radio update that has to be installed before thee map update

.................................................

Be penny wise & buy a Garmin or other GPS with Lifetime Maps & Traffic, the better GPS are programable , just like the ram nav
So, if I don’t subscribe to Sirius, will I be able to update? If I want but doubt I would
My reason for asking is if anyone knows how to disabe the banner that runs across the top telling me what’s playing on their channels
 

Dennis Montey

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My local dealership does not recommend activating the navigation system for that very reason. Not only must you pay for regular updates, but if you don't update as scheduled, it can disable the navigation. I use the USB port to connect my phone and use it for navigation. It doesn't require any subscription or updates. It is fully functional and even warns me of speed traps, detours, warns and re-routes for traffic incidents, etc. I have a 2019 Ram Laramie Eco-Diesel with Crew Cab.
 

turkeybird56

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my backup is a garmin nuvi 1490 lmt with lifetime maps and traffic edition:cool:
My backup that I have in a box is a refurbished old Garmin Nuvi 40. I just upgraded the maps in the Nuvi yesterday, so it is up to date. That is my go to if I have problems with WI-FI/Cell reception running maps on phone. I found out in the county my phone may drop, but the old Garmin always worked, since running off satellites. But I only carry the Nuvi when traveling, as Google maps is usually working fine and spot on. I have not had RAM NAV since MY ED 16, and I would never go back to RAM NAV again, just too old and always out of date, IMHO. (Enjoy my plain jane Uconnect 4 radio in MY 19 DT RAM, works fine, no issues, no OTA problems either).
 

Joe1925

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I own a 2017 Longhorn 2500 with nav. Last year they offered a update for $119, so I took advantage of the lower price and got it. My one and only update, as I’m probably selling the truck this year. Never thought I could possibly get so much money for a five year old vehicle!
 

turkeybird56

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I own a 2017 Longhorn 2500 with nav. Last year they offered a update for $119, so I took advantage of the lower price and got it. My one and only update, as I’m probably selling the truck this year. Never thought I could possibly get so much money for a five year old vehicle!
Sorry to hear U thinking of selling. MY 19 is an early 2018 build I bought in 2018 and paid off. I cannot find ne thing that is close (in options etc.,.), and not have to shell out 12K to over 20K to "upgrade" to a 2022, so MY 19 be fine. Markups R insane.
 
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I bought a late 2018 Laramie Longhorn 2500 diesel new in early 2019 and now Uconnect is trying to sell me updates for the NAV? My truck listed for over $74K and I have to pay for updates, too? That just doesn't seem to be right. It seems like that updates should be part of the package deal. I guess my friends Google and Siri will have to help me get to new locations. Anyone else miffed about having to pay for the updates?
Not miffed, but still do my NAV updates as I see the need.
My 2016 2500 needed them and I paid . . . .my 2018 3500 "really needed" them and I paid. No regrets and "no" back tracking!
 

Barney556180

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Yea, quite irksome, but RAM is hardly the first or only to see profit in ongoing updates and subscriptions.

Several upper-level brands have floated subscriptions for such features as remote start and access to Apple CarPlay.

"Now that over-the-air updates are becoming commonplace on today’s ever-connected cars, subscription-based features are just too shiny a revenue stream for brands to ignore."

Buckle Up – Subscriptions Are Coming For Your Car’s Best Features
 

Scott DeRosa

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I cant agree more its over priced and a ripoff. I have a 2016 and have not updated it. I use it as it is and supplement with my phone. Considering the original cost of the truck and the system the updates should be included.
 

Summit1

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No, the map data updates are not "free" for most products and systems. The good news is that roads and other stuff rarely changes, so updating every few years may or may not be worthwhile. The companies often run special discounted pricing (i.e., 1/3 off) for updates that are (for lack of a better term) almost old... the next updates would be released shortly afterward. I have bought these and they worked just fine for me.

Garmin, while offering "lifetime updates" for many of their GPSr units, does not always mean "lifetime" as many users would like. For example, I have a Garmin handheld GPSr for which I bought the lifetime street map updates. While my GPSr still works perfectly, Garmin discontinued the lifetime updates for that and many other models. For me and my uses, this is more an issue than a problem, as I use it for hiking and the roads (and other stuff) do not matter much... nothing about them has changed over the past few years, so I am good to go.

When mapping software is compiled by companies such as Navteq, the process can take many months to complete and release. Then, the data is sent to the GPS system companies, which then have to "approve" it prior to releasing it to their customer base. The whole thing can take a year or so.
 

Robert Armstrong

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I own a 2019 Ram Big Horn with GPS. UCONNECT offered a maps update late in 2021 for $150. I decided NOT to get the maps update because I was happily with Apple Maps with Apple Car Play on the UCONNECT screen. The only problem is the GPS is worthless in bad telephone service areas. The UCONNECT GPS is satellite operated - so it is not dependent on telephone signal strength.
Last month UCONNECT offered the maps update for 1/3 off - or $100. I decided to go ahead and get it.
The update came on a flash drive with very detailed instructions. The instructions were a little tedious - but I folllowed the provided instructions very carefully. The download was successfully completed in about 2 hours.
I use the UCONNECT GPS almost exclusively now - because there is no satellite interruption to the signals. I am very happy with the map quality and current information.
Robert Armstrong
 

bandit1170

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At first I was a little annoyed my 2018 Laramie didn’t include NAV, but am so glad it didn’t now. Use Car Play and aside from having to plug in my phone to use it, I feel is way better. Waze and Google Maps on my iPhone are always going to be up to date with road construction info and other new data. I’ve been toying with the idea of trying one of the wireless adapters but with the phone plugged in, I know it’s going to be fully charged when I get where I’m going.
 

Billet Bee

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I own a 2019 Ram Big Horn with GPS. UCONNECT offered a maps update late in 2021 for $150. I decided NOT to get the maps update because I was happily with Apple Maps with Apple Car Play on the UCONNECT screen. The only problem is the GPS is worthless in bad telephone service areas. The UCONNECT GPS is satellite operated - so it is not dependent on telephone signal strength.
Last month UCONNECT offered the maps update for 1/3 off - or $100. I decided to go ahead and get it.
The update came on a flash drive with very detailed instructions. The instructions were a little tedious - but I folllowed the provided instructions very carefully. The download was successfully completed in about 2 hours.
I use the UCONNECT GPS almost exclusively now - because there is no satellite interruption to the signals. I am very happy with the map quality and current information.
Robert Armstrong
I would love to hear more about what changes you noticed after you installed the newest version. Do you feel there was enough added and it was worth the 99.99
 
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I bought our 2015 laramie 2500HD new and it had a 5 year free update plan and I haven't renewed it. Paying for updates on a $70000 vehicle is ridiculous.
 

Jim113

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2019 - 2022 1500's Navs wont even work after a year unless you have a monthly subscription!
I have a 2020 RAM Longhorn with the Nav system, mine still works, and I don't pay any subscription ... However I have heard Toyota and Honda are going that route (pun intended) ...
 

GTyankee

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I received my factory order 2016 Ram in January 16, 2016

I renewed my Navigation in June of 2020
now with Covid, New roads have been on hold, so i will wait another year or two before thinking about updating the maps

I also have a Truckers GPS
 

SitKneelBend

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I own a 2019 Ram Big Horn with GPS. UCONNECT offered a maps update late in 2021 for $150. I decided NOT to get the maps update because I was happily with Apple Maps with Apple Car Play on the UCONNECT screen. The only problem is the GPS is worthless in bad telephone service areas. The UCONNECT GPS is satellite operated - so it is not dependent on telephone signal strength.
Last month UCONNECT offered the maps update for 1/3 off - or $100. I decided to go ahead and get it.
The update came on a flash drive with very detailed instructions. The instructions were a little tedious - but I folllowed the provided instructions very carefully. The download was successfully completed in about 2 hours.
I use the UCONNECT GPS almost exclusively now - because there is no satellite interruption to the signals. I am very happy with the map quality and current information.
Robert Armstrong
Both your phone and UConnect use the sane GPS signals to determine your position. One thing your phone does is enhance the service with near real time information on traffic and road hazards. Many navigation apps for your phone also allow you to download offline maps (for free)in order to mitigate the issues you may have in areas with poor cellular coverage. Offline maps will function in much the same way as UConnect.
 

Rlaf75

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I just got an email last week regarding a nav update. I posted about it in one of the other forums I'm in and everyone was saying that the update causes other features to not work. They were saying that the dealers were saying it's the uconnect service and they are saying it's a faulty device. Either way I will not be paying to update and have other features not work and then get the run around about fixing it
 

tron67j

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Agree with worthless (to me) nav on radios, can't wait for years for updates with all the new roads and neighborhoods going in all the time and updates are overpriced and already old by the time they come. New interstate work where I drive is also constantly getting further along so would miss that. Phone with download maps on the 8.4 upgrade I made beats the other Honda and Toyotas I ride in. My wife's Toyota van constantly tries to send us three miles out of our way to get to interstate from house and no way to adjust. Just worthless.
 
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