update microSD navigation maps

For those of you applauding the "Free" updates from Google Maps, etc, remember that you pay over $80 per month for data access on that "Smart Phone". And if you're off in the woods or wilderness you might not get a signal. We didn't have cell reception on most of our vacation through southern Utah this summer.

Google Maps is not the only mapping/GPS application on smartphones and there are others sources for map data as well.

I used the Osmand (Open Street Map ANDroid) app and maps recently when I was abroad and had no cell reception whatsoever. It worked perfectly well.
 
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Are the microSD encrypted in any way? It seems that all it would take is for someone with a new version to zip it and upload it to Dropbox. Then anyone can format their SD card and copy the contents on it.

While I don't "pirate" music or movies (anymore), I would feel 0 remorse for downloading a map update on my $50k truck.
 
Which version of NAV is on the system?

I'm picking up my new 2015 4Runner this week. How can I tell which year of NAV maps it has on the Entune/NAV system? Does it pop up when accessing the NAV window? I downloaded the manual yesterday but haven't started reading it yet. So I can look up a page reference or manual section if you have one to suggest.

...

I don't often repeat myself, but for the sake of answering this question I'll quote my question above.

How do we know which version of NAV maps we have on our Entune system?

These updates should be provided for free, once you've bought the $40,000 plus vehicle. Toyota could offer an email notification with an update you could download through a micro SD card through a card reader. Camera makers do this for their better cameras and it works flawlessly. Some use a direct connect of the camera to the computer, which wouldn't be practical for a car. Wireless connection wouldn't work because in the case of cameras, if the download is interrupted for any reason it turns the camera's OS into a useless brick. But apparently Toyota already uses a microSD card for updates.
 
I don't often repeat myself, but for the sake of answering this question I'll quote my question above.

How do we know which version of NAV maps we have on our Entune system?

These updates should be provided for free, once you've bought the $40,000 plus vehicle. Toyota could offer an email notification with an update you could download through a micro SD card through a card reader. Camera makers do this for their better cameras and it works flawlessly. Some use a direct connect of the camera to the computer, which wouldn't be practical for a car. Wireless connection wouldn't work because in the case of cameras, if the download is interrupted for any reason it turns the camera's OS into a useless brick. But apparently Toyota already uses a microSD card for updates.

only difference, your talking map data that is 3rd party to Toyota, which charges Toyota to get updates.

and camera firmware/software is inherent to the manufacturer, not a 3rd party.

big difference.
 
I would also give Gaia GPS a try. Available on iOS and Android. One time fee with downloadable overlays and downloadable mapping areas for 'out of service' use! It has worked well for me thus far!
 
I would be happy to pay what it actually costs Toyota. I expect the price to be below $10.

I imagine they are paying wholesale on X number of vehicles this is put into each year.

which means they are paying prob 20-50 (guessing here) per vehicle in the grand scheme of things but the initial outlay is probably in the 10-20 million for all produced.

but then again you cant buy it as an individual at that price. :)
 
but the initial outlay is probably in the 10-20 million for all produced.

I really don't think so, this is way too high. Map data is cheap and has zero marginal cost for an additional copy.

Besides, we're talking about the cost of yearly updates which, of course, should be much cheaper than the initial purchase.

Nah, the map update pricing is just a naked money grab.
 
For those of you applauding the "Free" updates from Google Maps, etc, remember that you pay over $80 per month for data access on that "Smart Phone". And if you're off in the woods or wilderness you might not get a signal.

:frusty:
^^^DITTO THIS^^^, these people have never truly taken their $40k T4R off road....... The smart phone isn't even as good as a brick when you have no service. No smart phone I know of actually has a GPS receiver built in that is capable of using the satellites. They all rely on cell towers and even wi-fi to get location data.

Been there, tried that, will never be unprepared again. It's not fun. When you spend 15-20 days a year out of cell range, it's a whole new ball game.
 
No smart phone I know of actually has a GPS receiver built in that is capable of using the satellites. They all rely on cell towers and even wi-fi to get location data.

I call bullshit.

A month ago I spent a week and a half driving around a third-world country. My phone didn't have a local SIM card, so it didn't talk to the local cell network, there was no data feed, etc. However that phone (Note 4) was able to navigate me across the country with street-level maps, turn-by-turn directions, POIs, and all the usual niceties. It worked.

May I recommend acquiring a clue somewhere?
 
:frusty:
^^^DITTO THIS^^^, these people have never truly taken their $40k T4R off road....... The smart phone isn't even as good as a brick when you have no service. No smart phone I know of actually has a GPS receiver built in that is capable of using the satellites. They all rely on cell towers and even wi-fi to get location data.

Been there, tried that, will never be unprepared again. It's not fun. When you spend 15-20 days a year out of cell range, it's a whole new ball game.

Where I am I have no problem w/coverage in the country, woods, etc.. I have a phone supplied through work for free, unlimited everything including data.
 
I don't often repeat myself, but for the sake of answering this question I'll quote my question above.

How do we know which version of NAV maps we have on our Entune system?...

I'm picking up my new 2015 4Runner this week. How can I tell which year of NAV maps it has on the Entune/NAV system? Does it pop up when accessing the NAV window?

I downloaded the basic owner's manual yesterday and started reading it but I found nothing on the Entune. Is there a manual for just the Entune Audio?
 
Okay, your call. :tape2:
What state were you in? The south or northeastern US? :brushteeth:

Heh.

Though a couple of years ago I was driving up I-95 from Florida and decided to do a detour to go around some major screwup on the interstate. I found myself in very very rural swamp country in Georgia. That place was... weird.:wow:
 
:frusty:
^^^DITTO THIS^^^, these people have never truly taken their $40k T4R off road....... The smart phone isn't even as good as a brick when you have no service. No smart phone I know of actually has a GPS receiver built in that is capable of using the satellites. They all rely on cell towers and even wi-fi to get location data.

Been there, tried that, will never be unprepared again. It's not fun. When you spend 15-20 days a year out of cell range, it's a whole new ball game.

I spent all last week driving the trails around Ouray CO without cell service and had a GPS lock the whole time. Cell service just assists the GPS to get a lock quicker. It took a while to lock on without cell service, but once it did it was accurate within a few feet and had a solid connection from then on running hours at a time.
 

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