[nojope]

Hi All, just got off the phone with GMNavDisc people, I was going to bite the bullet and buy the GM - NORTH AMERICA MAP UPDATE - DENSO GLOBAL A - V.2016, but they said it went live in October of 2015. I decided not to pay $179 for maps that are already almost 2 years old (probably more since they had to have time to get them to market). Just thought I'd share with you all here that this version is from October 2015, even though they call it version 2016.

Also, the rep didn't know if they'll be launching a 2017 version or not (for the 2012 Volt). Guess I'll still have Google Maps and my phone on as backup on my upcoming roadtrip.

 

[bjrosen]

Hi All, just got off the phone with GMNavDisc people, I was going to bite the bullet and buy the GM - NORTH AMERICA MAP UPDATE - DENSO GLOBAL A - V.2016, but they said it went live in October of 2015. I decided not to pay $179 for maps that are already almost 2 years old (probably more since they had to have time to get them to market). Just thought I'd share with you all here that this version is from October 2015, even though they call it version 2016.

Also, the rep didn't know if they'll be launching a 2017 version or not (for the 2012 Volt). Guess I'll still have Google Maps and my phone on as backup on my upcoming roadtrip.

Get a vent clip or a window mount for your phone and use Google Maps. Google Maps is orders of magnitude better than any built in nav system. If you have an Android phone you can run Android Auto directly on the phone which is a better UI when driving. For the last few years before I bought my 2017 Volt I used a vent clip for my phone and ran Google Maps, the Gen2 Volts have built in Android Auto so you can plug your phone into the USB and run AA on the built in displays.

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

The maps for the 2014 are the 2018 version. (Probably late 2016 updates).

 

[ClarksonCote]

At this price point, isn't it almost cheaper to buy a 7" diagonal LCD monitor that is Apple CarPlay capable and just Velcro it onto the Volt's 7" monitor?

EDIT: Apparently, yes, it is!
https://www.ebay.com/i/382109411123?chn=ps&dispItem=1

 

[2VoltFamily]

At this price point, isn't it almost cheaper to buy a 7" diagonal LCD monitor that is Apple CarPlay capable and just Velcro it onto the Volt's 7" monitor?

Or use the funds toward a nicer phone with a big screen.

 

[hellsop]

At this price point, isn't it almost cheaper to buy a 7" diagonal LCD monitor that is Apple CarPlay capable and just Velcro it onto the Volt's 7" monitor?

EDIT: Apparently, yes, it is!
https://www.ebay.com/i/382109411123?chn=ps&dispItem=1

That's a whole head unit, not just the display...

 

[Sean-a-Tron]

I really wanted the built-in nav to be good, but it isn't. I'd recommend using a smartphone or dedicated GPS. I use this mount, it's very convenient and hasn't failed me yet.

 

[freshcut]

Agree on using a phone/tablet for up to date maps. As for turn by turn, my '13 will give audio cues through the head unit if I'm running Pandora or Bluetooth audio from the phone. I rarely use the radio or XM anyway and any music is already coming from my phone so it works well for me in this case. I also have a magnetic mount just under the power button for the car, so if I have to see a visual, I can always glance at the phone screen if necessary. Probably not as safe as having the navigation tab focused on the DIC, but usually the audio cues as well as paying attention to the road is enough.

 

[bjrosen]

Agree on using a phone/tablet for up to date maps. As for turn by turn, my '13 will give audio cues through the head unit if I'm running Pandora or Bluetooth audio from the phone. I rarely use the radio or XM anyway and any music is already coming from my phone so it works well for me in this case. I also have a magnetic mount just under the power button for the car, so if I have to see a visual, I can always glance at the phone screen if necessary. Probably not as safe as having the navigation tab focused on the DIC, but usually the audio cues as well as paying attention to the road is enough.

Android Phones/Tablets run Android Auto on the phone itself so th UI is identical to AA on the head unit, the difference is that the phone's display is used instead of the head unit's display.

 

[ZamboniMan]

If you have an Android phone you can run Android Auto directly on the phone which is a better UI when driving. For the last few years before I bought my 2017 Volt I used a vent clip for my phone and ran Google Maps, the Gen2 Volts have built in Android Auto so you can plug your phone into the USB and run AA on the built in displays.

How can I get AA into my car system? I'd love to use the NAV on the steering column without having to $hell out money for OnStar.

 

[2VoltFamily]

How can I get AA into my car system? I'd love to use the NAV on the steering column without having to $hell out money for OnStar.

You can't on the 2014.

 

[hellsop]

How can I get AA into my car system? I'd love to use the NAV on the steering column without having to $hell out money for OnStar.

Buy a 2017. There's no retrofitting it into a Gen 1 for any sane amount of money.

 

[ZamboniMan]

Buy a 2017. There's no retrofitting it into a Gen 1 for any sane amount of money.

I just bought the 2014. Love it too much. The minor inconvenience isn't worth doubling my car payment for...