I'm fairly sure this topic has been covered all over the forum, but is someone in Briskodaland able to explain the differences in the offical Skoda maps (still V7 according to my local dealer) and the V8 which appears to be available for VW?

My car is a 2011 Octavia and came with the V7 DVD in the box. I have no idea what firmware it's running or even how to find out (sorry!), but would like to make sure I have the latest version on the car if it's worth doing...

Thanks for any advice.

Paul

According to ETKA the latest is V7.2, if you're Octavia is a 2011 car it should have the later firmware installed already.

V7.2 shouldn't add too much if you're running V7 already.

According to ETKA the latest is V7.2, if you're Octavia is a 2011 car it should have the later firmware installed already.

V7.2 shouldn't add too much if you're running V7 already.

...........v8 maps are the newest

V8 Maps are the current, they came out in Sept I believe, its not firmware dependant

V8 Maps are the current, they came out in Sept I believe, its not firmware dependant

This is correct, but V8 has not yet been officially released to Skoda or Seat and you will hence only be able to get the disk from a VW dealer.

So really you'll want to wait for the official Skoda V8 maps.

If you're planning on buying a copy of V8 it's cheaper if you've got an old version to trade-in - something you can't do at a VW garage with your Skoda maps.

Alternatively many people have reported that your dealer will install the latest maps free of charge. Not sure how they get away with that with regards licensing issues, but again if your dealer is offering that then you'll have to wait for the official Skoda maps.

Personally I'm still on 7.2 (version that came with my car) as I want a physical V8 disc, so want to wait for the cheaper upgrade option from my dealer.

How do I find what the latest firmware update number is ?

Does the firmware and disc number need to be matched, i.e. firmware 3333 goes with V.7 disc etc

Are firmware updates part of a normal service, if not how much would you pay and what is the the cost of a disc, say V7.2

Edited 30 November, 201114 yr by PowerMalc

How do I find what the latest firmware update number is ?

Does the firmware and disc number need to be matched, i.e. firmware 3333 goes with V.7 disc etc

Are firmware updates part of a normal service, if not how much would you pay and what is the the cost of a disc, say V7.2

Firmware is not linked to maps - so you can run the latest firmware with the oldest maps. Alternatively you could run the latest maps with the very first firmware.

If however you want the full 7-digit postcode searching you will need to run a certain revision of the firmware, I believe it's 2600 or above.

Most dealerships are not interested in doing firmware upgrades for you. There are things that can go wrong. Although unlikely with a legitimate unit purchased with your vehicle, there is always the possability of a firmware upgrade "bricking your unit" to the point where it needs replacing.

Note many, many units sold on EBay and the like are certainly not legitimate and firmware upgrades are at your own risk.

I've done two firmware upgrades on legitimate units and they ran without a single glitch.

Firmware is not linked to maps - so you can run the latest firmware with the oldest maps. Alternatively you could run the latest maps with the very first firmware.

It is linked, at least partially. Starting from firmware 3800 the format of POI files was changed and for correct POI operation maps V7.2 (74xx) and above must be used.

Maps V7.2 and V8 contains POI in both POI now, so they will run with any firmware version, but this support for old format POI can be removed in future releases.

Units with newer FWs runs much smoother and faster, especially when the maps "moves" during travellind, that was a major improvement over 27xx Fws.

Still not sure where I find the firmware updates. Car coming with V7 maps but would like to be sure about firmware.

Well there is still no "final" firmware from 38xx - so anything you use is still beta.

I cannot remember which version I'm running, it's 26xx - but it's a final version rather than beta.

Firmware 3970 is a production version and it is installed on all new units starting from week 22, 2011. There is also version 3980 available which contains some Sound-system related bugfix for Skoda.

Firmware 3970 is a production version and it is installed on all new units starting from week 22, 2011. There is also version 3980 available which contains some Sound-system related bugfix for Skoda.

Then why on this site:

http://www.my-gti.com/3116/volkswagen-rns-510-firmware-upgrade-to-version-3970-3974-3976-3978

Is it listed as "Confirmed Beta Release"?

Because it was leaked about two months before the official release and many people initially thought that it is ordinary beta.

Stoofa and Josi -- Thank you for your input, it has very useful.

I am in the process of buying a Nov 2009 Superb Elegance and requested that they update the firmware and maps so I get 7 digit postcode entry. On the test drive I noticed a V5 maps disc in the glovebox

They have done this and used a V7 disc, not sure what firmware number has been used, I will try and find this out when I collect the car next week