Hi,

 

One of the common subjects I've found in the Superb II forums over the last few years is about updating the maps.

Some of us have been lucky that the dealer has done the upgrades for us, others have had to resort to the rip and burn method (leading to arguments about copyright, digital rights, etc).

 

It looks like this is a thing of the past for the new "Infotainment" devices, Amundsen and Columbus.

Simply go to Škoda's Infotainment update portal on your computer, plug in a 32GB SD Card, enter your VIN and, hey presto, map updates loaded onto your card which you then plug into your car's SD slot.

 

Not just maps are updated (twice a year) but also Bluetooth, Radio station logos and Mirrorlink (Swing and Bolero can also be updated where applicable).

 

Until now, upgrading your maps meant replacing the entire map content from DVD which could take hours. If it can be done with a 32GB card I'd assume this new method simply updates what's been changed.

 

Simply Clever!

 

Details are on the web site.

 

Linked to this site is "My Destinations". Here you can create navigation destination vCards and photos, as well as import and convert third-party PPOI files* (click on the "List of my destinations" tab).

* Supported formats are ASC, CSV, GPX, KML/KMZ.

I notice there is no mention of cost, so I would assume there is still a fee for this.

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No fee. Just your vehicle identification number to validate.

 

Updates will only be for the new units (they're called Discover and Discover Pro in VWs).

 

The vCard/Photos is limited, as far as I can ascertain, to public places in the site's database. Haven't figured a way to do residences. But these vCard/Photos work on the old Columbus too.

Interesting. So what happens if you buy a system off ebay? The system may be new enough, but the car vin # might suggest otherwise.

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According to the Columbus user manual you can also have the system updated by a Škoda Partner (aka dealer) but I'd make a calculated guess you could be charged for updating a not-original-equipment unit, unless you have an amicable dealer nearby.

 

The VIN can also be displayed on the Columbus. I don't know if it takes that from the CanBus or if it's embedded in the unit firmware when fitted at the factory. If it's the latter then reprogramming the head just got a bit more complicated.

 

Not knowing how the upgrading software is programmed, I'd say it's a strong possibility that the VIN you enter on the web is encrypted into your SD download and then checked against the VIN in the Columbus, thereby only performing the update if they match. (Edit: updated info)

 

But it's all supposition until I get my S3 with the new Columbus at which time I can play with the system - and that could be a while yet.

Im guessing its the same system as on tge Octy?

Updating is simply done by downloading a zip file and extracting onto a Sdcard. Then just put it in the car and select update. It takes some time, but everything apart from satnav is availble while updating.

At least on the Octy the update is not tied to the VIN-number. Vin input is just used to direct you to the right mapupdate (Columbus or Amundsen) AFAIK.

I've also just discovered the map updates are free for three years for a new car fitted with third generation Amundsen or Columbus, which would explain the VIN requirement.

I don't know what options there are for downloading updates after the three years gratis period expires.

 

As for retro-fitting a 3rd gen Columbus, it won't be as easy as the previous generations which were self-contained. It now comes in two parts - the head unit & the dvd/sd/sim unit that's fitted in the glovebox.

The VW Discover Media & Discover Nav Pro web site http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/navigation-and-entertainment-systems/discover-nav-pro have a link to the Navteq site to download map updates. VW also say free for three years from new, but unlike the Škoda site they don't ask for VIN, just select model/year in the side menu and download.

 

The new Columbus is fitted with an SSD which goes part way to why it is faster than the old Columbus, and why map updating is so much faster than the old DVD method. "Paid for" updates from dealers are also being supplied on SD Cards.

Interesting. So what happens if you buy a system off ebay? The system may be new enough, but the car vin # might suggest otherwise.

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Came across this thread in a VW forum.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=265764.0

Forecast looks bleak for retrofitting the new infotainment systems. Looks like the VIN is stored in the unit.

The vCard/Photos is limited, as far as I can ascertain, to public places in the site's database. Haven't figured a way to do residences. But these vCard/Photos work on the old Columbus too.

I've resolved it.

 

By putting the house number and road name in the field "What are you searching" and the town (and country if required) in the field "Where are you searching" it will find the location of residences on the map.

     What = 25 High Street Where = Birmingham

 

It will also find it with house-number/house-name+postcode / country.

     What = 25 AA12 3BB Where = UK

 

     What = Dunroamin AA12 3BB Where =UK

Interesting. So what happens if you buy a system off ebay? The system may be new enough, but the car vin # might suggest otherwise.

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If it is the same as the Octy3 then you are stuck with the system the car came with, the new systems are so tightly integrated with the car. The new units will use a MOST fibre optic databus, just like my Audi. Just like my 13 year old Audi the encryption keys have not been obtained in 13 years, so it will not be possible to retrofit.

 

Security has got a lot better, security, encrypted data, and component protection (VIN stored in unit) will not only reduce theft but leave you stuck with whatever you order the car with.

BillyJim, your post dated 27 July 2015 at 12:08: I have just bought a new Yeti, and was told by the dealer that I get three free map updates during the lifetime of the car. But your post says "free for three years". Are you perfectly sure that your understanding is correct? Because if you are right, then my dealer got it wrong. Where did you get your information?

My thinking, based on the info from my dealer, was that if I get 3 free updates during the life of the car, since I am not planning to change the car then I would get my free updates in year 3, year 6 and year 9. With my previous SatNav I never updated the maps, so they were five years old, and I got few problems, just the occasional new roundabout that wasn't on the map, and using the Hindhead Tunnel on the A3 the SatNav had me driving off-road through white space, so nothing too tricky. I thought that with the Yeti I could manage with updates only every 3 years.

Sorry to say but you'll find dealers are a lot less acurate than users on these boards. I'd have to say during my research of Skoda policies that BillyJim is correct. Also, when you do want to update outside of the 3 years you'll be a little shocked at the price they'll want to charge.

Sorry, #14 was an accidental repost of #12!

Edited 28 August, 201510 yr by LeighCollier

Thanks, l4wrence. I'll take it up with my dealer, get him to recheck his info.

BillyJim, your post dated 25 July 2015 at 02:14: you state ". . . . My Destinations". Here you can create navigation destination vCards. Here you can create navigation destination vCards . . . ." I'm very interested in this. I have used "My Destinations" to create a set of personal points of interest, which isn't exactly what I want. What I ideally want to do is copy the Favourites from my previous Garmin SatNav and save them into my Amundsen as "My Destinations". Using the "My Destinations" website created PPOIs, as I've said, (by importinmg my Garmin favouries, then putting a file name into the pop-up window displayed entirely in Czech!) but if as you say I can use the "My Destinations" website to create destination vCards, that would be ideal. I can't see on the "My Destinations" website any way of doing this, however. Can you please point me in the right direction?

Also, when you do want to update outside of the 3 years you'll be a little shocked at the price they'll want to charge.

An OEM update DVD for the old Columbus was around the £200+ mark. Many dealers do it for free if you bought the car new from them (usually done when it's being serviced). Both my local dealers do this.

BillyJim, your post dated 25 July 2015 at 02:14: you state ". . . . My Destinations". Here you can create navigation destination vCards. Here you can create navigation destination vCards . . . ." I'm very interested in this. I have used "My Destinations" to create a set of personal points of interest, which isn't exactly what I want. What I ideally want to do is copy the Favourites from my previous Garmin SatNav and save them into my Amundsen as "My Destinations". Using the "My Destinations" website created PPOIs, as I've said, (by importinmg my Garmin favouries, then putting a file name into the pop-up window displayed entirely in Czech!) but if as you say I can use the "My Destinations" website to create destination vCards, that would be ideal. I can't see on the "My Destinations" website any way of doing this, however. Can you please point me in the right direction?

You'll need to manually enter each vCard destination as there's no batch option. It will store each destination as you progress until you opt to download when they're all downloaded together in a zip file.

If you want photos converted to GPS-Photos, make sure you have them all sorted and ready before you start.

I made a step-by-step guide for creating vCards and GPS-Photos using "My Destinations" here.

 

You'll need to manually enter each vCard destination as there's no batch option. It will store each destination as you progress until you opt to download when they're all downloaded together in a zip file.

If you want photos converted to GPS-Photos, make sure you have them all sorted and ready before you start.

I made a step-by-step guide for creating vCards and GPS-Photos using "My Destinations" here.

 

Thanks for that, BillyJim. I was hoping to import from a GPX file and output as vCards. On "My Destinations" I can import from a GPX file OK, but when I want to save the only option I am given is to save to PPOI, then the zip file that is created has nothing in the "destinations" and "gps-pictures" folders. I wasn't expecting anything in the "gps-pictures" folder but I was hoping for something in the "destinations" folder. But I'm not surprised, as the "Save" option I was offered was "Save to PPOI" not "Save to my destinations", or "Save list of my destinations" that your step-by-step guide speaks of.

So it looks as if I will have to go down the route of converting my GPX file into vCards if I can find a piece of software to do that (on Linux, as that is the OS I have on my computer), or else so it in 2 steps: (1) GPX to CSV, then (2) CSV to VCF (vCard). Then I believe the Amundsen will accept the vCards on an SD card, then proceed as in your step-by-step guide.