Evaluation of new NAV firmware DVD version 7.1

[america1970]

Does anybody know where can I order the new NAV firmware DVD version 7.1
I went to our local dealer and the told me that they could not order the dvd for me...

[dsmonline]

Dealers can order you one, but the are way to expensive to buy, hundreds of dollars. Most folks 'borrow' a disk out of a truck for a few hours and burn a copy. You will need a DL DVD, all newer Macs can burn them out of the box, few PCs have DL burners and you will probably need some additional software to do the copy. Not to much different except the okay nag screen go away on it's own now.

[2007tundra]

Originally Posted by ag4ever

I bought a new cannon digital camera recently. It was a 6.0 megapixle camera, and then a month latter their 7.something camera was released for the same price I paid. Do i think Cannon should give me the better camera for free since I bought the other one just before the new one was released?

I have an older Canon digital EOS and I don't think they should give me a new camera becase they made one better, but if I go to Canon's website I can download software and firmware upgrades for my camera for free. No one here is asking for a new NAV unit...

[zpaul]

Originally Posted by 2007tundra

I have an older Canon digital EOS and I don't think they should give me a new camera becase they made one better, but if I go to Canon's website I can download software and firmware upgrades for my camera for free. No one here is asking for a new NAV unit...

[wileetundra]

Originally Posted by 2007tundra

I have an older Canon digital EOS and I don't think they should give me a new camera becase they made one better, but if I go to Canon's website I can download software and firmware upgrades for my camera for free. No one here is asking for a new NAV unit...

x2

The Toyota NAV firmware situation would be similar to buying the premium version of Micro$oft Windows Vista for your home computer for $499, only to find out a month later that the operating system needs to be updated to fix major issues, but then they want to charge you another $300 for every service pack. We would be outraged and many people would not buy Vista, so of course they provide the service packs for free since it is only fair and reasonable. Now if Toyota would just do the same... ;-)

[tinik]

Originally Posted by wileetundra

I recently evaluated the new NAV firmware DVD version 7.1 to determine what was new or different from the previous 6.1 version. Here are my findings:

1. The “I agree” screen is no longer mandatory on startup. It has been replaced with a simple Caution statement that automatically switches to the map view after 5 seconds. This is a small but very nice change indeed. See attached photos.
2. The map views show slightly more detail including driveways for all known addresses or buildings. This might be helpful if you are looking for a specific turning point but it seemed trivial to me. See attached photos.
3. There is sure to be at least some new map data as well but I didn’t notice any in my area. You may not notice it either unless you drive in rapidly developing areas that are not currently mapped in the 6.1 version. You won’t know for sure until after you purchase it and drive around for a while so you might be disappointed.

That’s it.

I was expecting a whole lot more for a $295+ product upgrade. Maybe additional audio and video options, or possibly control over the Rear Camera, Rear DVD, or AUX inputs. Maybe manual adjustments for the map display and backlight colors. And what about a bypass for the annoying function lockout while the vehicle is in motion? Sadly all of these functions must remain on the wish list along with many others. Perhaps some of them will eventually make it into a future upgrade, however this doesn’t seem likely and future versions are sure to take quite a while, cost just as much, and be similarly disappointing.

In one last desperate query I accessed the diagnostic menu to see if any new configuration or bypass functions were included for use by the service department. Sadly it looks exactly the same. It is possible that the new version does contain some hidden functions, and if so then the access tricks are sure to leak out eventually. We can only hope. Until then the determined owners are left with the option of paying a small fortune for a minor enhancement or continuing to experiment with various hacks or modifications such as my NAV speed pulse generator that enables all the functions while in motion.

And just in case you are interested in getting the new 7.1 firmware DVD, these are the only options that I am aware of:

• Buy it from a dealership (expensive and may not be available at the parts counter for several months yet)
• Buy it on ebay (I have seen several for sale already)
• Borrow it from a new vehicle on the dealer lot (with the dealer’s permission)
• Borrow it from a new rental vehicle (with the agency’s permission)
• Borrow it from the owner of a new vehicle (terms are up to them)

If you borrow the DVD then you can insert it into your NAV and the firmware will be upgraded automatically in just a few minutes. The new functions will remain even when you replace your old DVD but you will still only see the old map data. Note: it may or may not be legal to copy, borrow, or use the new DVD depending on how you obtain it. You will need to check with Toyota or a qualified copyright attorney to be sure. Please keep your legal opinions to yourself unless you are qualified to speak with authority – this is not a law forum.

Whether or not you decide to get the new DVD version, you will probably still want to make a backup copy of your original DVD and then use the backup in the NAV. You wouldn’t want to fork out another $295+ just because the original disc was scratched or stolen. The process to make a backup copy has been widely discussed on numerous forums and posts just like this one. I have successfully backed up my original DVD with the ImgBurn software and it does work but you need to have exactly the right combination of software, hardware, settings, and DVD media or you will just be frustrated and make a lot of nice shiny coasters.

If anyone is aware of other new functions that are contained in the 7.1 version then please share those by posting to this thread along with pics.

Here is a quick technical comparison for those that are inclined to look under the hood:

6.1 Version:
212 files
7 folders
Total Size on disk: 7.36 GB
Size of Loading.KWI file: 70.0 MB

7.1 Version:
226 files
9 folders
Total Size on disk: 7.62 GB
Size of Loading.KWI file: 115.0 MB

The new folders are “314” and “398”. The new files are as follows: (listed by folder)

314:
LDM.BIN

398:
LDM.BIN

Coverage:
05ETG_12.BMP
05ETO_12.BMP
05VLB_12.BMP
05VLD_12.BMP
05VTG_12.BMP
05VTO_12.BMP

IDX:
ARCSR012.IDX
FWYDT012.IDX
FWYSR012.IDX
ITSDT012.IDX
ITSSR012.IDX
POISR012.IDX
SADSR012.IDX

Plus 7.1 version has HI as an option for Directions (still waiting for AK)

[robert22]

Good work, keep it up.

Thanks, Bob

[dexterL]

have had two seperate dealers and parts guys tell me that if i put the new disk in it will ruin my nav, and destroy the disc. i have laughed at both of them and said thanks for this pos nav unit you raped me for. so should have gone after market. satellite traffic updates? FREE NEW SOFTWARE? come on toyota, your better than this

[shbarton]

Originally Posted by ag4ever

I have bought stale donuts before, and made the choice to just not buy from that place again. We can do the same with Toyota, but I doubt we will.

No matter how you slice it, they are charging was too much for the upgrade, and that is one of the reasons why the nav option does not hold it's resale value in the used market. There are way too many reasonably priced handheld versions that have cheap or free map upgrades. If the map updates were better and more easily obtained at a reasonable price, more people would get the factory navs. because of this the factory nav is not a financially smart option. I got it for convienence.

I still believe that those who think they are due a free upgrade don't understand the concept that they bought what was current when they bought it. Toyota never told them that any future upgrades would be free for a certain time period. If you were told otherwise, then you have a beef with the dealer. And if you knew 7.1 was out and got 6.1, then you should have negotiated the new disk with the purchase. I had considered refusing my truck if it did not have the 7.1, but decided to just take what I was given before I knew it had the 7.1 version. I bought a new cannon digital camera recently. It was a 6.0 megapixle camera, and then a month latter their 7.something camera was released for the same price I paid. Do i think Cannon should give me the better camera for free since I bought the other one just before the new one was released? if Toyota decides to up the horsepower of our trucks as a result of a compeeting manufacturer bettering their numbers by just changing the engine calibration, do we deserve that engine recalibration for free?

It sucks that they don't give free upgrades or at least an "at cost" upgrade for a short time period, but that is their choice. They have decided it is better for people to pirate copies and just focus on new car sales than the parts department.

And I could be upset that I got stuck with the 6.1 since my camry came with that and it was less than 1 year old when the 7.1 was released. Heck those that bought the early '07 camrys got stuck with 5.1. Now they have a car that is only one model year old, and have nav data that is three versions back. They should really be PO'd. In the end, I paid over $40,000 for the 7.1 disk, so the $300 fee looks really good in comparison.

Don't worry about getting version 7.1! It's absolutely terrible! It can't even find my house, and I live in a nice development. Worse navigation system ever! I use my Garmin - awesome navigation system!

[saqar]

Originally Posted by wileetundra

dvd navigation map
north america u 32 d
toyota part # 86271-53022
data version 07.1

hi sir

i like to gate one of thie dvd fro my tundra 2008

my email:y5021234@hotmail.com


thanks..

[PlaynDoc]

wow.... that's a lot of reading here.... I'm SO glad I don't have Toyota's GPS system... Thank goodness for TOM TOM!