Updating maps on the Kenwood

[UKDUDE]

I have a DNX890HD and the mapping software is dated 2013; time to get an update.
But here's where things defy logic for me:
To update the firmware, you use an SD card to download the latest firmware from the Kenwood website, and it gets downloaded and installed to the unit.
But with the mapping software, there doesn't appear to be any way to download and overwrite the old maps with the new, you just have to leave the SD card in the slot, and it gets accessed from there.
Is this correct, or am I missing something?


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[Boxster1971]

I don't think you do updates with an SD card. Read the instructions form Kenwood web site closely - the updates require a USB data stick accessible from the cable in your glove box. The firmware seems to get updates every year and it's free. The map software does not get updated very often and you have to pay for it.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I don't think you do updates with an SD card. Read the instructions form Kenwood web site closely - the updates require a USB data stick accessible from the cable in your glove box. The firmware seems to get updates every year and it's free. The map software does not get updated very often and you have to pay for it.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

You're right, Boxster, and I'd forgotten how I previously upgraded the firmware. It just seems odd there's no way to overwrite the existing maps: when I remove the SD card it reverts back to the 2013 maps!


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[Boxster1971]

Did you purchase the SD card map from Kenwood or from Garmin?


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Did you purchase the SD card map from Kenwood or from Garmin?


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

The map was purchased from the Garmin website and downloaded from there. It's quite a procedure to do it: you have to install their Garmin Express application first on your PC/laptop; then you use an SD card in the Kenwood to download some identifying data to the card, transfer it to your PC/laptop, and Express looks at it and tells you there's a map upgrade, goes through a process to purchase it, and then downloads it to the SD card.
I'm just a little disappointed it doesn't overwrite the currently loaded map. The SD card needs to be left in there.


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[Boxster1971]

I've done one map update and I recall buying it from or through the Kenwood web site. I uploaded it via a USB stick and the change was permanent.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I've done one map update and I recall buying it from or through the Kenwood web site. I uploaded it via a USB stick and the change was permanent.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

It looks like a firmware update on the Kenwood has changed the way maps are updated. I see these instructions on he Kenwood.garmin.com website:

1 Insert SD Card into your navigation unit.
2 On the navigation interface, touch:
Settings > Device > Update Map
(This will initiate data export from the navigation unit onto your SD Card)
If the Update Map button is not available on the device, please click here to update the software on the device first.
3 When the export is complete, remove your SD Card
4 Insert the SD Card into your computer and click the Read Media button below

And I did upgrade the firmware not long ago.

Peter

[Boxster1971]

I'll have to look closer at doing another map upgrade. The one I did was in 2014.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter