Product Description

Roads reconfigure. Restaurants open and close. Keep your GPS accurate and up-to-date over the long haul with NAVIGON FreshMaps, providing up to 12 field-verified map updates in three years. Just plug in to your computer and refresh your NAVIGON device with the most accurate map and POI data available.

Product Details

• Brand: Navigon GmbH
• Model: 10000280
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 3.00" w x 1.00" l, .10 pounds

Features

• Regular map and POI updates for accurate navigation
• NAVIGON FreshMaps are tested and verified by NAVTEQ
• No monthly subscription fee
• Activate online within 60 days of purchase and receive three years of map updates

Customer Reviews

FreshMaps...4Q an easy install compared to a difficult and frustrating installation for update 3Q
Addendem Nov. 5/08 AND March/09

I downloaded and installed the 4th quarter Navigon freshmaps (4Q)and most recently the 1Q/09 update.
Both downloads were done through Navigon Fresh, with my SD card in a SD reader; the downloads took 3+ hours but went smoothly and the installation proceded without any problem.
When I checked my 'current map' on my Navigon GPS it indicated my maps were the newest available.

Conclusion: this download and installation of the latest Freshmaps (4Q) was easy and without any problems; much better than my experience with freshmaps for the first freshmap update (3Q)...so whatever the problem that caused my difficulties with the first freshmap update (3Q) seems to have been rectified. (see original review below)



Original review of 'Freshmaps' dated Aug 22/08

This review deals with my problems installing FreshMaps onto my Navigon 2120 GPS. I make no comments as to how the updates worked once finally installed. (I will try to comment, at a later date, on the functionality of the product once I've had time to assess it)

I purchased the Navigon FreshMaps card, and activated the service through the Navigon website by typing in the access code found on the card. So far no problem.

I then attempted to download the FreshMaps that were now available from a program I'd previously downloaded, called 'Navigon Fresh'. BTW, I believe all downloads from Navigon are now done via the 'Navigon Fresh' program. Having it on my computer would enable me to do the following very useful things...
1.) update software.
2.) download FreshMaps and
3.) Make Backups of the my GPS Navigon SD card on my computer.

I connected my GPS to my computer via the correct USB cable and pressed the down load link. A message appears stating there was no MN (My Navigon) software on my SD card. I checked my SD card...there was a MN file on the card...what's up???

Next I tried connecting the SD card to my computer via a SD reader. Eureka, success! When I pressed download FreshMaps it responded, but when it came time to actually download the software, it tells me the Navigon SD card is full and I'll have to delete something from it to make room. Apparently the 'new' software doesn't overwrite the 'old' software. So I start deleting some files from my Navigon SD card (making a backup first), but I still got the 'not enough space on the SD' message every time.

Getting a larger, 4 GB SD card for example, was not an option, as no one makes anything larger than 2GB card for regular SD. There is a 4GB SDHC card (Scan Disc High Capacity) but this would not function in my Navigon GPS (I know, I tried).

So I decided to go out and buy another 2GB SD card (more $$ spent!!). I inserted it into the reader, pressed download, and I got the message 'no MN software' on the SD card...WOW, stymied again!! So as a last resort I copied a 'MN' file from my backed-up copy onto the new blank SD card and...it worked! Finally after all the snafus, I was able to begin the download of the NEW FreshMaps I'd purchased. And even then, this download took 4-5 hours on a DSL connection! BUT, I got it downloaded, installed and my GPS is now working with the latest maps.

Conclusion:
I guess what is SO annoying is the lack of download/installation instructions with this product. There was no hint as to any unusual installation procedures on the FreshMaps package or the Navigon website. What should have been a seamless, easy download/installation, wasn't; it turned out to be an exercise in frustration. I was lucky, if I hadn't thought to copy the 'MN file' onto the new blank SD card this update would never have downloaded and worked.

You know, maybe I missed something obvious in the download procedure or I didn't see something, a 'it's right in front of you' moment...but I don't think so. I hope my trials and tribulations with this product will help someone else. This very well may be an excellent set of updated maps, but if you can't download/install them a little easier than this, it's hardly worth the effort.

For the inconvenience and the lack of the barest of info regarding downloading and installation procedures... 1 Star


R.Nicholson

Navigon FreshMaps Map Update Service
I love my Navigon 7100 GPS. I have had it for about 9 months now and it has performed well. I purchased the FreshMaps Map Update service to keep current. I found the instruction somewhat confusing. Also the code number that had to be entered from the package was so small I had to use two magnifying glasses to read the darn thing. Give us older folks a break! The packaging was plenty big enough.

It took several attempts to get the Navigon Fresh program to install correctly. When I did get the program to install, and checked for updates it found none. I have just returned from a trip to VA, PA, and New Jersey. During this trip, there were several exit ramp instruction that were incorrect. The most notable one was my own exit here in NC. When getting off, the GPS advised turning right. If I had made a right turn it would have taken me in the opposite direction I should have traveled. It still has the old exit, which was replaced over two years ago. Yet the program said there were no available updates.

Navigon really needs to get their act together and get more current maps. Most of the errors were due to new interchange ramps and re-routing of the traffic flow.

I am going to do another (or should I say another attempt) update and see if any of these errors have been corrected. If they have not, I could not recommend purchasing this update mapping service.Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Navigon Freshmaps Update
My Navigon 7100 is invaluable to me as I travel quite extensively throughout the U.S. By taking it with me, and either using it in my personal vehicle or in a rental when having to fly, this unit with the updated Freshmaps gets me there 98% of the time. I have noticed that it does get confused occasionally and I have to make an adjustment to let it " recalculate route ". By being patient when this happens, it works out. No more gas station stops asking directions. I am amazed at how well this unit works. I will take 98% accurate anytime over getting lost at all, espeacially at two in the morning in a strange city.

B.Taylor -- Michigan