Discover Media Sat Nav Questions (Golf 7)

[ajay1940]

Is it possible to get the Satnav to show camera locations?
Also can you enable a function to show true car speed?

[Golf7Tdi]

Ive played around with it, I couldnt work it out, unless you get custom maps or something (Just guessing).

[jdbrown1953]

Is it possible to get the Satnav to show camera locations?
Also can you enable a function to show true car speed?

Unfortunately its a big VW No to both of your questions. The functionality is very limited. The nearest route to a petrol station is nice, but it's all European fuel suppliers, so you can only set Shell as your preferred supplier. I can't even get it to recognise the Queensland suburb of Grange, 5051. It wants to take me on a 23 hour journey to Grange, SA!

[Idle]

Re not finding Grange, Brisbane: At the righthand end of the line (under the return button) you'll see a number.
That's the count of locations containing "Grange".

It's a button — press it and select your town from the list.

[jdbrown1953]

Re not finding Grange, Brisbane: At the righthand end of the line (under the return button) you'll see a number.
That's the count of locations containing "Grange".

It's a button — press it and select your town from the list.

Yah; but if you have contacts on your iPhone which you import with "Grange 4051" in the address you end up being directed to Grange Adelaide. I should be able to use the contacts address! It also happens with other suburb's e.g. "Windsor, QLD". Looks like there may be problems in using imported addresses under certain circumstances.

[ajay1940]

That's pretty poor. Even el cheapo satnavs have this capability. Lets hope that VW are working on an update.

[DV52]

Is it possible to get the Satnav to show camera locations?
Also can you enable a function to show true car speed?

Ajay 1940: I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of disappointment that pervades the other replies to your question. It's a mystery to me why the good burghers in Germany decided to install such a dud SATNAV in their new mkVII model Golf.

As has already been said here, you can buy a third party SATNAV (at a fraction of the VW asking price) that will run rings around the unit in the Golf. VW SATNAV voice pronunciation is woeful, no speed camera facility, no traffic light facility and the voice command won't work on addresses. The only good feature that I can find in the VW SATNAV is the "traffic signal" function which shows the speed limit for the road on which you are travelling (and even this is often wrong).
Mechanically, the mkVII Golf is a brilliant car. I just think that the vehicle is let-down by the SATNAV.

[jdbrown1953]

Ajay 1940: I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of disappointment that pervades the other replies to your question. It's a mystery to me why the good burghers in Germany decided to install such a dud SATNAV .
Mechanically, the mkVII Golf is a brilliant car. I just think that the vehicle is let-down by the SATNAV.

and a bloody woeful audio system

[jdbrown1953]

Sat Nav Question TSI Highline

That's pretty poor. Even el cheapo satnavs have this capability. Lets hope that VW are working on an update.

The problem appears to manifest when there are suburbs with the same name in multiple States. If you use the contacts address to plot your destination and the suburb exists in more than one State it defaults to the first suburb in the list in the navigation system e.g Grange, Adelaide comes before Grange, Brisbane. The sat nav doesn't seem to be able to run through the list and select the right one even if the postcode is present. It should be a simple software fix, but VWA will probably call it an accessory and charge the earth for it. IMO the sat nav is not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced/fixed by VWA

[DV52]

The problem appears to manifest when there are suburbs with the same name in multiple States. If you use the contacts address to plot your destination and the suburb exists in more than one State it defaults to the first suburb in the list in the navigation system e.g Grange, Adelaide comes before Grange, Brisbane. The sat nav doesn't seem to be able to run through the list and select the right one even if the postcode is present. It should be a simple software fix, but VWA will probably call it an accessory and charge the earth for it. IMO the sat nav is not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced/fixed by VWA

jdbrown1953: I totally agree. But my long discussions with the incorrectly name "customer care" folk at VWA suggests that their definition of fit-for-purpose is somewhat different to ours. I have a letter from VWA that acknowledges that the SATNAV for the mkVII has problems, but it goes onto to say VWA's position is that the device "is working as designed"

Like you, I had thought that the purpose of the SATNAV was to provide navigation services to the driver. However, after now many months of debate with VWA regarding this mater, my (self-confessed, jaundiced) view is that VWA believes that the "purpose" of the SATNAV is to promote someone to buy the car. The SATNAV has been proven to be fit-for-purpose once the car has been purchased! Whilst there is such a strong demand for these cars in Australia, I guess we all need to accept this VWA centric definition of fit-for-purpose!

[flight]

Ajay 1940: I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of disappointment that pervades the other replies to your question. It's a mystery to me why the good burghers in Germany decided to install such a dud SATNAV in their new mkVII model Golf.

I am led to believe that the built-in satnavs supplied with most other car brands are just as woeful as the VW satnav described in this thread.

In a couple of months or so, I will experience the VW satnav shortcomings when I take delivery of my TDI Highline. However, I find it hard to imagine that the VW unit is worse than the Hyundai one I am using currently. Hyundai do provide warnings of many things (cameras, junctions, school zones, speed limit changes, town boundaries....the list is extensive, so I won't provide it all here. These warnings are perfectly useless because each situation gives rise to a BEEP and only a BEEP. There is no way to know what the f$^%$ unit is BEEPing about on any particular occasion. There are no street names verbalised and no voice control of anything. The maps are around two years out of date and the driving instructions therefore don't always agree with the actual roads. Correspondence with Hyundai brings only comic relief.

When I am serious about finding my way in unfamiliar territory, I attach my trusty Garmin to the windscreen. I expect I will need to do the same in my Golf.

[DV52]

I am led to believe that the built-in satnavs supplied with most other car brands are just as woeful as the VW satnav described in this thread.

In a couple of months or so, I will experience the VW satnav shortcomings when I take delivery of my TDI Highline. .....................

When I am serious about finding my way in unfamiliar territory, I attach my trusty Garmin to the windscreen. I expect I will need to do the same in my Golf.

Flight: If your expectations are low (about the VW SATNAV), then you will not to be disappointed! I just think that a car as good as the Golf deserves better. It's a sad statement if the best that can be said about the VW SATNAV is that you need to have a "trusty Garmin" in the car when you are "serious about finding your way in unfamiliar territory".

[veew]

Hey guys, just came across a site for map updates for UK owners. Unfortunately changing the location to Australia comes up empty for VWs.

Post 9: Discover Navigation System - GOLFMK7 - VW GTI MKVII Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVII Forum

VW_Landing

which will lead you to this:

VW_Discover_Media

If only VWA expressed concern and therefore interest in releasing an update.

[flight]

Flight: If your expectations are low (about the VW SATNAV), then you will not to be disappointed! I just think that a car as good as the Golf deserves better. It's a sad statement if the best that can be said about the VW SATNAV is that you need to have a "trusty Garmin" in the car when you are "serious about finding your way in unfamiliar territory".

I totally agree with you. It is indeed a sad statement. However, my main point holds true as regards most built-in satnavs being reputed to be no better than the VW unit. The separate units from Garmin, TomTom or whatever provide better accuracy and functionality at a way cheaper cost than any built-in satnav. This is about car manufacturers providing as little as possible for the greatest return where a desired component is concerned. Then they are able, down the track, to offer "enhancements" and price reductions that they could have provided all along.

Am I cynical? Yes. But that's the track record of car companies with every innovation that comes along - starting with heaters and demisters many years ago. They will do the same with satnavs until they are absolutely commonplace and overtaken by the next big thing.

Incidentally, many of the built-in satnavs are captives of a software and maps arrangement involving Navteq (Nokia) and an Hungarian software company named NNG. This arrangement, in cooperation with a car manufacturer, ensures that map and software updates can only be obtained via the car dealership - at whatever cost they want to charge this week. I would add that I do not know yet who supplies the maps and software for the VW units, but I will find out when I take delivery of my TDI Highline.

Incidentally, Hyundai use this system to coerce owners to have their servicing performed at the Hyundai dealer, rather than their trusted local mechanic. They provide 2 "free" map updates during the first three years of ownership, but only if the servicing is done by the Hyundai dealer. I will not be surprised if some similar form of leverage is used by VW.

Having said all that, the Golf is a great car and should not be condemned for having a sub-standard satnav.

[DV52]

I totally agree with you. It is indeed a sad statement. However, my main point holds true as regards most built-in satnavs being reputed to be no better than the VW unit. The separate units from Garmin, TomTom or whatever provide better accuracy and functionality at a way cheaper cost than any built-in satnav. This is about car manufacturers providing as little as possible for the greatest return where a desired component is concerned. Then they are able, down the track, to offer "enhancements" and price reductions that they could have provided all along.

Having said all that, the Golf is a great car and should not be condemned for having a sub-standard satnav.

Flight: If I agree with you anymore, others might think that we have started a mutual admiration society!

Appropos of your mystery about the supplier of the maps on the Golf SATNAV, I think that I can recall one of the esteemed moderators on this forum (I think it may even have been a Super moderator) saying that the company was SENSIS.

Good luck with your new car - you will find it an absolute delight to drive