PCM1 Software Upgrade

Hi Guys, New 996 Carrera 4 owner here Anyone had success in upgrading PCM1 software to PONA 642D standard to allow use of the later Vauxhall / Opel Sat Nav discs? Current system showing PONA628D. Any help gratefully received Cheers

You want to contact Gerard Mahoney at Satnav Shop, Phone: 0121 773 7000. He has done quite a lot of work on this and has got them working. Porsche have actually released a map update for PCM 1 recently. About £450 IIRC.

Thanks Richard, Will contact Gerard and let you know how I get on

£450 for a few hundred more I would rip out the PCM1 and put in a decent double Din unit.

PCM 1 Update Just wondering, has anyone recently got the PCM1 Update from Satnav Shop? ( K8DJK - did you pursue this?) My PCM 1 is playing up a little - being painfully slow to load - and I think the cause is a scratch on the CD. Hopefully an updated disc would solve this, plus as I frequently drive between London & Cambridge it may also know that new bit of road past Baldock that always confuses my old version. Tim

Hi Tim, I did email Gerard but to date I haven't received a reply. The perceived wisdom seems to be junk the PCM in favour of a more modern double DIN unit, however I really wanted to keep the car standard. In the short term I got a Garmin for when I really need Sat Nav and a Griffin ITrip Auto to integrate my IPod. Best Regards Dave

Im with replacing it with a double din unit. You can always refit the PCM antique before you sell the car on. £450 buys a lot of kit these days - and it will be light years ahead of PCM 1 on all fronts. Nice 7 inch screen is the way forward.

PCM1 Update In order to keep the "OEM" look I've decided to update the software in the PCM1 and to get the 2009 discs through Gil Keane at Quicksilver Automotive. ( I've just got the iPod to work through the PCM1 using a Connetc2 IPLUGRDS and can't now bring myself to bin the whole thing ... :what: ) Quicksliver Automotive say "we can supply you with the software update disk and the 2009 map for UK & Ireland. The software upgrade makes it possible for the PCM1 nav unit to read the latest maps. We hope to be able to offer a full service and overhall of the PCM1 units in the very near future as Porsche appear to have no interest in them" I should get the discs tomorrow and will let you know how it works.... :thumbs: If anyone else is interested Gil Keane can be contacted on 0121 773 7000 or 07973 216682 or via modern day electronic-mail @ [email removed]

... just to update .... I've now loaded to 2009 Map Discs into my PCM1 using the Quicksilver Software Update disc and the upgrade has worked really well - the system is still slightly clunky - but overall its a superb improvement. Would really recommend it to anyone who has a PCM1 and wants to upgrade the maps whilst retaining the OEM look.

Good result! And the cost was......??

£150 including 2009 UK & Ireland Maps .... which depending on how you look at it is either quite a lot for a couple of CD's or about the same as a Tom-Tom .... I'm now looking on ebay try and find Opel / Vauxhall European discs.....

hey tw996, I've just put a deposit down on an 02 996, and am in the same boat as yourself. I want to keep the car stock with the oem pcm1 unit - could you tell me more about the ipod kit you installed? i looked at the connect2 site, and saw that it connects over fm, correct? how do you find the quality of sound etc?

Having spent a wee while looking at PCM1 upgrades, seems the best bet is Gil at Quicksilver for his upgrade. i went to speak to Vauxhall about their siemens VDO system that would appear to be compatible with the later software versions of PCM1 but the cost of ordering the disk from them was (£215) greater than the software update and 2009 map update from Gil. (£130 plus vat). I have also learnt that PCM 1 wired cars are not compatible with PCM 2 - but that came from an OPC so i stand to be corrected......i have to admit i did not ask about ipods further to previous....total cost was £170 including the software upgrade and postage, functionality seems good so far but only had a quick mess about with it. No apparent graphics update so those of you who looking for a better map will be disappointed!

Just to update, I followed tw996's advice and contacted Gil at Quicksilver Auto. I had previously been running a 2000 – 02 disc and I must say the 2009 mapping appears much more detailed and whilst navigating in the Map display mode, a new graphics window is visible in the top left of the screen which replicates the symbolic display – Arrows, distance to turn, roundabout exit etc Whilst I accept that the PCM1 is never going to be a patch on any of the double Din Din systems out there, it does at least provide provide basic navigation functionality and integrates seamlessly with the rest of the car and with the 2009 disc, the car now knows were it lives :lol: In summary would can really recommend it to anyone who has a PCM1 and wants to upgrade the maps whilst retaining the OEM look.

I looked into this a year or so ago. I have the PCM1 unit but the 8bit version. I was told only the 16bit version could be upgraded. Is this still the case ?