Upgraded CD for PCM1 Navigation Unit

Got an interesting note from PCNA today that I thought I'd share with everyone. I've been calling asking for the update for 2002. Here's the note: December 23, 2002 Dear Mr. {pete01_996}: This letter is in response to your recent inquiry to PCNA, in which you requested an upgraded CD for your PCM1 Navigational Unit. We understand your need for an upgraded CD, and we want you to know that this is not only a concern that affects Porsche customers in North America, but it is a worldwide issue. Therefore, Porsche AG and the manufacturer of this unit are currently reviewing the matter. At this point we regret that we cannot provide you with an answer; owever, we will continue to monitor this situation and you will be notified of the outcome. We ask for your continued patience, and we thank you for your inquiry. Sincerly, PCNA Customer Commitment Group End of letter: Doesn't sound good. Think they've washed their hands of the PCM1? or has Siemens washed their hands of the PCM1? I talked to NavTech and they were waiting for some files they needed from Siemens/Porsche to produce the update. Man this is frustrating! I spent a lot of money on that friggin PCM!! Any comments?

I placed an order for the updated disk with Navtech about three weeks ago and was told they expect to ship sometime in late January. The PCM is a pretty expensive option for Porsche to abandon support <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

I live in an area where the Nav system is worthless. If you scream loud enough, PCNA may acomodate you in some way. AS

Sorry...I've missed this story.........so you tried to get updated MAP CD from NavTech and they said they were waitin on Siemens/Porsche?...so you asked PCNA whatsup....& they actually acknowledged there was a problem (of some kind)?....that's it? Have we heard any other rumblings on a Siemens/Porsche support or relationship problem? Gotta say, Siemens was a poor choice for a partner on that system in the 1st place.

[quote]Originally posted by Alexander Stemer: <strong>I live in an area where the Nav system is worthless. If you scream loud enough, PCNA may acomodate you in some way. AS</strong><hr></blockquote> I'd love to know what you mean by this. Maybe you can't/don't want to say. So I won't ask. I've got high expectations that the update would be a major improvement. I've got last years NavTech database for my Garmin and I've yet to find a street it doesn't have {assuming the street has existed for at least a year}. For instance ... in your area, it's got "Bailey Station Road" {a little dead end street near the center of town} as well as what must be all the streets south/east of I-94.

Just spoke with Navtech and the 2002 update is slated to ship this week for the Porsche PCM navigation system . . .

Let me add my comments (actually, utter frustrations) on the PCM1. I have a 2001 996 with PCM. In April of this year (2003), my dealer performed some kind of a recall (campaign 305) on the PCM. Thus, I thought that PCM is up to date. I procceded to order a 2003 map CD from Navtech. When this CD is inserted, PCM fails to initialize and indicates that there is an error reading the CD. According to Navtech, there is a "memory" issue with the older PCMs. PCNA Customer Commitment (what an oxymoron!) give me their standard line, take it to your dealer. Dealer's Porsche specialist noted the problem, and indicated that he would find out from the factory if this is indeed a problem and if there is a remedy for it. This was about 3 weeks ago. According to this person, so far he has not received any responses from Porsche (Supposedly Porsche Germany's computer system has been down. Right!). If anybody else has sucessfully used 2003 map CDs in the PCM1, please let me know. But, based on my experience, it sure appears that Porsche and Siemens have given up on the PCM1.