SAT NAV UPGRADE

Hi I have only recently bought my first 911 ( a rather nice 2000 996). It has the built in Sat Nav Unit (which controls everything else). I don't know which version the Sat Nav is running (too lazy to go down and look it up) but I assume it is pretty old as it doesn't appear to have some significant roads on it! Is there an upgrade and if so what sort of price is it and how backwards compatible would it be? Many thanks C4LWX

The system is as old as the data disc. Eject the disc and look at the date on it. If it is too old then buy a 2007 disc.[ ]

Thanks - yes I know I can see the date just wondered whether a new disc would work on an old system - so assume it will. Any ideas on price? Many thanks C4LWX

I think Tony was being tongue in cheek there [ ] You can't just buy a 2007 disk as they are not compatible. Your best bet is either to go to an OPC and get the latest version of the PCM1 disk for around £350 (which will only be up to 2004) or go to www.satnavshop.com( Gerard Mahoney ) Tel: 0121 773 7000, or get the 2006/2007 version from from Navteq in Germany. It is actually a "Vauxhall/Opel" disk, therefore when you try to find a service station it directs you to an Opel one! However, everything else works fine. What they also do is send you a 'software upgrade' CD that you put into your drive first, the PCM does it's thing then you eject it and put in the new Opel one. Price is around 160Euro. Good luck

Apologies for my tounge in cheek reply. Early Sat nav systems are CD based and the latest are DVD based. The latest DVD discs are not compatable with CD systems but you can buy later CD systems if you shop around. CD was fitted up to late 2005 so you should be able to get a much more up to date disc, CD based of course. Porsche may well bell selling 2007 CD based discs but you will need to check with an OPC 'Partsman'.

Many thanks - having been a Pilot for many years with a Garmin system I do think SN in a car is a bit of an overkill however it has proven useful in recent weeks. £100 for an upgrade is scandalous though - I guess I will have to cope with driving over the fields!! C4LWX

There are other ways.......EMule for those into P2P sites. You never spoke to me......right![8D]

Eh?

As far as I know you can only use the Vauxhall maps on PCM1 16 bit systems fitted from Jan '01. There is a thread on this subject with the dates of the systems etc Search for the thread below. (I don't know how to post a link to a thread) PCM1 16 Bit Nav - 29/4/2005 11:42:17 Gerard Mahoney is very knowledgable and I upgraded mine with his discs, an '02 PCM1 16 bit system.

The search engine didn't find that but thanks anyway - do you have contact details for Gerard please? Thank you everyone C4LWX aka Rob

Extract from thread BREAKTHROUGH! I now have the latest (2005) NavTeq GB satnav map installed and working in my car. The Opel / Vauxhall disc does work in the Siemens PCM but first you have to install a bit of Porsche upgrade software. This is very simple as you just insert the upgrade disk, it initialises itself and then asks you where you want to go (my one seems to have the 2003 database on the same disk). Then you insert the 2005 Opel disk, it initialises itself and ... it works! This is all possible because of the perseverence of Gerard Mahoney at: [blockquote] Satnavshop.com 11-15 Stoney lane Sparkbrook Birmingham B12 8DL Tel: 0121 773 7000 [email removed] [/blockquote] I would point out that Gerard put a lot of effort into finding this fix (along with someone he knows at NavTeq) and I did tell him that if he could find a solution then many Porsche drivers would be beating a path to his door. The Opel disk is £109.99 + £6.00p&p and the upgrade disk costs £14.99. This is a bargain compared to Porsche prices. If anyone wants more information, call Gerard at the number above - he is very helpful and knowledgeable. If you need any help from me, just reply. _____________________________ John Burke

Many thanks for this (although your definition of a bargain is a bit different to mine - you can get a whole Sat Nav for that!) Seriously thanks for your help everyone Owning a Porsche is very similar to flying a small plane - everything is 10x the cost it should be! Rob

I have another question - when you upgraded did the display change at all - or was it the same but with a larger (and presumably) better database?

The display was the same. To be honest I couldn't tell the difference but I assume the roads were more up to date. The limitation of course is the fact that its CD based so can't carry a huge database of poi's and it has no postcode search. Incidently I now use a Garmin Nuvi 250 which I bought to tour Europe and don't bother with the PCM satnav. The European discs for the PCM (Vauxhall ones) were £110 per country!

I am afraid you will be wasting your time with your search to utilise the Vauxall/opel route to upgrade C4LWX as I think you will find your PCM is an 8 bit not the 16 bit unit so won't work. I had a C4 2000 and tried exactly what you are trying to do. To be sure you need to remove the disc reader and check the serial number on the rear the PCM 1. 8 bit units finish in either an 01 or 02 whilst the 16 bit PCM 1 finishes in 03. The reader removes in exactly the same way as a standard radio with two fork tools that insert into the two holes either side covered by the plastic covers. You a PPL ? RB

And before the question is asked, yes you can upgrade the CD from an 8 bit player to a 16 bit player...a second hand unit (from the likes of Porsch-apart) is yours for around £400...[ ] And then you'll need the maps and s/w update from Gerald. Please form an orderly queue...

Oooh Oooh! Where can you get stuff at only 10x??? Sounds a bargain! [ ]

OPC Colchester supplied and fitted the plastic front registration plate holder for me for £5.27 less 10% pcgb discount, so not everything is overpriced !

You were stitched up! - they are only £4.67+VAT retail! [ ][ ]