Command Sat nav Update 2020 v.13

[Mr. B]

Just collected car from Merc dealership after having the latest update installed for Command sat nav Europe 2020 v.13.
Out of interest does anybody know what the updates are from the previous version ?
Do I assume it’s just UK and European roads in general ?

 

[johnaglcv6]

Hi Mr B,
I am not sure if all Commands are the same on all MB vehicles as you don't state what vehicle you have , I have just had an annual service on my GLC and asked for an update from V13 (May 19) they confirmed as updated but its still the same, may be a lousy dealer but perhaps covid has delayed things.

 

[markjay]

According to richard, the latest version of maps for NTG5*2 (fitted to C-Class W205) is v14.0 2020. See also:

NTG5*2 and NTG5.5 new map releases | Electronics and Audio

A new map for COMAND NTG5*2 (V14 - 2020) was released late last week (and PIN codes then became available today or over the weekend), and NTG5.5 V18.0 was released a week or two ago. If your C/GLC/E/S/Vito/AMG-GT is about to be 3 years old, at least get the map PIN whilst it it is still free...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

It's a free download from MB, all you need from the dealer is the PIN code for your VIN, so no need to book the car in again (unless you want them to do the job for you).

 

[Headhurts]

Hi Mr B,
I am not sure if all Commands are the same on all MB vehicles as you don't state what vehicle you have , I have just had an annual service on my GLC and asked for an update from V13 (May 19) they confirmed as updated but its still the same, may be a lousy dealer but perhaps covid has delayed things.

I had the same from my dealership, when I went back to query the workshop manager spoke with me and confirmed the latest version if connected to Mercedes was as in my car but that they could install a newer update but that would require them downloading the maps to a memory stick and then installing into the car.

They could not install the very latest maps as could be supplied by Comand Online in Lightwater as apparently they would always have a later update available.

In the end I was happy as the maps were a later version and the last of my free updates.

Robin

 

[johnaglcv6]

According to richard, the latest version of maps for NTG5*2 (fitted to C-Class W205) is v14.0 2020. See also:

NTG5*2 and NTG5.5 new map releases | Electronics and Audio

A new map for COMAND NTG5*2 (V14 - 2020) was released late last week (and PIN codes then became available today or over the weekend), and NTG5.5 V18.0 was released a week or two ago. If your C/GLC/E/S/Vito/AMG-GT is about to be 3 years old, at least get the map PIN whilst it it is still free...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

It's a free download from MB, all you need from the dealer is the PIN code for your VIN, so no need to book the car in again (unless you want them to do the job for you).

Hi markjay, good, I will contact my dealer.

I had thought that the update had to be installed on the dealers "star machine" but I will speak to them.

 

[markjay]

Hi markjay, good, I will contact my dealer.

I had thought that the update had to be installed on the dealers "star machine" but I will speak to them.

a. A firmware update (aka 'software update') will update the operating system and the navigation software on your COMAND unit. It will not update the maps data. The firmware itself is provided free-of-charge by MB, but because it can only be updated using STAR, you will have to pay the dealer for the labour (typically half hour labour charge).

Alternatively, if you have a complaint regarding an issue with your COMAND unit, the dealer will - in most cases - offer the software update free of charge i.e. under warranty.


b. A maps data update can be done at home. The files can be downloaded to your PC, then copied to a USB flash drive, and uploaded to the car. The upload takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. STAR is not required. However, when uploading the maps to the car, you will be prompted to enter a PIN. This PIN is unique to your vehicle's VIN, and will need to be purchased from the dealer.

That said, if you can't be bothered to download the maps to your PC, copy the data to USB, and then upload it to the car - then you can let the dealer do the whole lot for you.


c. Once you are out of the 3-year free maps update period, you can get all of the above done by forum sponsors Comand UK www.comandonline.co.uk - they are based in Lightwater off the M3, and well worth the drive

 

[johnaglcv6]

Thanks,

I will speak to them next week.

 

[ckember]

been trying to get my glc updated , first as part of the B service, planned for a month, but was left off the list of jobs to do, even after explicitly asking 3 people at MB to make sure it was done, when they then rebooked it in, they couldn't complete it, as was taking too long to download, my comand needs it putting on a USB stick. they have now had the car for 6 days over three separate visits and 2 dealers, and still can't update it. now saying its a problem with the STAR devices! this 3 year free updates thing is a joke, had to ourchae the discs for my w218 to update that as they wouldn't do it during the services

 

[markjay]

been trying to get my glc updated , first as part of the B service, planned for a month, but was left off the list of jobs to do, even after explicitly asking 3 people at MB to make sure it was done, when they then rebooked it in, they couldn't complete it, as was taking too long to download, my comand needs it putting on a USB stick. they have now had the car for 6 days over three separate visits and 2 dealers, and still can't update it. now saying its a problem with the STAR devices! this 3 year free updates thing is a joke, had to ourchae the discs for my w218 to update that as they wouldn't do it during the services

The most current version is v14.0 (see previous posts).

Normally, the dealer would download the maps update files, generate a PIN Code for your car's VIN on VeDOK using STAR, then upload the files to the car and apply the PIN Code.

I suggest that you ask the dealer to let you have the PIN Code. This will allow you to update the maps yourself at a later date if the dealer does not manage to do it.

BTW, if you have a good Internet connection at home, you can download the maps yourself (it's about 40gb of data), and copy the files top a USB flash drive once the download is over. It's a free download form MB (but you obviously need to pay for the PIN Code, unless your car is less than 3 years old and still covered by the 3-year free maps update).

You can then either upload the files to the car yourself (you'll need to have the PIN Code to hand) - it takes between one and two hours to complete the upload in the car - or you could hand the USB flash drive with files to the dealer to complete the update for you.

Also, as long as they have generated the PIN Code, and have the files to hand on a USB drive, then the rest of the update can be completed without STAR. That said, while they have the car on STAR anyway, ask them to update the COMAND firmware while they are at it (if a newer version is available), it's free.

 

[ckember]

The most current version is v14.0 (see previous posts).

Normally, the dealer would download the maps update files, generate a PIN Code for your car's VIN on VeDOK using STAR, then upload the files to the car and apply the PIN Code.

I suggest that you ask the dealer to let you have the PIN Code. This will allow you to update the maps yourself at a later date if the dealer does not manage to do it.

BTW, if you have a good Internet connection at home, you can download the maps yourself (it's about 40gb of data), and copy the files top a USB flash drive once the download is over. It's a free download form MB (but you obviously need to pay for the PIN Code, unless your car is less than 3 years old and still covered by the 3-year free maps update).

You can then either upload the files to the car yourself (you'll need to have the PIN Code to hand) - it takes between one and two hours to complete the upload in the car - or you could hand the USB flash drive with files to the dealer to complete the update for you.

Also, as long as they have generated the PIN Code, and have the files to hand on a USB drive, then the rest of the update can be completed without STAR. That said, while they have the car on STAR anyway, ask them to update the COMAND firmware while they are at it (if a newer version is available), it's free.

 

[ckember]

hi MarkJay

thanks for the response , how do I download i looked to do this, but the mercedesme site doesn't give me the option for that

I also asked them to update the firmware, and they said there wasn't one

Cheers
Chris

 

[esscee]

Not much of a dealer then?

 

[ckember]

appears they need 4 new star units, as they have become corrupted

 

[Mr. B]

The most current version is v14.0 (see previous posts).

If my W176 went in last week for a service and was given a v13 update, why wasn’t it given the v14.
Is each model different?

 

[markjay]

You'll need to regsite

If my W176 went in last week for a service and was given a v13 update, why wasn’t it given the v14.
Is each model different?

Dealers can take their time before they download and start installing the latest version. It's common for them to start installing the new version only 2-3 months after it is released.

If you go back to the dealer and ask them to give you the PIN Code for v14.0, you can then download and install it yourself.

If your car is still within the free 3 years update period, the dealer can generate up to 3 PIN Codes during that time.

 

[Mr. B]

I’m still within the 3 year period so that’s worth noting. Thanks for that.

 

[easyonthegas]

Some good comments - and it is surprising the MB dealers appear content just to get rid of their customers. Would it not be easier for MB to publish their software versions??

I have just checked on my Mercedes Me portal and software version 18 came out in May for the Comand versions, but the latest maps are version 371 which came out in September 2020. MarkJay has some very good pointers to download the data and it does take hours to download then upload - I have done it twice. I did not need a PIN number though.

 

[jimbg]

I just downloaded the UK and FRance and took minutes rather than Hours, no plans to visit Russia, Iceland etc in my car soon!

 

[Wheelnut58]

I had this installed on my command last December

 

[markjay]

Some good comments - and it is surprising the MB dealers appear content just to get rid of their customers. Would it not be easier for MB to publish their software versions??

I have just checked on my Mercedes Me portal and software version 18 came out in May for the Comand versions, but the latest maps are version 371 which came out in September 2020. MarkJay has some very good pointers to download the data and it does take hours to download then upload - I have done it twice. I did not need a PIN number though.

NTG2.5 and NTG4 do not require a PIN code when updating the maps from media (DVD).

NTG4.5 and higher do require a PIN code when updating the maps from media (DVD, USB, or SD-Card).

Updating 'over the air' (where supported) will not require a PIN code, as the car's eligibility is being verified online.