Small towns not on Audi Nav?!

[m0sbf]

Couldn't believe that my Audi Nav system doesn't know where Southam is. The M40 has closed on Sunday so tried to re-programme the navigation to take me from Coventry to Southam (a small Warwickshire town!) and the navigation system didn't have it listed. As I didn't have a postcode, I ended up manually map reading.

My TomTom even has small villages in its database. Am I missing something here?
Anyone else had this issue? Do I need a map update or something and are these free of charge?

Steve

 

[Itguy]

If you have connect did you try the online destination function? Works a treat

 

[cemerson]

One day, car manufacturers will stop trying to create their own nav solutions and just hand the task off to someone who already does it really well - whether that be tomtom or google, or similar. They must put tonnes of work into their nav solutions and still offer something that isn't as good as those companies - it's just a waste of effort!

 

[h5djr]

One day, car manufacturers will stop trying to create their own nav solutions and just hand the task off to someone who already does it really well - whether that be tomtom or google, or similar. They must put tonnes of work into their nav solutions and still offer something that isn't as good as those companies - it's just a waste of effort!

I have my TomTom ONE v3 which I purchased in May 2008 on my desk at the moment so that I can add the latest update to my PGPSW speed camera database. I have just entered Southam and it finds it straight way.

 

[alistairm1]

Some manufacturers are a bit more enlightened and partner with one of the satnav manufacturers. That way they get proven satnav software and maps without the costs of developing their own. Surely a cheaper option than having to employ a development team.

However, I would much prefer the car manufacturers to just provide a hardware platform and allow you to install your navigator of choice.

 

[alistairm1]

To the OP, if you have an address, you can use this to find the postcode

Postcode Finder | Royal Mail Group Ltd

You get 50 free searches a day.

 

[cuke2u]

Some manufacturers are a bit more enlightened and partner with one of the satnav manufacturers. That way they get proven satnav software and maps without the costs of developing their own. Surely a cheaper option than having to employ a development team.

However, I would much prefer the car manufacturers to just provide a hardware platform and allow you to install your navigator of choice.

You can already do this with your smartphone, thus there is a choice. Besides the high technology pack uses google street view and I am sure that the next generation of sat nav will offer even more as it is going to be android based...

 

[alistairm1]

Yes, I understand that, I just don't like having to use two bits of technology where one would suffice.

 

[m0sbf]

Unfortunately I don't have Audi Connect.

I am very surprised that the base navigation system in my A3 is unable to navigate me to the town centre of a reasonable sized UK town! The objective was to re-route myself to the next junction down the M40 to avoid the closure. This is the first time I have found the Audi navigation lacking. My TomTom has a much more extensive town database! Fortunately I had my Ipad so was able to find a postcode. Had to stop and do some web searches.

Audi need to look at the navigation design so that it covers this basic stuff!

 

[cuke2u]

Perhaps this is the one of the reasons why they are changing their systems...

 

[snakehips]

Not gloating but my tech pack satnav finds Southam no problem. I have been very impressed with it so far - best I've ever had. But surely both the HDD and SD systems should be able to find the same place names?

 

[m0sbf]

Not gloating but my tech pack satnav finds Southam no problem. I have been very impressed with it so far - best I've ever had. But surely both the HDD and SD systems should be able to find the same place names?

That's odd. All I did was try to enter a destination town (DEST) and only a few choices came up when "south...." Was entered. Southampton was there of course; but no Southam. When I tried to enter more letters they were greyed out. Maybe there's a newer version, although mine can't be that old as it has the new A46 dual carriageway in Nottinghamshire, where my TomTom still has sections of it incorrectly mapped.

 

[Itguy]

Very strange. I presume it can be seen on the map? Can you scroll to it and view the town? If so, I wonder if it's a spelling mistake on that version of the map or something??!