^^^^

Totally 100% agree. There Is the Magnuson-Moss Act, refer to it.

 

The newest version is 12.1...

 

Thanks, Mickey. We'll try again when our GX goes in for its 42 month/36,000 mile service this Spring.
Regards,

SaniDel

 

Our 2010 GX 460 went in for its 35,000 mile/42 month service, including an update to the navigation system that will cost $320.
Regards,

SaniDel

 

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but to answer a couple of questions, that USB thumb drive does not contain the map data. It is simply a "key" that allow the map data to be downloaded from the Lexus diagnostic computer. You can't just plug it into the USB port and expect it to work. It has to be done at a dealer. This applies to all Lexus that have a HDD based Nav system. Also a new update comes out every October/November time frame. Usually only updating every 2-3 years is sufficient.

 

Thanks for this useful clarification, offroad200!

It seemed "too good to be true" that we could simply buy a USB thumb drive and do it ourself. Why would Lexus forgo such an obvious profit opportunity?

As I mentioned, our 2010 GX 460 is getting its update while it is in for its 35,000 mile/42 month service. I expect this will take the navigation system from version 9.1 as delivered in late-2009 to version 12 ... perhaps 12.1 as others have reported.

For this, Lexus charges $320, almost all of which is profit as there are no material costs, the labor costs are minimal and the time to do it happens while the rest of the vehicle is being serviced.
Regards,

SaniDel

P.S. Do you know the "back story" about why version 12 wasn't available in late-2012 as expected, but was delayed until this Spring? I've heard several explanations ... including Hurricane Sandy!

 

No clue. Sorry.

 

Our 2010 GX 460 navigation system was updated to version 12.1, which required Lexus Part Number LEX PT219-HDDG6-12. That is presumably the USB thumb drive, which has a list price of $244.88 and was sold to us for $169. The labor to install the update was $124.95 for a total cost of $293.95.

I have no idea if the USB thumb drive is still in our vehicle or if it was simply used as a 'key' and retained by the dealership ... perhaps to be resold to the next customer? It's a moot point as I don't expect to do this again.

Whether version 12.1 in 2013 is significantly different than version 9.1 as manufactured in late-2009 remains to be seen on our next road trip.
Regards,

SaniDel

 

I find this interesting.

http://www.lexusnavigation.com/what_to_order.php

Input for the following release in the fall is generally closed in September of the prior calendar year. For example, the information to be included on the Ver. 12.1 updates was closed in September 2011. This is necessary to allow sufficient time to verify the accuracy of data to be provided on the update.

~ Cap

 

Good information, Cap ... thanks!

The GX 460 has Generation 6 USB whereas most other 2013 model year Lexus have generation 7 ACN (activation card number). Perhaps the next update to the GX will incorporate this change, but that is hardly a reason to change vehicles!
Regards,

SaniDel


P.S. Our Lexus dealer provided a loaner vehicle for the three days that our GX was in for service. My opinion of loaner vehicles is that they often indicate what is NOT selling well at the time. I was not surprised that our loaner was a 2013 RX 450h ... the hybrid version of the RX 350. It was totally tricked with 19" wheels, low profile tires, perforated leather seats in a scrumptious milk chocolate color and of course the Generation 7 navigation system. Other than adding a function for finding gasoline prices at nearby service stations ... and the 'haptic' controller, which I despise ... it seemed to be "more show than go" compared to the Generation 6 system in our GX. Another reason not to trade in 2014!

 

The thumb drive isn't in your vehicle, the dealer keeps it and I don't know what they do with it. I don't think they can use it on another vehicle...

 

That is correct. It can't be used again. They usually keep it. After use it's only useful as a standard USB thumb drive. It's doesn't even hold that much, like 8MB or something. Can't remember exactly but it's not much.

 

So it really is a 'key' that 'unlocks' the navigation system for the update. Also, it is a single-use key to prevent its reuse, which insures the cash stream to Lexus for every use. An 8 MB USB thumb drive is essentially worthless as it holds so little. My guess is that they go into the trash!
Regards,

SaniDel