Community GPS questions

These are questions from the community answered by the community. You can help out by answering questions or even posting your own.

• Why should I choose a GPS system powered by Whereis^® maps?

  A: 

  When it comes to mapping and navigation, Whereis^® is Australia and New Zealands number one brand* (include disclaimer from corporate brochure). With more than 15 years experience, Whereis® understands local conditions, making our mapping database one of the most comprehensive on offer.

  In addition to excellent coverage of urban and regional areas, Whereis^® has been recognised as providing rural mapping data superior to that of its competitors.

  Read Choice Australia's review of several GPS devices.

  
  

• How can I update my map data?

  A:  Hi have read as much as I can find but still unable to determine how to update the map in my Mercedes E320 which is a 2004 model. Where is this product available, what is it exactly and how much? I am based in Adelaide. Many thanks.
  A:  Hi, can I buy the update in a retail store or mercedes dealership? or do i have to purchase online? if i purchase online is there a sydney outlet of your company that i can pick the product up directly? i need it by this friday.
  A:  Hi Marek Yes, you will need to wait for your purchase to arrive. Thanks
  A:  I have paid for lifetime maps. Do I need to wait for the Express Post of can I download from Garmin Website? Thanks MAREK
  A:  Unable tolcoate Nuvi 1760 for map update
  A:  It's easy to update your navigation device or in-car system to the latest Whereis^® map data. To learn how to update your built-in car navigation, watch a two-minute video or get step-by-step instructions here. For more information about updating portable GPS devices, check with your local retailer or visit the Whereis maps online store.
  

• How often should I update the Whereis^® maps in my GPS navigation system?

  A:  When is Version 17 scheduled for release to suit Range Rover 2008
  A:  wondering if you can tell me when the whereis map is updated as i got a Nuvi 255w in november and it came with a free update it expires on 10/01/11 is it worth while updating the map or is there a new map due out later which will make this free update a waste of time updating thanks for your time
  A:  Joan, what type of vehicle do your drive? Version 16 maps is the most current in-car GPS map update available for the majority of makes and models that carry Whereis maps. Thanks.
  A:  Could you please advised me when is the 2010 update is due to be released thank you joan
  A:  Whereis^® releases maps major updates approximately once each year. Whilst the Australian road network changes significantly every year, how often you choose to update your maps is likely to depend on how frequently and extensively you travel in areas where you can benefit from a GPS navigation system. Learn more about map updates.
  

• What is Whereis^® Mobile?

  A:  This is a great feature, I use it all the time! Keep up the great work Whereis!
  A:  With Whereis^® Mobile, you can access maps and point-to-point directions on any internet-connected mobile phone even if it doesn’t have GPS capability. Just point your phone’s internet browser to http://mobile.whereis.com. Learn more.
  

• What is Whereis^® Navigator?

  A:  Is it correct that Telstre Next G users have free access to some Wherels features? Can you advise and if so what are they.
  A:  For Telstra Mobile customers with a compatible phone, Whereis^® Navigator can help you find your way in Next G™ coverage areas. You can browse maps, search for locations and much more. Currently there is a free 7-day trial available. Visit http://telstra.com/getnav to get more information regarding the free trial.You can purchase a subscription or day-pass and get GPS-voice guided-navigation with live traffic incident data. Restrictions on driver use exist in some States and Territories and you should check local rules before use. Special restrictions and prohibitions apply to L and P plate drivers. Learn more.
  

• What is Whereis^® Everyone?

  A:  Whereis Everyone is a location-based service that lets people with a Telstra Mobile service locate each other using the Telstra GSM, 3G and Next G™ mobile networks. People can see each other’s approximate location as a street and suburb description, and also on a Whereis^® map. Learn more.
  

• What is GPS?

  A:  GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system that uses a network of satellites that continuously circle the earth and transmit time-based signals that anyone can receive with a GPS unit in order to fix their position on the earth’s surface.
  

• How accurate is a location measured by a GPS unit?

  A:  While the accuracy of your GPS location depends on the quality of your GPS receiver and the number of satellites it is locked to, you can generally expect that the location indicated by your GPS is accurate to within about 10-15 metres.
  

• Why should I purchase a GPS navigation system?

  A:  With an Australian GPS navigation system, you’ll have maps for virtually the entire country. With most systems, you can access point-to-point directions and point-of interest information about local businesses, tourist destinations and much more.
  

• How much does it cost to use a GPS navigation system?

  A:  The global GPS satellite radio signal system is freely accessible to all, so there are no GPS usage costs for standalone systems (such as in-car navigation systems and portable GPS devices from manufacturers such as Garmin and TomTom).
  

• Where do GPS navigation devices and systems work?

  A:  Your GPS navigation system should work anywhere your device or system has an unobstructed view of the sky. If there is a GPS antenna, be sure it is pointing towards the sky.
  

• What should I do when I enter a tunnel if I’m using GPS navigation?

  A:  While the accuracy of your GPS location depends on the quality of your GPS receiver and the number of satellites it is locked to, you can generally expect that the location indicated by your GPS is accurate to within about 10-15 metres.
  

• my screen has frozen how do i fix

  A:  Hi Barry Are you referring to the screen on your gps device? If so, portable nav device or in-buitl into the car dashboard?
  

• my htc hd2 screen flickers once I switch of my whereis navigator.

  A:  Hi Anthony Anthony from the Marketing Team here - we had one of our mobile testers try and recreate the issue you experienced but was not able to. Is there any more info you can give with regards to what you were trying to undertake with the phone when the flickering commenced? Also can you confirm this is occuring with Whereis Navigator and not Whereis Mobile? Thanks
  

• what is the latest map software version availible?

  A:  Hi Scott - are you referring to a built-in (dashboard) GPS system? If so, most automotive manufacturers carrying Whereis Maps in their GPS systems offer Version16 as the latest update available.
  

• How can I cancel my mobile whereis maps subscription for my mobile phone gps?

  A:  I have a Samsung Omnia II icon, gt-i800T, i went into the program "My Account" and then to "My Purchases" and then "My subscriptions" select "details and receipt" and there is a shiny button that says "Cancel Subscription" you click that and the subscription will expire within 24 hours
  A:  Rang Telstra they once again said it had nothing to do with them.I was put through to another Telstra person who said I had to go through my mobile and cancel it myself in ''''My Subsciptions''''...Whata ballsup....well hope this helps someone else if they need to cancel :-/ sheeez
  A:  You have to ring Telstra apparently ( after Telstra told me I had to contact ''''Whereis'''') ????? The run around begins !!!
  

• Is the latest Whereis map for AUS/NZ compatible with my (older) Garmin Nuvi360?

  A:  Onetime and Lifetime Updates that are currently listed for sale here do not seem to be compatible with an older nuvi360, however it''s probably best to check on the Garmin website for confirmation.
  

• Which version is used in a Ford G6E Turbo.

  A:  Hi Vince, The Mitsubishi system does not have speciality off road data. However the current map data does contain many 4wd tracks. Points-of-interest (POI’s) have been included to allow navigation to, and through 110 recogised four wheel drive tracks. Some of these however do not have the complete geometry as may be expected. The POI’s represent the start & end points of the tracks. Road geometry is present in the database for display only (no navigation along the road). By the nature of off road tracks the geometry may not always reflect the actual physical situation precisely (track closures, weather influences etc.) and precautions appropriate to the situation must be taken by the driver. Dependent on hardware and application implementation the encoding for 4WD tracks allows the driver to navigate to the track beginning or end; the assumption is that the navigation system allows routing on back roads to a specified destination point. The driver can then follow their progress against the geometry or place successive destination points via map selection. Two (2) POI’s have been added to the start and end of each track under two categories. We are unsure of the names of the POI categories in the Mitsubishi system because this is controlled by Mitsubishi but the categories should be similar to ''Tourist Attraction'' and ''Park & Recreation Area''. All you need to do is a search on “4WD” and you should get the complete list. Apologies for not being more precise but we are not familiar with the Mitsubishi system.
  A:  I have a new Mitsubishi Challenger 2010. We are going off road in WA does whereis have an off road track map version to fit the inbuilt GPS system for this vehicle.
  A:  If it is factory fitted in the dash (like in my G6E), then it is a VDO Dayton device.
  

• Can Whereis be installed in a generic GPS?

  A:  Whereis maps are compatible with certain in-car satellite navigation systems and portable devices. Please refer to the Buy Updates page for some of the systems where compatibility exists. The site does not sell all Whereis maps updates so its best to speak with your manufacturer to confirm.
  

• How do I unsubscribe from whereis navigator on my phone?

  A:  You can cancel your subscription via the BigPond Portal on your handset, then'' My Account'' then ''Subscriptions''
  

• When is Version 17 scheduled to be released for Toyota in dash navigation systems

  A:  Version 17 for Toyota is now available from our site.
  

• I have a new car but the maps in my built-in GPS are not the most current available, why?

  A:  We provide raw map data to our partners on a yearly basis. They determine what information they want to take from the raw data to create the next version of the car’s map. The updated map then becomes part of the vehicle manufacturer/assembly process. The vehicle manufacturing process can take 9 to 12 months, which is why the maps are sometimes superseded by the time the car makes it into the market. How quickly the in-car map updates become available is also the car manufacturer’s decision.
  

• Why are map updates for built-in satellite navigation units so expensive when mobile phone and portable GPS updates are free or very competitively priced?

  A:  Price differences between products are caused by a couple of key factors: - the ‘supply chain’ that the mapping information needs to go through before becoming available to a customer, and - the number of GPS units sold. For example, the raw map data we supply to say a Land Rover, Toyota or Garmin makes up a component of the map update product process. The final product and its pricing are under the manufacturer’s control.
  

• My GPS unit does not appear to be that accurate - streets and roads are missing as well as distances to turns etc are out by considerable margins.Why is this happening?

  A:  While the accuracy of your GPS location depends on the quality of your GPS receiver and the number of satellites it is locked to, you can generally expect that the location indicated by your GPS is accurate to within about 10-15 metres. If it looks like there is missing or inaccurate map information, raising a map anomaly is the best course of action to getting the situation rectified. http://www.whereismaps.com/report-map-corrections.aspx
  

• Why would I bother updating my maps regularly? Roads don’t change that much.

  A:  You’d actually be surprised how much the Australian road network does change every year. We capture between 10,000 – 15,000 kilometers of new roads with each map update. Then you’ve got the ongoing increases to points-of-interest like hotels, ATMs, hospitals and gyms that map updates include. How often you then choose to update your maps is likely to depend on how frequently and extensively you travel in areas where you can benefit from a GPS navigation system.
  

• Why aren’t speed and red light camera alerts included in the features offered within in-car GPS satellite navigation systems?

  A:  Whereis® provides raw map data to vehicle manufacturers which include these types of alerts. It’s then up to the individual manufacturers to decide whether they wish to incorporate these features into the final product.
  

• Do the Whereis Maps vehicles collect street view data?

  A:  No, we do not collect street view data.
  

• How can I tell which version of whereis sat DVD is in my 2011 cx 9?

• How can I tell if my car is being tracked, and if it is how can I stop this from happening

• What are the updates in V17 for Mazda 6? Does it have spoken street names and 3D maps?

• I had a built in system put into my lease car. Does the lease cost cover map updates. If so how do I get the update.

• none

• I have an old AWA x100 GPS with very old whereis maps installed. Can I update it? If so how do I update it?

  A:  Can I up grade the maps on my AWA X100 GPS and how much does it cost.
  

• i want to update the map on my garmin nuvi 465T but its not listed on the devices, how can i get it updated??

• Hi, Will the ANZ map for Nuvi 1350 will be suitable to Nuvi 1300? Thanks

• Are there maps for river navigation, eg Richmond/Clarence Rivers?

• I am visiting the usa next week and would like to download a map for California

• Is the version 17 Disc you supply the same as a Mazda Dealer would supply me for a CX-9 current model.