GPS Updates?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
At the local watering hole my towns only surveyor hangs out there. I asked him that question a few years ago. He says in my town of 60,000 people there are 7 survey pins that are guaranteed to be exactly where they are supposed to be. The town posts any new streets to a web service and the GPS companies take it from there. Using satellite images and those pin locations they can triangulate the exact location of the new roads. Pretty space age stuff.
On a side note, a couple years ago one of the golf courses we play changed the order in which you play the holes. I sent a note to the company that made my GPS range finder and within a couple hours I got a reply saying they had confirmed the changes and they had also noticed some of the tee boxes had been moved since they mapped that course. They gave me the date that next download would be available which I downloaded and now the GPS unit follows the holes in the correct order.
On a side note, a couple years ago one of the golf courses we play changed the order in which you play the holes. I sent a note to the company that made my GPS range finder and within a couple hours I got a reply saying they had confirmed the changes and they had also noticed some of the tee boxes had been moved since they mapped that course. They gave me the date that next download would be available which I downloaded and now the GPS unit follows the holes in the correct order.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
For you guys in the US with cheap cell phone rates I get it's cheaper to just use phone data. For me in Canada I would need to add about $500 annually to my cost to get enough data to use my phone. Updating it every five years or so is way cheaper for me. Plus it's more about updating the points of interests (gas, food, hotels) than it is about the maps.
My other work around with high roaming fees is to use a cellular capable iPad in my tour pak with a Verizon simcard and a pay as you go plan. Then I use it's hotspot for data on my iPhone. You can't sign up online since your credit card must have a US address but I have yet to have a Verizon store turn me away with cash. If I run out of data I just stop by a store to buy more. This option may work with an old cell phone too.
Most newer cell phones support "e-sims" now. I may look into this for up coming trips. It will let you add another pay as you go data plan or phone # to allow you to use local rates.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
I've had good luck with Maps.me and a cellphone mount when traveling in the US. It will download a large area of data using wifi. I will download all the areas I need before the trip. They seem to update the data regularly and still have a pretty good search if you need to find gas, motels or other locations when off line. Maps.me is also compatible with CarPlay.
My other work around with high roaming fees is to use a cellular capable iPad in my tour pak with a Verizon simcard and a pay as you go plan. Then I use it's hotspot for data on my iPhone. You can't sign up online since your credit card must have a US address but I have yet to have a Verizon store turn me away with cash. If I run out of data I just stop by a store to buy more. This option may work with an old cell phone too.
Most newer cell phones support "e-sims" now. I may look into this for up coming trips. It will let you add another pay as you go data plan or phone # to allow you to use local rates.
My other work around with high roaming fees is to use a cellular capable iPad in my tour pak with a Verizon simcard and a pay as you go plan. Then I use it's hotspot for data on my iPhone. You can't sign up online since your credit card must have a US address but I have yet to have a Verizon store turn me away with cash. If I run out of data I just stop by a store to buy more. This option may work with an old cell phone too.
Most newer cell phones support "e-sims" now. I may look into this for up coming trips. It will let you add another pay as you go data plan or phone # to allow you to use local rates.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 351
From: Holly Springs, North Carolina
2014 thru 2018 is the Boom GT Nav. 2019 & up is Boom GTS Nav
For folks that already know this, just ignore the post.
I hope this clears up confusion that some have regarding software updates for the Boom GT Radio 2014-2018.
First, the latest operating software for the Boom GT radio itself is Version 1.22.0.3. The latest Dealer Locator is 2021-1.
You can do these yourself or most dealers will do it for free. DEALERS DO NOT UPDATE MAPS FOR FREE!
Map updating is basically a subscription service. You will have to download Naviextras Toolbox software to a computer, do a "fingerprint" of your Boom GT radio onto a USB stick, then PURCHASE & download the new updates onto a USB stick. The update is $150.00
The current maps are called NA-MY2020. and while it says 2020, the actual maps are from the second quarter of 2018. Maps are updated about every 3 years. If your were thinking of buying the map update soon, I would wait. A new update is bound to be released soon. See link for details on the 2019 GTS & above also.
The GTS procedure I think has changed possibly.
https://harley-davidson.naviextras.c...?selectedTab=2
For folks that already know this, just ignore the post.
I hope this clears up confusion that some have regarding software updates for the Boom GT Radio 2014-2018.
First, the latest operating software for the Boom GT radio itself is Version 1.22.0.3. The latest Dealer Locator is 2021-1.
You can do these yourself or most dealers will do it for free. DEALERS DO NOT UPDATE MAPS FOR FREE!
Map updating is basically a subscription service. You will have to download Naviextras Toolbox software to a computer, do a "fingerprint" of your Boom GT radio onto a USB stick, then PURCHASE & download the new updates onto a USB stick. The update is $150.00
The current maps are called NA-MY2020. and while it says 2020, the actual maps are from the second quarter of 2018. Maps are updated about every 3 years. If your were thinking of buying the map update soon, I would wait. A new update is bound to be released soon. See link for details on the 2019 GTS & above also.
The GTS procedure I think has changed possibly.
https://harley-davidson.naviextras.c...?selectedTab=2
Last edited by BigDawgQC; Jan 21, 2023 at 08:48 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 2,507
From: Lake Orion, MI
Yes they do - and I use them quite a bit.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I haven't had my head in this for a while, but as I recall the HD GPS software and data came from Harman-Kardon. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Harman-Kardon has abandoned all involvement in the GPS business, and is never going to update their data.
Harman-Kardon has abandoned all involvement in the GPS business, and is never going to update their data.
