End of Sensus Support

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by pilkers

Selling a system with built in obsolescence is surely mis selling. This will be my first Volvo, and if true, it will not be a good start to my dealings with Volvo.

Every single vehicle manufacturer on this planet stops support at some time. I remember when I could no longer buy replacement parts for a Volkswagen Golf because they were no longer manufactured.

Software and maps is exactly the same. Do you expect map updates in 100 years? 50? 20? 10? 5? 2? 1? Your expectations change with time. No one expects map updates after 100 years. But they do after 1 year. So where is the limit? The limit sits between 1 and 100 years and is decided by the manufacturer.

[apersson850]

For the particular car models dealt with in this forum section, this information relates to the Sensus system installed in cars with model years 2012 and 2013. So they will be at least seven years old when the last update is released.

The Sensus navigation system installed in these models 2014-2016 will be supported a while longer. Nothing has been said about how long yet.

Finally, yes, the information is true. It's already listed on Volvo's own accessory web site, at least here in Sweden.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by apersson850

For the particular car models dealt with in this forum section, this information relates to the Sensus system installed in cars with model years 2012 and 2013. So they will be at least seven years old when the last update is released.

The Sensus navigation system installed in these models 2014-2016 will be supported a while longer. Nothing has been said about how long yet.

Finally, yes, the information is true. It's already listed on Volvo's own accessory web site, at least here in Sweden.

But surely the 2012 and 2013 models can be upgraded with a simple software update to be able to use the USB free map upgrade which cars up to 2017 have ? I would not take too much notice of what volvo public web sites say :-)

[apersson850]

You can take as little notice as you like.

But for the rest of us, yes, the 2012-2013 models can be upgraded to allow map updates via USB. That's the only way now, since no more DVDs are published.
But, the format of the maps for the 2012-2013 Sensus RTI is different from the format used for the 2014-2016 Sensus Navigation system. So the newer maps don't fit the older system.

As we have one 2012 and one 2016, I'm very familiar with updating the two different systems.

If you like, you can have a look at this web page. Although it's in Swedish, you can still dechiper the dates for the last two map updates, in a yellow box, being June 2018 and 2020, respectively.

[apersson850]

I can add that it's easy to see in your car which Sensus system you have, provided you have any navigation at all. If you do, you have a NAV button under the RADIO button.

If you have a blind button, or one labelled CAM, under the MY CAR button, then you have the Sensus RTI navigation system. That's the one where they plan to release the last map update in 2020.

If you have a globe symbol under the MY CAR button, then you have the newer Sensus navigation system, for which the last support date isn't published yet.
It's also possible that you don't have the full scale navigation system with this configuration. If so, you have the intermediate Internet maps solution, where maps are continuously downloaded from the internet, as you drive. Significantly less functionality, but no manual updates needed.

[Tatsfield]

Originally Posted by Clan

But surely the 2012 and 2013 models can be upgraded with a simple software update to be able to use the USB free map upgrade which cars up to 2017 have ? I would not take too much notice of what volvo public web sites say :-)

The upgrade to which you refer is to enable the system which was released with DVD map upgrading to be able to upgrade maps which could be downloaded from Volvo's website. Sadly it is the availability of these maps which is the issue. Many will have paid money to enable them to use downloaded maps in early Sensus systems and now find that these maps will no longer be available. I do not know if the maps used in later Sensus systems are applicable to the early system but I can only assume that they are not or Volvo wouldn't be announcing the withdrawal of support.

I wasn't looking for advice on how I should come to terms with the lack of support, that's a personal approach that may or may not resonate with others. I am merely saying that if the last non supported Sensus system was produced in 2013, I would have expected the standard 10 year spare part ruling to have kept the system going until 2023. If you never travel outside your town, outside your county or outside your country, you probably don't need an up to date mapping system. I'm not sure that being directed onto a non existent road in a strange location is exactly a safe occurrence and I don't need judgemental advice on having common sense. Can we stick to technical advice.

I just asked if anyone had any ideas on how Volvo owners due to suffer a withdrawal of support for their sat nav systems might find ways to keep their maps upgraded. If there is no way, so be it.

[spyboy]

Whist not strictly on topic, it would be a good thing if GPS systems were replaced with the 'what3words' system of location designation.

[Tatsfield]

I like that concept but w3w's locator map isn't very well designed. The GPS location for me shows 500 metres away and the poor definition of buildings makes it impossible to accurately judge a point manually. They will need to tidy up their act before anyone takes them seriously.

[SignumGB]

I already have a solution....... My phone sits perfectly within the dash on it's side. Google maps boom!! Used it extensively when driving abroad in France in the summer as it was quicker to use than having to go through the sensus options.

It won't be a disaster and certainly wont need a separate sat nav. Plus google maps displays your speed.

[Tatsfield]

Remember to preload the google map areas through which you will be travelling or you could end up downloading a lot of needless data at roaming costs.