How to use non-subaru maps on your OEM subaru Nav

hoyabob2003 · 03-01-2012, 01:34 AM

Hi Everyone,

I'm kinda new here and lurk often but rarely have anything good to offer so I don't post.

That said, I have done a lot of research on our OEM subaru navigation units and wanted to consolidate the info here so that you can learn a bit on ways to update your maps without having to purchase the OEM ones from Subaru.

So, firstly the subaru OEM navigation systems in 2007 + Subarus are ALL Kenwood DV3200 based systems. These are actually made by DENSO, who happens to make systems in Toyotas, Saabs, Volvos and Landrovers along with lots of GM vehicles.

This is important because it is possible to use Toyota, Saab, Volvo and Land Rover Maps in your Subaru Navigation system.

Your navigation system "MAP" DVD actually consists of 2 sets of data. The 1st is the "System" and the second is the "Map" itself.

As far as I know, you can only update the "system" software using Subaru branded DVDs, but if all you want is the most up-to-date map data, then you can use certain other DENSO maps, many of which "might" be available to registered users over at gpsunderground.com

The way you get your Subaru Navigation system to load a non-subaru DENSO map is actually quite easy.

1) Eject your current Map Disc
2) Disconnect the battery and then reconnect it
3) Turn your car to the on position, but don't start it
4) Put in your Subaru branded DVD
5) Let the "System" load
6) Eject the Subaru branded DVD
7) Insert your non-subaru DENSO DVD
8) Wait - if you have inserted a compatible DVD, your Navigation will load the map data. Be patient.

If for some reason your system displays the error message "Load Map DVD" and you can't eject the DVD that you just burned, a "secret" way to force the DVD to eject is to press the "tilt" button on your navigation unit and wait until the face tilts all the way, then hold your finger on the upper right corner of the unit until the map dvd ejects.

I am not 100% certain what Denso maps work with what Subaru models specifcally. I can tell you that I have the Toyota Gen 5 V 11.1 (2012) maps running great on my 2009 WRX.

Please don't ask me for maps. You are going to have to find these on your own. They are out there for free if you look and you read my post. Enjoy.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

SVXdc · 03-01-2012, 04:24 AM

Great info, thanks!

What happens if you only turn the key to ACC and not ON? I think that answers the question of why the Navi needs +12V Ignition (pin 16). Normal audio and nav functions seem to work fine without it connected.

hoyabob2003 · 03-02-2012, 12:06 AM

Good question. I'll have to go and check.

hoyabob2003 · 03-03-2012, 01:18 AM

Works fine in the ACC position as well. Was able to load the version 3.0 Euro system today and discovered that it does away with the AM band on the radio.

scoobbee · 04-06-2012, 04:03 PM

This worked for me... but the nav does not talk to me anymore or tell me directions... Are you guys experiencing this too?

rschottr · 04-10-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoobbee

This worked for me... but the nav does not talk to me anymore or tell me directions... Are you guys experiencing this too?

This seems to be a common problem. I have read that if you can find volvo mmm2 north america, they work fine. FYI.

scoobbee · 07-28-2012, 10:28 PM

Anyone have any clue where I could get the volvo maps?

evilspoons · 08-02-2012, 06:49 PM

Try your local Volvo dealership, or ask around on Volvo forums. Swedespeed would be a good start, just be careful you don't go asking people to pirate stuff for you.

xrdriver · 10-11-2012, 07:44 PM

Thank you for the great info! I couldn't find the Volvo maps so I went ahead and installed the Lexus Gen 5 Ver. 11.1 map disc.

I was confused about your Step 4 (Put in your Subaru branded DVD). I only have the 3 version 2.2 map discs, I don't have a system disc or anything that says it has the system on it.

I didn't want to disconnect the battery so I merely ejected my Subaru disc and inserted the Lexus disc and now the unit tells me I am running Ver. 11.1 maps!

It could not have been more easy lol.

I'll have to keep poking around for the Volvo maps since I liked having the turn-by-turn directions

puffywill · 10-12-2012, 12:20 AM

do u have to follow the step every time u turn the car on or is it set once u put the "new" disc in?

rossi45 · 01-26-2013, 11:28 PM

Hey, I'm trying this out. Just out of curiosity, I'm checking the gpsunderground site. The only rar files I see are for Western Europe. I can't find anything for North America. Are they one in the same?

Hrast · 06-12-2013, 03:31 PM

I just burned Volvo 2012 maps (from GPSunderground) and they are working without any problem on Legacy (2006 model - Navigation 3300 Kenwood 2004). Map version is 2012 V1.
I tested with D map of Europe (part 4) on Traxdata DL disc.

Procedure: Just eject old disc and put new one.

Bluefoton · 05-23-2014, 06:53 PM

Bringing this topic back from the dead, has anyone updated their maps with non-SUBARU data and kept turn-by-turn directions?

Bluefoton · 10-30-2014, 08:00 PM

Noone?

SixPillar · 12-22-2014, 10:25 PM

Bump!

SixPillar · 12-22-2014, 10:42 PM

Question on this topic. What would it take to install a non Subaru GPS system in your car? I have an 04 impreza ts. I local scrap yard has 3 full dvd/gps systems. 2002 Mercedes, 2000 land cruise, 2002 Range Rover. They've had them on the shelve for over 8 years.They were asking $170-200 for each. Has anyone ever done this before? Oh, they are selling each as a head unit price, but these 3 just happen to have, the DVD, GPS, wiring, antenna and had unit. I've done shoot of research and can't find anyone that's done anything like this.

Bluefoton · 05-25-2016, 09:34 PM

Anyone did any recent map updates with a 08-12 2.5i/WRX? My 2008 V4 maps are seriously dated now..

horslvr · 01-12-2018, 03:01 PM

is there a way to do it with a sd card system ?

03-01-2012, 01:34 AM	#1
hoyabob2003 Scooby Newbie Member#: 195742 Join Date: Nov 2008	How to use non-subaru maps on your OEM subaru Nav Hi Everyone, I'm kinda new here and lurk often but rarely have anything good to offer so I don't post. That said, I have done a lot of research on our OEM subaru navigation units and wanted to consolidate the info here so that you can learn a bit on ways to update your maps without having to purchase the OEM ones from Subaru. So, firstly the subaru OEM navigation systems in 2007 + Subarus are ALL Kenwood DV3200 based systems. These are actually made by DENSO, who happens to make systems in Toyotas, Saabs, Volvos and Landrovers along with lots of GM vehicles. This is important because it is possible to use Toyota, Saab, Volvo and Land Rover Maps in your Subaru Navigation system. Your navigation system "MAP" DVD actually consists of 2 sets of data. The 1st is the "System" and the second is the "Map" itself. As far as I know, you can only update the "system" software using Subaru branded DVDs, but if all you want is the most up-to-date map data, then you can use certain other DENSO maps, many of which "might" be available to registered users over at gpsunderground.com The way you get your Subaru Navigation system to load a non-subaru DENSO map is actually quite easy. 1) Eject your current Map Disc 2) Disconnect the battery and then reconnect it 3) Turn your car to the on position, but don't start it 4) Put in your Subaru branded DVD 5) Let the "System" load 6) Eject the Subaru branded DVD 7) Insert your non-subaru DENSO DVD 8) Wait - if you have inserted a compatible DVD, your Navigation will load the map data. Be patient. If for some reason your system displays the error message "Load Map DVD" and you can't eject the DVD that you just burned, a "secret" way to force the DVD to eject is to press the "tilt" button on your navigation unit and wait until the face tilts all the way, then hold your finger on the upper right corner of the unit until the map dvd ejects. I am not 100% certain what Denso maps work with what Subaru models specifcally. I can tell you that I have the Toyota Gen 5 V 11.1 (2012) maps running great on my 2009 WRX. Please don't ask me for maps. You are going to have to find these on your own. They are out there for free if you look and you read my post. Enjoy. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-06-2012, 04:03 PM	#5
scoobbee Scooby Newbie Member#: 36247 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Greensboro NC Vehicle: 2008 STI SSM	This worked...but... This worked for me... but the nav does not talk to me anymore or tell me directions... Are you guys experiencing this too?

06-12-2013, 03:31 PM	#12
Hrast Scooby Newbie Member#: 359286 Join Date: Jun 2013	Volvo maps are working I just burned Volvo 2012 maps (from GPSunderground) and they are working without any problem on Legacy (2006 model - Navigation 3300 Kenwood 2004). Map version is 2012 V1. I tested with D map of Europe (part 4) on Traxdata DL disc. Procedure: Just eject old disc and put new one.

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03-01-2012, 04:24 AM	#2
SVXdc Scooby Specialist Member#: 25837 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Atlanta, GA Vehicle: 1996 SVX L AWD Laguna Blue Pearl	Great info, thanks! What happens if you only turn the key to ACC and not ON? I think that answers the question of why the Navi needs +12V Ignition (pin 16). Normal audio and nav functions seem to work fine without it connected.

03-02-2012, 12:06 AM	#3
hoyabob2003 Scooby Newbie Member#: 195742 Join Date: Nov 2008	Good question. I'll have to go and check.

03-03-2012, 01:18 AM	#4
hoyabob2003 Scooby Newbie Member#: 195742 Join Date: Nov 2008	Works fine in the ACC position as well. Was able to load the version 3.0 Euro system today and discovered that it does away with the AM band on the radio.

07-28-2012, 10:28 PM	#7
scoobbee Scooby Newbie Member#: 36247 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Greensboro NC Vehicle: 2008 STI SSM	Anyone have any clue where I could get the volvo maps?

08-02-2012, 06:49 PM	#8
evilspoons Scooby Specialist Member#: 321311 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Edmonton, AB Vehicle: 2012 STi 5-door World Rally Blue	Try your local Volvo dealership, or ask around on Volvo forums. Swedespeed would be a good start, just be careful you don't go asking people to pirate stuff for you.

10-11-2012, 07:44 PM	#9
xrdriver Scooby Specialist Member#: 119633 Join Date: Jul 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Pembina, ND Vehicle: 10 SWP STI 18 CWP STI Type RA	Thank you for the great info! I couldn't find the Volvo maps so I went ahead and installed the Lexus Gen 5 Ver. 11.1 map disc. I was confused about your Step 4 (Put in your Subaru branded DVD). I only have the 3 version 2.2 map discs, I don't have a system disc or anything that says it has the system on it. I didn't want to disconnect the battery so I merely ejected my Subaru disc and inserted the Lexus disc and now the unit tells me I am running Ver. 11.1 maps! It could not have been more easy lol. I'll have to keep poking around for the Volvo maps since I liked having the turn-by-turn directions

10-12-2012, 12:20 AM	#10
puffywill Scooby Newbie Member#: 305759 Join Date: Jan 2012 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: H-Town Vehicle: 2010 STi Black	do u have to follow the step every time u turn the car on or is it set once u put the "new" disc in?

01-26-2013, 11:28 PM	#11
rossi45 Scooby Newbie Member#: 107379 Join Date: Feb 2006	Hey, I'm trying this out. Just out of curiosity, I'm checking the gpsunderground site. The only rar files I see are for Western Europe. I can't find anything for North America. Are they one in the same?

05-23-2014, 06:53 PM	#13
Bluefoton Scooby Guru Member#: 141373 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Quebec, QC Vehicle: 2022 Crosstrek Sport 6MT	Bringing this topic back from the dead, has anyone updated their maps with non-SUBARU data and kept turn-by-turn directions?

10-30-2014, 08:00 PM	#14
Bluefoton Scooby Guru Member#: 141373 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Quebec, QC Vehicle: 2022 Crosstrek Sport 6MT	Noone?

12-22-2014, 10:25 PM	#15
SixPillar Scooby Newbie Member#: 338072 Join Date: Nov 2012	Bump!

12-22-2014, 10:42 PM	#16
SixPillar Scooby Newbie Member#: 338072 Join Date: Nov 2012	Question on this topic. What would it take to install a non Subaru GPS system in your car? I have an 04 impreza ts. I local scrap yard has 3 full dvd/gps systems. 2002 Mercedes, 2000 land cruise, 2002 Range Rover. They've had them on the shelve for over 8 years.They were asking $170-200 for each. Has anyone ever done this before? Oh, they are selling each as a head unit price, but these 3 just happen to have, the DVD, GPS, wiring, antenna and had unit. I've done shoot of research and can't find anyone that's done anything like this.

05-25-2016, 09:34 PM	#17
Bluefoton Scooby Guru Member#: 141373 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Quebec, QC Vehicle: 2022 Crosstrek Sport 6MT	Anyone did any recent map updates with a 08-12 2.5i/WRX? My 2008 V4 maps are seriously dated now..

01-12-2018, 03:01 PM	#18
horslvr Scooby Newbie Member#: 397812 Join Date: Jul 2014 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Brenham texas Vehicle: 2013 Impreza Ice silver	is there a way to do it with a sd card system ?