[quattrog]

Luckcat, thanks for letting us know about iGo software. I sent you a private message through this forum. I hope you get it. Please let me know. quattrog

[wessamh]

I would really appreciate it if someone from Nokia/Navteq will reply to this post as soon as possible

[nokdubai]

Hi

Don't expect to get a reply from either Nokia or Navteq (they are both the same company) as they have absolutely no interest in providing any information or support for this product.  I have since purchased a Garmin and the difference in the support and professionalism of the company are amazing.  Garmin respond to questions with answers that actually provide the required information.  My N500 has been deposited in the never to be used again box as after 6 months of trying to get Nokia to answer a simple question (how do you upgrade maps) I have come to the conclusion that they only ever wanted my money and were never going to provide any support for the unit.

I strongly suggest that you let everyone you know who is thinking of purchasing a GPS unit or phone to stay away from anything with the Nokia name on it as they will be nowhere to be seen when you have a problem.  Up until this I purchased only Nokia phones but I won't touch them again

[mccbleue]

Nokia has discontinued production of all sat-nav units some time ago, so it is highly unlikely that any further updates will be forthcoming.

If you need a response directly from Nokia then you would need to contact them by phone or e-mail by clicking the Contact Us link above.

Navteq is only the company that provides the map data to various sat-nav device manufacturers which they incorporate into their own software; including Nokia who did indeed recently buy Navteq. Navteq's data continues to be updated, but Nokia would need to incorporate those updates into the software on the N500 - this is unlikely as I have already said.

[nokdubai]

I have also been told by Nokia:

1. Navteq provide maps directly - Navteq say no and they must be obtained from Nokia
2. That the map updates will be available in 2 months - That was last November & still not avaiable
3. That they ceased making PND's some years ago and no longer support them. See my  previous post

I find the last statement the most despicable as the unit was only released in the Middle East, with much media fanfare, in May 2008.  Nokia themselves where actively promoting it at the annual Citec Expo in Dubai in October 2008 at which a friend of mine was tricked into buying his.  All of this goes to confirm my statement that Nokia never intended to provide us with any support for the unit, they just wanted our money and then to forget us.

Message Edited by celandine on 14-May-2009 06:27 PM

[quattrog]

Yes, I agree with every statement made. Nokia launched this product in spring of 2008 in the US. But from reading some replies here, and talking to Nokia, they state that this was already out of production by then. So what does that tell us? I think this is fraud. As others have stated, I used to ONLY purchase Nokia phones. Now I will NEVER purchase another Nokia product. And I will tell friends the to do the same.

[velishka]

I hear you pain guys. So, here's what happened. Nokia decides to ditch this product brings it to US ans sells us whatever was left. We bought it and we are losers. You are absolutly right, you need to stay away from company who treats you like **bleep**. I gave my e51 to my friend ans was thinking to trash N500 also, until I found a better solution.

So, now I have some advice for you. Forger that your GPS device says Nokia on it - it's PND device with Windows CE running. They won't update it we will. Unlock it, put whatever you want (Navigon, iGo, PolNav, Garmin, TomTom and etc.) and use it as much as you want. 

Please google how to unlock device and what kind of maps to use. Obviously I can't give you link here, let's say if you put "Nokia 500 Wiki" in Google, the very first web site, that's what you need.

p.s. I'm using iGo software and very updated maps + better video player supporting divx files, games, lots of useful softwares and first time ever I'm pleased with Nokia )

Moderator's note: Message edited. Please do not attempt to circumvent the language filter.

Message Edited by concordia on 15-May-2009 11:29 AM

[tar11999]

I have this website saved in my favorites so I can come back and see what current Nokia 500 users are saying.  I did just what velishks mentioned, but only a month earlier.  Trust me!!  Do the Nokia 500 wiki search and you will not be disappointed.  IGO 8 is some great software and and works great in the Nokia 500.

Long live hackers!!!!!!!!!

[ptwhaler]

I just got my Nokia 500 and wished I had read this forum first. I bought it online from the states after seeing my supervisors in action but I did not realize since we work in the Middle East and he bought his here that I would not use the navigation features outside the US. I should have known something was up when I only had to pay $105 US for something with this many features.

I have a question for tar11999 and velishks. I like the idea of hacking the device and loading a more useful software but I have some concerns. One of the reasons I bought this model was for the Bluetooth phone features and the MP3/ video features. I plan on using this in my Jeep as a hands free device and to play MP3's through the Aux jack on my car stereo. If I load the iGO software will I still be able to use these features?

If these features will still work and I have better map features with iGO where do I get the maps for the new software. Also, since I work in the Middle East I tend to go "dune bashing" on the weekends out in the desert, will I be able to set waypoints and map a route out where there are no roads?

[tar11999]

Ptwhaler - do the goole search for Nokia 500 wiki.  This website has detail instruction on how to add IGO software and how to get maps from anywhere.  I use IGO on my Nokia 500 and it still works with the Nokia shell.  This means that I can still go into menus, bluetooth, music, fm transmitter etc..,  Just read up. Not very difficult and if you don't like it you can always reload Nolia Maps back on it.

[quattrog]

tar11999 and other who've loaded iGo8 on their Nokia 500. I have a few questions.

the first is, how do you like the way iGo routes? Is it better or worse than the Nokia maps?

the second is this. I've been reading the wiki page mentioned here. there is a LOT of info that covers a large period of time. So much so, it's difficult to determine what is the most up to date and useful. I've found another site on the SlickDeals.com forum site. There, someone loaded a basic flow for loading iGo that I found most useful. but I haven't tried it as again, the date on this was from some time ago. So, could someone take a look at this and tell me if this appears to be the flow they used?

Also, one last question. I'm assuming, and maybe I shouldn't, that this all works with the US sold Nokia 500. Is that a good assumption?

Thanks everyone. Here is the flow:

This should take you from wherever you are to having igo8 running...

(1) Download the Zip file
(2) Unpack it to a blank SD card (Your SD card should have Igo8, pnd19, and ~task_to_do.tag in the root
(3) Inside the PND19 folder there are two bin files, one is NK.bin, the other is NK(CE 5.0).bin
(A) if you want it to boot straight to igo 8 then delete NK(CE 5.0).bin
(B) If you want it to boot to CE 5.0 where you can start igo8 then delete NK.bin and rename NK(CE 5.0).bin to NK.bin
(4) Once you have done either A or B, there should be just one *.bin file in the PND19 folder
(5) Reset the device with the SD card in it
(6) It will go through update. If you choose (B) to boot to CE 5.0, click on the icon in the lower left of the screen when CE 5.0 loads. this will start igo 8 (the first time you do it it will install it... after that it will start igo 8)
(6.1) IF you have problems getting it to update. Turn it off. slide over the lock switch (bottom left of unit) to the left. Hold down the On/Off button while you slide the hold button to the right (keep holding the On/Off button) tap the screen when you see the countdown. You can now release the On/Off button. Tap SDMMC. It should now update.
(7) You now have igo 8.3.1.56007 running
(8) go to torrentz.com (or any torrent site) and search for "igo usa" there should be a torrent called "nav.n.go.igo.v8.3.1.onlyusamaps" those maps are completely compatible.
(9) Download that torrent
(10) once downloaded, copy the folders inside the root folder (maps, dems, pois...) from the download and paste them into the content folder in igo 8 on the sd card. DO NOT overwrite any of the files on the SD card, let it add files where it wants, but dont replace any of the existing files of the same name....
(11) You should now have igo 8 running with maps
(12) I suggest downloading the DIMKA skin, it makes igo 8 way better (tons of really cool features)

[luckycat]

That is exactly what I did.  I believe that's the latest procedure.  It seems hairy but not too bad.

[tar11999]

For everyone wondering.  With IGO 8 you can load either Tele atlas or Navteq Maps to it.  If you know anything about torrents then you know how to find the maps.  Free!  Sort of.  If you use the instructions on the Nokia 500 wiki site it tells you how to install and there are members willing to help.  Just ask there.  This is Nokia's website.  I use IGO 8.31.56007 verision so that the Nokia shell works as well.  I went ahead and did the FM boost script and it allows you to adjust the fm tuner to 87.9 now.  FM transmitter now works great and clear.  Again it's all on this site.

I have the lastest maps on my Nokia now.  I believe the 500 has 2006/2007 maps and very few poi's.  I have 12 million now.  That's right 12 million.  Since you can chose navteq or tele atlas you can see which maps works best for you.

I'm using tele atlas and haven't had any real routing issues.

[quattrog]

Luckycat and tar1999, thanks for the responses. But I'm still looking for confirmation that this igo8 is for USA. And what do you think of igo8's routing? Better or worse than the Nokia maps?   Thanks again for you feedback.

[luckycat]

I am very happy with routing with iGo, I am using NavTech maps (seems like Tele Atlas is another option, will need to research that . Compared to Smart2Go, the default Nokia app, routing in my opinion is superior.

And yes I'm in the USA!!

[quattrog]

Luckycat, thanks. You've help make up my mind to make the move to iGo.

[quattrog]

tar1999 and luckycat, thanks for the help so far. I now have igo loaded on the nokia, but no maps. I'm new to torrents and just don't feel too comfortable about the torrent sites. Most wanted to lock you into a recurring monthly fee, and in very small print. Anyway, if you could recommend a trusted site that you got the usa maps, that would be great. Also, I forgot to ask about text to speach. Is that part of the nav software? How do I activate it? Also, when I realized i wasn't going to get the maps tonight, I thought that I woud go back to the nokia maps. But it said it couldn't find the executable. Is there a simple way to get back to the nokia default? Thanks again, you guys have been great.

[luckycat]

---

quattrog wrote:
tar1999 and luckycat, thanks for the help so far. I now have igo loaded on the nokia, but no maps. I'm new to torrents and just don't feel too comfortable about the torrent sites. Most wanted to lock you into a recurring monthly fee, and in very small print. Anyway, if you could recommend a trusted site that you got the usa maps, that would be great. Also, I forgot to ask about text to speach. Is that part of the nav software? How do I activate it? Also, when I realized i wasn't going to get the maps tonight, I thought that I woud go back to the nokia maps. But it said it couldn't find the executable. Is there a simple way to get back to the nokia default? Thanks again, you guys have been great.

---

A lot of questions - and I can't spend a lot of time answering to be honest - but all of your questions are answered on the wonderful Internet.  This is a procedure for people with some amount of technical savvy, although if you can follow the directions provided on the Nokia 500 wiki you should be in good shape - but if issues come up you'll be self-supporting , or use various other forums on the web with people who have gone through this.  Google is your friend.  Just look for Nokia 500 iGo and you'll find many sites with info.  If you don't want to spend the time doing this pay another $100 and get another refurb GPS.

1.  Torrents - there is no recurring monthly fee. You are downloading from other people like yourself.  Get a good torrent client like uTorrent then search the web for the igo map as instructed on the wiki.

2.  TTS has some additional procedures if you want street names and such spoken to you; if not just use what comes out of the box in iGo. See here: http://nokia500.wetpaint.com/page/Installing+iGo+TTS+Voices

3.   If you need to re-install nokia software look here: http://nokia500.wetpaint.com/page/Troubleshooting "Back to factory defaults"

Good luck to you.

[wessamh]

nokia     .....  where your answer your update as your promiss!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quattrog]

wessamh, don't hold your breath on Nokia getting back to you. They dumped this product. But do yourself a favor, and load iGo 8.3.1 on it and you'll be a happy soul. I followed the suggestions here and unlocked this device, and loaded iGo 8 on it. I now have a truely wonderful navigation application running, and over 12million points of interest here in the US. Go to nokia500.wetpaint.com . Read everything you can before starting. You won't be sorry. And I decided to following Rickgtx's (from wetpaint) flow for unlocking and loading his startup scripts so that I can have both the iGo8 as well as the Nokia default Smart2Go nav program running. So I can choose between the two when I startup my N500. Good luck.