Would anybody with experience of the navigation systems care to express an opinion how improved the 2012 version was from the 2011.Thank you

 

I believe the big improvement was from 2010 to 2011.

 

Can't really compare - it is a Garmin system and on par or better than that in ex Mercedes/Audi/BMW - prettier too I'm my opinion. The UI is optimised to look very AM/Apple/B&O style - very easy to use and so far I have had no problems with it at all.

 

Get a garmin or Tom Tom and call it a day...get new downloadable sw upgrades... Pay a fraction of a what an inboard satnav runs... Non of these cars have a great nav...astons is worse than competitors but they aren't to much better...

 

Can you buy a new Aston without nav? The system in my 2012 is ok, I prefer touch screen systems but the location of the screen makes that impractical in the Aston. I also wish it defaulted to the map screen but no biggie. It gets traffic updates and the resolution is decent (not HD but decent). I would take it over a hand held nav unit, suctioned cupped to the windscreen. Honestly I only have the screen up when I actually need directions or want traffic info (less than 10% of my driving time I'd say).

Someday our phones will have a better interface with the cars but for now this system is on par or better than most European cars.

 

Yup you can order new without satnav.

 

You can but it will really hit your residuals (probably more than the SatNav costs )
I had the Volvo system in my last roadster it was truly pants, the Garmin is far superior but still not a patch on the touch screen in my VW
Having said that I also have 2 TomTom Go's with traffic redirection and itinerary which I use in all my cars.

 

I have just bought a 2005 DB9, any ideas how I can cost-effectively upgrade the mapping software and system firmware?

 

Go the Navteq website & get updated DVDs for a 2006 Volvo XC90. About $200 for a three disk set. Or find someone on the east coast that will sell you the west coast disk.