this may be old news to some folks, but i have been working with the map updates for the nav system since we got our ascent last september. the internet download to a flashdrive is for firmware and initial map update, but the screen would show an attempt to download an intermediate update; but never succeed in finishing. it would also state that there were no updates available when in proximity to my wi-fi amp in my garage.
after another member recently posted about connection issues, i looked closer at my situation. the car wi-fi system looks like it operates at 5ghz., but my wi-fi amp was an old 2.5ghz model. i just upgraded to a dual band amp for my garage today. i also did a complete re-vamp of my wireless network with new ssid names, and new keys (it was time anyway). upon completion, i went into the car to establish connection to the network. it connected nicely.
this is the part i have been curious about; even though i would always get the message that no updates were available; when i went to the menu to check, it began to work. this is how i set things up for success: take fob into car>turn ign to acc only, not on or start engine>go to control head screen>select home>settings>navigation> map update>turn off auto update>map update. the 8 areas i had selected immediately began to download intermediate map updates. i sat in the cat for 3 of them to finish 100%. i left the ign on acc with the fob in the car. the other 5 areas are downloading as i write this. i am in so cal, so my areas are currently the 8 states near me. if i need to travel outside of these, i will need to do this method for selected areas. it seems like a lame way to do things compared to garmin. they send everything all at once in my portable units. it would also be nice if they would give us a little more help. hopefully this is helpful. it is currently working for me.