Honda Odyssey GPS Navigation System

jimblock · October 2001

As far as I know, my friend's Acura TL-S does NOT have a trip computer -- at least not in the Navigation System. And when I had his DVD loaded I did not gain such a feature.

Honda and Acura sell the same DVDs for both cars. There are some differences in the Acura MDX -- it does have a trip computer and has the ability to drop virtual "breadcrumbs" to show where you've been if you go off road. However this seems to be a hardware feature in the MDX -- it apparently uses exactly the same DVD as the Odyssey and the TL-S.

Bottom line: (1) there is no such thing as an "Acura" DVD -- it is the same DVD. (2) While some Acura models do have a trip computer (as far as I know, the MDX) you can't add that feature by getting a DVD from a car with the trip computer.

slocko · December 2001

make the nav default to a certain screen when turned on? That disclaimer screen gets annoying after a while.

by the way, there are ways get video on the nav screen. involves some modifications to the system. if you are handy it will be worth it if you have the IVES system installed. this way you can see what is playing on the screen without having to strain your neck to look at the screen in the back.

jimblock · December 2001

As far as I know, there is no way to avoid the disclaimer screen -- it is there to remind you that you should not be "distracted" by the screen while driving --- and to relieve Honda of responsibility if you ignore the warning.

While there may be a secret service code to avoid it, I'm sure Honda's legal staff would not want it publicized (and I'm not sure that there is any such code.)

slocko · December 2001

thxs for answering. if that is the reason, that has to be asinine (did i spell it right?)

i am sure they will change that at some point. i can see chrysler advertising that their navigation system is ready to use as soon as you turn on the vehicle.

akin67 · December 2001

As annoying as it is to me as well, I think that disclaimer is the rule rather than the exception on all vehicles. I currently have a 2000 ML430 and I have to put up with the same thing. I also own a 2000 Odyssey without the Navi. But we are trading it in for a 2002 with NAVI.

I find teh Navigation to be an amazing tool even with that one minor annoyance. What would also be nice is if the Odyssey Navigation screen also doubled as the radio and even AC controls. This way they will be able to save on dash board real estate and even offer a Honda Odyssey with both the Navigation and the DVD entertainment system on the same vehicle. On the Mercedes ML430, you get to control the Navigation, Radio, CD, CD changer, Cassete and even the Phone from the same screen.

toys4iq · December 2001

I have a 2000 EX Navi. We are constantly making changes while driving. I just called the dealer about upgrading to a 2002 Navi and he said you can not make changes while the car is moving. Is that true? The 2000 navi is completely functional whether in park or in drive.

Also, the dealer is recommending installing an aftermarket navi instead of waiting for a 2002. (I can wait)

dmathews3 · December 2001

The only difference between them is the CD is updated with new info, how they work, has not changed. Only the dealer is thinking with his pocketbook instead of your best interests. You should let him know if he puts a couple extra bucks in front of your well being you can always go elsewhere with your future business.

akin67 · December 2001

As the owner of an existing Ody with Navi don't get aftermarket especially when Ody already offers it as an option from the factory. Aftermarket will never work like the built in unit.

toys4iq · January 2002

I thought you folks might appreciate this. After having our Navi for over a year now I can not imagine driving with out it.

I have always thought about when our 4 yr old and 17 month old start driving technology would be available to track them on our computer. But the technology is already here!!! I saw this on CNN the other day and thought you navi folks might appreciate it. Check it out! I want one!

http://www.wherifywireless.com/flash.htm

mark189 · February 2002

I'd like some feedback whether this easy to use, and is useful on a regular basis.

amymike · February 2002

I have a 2001 Odyssey with the Navi. I think it is a great tool and great for vacations. We went accross country and never looked at a map once. I wasn't planning on getting it, but because the van was available and we were waiting, we decided to go with the navi. It is very, very simple to use. However, there are times that I don't agree with what it recommends (usually near the house), however, it is still a neat feature!....and toy!

mark189 · February 2002

Thanks for the input. We take many driving vacations and I thought it would be helpful for those. But that's only say twice a year. How about the rest of the year?

dmathews3 · February 2002

About a year ago while camping I fell in the dark hitting the top of my shoulder on the edge of a picnic table driving the bone out of it's socket and let me tell you I was in all kinds of pain. We got in van in a part of our state we had no idea where the nearest hospital was and we punched it up in the computer and we were on our way. With a bunch of little towns and none had hospital it was a life saver. At that time if it cost 10K I would have been glad to have it and that don't count telling me where gas, restranants, and money machines are.

slocko · February 2002

we have kids and we frequently have to visit specialists for one or another. nav helps my wife get to the destination every single time.

since i do most of the driving, my wife doesn't always know how to get to some places we visit often. i put in all the addresses in the nav that we visit frequently, but that she hasn't driven to yet. this way she will know how to get there if there ever is a reason.

also realize that it's like having a map in there. it has a joystick and you can wander all over the map with the joystick looking at roads and possible shortcuts. i do this while i am waiting for my wife to come out of a store.

if you look up a business it gives you phone numbers also.

mark189 · February 2002

Thanks for all of the input.

I switched my order for the 2002 Odyssey to one with a navigation system. The wait is until April/May for one in Havasu blue, but I think the package will be worth the wait.

slocko · February 2002

i was in boston this past weekend and i had never driven there before. nav took me everywhere, even though there was construction all over the place. it was just amazing really using the navigation in that type of situation. it would have been a nightmare asking for directions since we went to so many places or trying to read a map with all the construction going on.

i will never own another vehicle without it.

dchopp · March 2002

When you go thru a town that is not in the data base, what does the display indicate? Does it show the main road thru the town?

mike734 · June 2002

Has anyone bought the 2002 DVD and is it a good improvement? I had the 2000 and updated to the 2001. There were some good significant changes in the data and the firmware. Does the 2002 DVD improve on this?

jimblock · July 2002

The 2002 DVD is not out yet (as far as I know).
Generally the new DVDs come out in September/October.

The 2002 DVD is supposed to expand the database greatly -- covering virtually the whole country, but I'd wait until it's relased to order -- last year's DVD contained far less than the original description.

sanjayraj · August 2002

As far as I know the who;e of continental United States is divided into three zones 1. East 2. Central and 3. West. The DVD that you get with the GPS system depends on where you bought the van. I bought my 2000 Ody in NJ and it has the detailed map of the east coast. While driving to St Louis, MO it gave me the major roads and some landmarks in all the cities not covered my east coast DVD. Hope this helps

mike734 · August 2002

That's news to me. I thought the DVD covered the whole CONUS. I would not mind greatly increased coverage for the West coast on one DVD. Is that the plan for 2003? That might explain why I was told the price for a new DVD will be about $250!!! I expected the price to be around $100 as in the past.

ocuihs · August 2002

2.05 Detailed Coverage Area

No such thing as regional coverage, DVD covers the entire USA (went to Chicago with east coast purchase), no Canada coverage yet for Honda DVD based Navi. This could be a factor since you cannot ordered GPS with Canadian Odysseys.

jbaum · October 2002

I can't find where to buy the new DVD. The Alpine link doesn't seem to work and they are no longer on the Honda web page.

l5tc · October 2002

I'm speaking specifically of finding ways of avoiding traffic jams. In this case say it tells you to take the Long Island Expressway, and then you find it jammed up, can the NAV system tell you which "streets" to take? This of course is a situation that would come up in any metropolitan area.

Thanks

scott31 · October 2002

Yes, you can hit the "Detour" button and it will do its best to get you around the problem.

l5tc · October 2002

thanks for the quick response

Barry

jbaum · January 2003

Do you know where I can buy the updated GPS disk? We are still using the original that came with our 2000 Odyssey.

ocuihs · January 2003

1. Go to Honda web site

2. Go to Odyssey interior accessories

3. Bottom middle page under "Related Odyssey Information" => Order latest version of Navi System DVD OR CLICK HERE

andrewtran71 · March 2003

How often would you buy the DVD GPS upgrade?
Surely they don't build a lot of new streets and business every year.

vault2 · April 2003

The NAV in Honda/Acura are made by Alpine. We know that these DVD's do not cover Canada. The non OEM NAV sold by Alpine has maps of CANADA, and it work sin Canada. The DVD alone costs $300 (Ouuuuuuuuuuch!). Now assuming we want to shell out the $300, will this DVD work in either Acura/Honda? Also I spoke with Acura folks in Cali and they said that they don't know as to when the CANADIAN maps will be included.

Have to call Alpine and see, what they have to say. If they say it will work, then I guess the $300 is worth!! The other option would be if ther's money to burn

(was able to find one on e-bay for $1200), then you could purchase the Alpine NVE-N852A. If I am not mistaken, this is the same unit (modified for OEM) which is in the New 04 MDX and 03 Accord.

The issue with being unable to input a new direction? I have a 2003 TL-S with NAV, and I have asked the system for a new direction by inputting a new address/phone number while the vehicle was moving.

andrewtran71 · May 2003

Have you seen any info on the new 2004 MDX?
I have made new direction inputs while driving my Odyssey NAV and it works fine too. I think it's so cool how fast it works to calcuate your new input.

ganley1 · June 2003

My new 2003 Odyssey's Navagation DVD is very out of date. I live in Northern Virginia and at least one major road that was completed over two years ago is not on the DVD. When I called HONDA to question, I was told that I should buy a new DVD (brand new car) and there was nothing else I could do. When I asked to speak with a supervisor, I was told that noone else would say anything different, and the operator refused to let me speak with anyone.

Customer services is probably less responsive than the Navagation system current.

andrewtran71 · June 2003

I feel your pain, brother. I think we should be able to get the Honda Accord's NAV disc, which is the most current up to date disc which Honda uses on the Accord and Acura, and it is the same as the Alpine NAV disc. It is a 8.5 GB disc instead of the 4.7 GB (Odyssey and Pilot).
You can buy that disc, but I wonder if the dealer will allow us to return it if the disc does not work.

gcomstock1 · July 2003

Visiting this thread because I'm thinking about replacing my Acura w/a Honda, and a Navi system is a must-have feature for me. I'm a Realtor, and when I first took delivery of my 2000 Acura 3.5RL, subdivision streets in my area that were in local maps for THREE YEARS were not on the disc. Since they use proprietary mapping data (instead of partnering w/Thomas Brothers etc.) it's simply out of date by the time it's issued. This is one benefit to a high-end portable after-market Garmin system, where you can download updated info; but there are so many disadvantages to a portable system that I'd rather just have the OEMs produce a better updated product.

andrewtran71 · July 2003

You said "2000" Acura RL?
Have you bought the updated 8.5GB DVD NAV disc?

mablacksv · July 2003

Unfortunately, I don't think you can even BUY a more up to date DVD for your 2003 Odyssey even if you wanted to. As far as I can tell, they haven't released an update since 2001! Take a look at the site where you can buy the latest nav system update DVD: https://esales1.alpine-usa.com/dos/honda/dvdrom.htm

The last update that was released was 9/1/2001. I'm not sure what's going on, but if they do not release anymore updates, the nav. system will eventually lose much of its usefullness. I live near Boston, and you've ever heard of the Big Dig, you know that the roads in and around Boston have changed dramatically in the past few years.

andrewtran71 · July 2003

It's an Alpine unit and Alpine has an updated version, which is used in the Accord and Acura.
Honda is too slow on this because they need to make it available for the Odyssey now, not in 2005!
Yeah, most of the time, ALL GPS are a little outdated. But there are still A LOT of old roads out there to take, even if the new roads are not on the NAV.

mablacksv · August 2003

I called the update order phone number posted at https://esales1.alpine-usa.com/dos/honda/dvdrom.htm and got a recorded message regarding the next nav system upgrade disc. According to the message, a "major upgrade" will be available in the fall of 2003. It will cost $185 and will include "coverage" of 95% of US streets using a "new methodology" and will also include limited coverage of "Canadian border cities". This upgrade will ONLY be available for Nav. systems WITHOUT voice-recognition. You can get all the details by calling this number: (888)291-4675.

andrewtran71 · August 2003

I can't wait for the new toy:-)
Thanks for the info.

andrewtran71 · September 2003

but still no NAV update for the Ody. Has anyone seen the NAV for the 2004 Ody?

mike734 · October 2003

I have been very disappointed with the support offer for the Nav systems. I have both the DVD system on my Odyssey and the HD system on my Acura RL. They finally put out on update for the Acura but it has made my system slow and did not make firmware changes long overdue. I will never buy another car without navigation but I will consider other manufactures first.

jimblock · October 2003

Let us know if you find a better Nav system. I have the Honda DVD-based System on my 2000 Odyssey and the newer voice actived system on my 2004 Acura TSX. I really like both systems, and would not buy a new car without Nav.

On the other hand, all the reviews that I have read seem to rank the Honda/Acura Nav systems as the best available. I've seen several others, as well as after-market ones, but none compare, in my opinion.

It is true that the Honda databases are not updated very often, but I can live with that if I have to. (Roads don't change that often, although POIs do.)

One thing to consider is the fact that Nav systems, being computer-based electronics age rapidly. My Odyssey is now 4 years old -- not old for a car, but ancient for a computer. The new Accord/Acura Nav system is much faster and much smarter than the older one. There really isn't much Honda can do to upgrade the performance of the older systems, although it can and should update the database.

andrewtran71 · October 2003

I wish the Honda NAV were compatible with the Alpine dvd nav.
Although Honda/Acura uses Alpine NAV, no one--Honda dealers or Alpine people-- will say anything as to whether they are compatible!

Has anyone tried out an Alpine disc on the Honda or Acura NAV?

Another thing I noticed was that the Alpine NAV has 11 million POI and the updated Odyssey NAV which is suppose to come out this Fall has 7 million POI.

What does this mean? Don't tell me the so-called updated Odyssey NAV is already outdated before it is even released!

andrewtran71 · October 2003

The Honda people are saying the new NAV update will be available this late November.
8.5 GB. 7 millions POI. $185? Can't wait.

dcrisler · October 2003

We need new maps. we still have the original dvd in our 00 Odyssey, I am hoping it finaly knows where our Dealer is!! The version we have has an incorrect location for Freeman Honda in Dallas(used to be Goode-Taylor Honda).

kevinvsr · November 2003

In case anyone still keeps up with this thread, the updated Honda Navigation DVD is available for pre-order now by calling 888-291-4675 (web form still lists older DVD database). The DVD is for models prior to '04 ('04's already have new database) and excludes '03 Honda Accord. Expected ship date is on or before 11/17/03. New data just in time for holiday travel! Enjoy!

andrewtran71 · November 2003

Thanks a bunch for the info!
The '03 NAV is way outdated on the POIs!
Hope the new one is truly more updated!

andrewtran71 · November 2003

You can go to www.hondanavi.com and order the updated version online for $185 + $6 S/H UPS Ground = $191 and charge it to Discover, Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.

I hope it's worth it. If you want to wait, I'll try it out and let you know on Edmunds. They said on phone that it should ship out next Monday. We'll see.

kevinvsr · November 2003

Got the new Nav database for my '03 Odyssey on 11/20 and it was worth the quick upgrade!

Has new unverified routing, similar to '03 Accord, and now shows nearly all roads in 48 states. Excellent! And goes one better than my Accord, allowing routing through unverfied areas via an on/off option. Accord routes you around.
New voice, sounds similar to one on Accord, and is easier to understand. No option to choose male voice as in Accord, which upset my wife.

More POI's. Our local YMCA was not in the older DB, now is in the newer DB.
Performance seems same to me. This is good seeing as DB is a lot bigger.
Still not as many icons as Accord, which is ok since it would clutter smaller screen.

Overall, new unverified routing and larger DB makes a good Nav system even better.

Just curious, new DB has 7+ million POIs. Anyone know how many was in older DB?

andrewtran71 · December 2003

Got my new NAV for '03 Ody as well.
I noticed the option for unverified routing, but what exactly is it?

I gues if we activated the icon for ALL restaurants, there would be a lot of icon too, right?

I also like the new voice. Must be a guy thing:-)

Yes, I also noticed a lot more POI.

I think the previous NAV had 3 million POI, but not sure. However, a lot of those older POI were out of date too, as a lot of businesses have closed.

My 2 year old home in a new addition still is not in the database, but the surrounding houses are.

I gotta try the unverified routing and see what it is.

So the "Easy Route" is basically using most of interstates, "Direct Route" is the shortest distance, but what in the world is unverified routing?

Honda Odyssey GPS Navigation System

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