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Having said that, I purchased the latest update (Version 3.40c) from Alpine (through Acura) of the Navigation system database. Unfortunately, all of the streets that weren't in the database in the original DVD that came with the car still aren't there in the new version (and these are streets that don't appear to be new). Anybody have a feel for how good Alpine is in other geographical areas for having up-to-date databases? I'm curious if this was just a blip, or whether Austin just isn't an important enough market to maintain.
Thad
Mine is up-to-date and there is nothing more recent to my knowledge.
I have concluded that all the maps are derived from aerial photos (or satellite photos) and they are not generated the way printed maps are. If there are trees which shade out the road, it will show two dead-end roads where there might actually be a bridge below, heh heh. I know conclusively this is true because I have driven on just such a road which the NAV system could NOT guide me nor draw a map.
The source of our NAV maps say they are some percentage certified. I think it is about 99% correct for one year earlier for commercial locations. This is not unlike book publishing where the copyright date has to be interpreted as a year later than the information.
So now my question: I am looking for a fun car to drive, under 30K, sedan or coupe. Any suggestions? What do you feel is a better system if you have been doing research on GPS systems? I thought about an add on like Magellan, but with my cell phone plugged in and my Passport plugged in, it will look like a wire hanging mess every time I go out for a serious drive. To me driving has to be fun, it is my sedative.... bad day at work, argument at home, nasty mood...... I jump in my car and go for a brisk drive and feel 100% better when I return; so fun to drive is an important factor for me. :P Right now my list includes the following all with Navigation available: Nissan Altima V6 SE, Mazda 3s, Mini Cooper s, Acura TSX, Honda Accord EX V6.........can you add to this list or help me make my decision! OK it was more than one question....... obviously I need your help!!
THANKS
-mike
It's fantastic, and I will never buy a car without voice recognition nav again. Accordingly, I'd highly recommend the Accord and Acura TSX's nav system - a used TL can be had for under 30. If the altima (or maxima) has the same system as the new infinitis, check them out, too.
Also, make sure you get a system that allows a touch-screen. It's much easier on those occasions when you need to type or select something by hand, and make sure you can enter info w/o being in "park." I know, it may not be safe to enter info while going 60 in heavy traffic (unless you can do it by voice), but there'll be many times when you're stopped at a light or there's no one around and it's nice (and sometimes safer) not to need to pull over. The Honda/Acuras satisfy these also.
1 other random thought on why an integrated system is better than after-market. I assume after-market ones can give voice directions, which means you can keep your eyes on the road and listen to instructions (SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!). The integrated systems can lower the volume of your radio, so you can enjoy your music during the long hwy stretches w/o fear of missing a turn.
Hope this helps!
-mike
Regarding not needing to change music stations or climate control settings, it's all a matter of convenience. A nav system is much more convenient than paper maps, and integration just makes things more convenient. Admittedly, changing stations is even less important when you have radio controls on the steering wheel, but I appreciate being able to switch from my 1st FM station to the 3rd station programmed into my AM band to get a traffic report w/o taking my hands off the wheel or even looking down. Same with climate control. I can then tell my car to play the 6th song on the 4th compact disc in my cd changer. Tell me that's not worth something! :shades:
Guess it's not so much about cost as about value. With the integration and voice recognition, I think $2k for a nav system you'll have for 3 years is worthwhile. If an aftermarket one has voice recognition, but isn't integrated, how much less is that worth? That's what each person needs to figure for themselves. Certainly aftermarket systems get a nod if you can easily switch them between cars, but I wouldn't plan on keeping the same system through multiple car ownership periods - the technology is only going to get better and cheaper.
-mike
I am having some difficulties with programming the nav, maybe someone can help answer a few questions? :confuse:
1. Once I arrive at a destination (such as where I park in my condo complex, friends homes, where I park in the employee parking lot at work, ect) is there a way of making this point (destination) a set destination in my system. When I park, I would like to 'save and name' this particular spot, is there a way to do that?
2. When the nav routes me to a destination, and then I take a slightly alternate route (that avoids known traffic spots) is there a way to 'save' the route I just traveled as the route I would prefer to take when traveling to this particular destination? I guess I am asking does it remember the route just traveled, and can you 'save/name' that particular route?
3. When I programmed my 'go home' address, it ends up taking me down the block from my home, instead of at my actual address, it shows up as "270 Prospect Avenue" when I am actually at "217 Prospect Avenue" .... should I just change my 'go home' adress to match what it is saying as my home location, even though it is not really my home?
Any help would certainly be appreciated, as this is my first navi system and want to make the best use of it.
Thanking you in advance for any assistance,
- Jeff -
1. Once I arrive at a destination (such as where I park in my condo complex, friends homes, where I park in the employee parking lot at work, ect) is there a way of making this point (destination) a set destination in my system. When I park, I would like to 'save and name' this particular spot, is there a way to do that?
Yes. Go to the set-up menu. You might need to go to a 2nd screen (my setup menu has 4 screens). There is a link called "personal addresses." When selected, it asks you to choose 1 of the items listed - your options are all the items you previously input, and a "new address" option. Select "new address" (duh!!). You can then choose to make your "current position" the new address or a "prior destination." Only destinations that had been used with the nav system previously are saved as a prior destination (meaning you'll scroll through a list of destinations, not every place you ever turned or passed to get somewhere).
Make sure you access the "personal adress" through the setup screen. If you access it otherwise, it lists the places you've been w/o the option to add new.
2. When the nav routes me to a destination, and then I take a slightly alternate route (that avoids known traffic spots) is there a way to 'save' the route I just traveled as the route I would prefer to take when traveling to this particular destination? I guess I am asking does it remember the route just traveled, and can you 'save/name' that particular route?
I don't think it remembers the route - just the destination, BUT
a- after the route is plotted, you can have it replot the route and exclude a certain road. I think after the route is plotted, if you hit "menu," you'll get that option.
b- I guess you could plot the intersections you want to travel as separate destination-points. It'd have your intended results, but you'd have to input multiple addresses to get to where you want to go.
c- when you enter the address, you tell the computer whether to go the most direct route, avoid hwys, maximize hwys, etc. Maybe a different selection will yield a better route. You can have the system plot each route for you and then choose the one you want.
As an aside, I don't know why my system seems to "prefer" certain roads to others, but I have to random thoughts on it:
a- most are the same "kinks" or "preferences" that arise when I use mapquest.com to plot routes
b- I think many happen if a road was a minor road at the time the cdrom was created. Even if the road is larger now, the system doesn't necessarily know that, and guides you to the more major road.
3. When I programmed my 'go home' address, it ends up taking me down the block from my home, instead of at my actual address, it shows up as "270 Prospect Avenue" when I am actually at "217 Prospect Avenue" .... should I just change my 'go home' adress to match what it is saying as my home location, even though it is not really my home?
Not entirely sure of the question. Following steps similar to my answer to your 1st q, you input your home address yourself. It's possible that if you use "current position" while you were in your driveway, the system read you as being on your backyard neighbor's property. Try entering the address the "old fashioned" way - typing! If your saying that the system lists your house as #270 when it's really #217, that's probably the fault of outdated info. Frankly, I wouldn't spend the money on an update if that'd be the only benefit to you.
Hope this helps!
Actually you can do several things while driving. Certainly enough things to get you killed. You can change magnification & screen views. You can click on the map and scroll the map away from your current position thereby scanning the map indefinitely. You can select any one of your 5 (or 6?) pre-programmed destinations, thereby inputting a destination on the fly. You can also mark your current position for later retrieval. Not much but certainly enough functionality to distract the driver.
I find it frustrating that the passenger can't do anything. Our vehicle ('04 Highlander) automatically detects whether an adult passenger is present in order to enable the passenger side airbag. I wish they would have linked this to the nav system to enable full functionality when a passenger was present. That way the passenger could scout out ahead for restaurants, etc while you're barreling down the expressway. In the future, I think this will all be moot. We'll probably have full Internet access in the car and will be able to pull out our laptops and web surf while driving anyway.
Such a system would be too easy to spoof e.g. by placing a brief case on the passenger's seat.
tidester, host
That would be true if they were linked together, but as you pointed out, the nav system is not linked to the airbag sensors. I'm not sure whether it would even be permitted to piggyback a nav sensor onto the airbag sensor.
tidester, host
-mike
Of course. The entire conversation was a what-if scenario.
Well if anybody finds a way to completely enable the sytem while driving, please let us know. We're taking our first big road trip with this car this weekend.
Oh one other thing you can do currently that I didn't mention before is touch any POI icons to find out what they are. Therefore before you start driving you can enable the display of restaurant icons. While you're driving, you can scroll ahead on your route and click on restaurant icons to find out the restaurant name.
Is it possible to use a Denso navigation DVD from one make of car in another make? For example, can I use a Toyota Denso disc in a Jaguar X-type? Now, I would first want to turn off the software update feature just in case any updates were on the disc although I think this is not normally done.
I would have thought the answer to this was no but I have seen a couple of people claim that they used a Lincoln Navigator DVD in a Jaguar X-type with success. I guess what I am looking for here is to find someone who has tried this type of thing.
TIA,
Jason
More details as I start to build the system.
-mike
Observations and questions:
1. The XM radio traffic reports for NYC are not very good at best, and terrible some times. For example, driving home from midtown last night to CT (where I have multiple options on routes), I chose to take the Triborough to Bruckner to 95. Listening to XM radio NYC traffic - no problems reported on Bruckner (I-278). In reality, there was planned road construction (per flashing highway signs) reducing flow to one lane and 30 minute backup. Also, none of this showed up on Acura nav system map. Really ticked me off because I could easily have exited onto Bronx River north to Hutch and avoided entire problem.
2. Similarly, I usually drive into city on Saw Mill to West Side Hwy. Twice in past two weeks, there was planned tree trimming on Saw Mill with slow downs, none of which was reported on either XM traffic or on nav system.
3. Have also been driving south on I-95 in CT (Norwalk -Stamford area) and seen northbound was a parking lot. Tuned to XM traffic - nothing. Same on nav system.
I have always used the traffic reports on 880 AM (WCBS) and 1010 AM (WINS) which I find are generally excellent even though their traffic reports are much briefer than XM's.
Does anyone know where XM Traffic NYC gets its info and how that info is programmed into the RL's nav system? Seems to me to be not only a pretty worthless system but even worse that no data is bad data.
Any other experiences in NYC or elsewhere with quality of XM traffic or nav system showing traffic problems. I have also used in Boston, Philly and Balt but not as familiar wiht those areas but have noticed heavy/stopandgo traffic not shown on nav system.
DIB
DIB
-juice
-mike
Observations and questions:
1. The XM radio traffic reports for NYC are not very good at best, and terrible some times."
Thanks for posting that with all the additional details. This is the substance of what we need to keep reminding each other and car mfrs. about.
It really needs to be a regional effort in your area, not a single jurisdiction at a time.
Love the car and really love the navi!!
My question is while on line I noticed a company offering the latest Honda Nav DVD version 3.40.
When I checked my system it has version 1.2
Do you think my dealer gave me an older version rather than the newest? :mad:
Does anyone know the differences between the two and is it worth either complaining to the dealership and/or purchasing the newer version. :confuse:
It would seem that like other updated programs, the changes from
1.2 all the way to 3.40, there might be considerable differences.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
- Jeff -
-juice
A more subtle difference occurs when an older, smaller road is enlarged. The nav system still thinks it's a smaller road and will redirect you to other roads that it thinks are larger.
Does anyone know where to get an update CD for a NAV N851 that is more currant than Dec 2004 (I live in Los Angeles and a six month old navigation CD is almost already out of date....)
Thank you very much.
There's going to have to be some lag time between the time someone stops researching what should go on the dvd and the time it takes to move the dvds into production, distribution, etc. I'm not in the "biz," but a 6-8 mo lag time doesn't sound unreasonable. Good luck with your search.
Given that this whole thing is new, I think the situation will only get better over time. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
jmf
Per the end of the blurb, the real reason for NAV's popularity is so guys won't have to stop at the gas station and ask directions!
Steve, Host
If you are serious about finding your way stop at a real estate office.
http://www.mobilevideo4less.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MV&Product_Co- de=NAV-V300JG
to allow a dvd video system. I've looked at other in-dash players with slide out dvd-nav touch screen monitors, but I'm afraid they don't look factory enough for me and kind of take away from the Jag's nice look. Thoughts, ideas? Thanks for your help!!
Coming over a pass today going home to Boise after a morning of rafting, the traffic on the 4 lane highway came to a halt at the top of the pass because a huge bull was walking down the highway. A couple of cowboys on their cellphones were having heated discussions with someone about how to corral the critter (which was about the size of my Outback).
It's a different world out here, and a NAV wouldn't have helped much avoiding that traffic snarl!
Steve, Host
I have version 1.2 of the Nav DVD. I was also surprised to learn that
version 3.4 is now available. I planned on returning to the dealer
to demand the latest DVD. After all, I don't expect a 2003 engine in
my 2005 Accord, so I also do not expect a 2003 Navi DVD!
Did you have any luck getting version 3.4 from the Honda dealership?
Thanks,
-- Anil
EZ Pass (electronic toll collection transponder)
Radar Detectors
GPS Receivers
I'm not sure if the FX35 has this or not, but I would error on the side that it does not. Most cars these days don't have interference type coatings on the windshields. My guess is that the unit from Ebay is bad. Try using it to get a sat signal outside the car that would proably be the easiest test.
-mike
Would appreciate any input!
Thanks
Their databases are difficult. If you begin typing in a street or road name, they usually start to look up what you are typing before you finish -- not bad in itself but it can be sort of unsettling. But the biggest problem to me is that you don't get a very wide choice. Locally, the phone book will give the legal names for a specific route which could be: Fox Freeway, Robinson Road, Utopia Hwy 2, Loop 5, etc.
The database in a GPS routing system for that entire route might be "UT-2" and if you don't type that string in just so, the system just rejects what you are doing. You may not even understand what it puts up onscreen when that happens.
Work like crazy to see if you can get dealers to refer you to someone using their system. It is just about impossible to find out all you want until you own the system; it's a shame.
-mike
1) I am under the impression the upgrades are VIN specific.
2) Upgrade version 4.2 is for 2004 and 2005 models only.
3) the 2004 upgrade for the 2001 LS430 has a Lexus p/n 00230DVD04CY ( I am not sure about the CY at the end of the p/n.) and sells for about $300 installed. One dealer said there were no upgrades???????
4) Various Lexus parts departments told me the next up grade would be Sept. 2005; Nov. 2005 and the third said Jan. 2006.
5) Some indicated the installation could be performed by the consumer, others, said you should go to the dealer.
Your critical comments about this posting would be appreciated.
Boyd