First I must say that, I moved to a new area recently. Having a Nav system to get me around has been well worth the investment. I purchased an '04 TSX about a year ago and moved to Austin, TX from the Pacific Northwest last month. It's been quite a handy tool to have!
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.
Give me some examples and I will force my system (NOT an Alpine, not an Acura) to go to Austin and check out the same streets. I will post what it finds and everybody will have some additional facts about these NAV systems.
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.
I have a magellan roadmate 500 plus I use in the northern va area all the time...love it....got a 1GB flash card...and can load most of the US.....and all of the areas I travel in.......would recommend it
I have the magellan roadmate 500 plus....i have a mount permantly..afixed to the dash board..no external antenna...and the power cord to the lighter..flows down the side of the console....and isnt that visible....I got a mount from profit and attached the magellan cradle to it....I can easily remove the GPS from the mount when not in use......love mine here in NOVA
has anyone updated their mapset for the magellan roadmate series yet...Im past the one year mark and now get the annoying msg about the update.....Magellan is fixing this with a firmware update.......anyone?..cost..etc
I know it's just a techy toy, but I want it in my next car. I know it might be silly to limit your car choices based on availability of a good GPS Navigation option, but again it is something that I want. I don't want to be kicking myself for the next 4 years for not getting an option that I thought I would enjoy.
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
I was in a similar boat, I wanted to get a car with factory Navi, did a lot of research and figured out that the aftermarket in-dash units are far less expensive and 2x as good as the OEM ones. I'm looking at the Pioneer N1 or N2 unit.
DON'T GO AFTERMARKET if you want to get the most fun from your nav system. I have an '04 TL w a nav system that's the same or similar to the accord and TSX and I love it! The great things about it are (1) it's got voice recognition software and (2) it's integrated into other functions, too. The voice recognition makes it easy to program while driving - if you know the business phone number of where you want to go, your hands never need to leave the wheel. I heard with the Infiniti M series, it has voice recog of street names, too (maybe the new Nissans will have that). The integration means I can also adjust my climate control and radio settings by voice, too ("temperature, 70 degrees" "radio 97.9 FM") . Again, it makes the car safer b/c your hands don't leave the steering wheel, and it's a lot of fun.
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.
The only thing the AVIC-N1/N2 can't do is control the car-functions, but in reality do you really need to change that while driving via voice? The AVIC-N1 will lower the volume of the stereo to give commands and also has voice control for locations. The N2 if you get the XM option integrates with the XM traffic/construction/notifications to route you around problems (the TL does this as well)
Actually, the Acura RL integrates XM traffic with nav, not the TL (unless you heard of this being on the 2006s). Anyway, I'm truly surprised that aftermarket systems can integrate with the stereo to lower volume and coordinate with XM traffic - amazing what technology can do!!!
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.
:confuse: I purchased a 2004 Denali XL with the in dash GPS system and I really like it except it does not have a functioning touch screen. You can only program it with the toggle button. It has a touch screen but it does not work. I understand that the 2005 model has a usable touch screen. Does anybody know if there is an upgrade available to the 2004 GPS system that allows you to use the touch screen without having to replace the whole unit and approximately what would be the cost?
Just brought my 2005 Honda Accord EX V6 with navi home and love it! 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 -
I have an '04 TL w/ nav, and am told the systems operate identically, so here're my answers:
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.
And, yes, I can honestly say I have never used the NAV while driving. On the Toyota Camry 2004 model, the only icons that you can even push while driving are for HOSPITAL, POLICE or a TOYOTA dealership. That's it. You can't enter other information.
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.
Actually the air bag isn't enabled for children or smaller people hence you'd have to carry around a briefcase filled with lead to activate the switch.
Actually the air bag isn't enabled for children or smaller people hence you'd have to carry around a briefcase filled with lead to activate the switch.
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.
To disable DVD/Nav/DRL functions they usually work off the parking brake light circuit. Not sure if the Yoda works that way, but I bet there is a software hack for it somewhere on the internet.
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.
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.
I can't seem to find a definite answer to this anywhere so here goes:
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.
I'm not sure but I do know that both the nav system software and the poi/map data are on that same dvd. If I'm not mistaken, it only boots from the software on the dvd during the upgrade sequence or when the unit has lost power completely.
I've had my RL since April 1 and drive frequently in NYC area. I have nav system programmed to show "Traffic".
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.
I mentioned this very early on when I heard the RL will have this feature - garbage in, garbage out. It will only be as good as the data they can gather.
I just brought home my new 2005 Honda Accord V6 EX with Nav. 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 1.2all the way to 3.40, there might be considerable differences. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, - Jeff -
I would say that it IS worth complaining about. 1st, I'd go to Honda's website to confirm the latest version. Aside from you not having newer roads, businesses that changed hands also won't be on your system. Once I used my nav to go to my doctor, only to realize I was directed to the wrong place b/c the docotr changed 2 years ago. SImilar experience with a Sports Authority that went out of business.
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.
I am looking for a way to update the navigation CD that came with a 2003 Honda Accord, Alpine model number NAV N851. I called Alpine and they said there would be a new navigation CD coming out in several months but it will only be current as of Dec 2004.
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....)
"a six month old navigation CD is almost already out of date"
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.
XM Traffic gets its data from NAVTEQ which gets its data from "multiple sources." At the very least they should be listening to traffic radio broadcasts in each market they cover and report the same things.
Given that this whole thing is new, I think the situation will only get better over time. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
It seems that dvd/cd cleaning discs don't do the job for navigation dvd players. Has anyone had any success in cleaning the dvd lens in a navigation system?
I purchased a Magellan Roadmate 300 used on Ebay. The unit is in great shape, and seems to work fine ... sometimes. I have done some reading, and think maybe the windows in my Infiniti FX35 are preventing the satellite signal to the unit. I have a friend with the Garmin Streetpilot III and his seems to always receive a signal. Now I'm starting to wish I'd paid the extra for the Infiniti nav system when I bought the truck, but wanted the convenience of moving the unit to another vehicle. I do not want to use an external antenna. I've not had a chance to try the unit in another car yet, but am wondering if this is a typical problem with this unit, and if I'd be better off going with the Garmin. Any suggestions?
I run a roadmate 500 plus without an external ant..without problem..mounted on the dashboard of my malibu maxx..if the antenna has a clear line of site and no obstructions from roof or pillar lines..you should be ok....dont know what in window...would keep the signal from getting to the unit......what did the research reveal??
Yep, thats what it was, metallic window coating. However, the friends garmin never had a problem when we travelled thru pouring rain. Maybe it's a problem with the unit itself ... I left the office yesterday, the unit had me already located at a point near my home, i programmed my home address, and did not start receiving directions until I got to that point. I've done the firmware updates available on the magellan site. Another thing ... when I go to initialize the GPS, it's will say it will take a few minutes, prompt me to see if that is ok, i say yes, and it goes back to the same menu ... it's never actually taken any time, and never relocates when I do that. Also, only rarely will the "locate" feature work. Most times it tells me I'm someplace different. I'm also used to how the garmin will tell you you're off route and then recalculate. The few times the Magellan actually worked, it did not tell me I was off route ... Good thing I havent had to count on this thing yet.
Can I get a OEM navigation system for the 2002 Jaguar X-Type? I would like to put this in after 3 years and get the an after market Video Input Module such as :
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!!
sounds like a bad system to me....when I havent had my on for a few days..it will take a few minutes to acquire all the sats.....and makes the calculation...sometimes up to five minutes....my unit will always show me at the last point I shut if off on until it updates with the new info.....my locate feature always works...after the sats are acquired..........I would highly recommend the roadmate 500 plus...had mine about 18 months now..and love it.....I have relied on it several times to find those unknown directions...and it has worked without fail
Don't know about that - I haven't gotten lost around Nyack or the Bear Mountain area the few times I drove around the Valley (got cousins in the Cornwall area). The best bet is finding a postal carrier if you get turned around during the day.
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!
Hi Jeff, I just bought by 05' Accord EX V6 Navi last week and noticed 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?
I had such a windshield in my '92 Subaru SVX. It prevented:
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.
Even systems that are not physically built-in have the following problem:
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.
Just wanted to update you guys. I installed the 7" Xenarc TSV700 Touch-screen in my Armada yesterday. This will get connected to a car computer that will reside under the passenger seat. So far I've run the Xenarc with my laptop and delorme GPS. Works like a charm. Very clear screen, Once the system is done for about $1000 I'll have GPS, DVD, and anything else I want to load onto the PC available. They have out a very nice power supply that is a DC-DC power supply so that you don't have to run an inverter for your PC. This also makes your Car-PC act like a std Stereo/Amp where it comes on when the car is turned on, and will shutdown automatically after you turn off the car. I'll try to get some pics up shortly of the monitor install.
I have had a heck of a time getting information on a navigational upgrade for a 2001 LS430 that has never been upgraded. 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
Comments
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