Acura TL Navigation System Hints and Experiences

theweissman

See this! Looks almost like a video game. Plays videos, checks e-mail, and hooks up to your PC via USB2. NICE!

Too bad it's only for the Japan market. (No plans announced for USA.)

http://www.sony.jp/products/me/xyz/index.html

notrust2k3

"XM Radio and NAVTEQ Introduce XM NavTraffic: The Nation's First Satellite Traffic Information Service for Vehicle Navigation Systems"
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040407/dcw010_1.html

I *want* this on my 2004 Acura TL. Anyone have any idea if the standard Acura nav system can be upgraded to this enhanced NavTraffic system???

It's an obvious use of the technology - I just didn't realize they were so close to offering it!

03oddity

Check out www.hondanews.com for info on today's debut of the 2005 RL. Of note, its nav system features real-time traffic info!! Likely to be the same system alluded to in the previous post.

I'm in the market for a TL, not RL, but this is big news.

Here in L.A. we suffer daily due to too many cars, plus idiots flipping SUVs over in traffic lanes. I too *want this* before I plunk down my money for a TL Nav. Any info, rumors, etc. re: Acura's plans to migrate this to the TL platform??

wr_g

Re: entering phone #s for a business, how about a business that isn't a restauarant or other public place like a law firm or a pharmaceutical company for example? Will the NAV system tell me how to get there? Also, how about if the business is off the main drag? My clients are at big office bldgs and I don't know the main number only the office phone number of the person I'm visiting. Will the Nav be able to direct me using any phone number at that premise or do I have to enter the "main number" of the company?

kph

It is my understanding that the contents of the navi locations are culled from public information such as contained in buisiness yellow pages from the phone company. It appears to me that they have collected this data for those areas in the database that are 'detailed mapped'. Why I suspect this is if you every go and search for a custom category, the list that is displayed looks right out of a yellow page directory.

So, the only phone numbers that can be looked up would be the 'main' number of the place, as listed in the directory.

If by "off the main drag" you mean on a road that isn't in the map, I would suspect you are out of luck. If they can't direct you to the location, they would be silly to put them in the database.

dave___in___ct

Hi...

Is there an ongoing monthly charge for the navigation service?

Cost?

Who provides it/bills you?

Cost of new navigation DVD ?

Thanks...

Dave...

95gt

You only pay for the system. use it as much and as often as you want

A disc will cost about 200 bucks. But you really do not need to update every year (assuming, and that is a big IF, that acura comes out with a new disc every year).

I have a 2001 and the new disc finally came out Jan 2004.

dave___in___ct

Thanks you...

Good news... no monthly charge...

New disk cost is high though... and infrequent updates is not so great... too bad there aren't non-Acura disks available at a lower cost...

Dave...

mdhauke

There is no need to update the disks every year. Figure you will probably update the disk once every 2-4 years.

95gt

Yeah, really is no need to update to the new disc unless the area you drive in all the time is not mapped. If that is the case i would say why did you get the nav in the first place since most major areas are mapped. Who needs a nav system out in the country where there are only 3 roads

But i have not updated to the new disc because my 2001 disc is still perfectly fine.

307web

You will want a new DVD as often as they update them if you drive in a new and fast-growing area with lots of new roads and new POI updates every year.

bodble2

So it pays to live in a stagnant region with zero infrastructure improvement!

pmf13

Like Toronto! Question: do the folks who make the NAVI DVD remove roads as they fall into such disrepair that they are unnavicable?

kahunah

Do you believe the roads in this town?! Most of the 401 between Allen Road and the DVP is just a disaster. I'm afraid I'm going crack a rim one of these days!

95gt

Not sure where you are living but i live in DC/Maryland and that area has grown a huge amount. The only new roads they put just connect 2 old roads so i am "off the digitized road for 10 seconds then back on track. If it was cheaper i would agree but in 99% of the cases the 200 bucks is kind of a waste IMO.

wr_g

So, if the Navs says "off digitized road", does that mean your on your own as far as directions?

95gt

It shows where you are on the map so it is very easy just to take a quick look and realize which road you need to get on. In all honesty the amount of time i was not on the digitized road was 30 seconds or so. Most areas do not have new highways built but just extensions of existing roads to interest other existing roads.

wr_g

95gt, thanks for your response regarding the Nav system.

Question, if I want to check my voice mail at work I have to dial the number, then enter my extension and then a code. Can this be done in the TL using bluetooth feature without pushing buttons?

95gt

I would think since the system is still using your phone you should be able to program that into your phone. Most phones have a delay you can put in when you put a number in your phone. This delay can be used to pause then enter a code after the pause. I would think that would work for your system.

I have no idea if you can dial more numbers once you have completed a call.

mdhauke

How do I get the NAV system to stop showing that annoying screen every time I start the car when I don't even want to use the NAV any way. I mostly use the screen for the Audio display. Is there any way to change the setting so when I start the car it automatically goes to the Audio screen and we only see that annoying disclaimer when we want to go to the NAV system?

95gt

You are stuck with it. Seems to have spread to almost all the car makers now. At least acura still lets you use it while you drive. If that goes i would seriously reconsider a nav system.

bodble2

I found out even the extended warranty would not cover the Navi system beyond the factory 3-year coverage (in Canada). Is it the same for US? I'd hate to think how much it would cost to fix outside warranty period.

Hopefully, if it is anything like computers, in 3 years' time a new unit would cost only $500 and you can simply yank out the old one and put in a new one.

jlmvcr

Has anyone heard of any Canadian Phone company Bell, Telus .others selling service and phones with Bluetouth yet.

pmf13

I use a Sony Ericson T616 through Rogers. It works very well. I connected the phone to the car in less than 5 minutes and get a full display.

bodble2

I got my T616 to work too! It took me more than 5 minutes 'cause the first time I didn't know I had to get the phone into discovery mode. Then I wasn't sure whether to go the the sub-menu to search for handsfree, or the sub-menu to search for bluetooth devices. (Maybe either one would have done the trick). Then I got a couple or "retry", and it connected on the third retry! Then I got a bit of a scare when I got out of the car, turned off bluetooth, went inside a mall and found I couldn't receive or place calls! I thought I had screwed up some setting on the phone. But later it sorted itself out (somehow).

bodble2

is that you have to hit the talk button before speaking EVERYTIME. At first I thought you just have to hit it once to activate and then, as long as you don't pause too long after each prompt, you can just continue to talk. The manual didn't really spell that out clearly.
It took a bit of time to get used to hit button, talk, hit button, talk,....

pmf13

I don't know how you've set up you're T616, but I don't have to hit the talk button once the phone has connected. I simply carry on a normal conversation. Perhaps your difficulties with the original connection enabled some suboptimal setup parameters. Feel free to email me if you want to discuss it.

BTW, congrats on finally joining the club. May your TL give you lots of fun and mostly safe kilometers.

bodble2

Actually I didn't mean I have to hit the talk button everytime I say something during a phone conversation. I meant I have to hit the talk button everytime I give a command using the voice command. (I had thought that if you don't pause too long between commands you don't need to hit the talk button).

calwhiz

I have succesfully paired up a SonyEricsson T68i with my TL. I can make calls, answer calls, etc. But the Send button on the Calculate Route screen of the Navigation System still isn't enabled.

According to page 14 of the Navigation Manual, as long as there is a phone number on the screen, and there is a phone paired, and that HandsFreeLink isn't in use, the button should be enabled. I had made sure all three are true but the stubborn Send button just won't enable itself.

Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? Do I have a faulty Navigation System?

btp205

Hello, i get my TL with navi in 2 weeks, however I was reading the messages and was wondering.....nowadays with DVD burners, can you just burn a copy of the newer dics from someone else and spend one dollor instead of 150-200? ANyone here tried this or knows anyone else with other car makes and models?...just curious thats all. I guess to try one, can burn a copy of the original DVD and put the copy in and see if everything works.

end5255

Hi everyone, Unfortunately I wont be purchasing my TL for a few months. When I buy my TL I am also buying head rest monitors with a dvd player for the rear passengers...i.e kids. My question is, Can I connect the rear dvd to the front lcd screen so that all three screens are playing the dvd movie? and can I also connect the nav output to the headrest monitors so that the passengers can see the nav display from the headrest display?
This is a sample of what the head rest displays look like http://www.cardomain.com/item/VIZ6590006038
Thanks
Eddy

307web

It is extremely unlikely there is any input to attach another DVD player to the screen of the nav system. Plus, it's illegal to play videos in view of the driver.

Kirstie_H

A newspaper reporter is wondering if people are satisfied or dissatisfied with their vehicle navigation systems. Please send your brief comments and daytime contact info to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, July 14, 2004.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

gatrhumpy

There is a plug and play unit from http://www.avelectronic.com that I bought and installed in my 2004 Honda Accord EX V6 with navigation. It will work in your Acura also. I love the unit because now my wife can watch movies while I drive. I also got the Audiobahn AVDVD1P DVD player, and also have a second one if you're interested in buying it. Installing the avelectronic TV tuner unit (yes, you do need this TV tuner unit vs. other ones because this is plug and play, and you can add ANY other video source you can think of, including video camera, video games (I have a Dreamcast installed), rear-view camera, or anything else) was somewhat simple because there were instructions on how to remove the rear sear and center console on http://www.handa-accessories.com. I haven't seen any directions yet for the '04 TL. Once you find directions how to remove the rear bottom seat and center console, then you're good to go.
     One thing that you have to remember is that the TV tuner from avelectronic is programmed to be in the 'off' position. This means that when you connect everything, you have to press the power button on the remote to actually turn it on.
     If you do order this thing (it's a little expensive at $525), you have to connect the red power wire to the cigarette lighter adapter, the yellow wire to the black ground wire, and the ground wire to a grounded bolt or something. If you have any more questions, let me know.

spitfiremike

certain of the voice commands in the manual refer to the "a/c screen". well i know the "nav screen" and i know the "audio screen"; does "a/c screen" simply mean a blank screen?

bodble2

I asked that same question quite awhile ago and no one answered! But I think you're right -- the climate control screen is actually a non-existent, "notional" screen. You can bark out the climate control commands when you're in either the Nav or audio screen.

gords

I am considering the purchase of the 2004 Acura TL with the Nav system. Is this worth it? I address this question primarily to the Canadian contingent who may already be the owners of such a vehicle. I know that the Nav package includes some other fine equipment upgrades such as the hands free blue tooth connectivity and the solar sensing climate control, but my main concern is, for Canadian Driving, is it worth the money, and does it allow access to the American Content (is this included on the DVD) should trips be made outside of Canada. Any information is appreciated.

ken495

For all those who have been waiting, Verizon Wireless finally has a Bluetooth phone. I was reluctant to switch carriers because of the difference in coverage for my area, so I've been waiting it out. They released the Motorola V710 a couple of weeks ago. It works great with my TL and as far as I can tell, all Bluetooth features work except for the signal meter, which is a "nice to have" but I can live without. It's great to finally use the bluetooth phone feature, plus I prefer flip phones.

Oddly enough, the phone is not available at Verizon stores yet, it is only available via their website or at Radio Shack. Here is a link: http://www.vzwshop.com/motorola

Now if only they had a Bluetooth iPod!

carcar

Actually, the Bluetooth Connectivity is standard on all TLs, nav or non-nav. And yes, Canada and the United States are on the same DVD, letting you cross between the two effortlessly.

carcar

gords

Thank you for the update on my post. Just returned from vacation and was pleased to see your reply. Still trying to convince someone that the TL in Black with the camel interior is what we should be driving.

Thanks again
GordS

polbras

Paired my Motorola V600 cell phone from Cingular. Works great but when I press the Talk button to answer calls hangs up the call! Phone is on the hands free mode. I can make calls and use the Navi "send" option but the problem with receiving calls is odd....
Acura's service manager told me that Motorola has problem with their bluetooth and will release a new model of cell phone by end of year.
Anybody having same problem with V600?

bosoxin04

Yes, I have the same problem with the V600 through AT&T Wireless (converting to Cingular, I believe, through a sale). The problem usually goes away upon a call-back, but it's aggravating.

If I'm getting a call from an important client or my boss, I'm now using the phone to pick up, which decreases quite a bit of the utility from Bluetooth.

Let me (us) know if you learn anything more -- like you, I've had relatively few other problems with Bluetooth (one other minor issue is that I find I need to reestablish the Bluetooth connection if I am away from the car for more than a few minutes).

bosoxin04

Yes, I have the same problem with the V600 through AT&T Wireless (converting to Cingular, I believe, through a sale). The problem usually goes away upon a call-back, but it's aggravating.

If I'm getting a call from an important client or my boss, I'm now using the phone to pick up, which decreases quite a bit of the utility from Bluetooth.

Let me (us) know if you learn anything more -- like you, I've had relatively few other problems with Bluetooth (one other minor issue is that I find I need to reestablish the Bluetooth connection if I am away from the car for more than a few minutes).

mdhauke

I also have the exact same problem with the Sony Erricson T608 from Sprint. Have not found a solution.

carnaught

I am not hving a problem with my Sony-Ericsson T608 but am not sure I understand your problem.

bodble2

No such problem (so far) with my Sony Ericsson T616 thru AT & T.

mdhauke

About 70% of the time when somebody calls me and I hit the talk button the Acura will try to pick it up but it can't. The call still is there but just on the phone so now I have to lift the phone up and talk to it.

polbras

As regard lost connection when away from the car I had the same problem in the beginning then playing with my V600 I found that going to Settings, Connections, Bluetooth Link, and setting the phone in Handsfree mode and Find-me mode (in Setup option) I've solved the problem: as soon as I enter the car I can see the Bluetooth connected (in my phone and in the car). Then when I leave the car, phone's Bluetooth disconnects after walking 30 ft. around.
Hope this will help you.

bosoxin04

Thanks for the tip -- I'll give it a shot this evening.

bodble2

Actually I do have one problem with my T616. I'm not sure if this is somehow related to what polbras was talking about in post #100, but I find that if I use the phone via bluetooth, then when I exit the car (car turned off), more often than not I would not be able to pick up calls on my phone. It would ring, but when I push "talk" I wouldn't be able to hear the other party, and the other party wouldn't hear me. If I reset by turning the phone off and then back on, then everything is OK. I also find that this problem seems to be minimized if I turn off bluetooth on my phone after I turn off the ignition AND is still within a few feet from the car.