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Acura TL Navigation System Hints and Experiences

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Comments

  • wr_gwr_g Member Posts: 33
    Ken,

    Two questions, how much was the V710 phone and what is the signal meter?
  • kevheadkevhead Member Posts: 13
    Same story with my TL and V600.....making calls is really easy. I've received 5 calls and all but one got disconnected.
  • jim730jim730 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a V710 at a Verizon store three weeks ago. However, I can't seem to receive calls. I was able to "pair" the phone and am able
    to make calls. If someone tries to call me the call comes through but the phone doesn't ring nor
    does the HFL notify me of the call. Any suggestions?
  • jpiatchekjpiatchek Member Posts: 177
    I am thinking of changing my wireless carrier to ATT to get Bluetooth capability. Anyone had experience with the Sony Ericsson T637 or the new Motorolla V505? Would appreciate any help you can give.
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    My T637 has exactly the same problem as your T616, bodble2 (the problem you've describe in post #102)...
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    So it seems to be a Sony Ericsson problem. Wonder if I haven't turned on the proper setting(s) within the phone.
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    I actually think it's a problem with TL. I have tried every setting in my phone and still have problems using my phone if I don't explicitly close the Bluetooth connection to the car. Besides, I also have difficulties making outgoing calls using TL's handsfree feature.

    On my phone, I have configured it such that when making outgoing calls, it will always go out on the handsfree device (in this case, the TL). However, every time when I dial a number on my phone, even though the phone is linked to the car, the call will still go out on the phone, not via the car. The strange thing is, I can tell that the phone did transfer the call to the car and I can tell the car does attempt to carry the call as I can hear a brief dial tone through the car's speakers but then it was transferred immediately back to the phone.

    This also happens with incoming calls but only when my phone isn't connected to the car--if I have Bluetooth enabled on my phone, but not connected to my car, an incoming call will cause the Bluetooth connection to be established, and the car will attempt to carry the call, but then it was immediately transfered back to the phone.

    This 'outgoing call on handsfree device' feature works correctly with my Handsfree-enable Bluetooth headset though. So regardless what Acura might tell you it's a problem with the phone, I suspect TL's handsfree implementation does have its own bugs.

    The only thing that works for me is when my phone's Bluetooth is enabled and connected to the car, the car will take incoming calls correctly.

    Meanwhile, if I am making outgoing calls and I want to dial it via the car, the only way is to do direct voice dialing through the car or using a pre-stored number in your phone book. Pain in the butt but I can live with it...
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "if I have Bluetooth enabled on my phone, but not connected to my car,..."

    I don't quite follow. How do you mean? You mean you enable Bluetooth on the phone, but turn off your car?
  • boneyardjellyboneyardjelly Member Posts: 11
    I bought the same phone .. the Motorola V710...after Verizon said Bluetooth is Bluetooth... everyone acts as though Bluetooth is an industry standard, like USB or VHS... which it should be. I mean really, even many of the car sites say ANY Bluetooth phone works in the Acura TL. I can place calls but I can't receive them. Acura told me that there is a compatibility problem with the phone and they won't recommend it. I have a problem resolution query in to Motorola right now... I'm hoping they can tweak the phone for me. I'll post the results here.
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    "if I have Bluetooth enabled on my phone, but not connected to my car,..."

    I meant that Bluetooth is turned on on the phone, but the phone isn't connected to the car (Basically, the Bluetooth on your phone is in 'standby mode', i.e., you see a Bluetooth icon on your phone, but not the blue circle).

    I find that sometimes even when the Bluetooth is turned on on the phone, the phone won't automatically connect to the car's handsfree. Most of the time I have to explicitly choose Connection->Bluetooth->My Devices->TL->Connect on my phone. Do you not experience this problem?
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    When I enable Bluetooth on my phone, it is connected to the Handsfree automatically, first time, everytime.

    (There is a Bluetooth icon on the phone, but no blue circle.) I have the Sony Ericsson T616.
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,575
    "...but no blue circle."

    What is the blue circle?
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "What is the blue circle?"

    I don't know, 'cause I don't see it on my phone.
    Hopefully calwhiz can elaborate.
  • silvertlsilvertl Member Posts: 8
    It must be a compatibilty thing. I have had my TL since nov last year and it worked perfectly with a seimens S56...exactly as advertised. I bought a new V600 last night, and can not get it to answer a call with the car. It asnwers the call, but immediately transfers it back to the phone. Voice dialing via the car works fine, as does the transfer function. I'm looking for a solution now (That's how I found this forum.
    Hope this helps someone.
    John
  • wr_gwr_g Member Posts: 33
    I just bought the Motorola V710. I thought it would work in the TL. I haven't tried it yet. Anyone else have the V710 that can comment on whether or not they can receive calls?
  • mo124mo124 Member Posts: 1
    Apparently the TL has difficulty understanding certain rings tones from the Moto V710 (which sucks since that was the only reason I got the phone)

    Making calls is fine, but receiving is a problem.

    Try keeping your phone set to vibrate when using the Bluetooth feature in your TL. That's worked for me and a lot of other people.
  • wr_gwr_g Member Posts: 33
    I just bought the Motorola V710. I thought it would work in the TL. I haven't tried it yet. Anyone else have the V710 that can comment on whether or not they can receive calls?
  • jeffreylevinjeffreylevin Member Posts: 32
    I have had the Verizon Blue Tooth V710 phone since August. A few thoughts to share with group. 1. Acura support mentioned some earlier TL builds require an upgrade to support V600 phones. 2. For V710, try to follow the TL Bluetooth step and then configure the V710 phone. Carefully read Acura TL manual for Bluetooth pairing. The TL Setup menu is straightforward, however getting used to the telephone button was initially “tricky”. The V710 hands free configuration was straightforward. You need to make sure that Auto Answer is enabled. The 4 digit user defined pin is essential to pair telephone with the TL. Hopes this helps.
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    The Bluetooth icon on my phone (SonyEricsson T637) becomes a blue circle when the phone is connected to any Bluetooth devices.

    bodble2, I remember my old T68 also automatically connected to TL every time, but not the T637. So there is some incompatibility between TL and T637.

    However, as I said, my T637 has no problems to connect to other nearby Bluetooth devices automatically. Just not with the TL...oh well.
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,575
    sometimes connects to bluetooth and sometimes does not. Occasionally it requires me to make a call before the bluetooth connection is recognized.

    Hopefully the technology will improve with time.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I guess we have to bear in mind that Bluetooth and Handsfree are basically virgin technology that will have their share of growing pains. In addition, they also have to deal with cross-brand compatibility issues.
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    A friend's friend told me that his SonyEricsson T630 works fine (automatically connects to his TL all the time).

    Which is odd, since the T630 and T637 are basically the same phones, just with different GSM frequency...
  • jayc7470jayc7470 Member Posts: 1
    hi, I just brought a 05 TL. I have no problem pairing my T68 to the car but i cant place or receive any calls. When I press the talk button and say "call or dial", it said "no phone has been found, return to the main menu". The handsfreelink icon was on my phone and not on the dashboard. Please give me some hints to fix the problem, thanks a lot!!
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,575
    Your dash does not show the phone icon (near the time and radio station on Nav. model). It still sounds like your phone didn't pair with the car. Check your phone to see if this is the case. If it is paired as you say, try making a call on your phone while in the car and see if the icon shows up on the dash either during or after the call.

    If not successfully paired follow the Acura handbook on handsfree pairing from scratch.

    What the phone says is not always correct. My phone occasionally gives the message "bluetooth connection lost", despite the fact that it is not.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    When you pair the phone to Handsfree, it requires you to create a 4-digit code, which you also have to enter on the phone to complete the pairing. I've done that, but does anyone know if that 4-digit code will ever be needed again, because I've lost mine!
  • focusjcfocusjc Member Posts: 10
    I love my wife's TL's Handfree so much, I went bought a Motorlola HF800 speaker to put in my car. It turn out so much easier to use than TL's and then I realized the Handfree set should be function just like a simple headset, without its own intelligence. The intelligence(Voice command, Phone book) should be still coming from the cell phoneS. I don't think TL has the option let you turn off its own command and phone book(?) Anybody knows?
  • calwhizcalwhiz Member Posts: 29
    bodble2, based on my knowledge, you do not need to know this code again. If you ever delete the phone from your TL and need to pair up again, you can simply choose a new password. I have done re-pairing several times.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Thanks! That's a relief. Nowadays there are just too many passwords, and pass codes to keep track off! Or maybe the old memory isn't what it used to be!
  • tlbuyertlbuyer Member Posts: 3
    How often does the DVD database need to be updated? Given that it has info such as restaurants etc. does the info get out of date after a few years? If so, how expensive is updated DVD database? Is it easy to purchase at the Acura dealer?

    Thanks
  • tlbuyertlbuyer Member Posts: 3
    How often does the DVD database need to be updated? Given that it has info such as restaurants etc. does the info get out of date after a few years? If so, how expensive is updated DVD database? Is it easy to purchase at the Acura dealer?

    Thanks
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    The Garmin contiually adjusts and recalculates based on your current speed. The TL does not.
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    I have had two Garmim units Stret Pilot III with Voice and touch screen 2610. The first one I have had for three years. I have updated the map source once; it was $155.

    Even when the DVD is out of dte major towns and major streets are still found ans it is still very usable. New strret will not shown up and it will have to recalculate. However you can always mark new places as "waypoints" or "POI"s and then you can find them again.

    Hope this helps!

    MidCow
  • tlbuyertlbuyer Member Posts: 3
    I appreciate the response. I've never had a navi system before and was curious how usable it would be over time. I'm still on the fence as to it being worth $2k and am also a bit concerned about buying a new car only to have part of it become outdated after a few years. Sounds like you don't feel that that is much of a problem. When you refered to your nav systems my guess was that they weren't part of the TL but a seperate, standalone system.

    Thanks for your response.
  • jjabbytaylorjjabbytaylor Member Posts: 28
    I guess it depends on how new the areas you live in and visit are. My TL's Nav database was outdated from the day I bought my car due to new road construction. The Points-of-Interest Database (Gas Stations, ATMs, etc.) is mostly accurate but of course this is very much a moving target.

    If I recall correctly, Acura charges about $190 for an update. I figure I am going to wait at least two years to update due to some major new road construction/road alignment activities going on near my home and work.

    Before I buy an update, I plan on talking to my new car salesman and having him verify that the new updates contain the road construction updates once they are complete.

    I have been extremely happy with the Nav system in my car. I am somewhat directionally challenged so it is an invaluable tool for getting around in less familiar areas. We liked the system so much in my TL, that when we bought my wife a new car, we got her a navigation system in her car as well.

    Good luck,

    Jeff
  • jasonj75jasonj75 Member Posts: 2
    I was at the dealer this evening with the wife playing with an '05 NAV. There is a Costco a mile or two up the street so we figure that would be a good test for us.

    It found a whole bunch of Costcos....One in Quebec, and 15 or so in Utah. I live in Virginia. At first I figured it was because the Costco was fairly new, but that doesn't answer why it couldn't find the one down the road in Sterling which has been around for years. We're not going to be needing directions to Costco anytime soon, but it makes me wonder what else is messed up. Any ideas?
  • wr_gwr_g Member Posts: 33
    I have a few observations having owned the TL w/Nav for about 5 mths. The Nav system is superb. That said, you are correct that finding the local Costco using the name locator is not good. My experience is that you will be able to get there if you enter either the address or the phone number. The address is most likely to register.

    The typical situation when you need the Nav is that you are going somewhere you have never been and you have the address. In this case the Nav will get you there by entering the address unless it is on new road that came after the DVD version you purchased.

    I travel for work and find the Nav well worth the $$$$. My guess is it will pay for itself over time in gas mileage savings from not having to wander around finding places. It is also safer than looking down at internet printed directions while driving. I hope this helps.
  • 307web307web Member Posts: 1,033
    http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2004_11_02.html

    I think Acura and Honda should get these faeatures since they already have both XM and GPS navigatiion in some vehicles.
    I wonder if they are thinking about it?
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    This is basically the system that already exists in the RL.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    I have a TSX. I think there is some way (and I don't remember how I did it) to tell the NAV that you want the nearest Costco, or the Costco in a certain city. Otherwise, if you type in the name of a chain store, it will just find the first one it comes to on the DVD.
  • tntdctntdc Member Posts: 1
    I own a 2004 TL and opted not to get the Navigation system and now regret my decision. Does anyone know if the dealer can install the system after the fact?

    Thanks
  • 1violinist1violinist Member Posts: 338
    I don't think so! Navi is a factory option that's integrated into the interior as the car being assembled. It's like automatic/manual transmission, cannot be changed after production.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    As 1violinist said, you cannot have it installed after the fact. Your best course of action is to wait a couple of years until TL gets a mid-life upgrade (maybe with SH-AWD), and then trade yours in for the upgraded one, with Nav. That way you would minimize the financial hit, and get the most bang for your buck.
  • brew99brew99 Member Posts: 86
    I was tempted to look at trading in my '04 non-nav for an '05 with nav (and get the Anthracite colour which is now available in AT in Cda) but think that waiting a couple of years would be the best bet from a financial perspective. SH-AWD would also be a good thing. It's not all bad however as the effective $4k (Cdn) price difference that I did not pay this time has gone to good use with a new big-screen television.
  • cabowabodudecabowabodude Member Posts: 45
    I know Acura offers XM is there any way to get Sirius instead??
  • leeareedleeareed Member Posts: 10
    To be clear, the DVD for the Nav system goes into the nav systesm inside the trunk, completely separate from the car stereo. So, YES you can use the DVD based NAv system AND the stereo/CD at the same time.
  • leeareedleeareed Member Posts: 10
    The system will instruct you to do a u-turn by saying "U-turn if possible" I like that the legal deaprtmant tacked on "if possible" I could see many TL drivers in court "but the TL told me to make a u-turn!"
  • colecole Member Posts: 67
    Has anyone tried this to pair a non-bluetooth phone to the TL? It's a bluetooth adapter that's specifically made to pair phones with bluetooth headsets. I'm thinking of buying one to use with the TL...
  • nyinsuranceguynyinsuranceguy Member Posts: 3
    Crazy thought- can the dvd for the 05 RL be loaded into the TL, giving TL owners the XM traffic system?
  • toolpictoolpic Member Posts: 12
    i know that this post is specific to the TL yeeet my recent purchase was a 2005 mdx with nav and dvd and at 25- 300 miles the NAVI died!!!!

     

    Just got it back today and i am concerned, dealer had to replace the navi control unit, anyone else have this problem?? ALso, how do you know if the replacement control unit is new and not refurbished i dont want a refurb on my mdx that i have owned less than a week and now only has 325 miles. also, how doi know if the navi control unit is interchangagble with the previous years or is it the disk that makes the changes?

     

    any insights would be helpful, i am really bummed about this.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I can't see why they would give you a refurbished unit. The only component that they used a reman unit for is the auto transmission.
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