Acura TL Navigation System Hints and Experiences

whittonm

The G35 NAV screen automatically toggles between night and day: day with bright background, night with dark background.

whittonm

I have the TomTom Pocket PC system and it is very good. Better than my G35X built-in system in fact. I would check out Tomtom if you are considering a standalone nav system.

taxesquire

Thanks for the info - I imagine it's connected to the headlights - if the headlights go on, the nav goes into night-mode?

I would think that Gs would soon get the voice recognition software that the M35/45 has.

gookietran

does anyone know if there will be a converter made for the TL's nav system to be able to get XM's NavTraffic service? or is this only applicable to the RL?

taxesquire

I doubt such a technology will exist in the near future. More likely is that future TLs ('07?) will be given the integrated system used by the RL. I seriously doubt you will ever be able to integrate your current TLs system with live traffic updates.

whittonm

Yes, the G's system sets up its background according to whether headlights are on. Not sure why G35 does not have voice rec

uhuh1

My issue is that I wonder navigation on '03 TL Type-S does tell me what to do like 'making left turn at 0.3mile ahead with its voice. Does this model have function of helping me with its own voice?

I just visited a dealershop to but a used '03 TL Type-S with Navigation/Onstar. But a salesperson told me that Navigation system of this model doesn't tell me how to get to a place with its voice. It is so weird. If it can't let me know the direction with its voice, I can't understand that why it is called navigation system. She told me that I can just refer to the point where I stands and I can refer to the direction with my eyes. I think there was some misunderstanding between her and me. Can you let me know? Thank you.

dm25

I had a TL Type S '03 until I traded it for an '06. The '03 does have some voice guidance.

After you choose a destination it says usually by voice and on screen to "Proceed to the highlighted route." This takes you to the first significant street from the starting point. Once in route a voice will tell you when to make the next maneuver. It comes on depending on time and distance to the next maneuver, more in advance on the freeway. The screen will insert a trapezoid figure of a stack of bars which disappear one by one as you get to the next maneuver. They first appear about 1000 ft from the maneuver. You can also get voice guidance at any time if there is any available by pressing the voice button.

I like the voice guidance on the '06 much better becasue it is more helpful, e.g., " Take the next right turn" Or, in some cases, "Take the second right." It doesn't use the disappearing trapezoid which needa close monitoring especially the last 200 ft. or so since it has a very high closing rate which may let you miss a street in complicated situations.

The '03 Nav is good, the '06 is just better, more voice interaction, faster automatic recalculation of route, etc.

uhuh1

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate much about it. Thank you again.

smp123

My StreetPilot sets Day/Night based on the time of day and current location. It looks up local sunset/sunrise for the date and location. I wish the TL Nav was that smart. I find myself always fiddling with the brightness when it should be automatic. As in having a light sensor and using the time of day.

I also wish I could have more detail at some of the higher scales. My StreetPilot allows this with an option of setting detail level.

tlgal

Hi

I'm still trying to maneuver through the navigation options. I've read some of the postings, but can't find the time to read them all..

Is there a way to use the navigation without the voice? :confuse: Sometimes I'd just like to see the graphics and text only without be interrupted with the talking.

Thanks for you help!

bplayer

Go to setup screen 1 and turn the voice slider (I think it is the 3rd one down) to off.

taxesquire

the TL nav changes brightness according to your headlights. That's enough for me.

mptlptr

So I noticed on the Acura press release for the '06 TL (and the 04 and 05 for that matter) that the nav system has "3-D graphics for freeway on and off ramps". what exactly does that mean? I know the TL does not have the updated nav system found in the '06 MDX and TSX. I found this picture of the MDX's system:

http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/3901/mdxnav1fd.jpg

does the TL's nav screen split like that when you're ocming up on a freeway interchange?

I read somewhere that the updated system also tells you exactly what lane you have to be in. Does the TL's do this?

And finally, the updated nav in the TSX and MDX have more memory and faster processing speed. Do you TL owners feel that your nav system is slow? In the brief amount of time I spent using the TL's nav at the dealer, it seemed to calculate routes very quickly.

Thanks!

liferules

Yes, I've seen it do this. I can't remember but there may be an option in the menu to choose split screen or not...

bhelsdon

Yes you can choose a split screen. The map is on the left side and the direction list is on the right side. When you are approaching an exit the direction side will be replaced by a picture of the exit you need to take it will also show the exit number or the road name in that picture. Very similar to the one in your link except I feel that the TL's is more detailed.

taxesquire

Regardless of whether you choose split screen or single screen, the screen will split similar to how it is shown on the link previously-posted. It will also show/tell you which exit lane to be in if there are multiple options. That's on the '04, so maybe the graphics are a bit enhanced, but even the "old" '04 graphics are very good.

I feel the system does work quickly. I notice it most when I force the system to "recalculate". Of course, the more complicated the route, the longer it may take.

mordrid52

I've played around with the navi in an '06 TL. I'm curious how much better the next-gen navi is in the TSX/MDX. I know it has more voice commands and better graphics speed, but is it really all that much prettier/faster? Or is it just a small upgrade? Also, has anyone heard one way or the other on whether the '07 TLs will be upgraded with the new navi?

bhelsdon

I just had an 06 Navi TSX as a loaner and I didn't think that the nav was all that better, in fact i feel that the navi in my 04 TL is clearer and easier to see.

sdenis

I just bought an 06 TL and love all of the features. One of the things that I didn't do correctly is consistantly name the entries in my phone book. For example some of the entries are Susan's Cell and others are Mary's Mobile. I need to redo all of them to be consistant for ease of recalling numbers in the phone book. Any suggestions on how to clean out the phone book? Im new to this chat here so forgive me for anything that is not normal here.

taxesquire

isn't it quicker to go one-by-one to change the names? The #s are still accurate, right?

All I can suggest is that you go into the setup menu into the address book and read the menu items carefully to see what your options are.

taxesquire

I bet the dealership could do it pretty easily - I bet if you had it done at the same time as your next oil change, they wouldn't charge you anything. I got my car used, and had to go to a dealership to have them override the PIN the prior driver used. They warned me that doing so would erase all entries, so they must have a way to do that for you.

hondaura

Hello, I have a 2004 Acrua TL with NAV and 2005 Honda Odyssy with Nav. I just received a DVD update for the Odyssy from Honda for some software fix. Do you know if the old DVD Navteq ver 4.12 can be used in the Acura TL or not? Since the Acura DVD is a year older than the original Honda DVD, I would like to use the newer one - it does have some nice features and also the graphics is better. I want to make sure that the Honda DVD won't break the Acura NAV. Thanks for your help.

manne

Hi everybody,i am not able to search for a walmart store near Brooklyn,NY.the only stores i can get are somewhere in Maine.Any idea how i can do it.

tenuki

I've had my 06 TL for about 2 months. It seems that the "auto" setting for the screen mode (day or night) no longer works. It simply stays on the bright day mode all the time. (I remember it working when I first bought it)

I have to manually select night to get it to have the black background on the map instead of the beige background. I would expect it to switch to black when I turn the headlights on, but it does not do that.

Anyone seen this behavior? Is this a technical problem or user incompetence?

usn_tl

tenuki,
Your LED gauges (speedometer, tacho and such) must have been manually set to max. Try lowering the brightness and this should fix the prob. Adjusting them to Max overrides the night mode on your nav screen.

usn_tl

liferules

ditto what usn_tl said. It happens commonly...

ty1234

How does the Motorola Razor phone work with the hands free link on the TL?

I’m in the market for an 06 TL 6 speed w/Nav… what is you honest opinion of the car. I’m pretty young and $35K+ for a new car is a lot of money. I’m considering a few other models (Infiniti G35 and BMW 3 series) but the TL is on the top of my list. I want to make sure I’m making the right choice before I buy. Any advice and/or likes and dislikes of the car would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

taxesquire

Yes, but make sure you manually go into the settings to put it back onto "auto" - otherwise it'll stay on night (or day), regardless ofwhat you do.

taxesquire

I have an '04 6 spd TL and absolutely love it. Much more power than I know what to do with!!! Following are my complaints: 1- There is torque steer when accelerating quickly from a dead stop, or on very poor roads. I believe they tried to "fix" this on the '06s by having something that reduces the torque when it senses torque-steer. Basically, I think it automatically reduces engine output - seems like you;d get the same effect by letting off ont ehgas a little, and I'd prefer to have control over that.

2- I like the power steering of the G35 better. I just drove my in-laws '03 G35 and the steering is stiffer - less power-assist - and I prefer that.

3- there's a crazy amoutn fo brake-dust generated. I know in the grand scheme of things, dirty wheels are no big deal, but it still bugs me.

Other than those, I think the car is fantastic!

hky

I had the car for a few days only and so far so good. I test drove G35, M35 and 3 multiple times and finally came down to TL due to its better value for the buck. If similar equipped (nav, heated seat, tilt mirror, bluetooth, leather) G35/3 will be more expensive. On the other hand, handling of G35/3 is better and provide better braking performance. If I live in areas that I have more chance to drive a little faster on twisty roads, I would have pick the 3; however I live in dallas which is all constructions and highways and jams.

Bluetooth works fine with 2 phones (not razor), NAV is very good but not as clear in direction as my garmin nuvi. Good thing is the music will be suspened when you are having conversation on the phone (except the nav).

Whatever you choose, I think you will enjoy it.

taxesquire

I disagree with your comments about the brakes - the TL 6MT has fantastic brakes - much better than the G35 I drove. Do you have a manual transmission TL? They come with stronger brakes than the automatics.

I also think the nav system is revolutionary. I've seen one or 2 aftermarkets, but maybe not yours. Still, the graphics are good, rerouting is done quickly, and the voice-recognition is worth its weight in gold.

hky

Yes, the MT uses larger brembo which is stronger than the automatics. I am just compare the AT brakes - in this respect I like the G and 3 better. Perhaps my nav is just 1 month old, maps are more updated and software is newer... don't get me wrong, the nav is still very nice compare with most other system I have seen.

invasian

i didnt get the 6sp, but i decided on the TL b/c the NAV was one of my highest priorities. and I didnt like the G35's navi as much. Price was also a BIG factor as i wanted to keep it at or below 35k. Sometimes I regret not getting the 6sp, b/c i catch myself grabbing the shifter as if it were a stickshift. I love my TL though. Style wise i think the 3 series looks the best at the moment, maybe b/c its the newest?
At first it felt like the TL was huge, and hard to drive b/c you cant see the body lines of the car-and there are many blindspots. (I own a truck, and think the truck is easier to drive)
I love the car, but if i could go back in time, I would probably buy another truck.

wdvaughan2

I bought a 2005 TL last September. My Acura salesman told me of about a converter kit that will allow the DVD audio player to play DVD movies on the navigation screen. He advised me to look on the Internet. I have had no luck so far. I tried to contact my salesman but he has left the dealer.

Does anybody have any information on this converter?

Thanks in advance.

usn_tl

wdvaughan2,
Try searching the forums on the following sites acurazine.com or acuraworld.com Don't forget to post your findings back here in this forum.
Good luck!

2003acura32cl

hey, i have a 2003 acura cl 3.2. i have the navigation system (with it's orginal disk). i saw would you wrote about the voice recognition in the TL. couple of questions. do you know the best place / way to get the updated disks. the roads are starting to get out of date on my disk. and do you know any way possible to upgrade the navigation system? could i get voice rec in my car or would that be outrageously expensive?

taxesquire

Yes, the current model's voice recognition is fantastic. I don't see how you could get that voice recognition installed into your car aftermarket. The closest, I would think, would be to buy an aftermarket nav that came with its own voice recog, but, of course, I don't know that any have this, and it certainly wouldn't be integrated with your climate controls and radio.

As for new discs, I don't know if this is the "best" place, but here's the place on Acura's website where I saw ordering info: Acura Navigation Site

2003acura32cl

yeah, thanks. i promise i'm not that lazy. i thought i could get it on the acura site, but had the hardest time bringing the site up on friday. i finally got it up and bought the latest disk after i posted my question. thanks though.

xafwodahs

Hello, I'm thinking about getting a 2006 TL w/nav. Regarding the nav unit, can it support custom latitude/longitude waypoints?

If yes:
- how many?
- do they have to be entered by hand?

I participate in something called geocaching, where you go around and find things people have hidden at certain coordinates. But you can hunt many of these in a day. I'd hate to enter 10 or 20 coords in by hand... Of course, I can still use my Garmin handheld, but I'd also like the car to be able to do it.

Thanks.

stingray2019

Anyone hear of this. My service guy hasn't. And living in Los Angeles, this is one of the few cities I would actually pay for the upgrade - even if it is just a new DVD as it seems it should be by the design of the Nav system.

Thanks
Mark "Stingray" Santora

taxesquire

Are you asking if you can find a point by enterring a latitudinal coordinate and a longitudinal coordinate? I am pretty sure the TL Nav will not do that.

kennyg8

Taxesquire is correct. But you can get the coordinates of any location by touch the vehicle icon on the navi screen, and it most cases, it even gives you the altitude.

ponderpoint

Just got my brand new TL and love the car, but the navi is just a dismal failure. I've been using a portable Garmin unit for years and expected the TL's navi to at least match this. They don't even compare. Two clicks out on the TL's zoom - and all the detail disappears! That big beautiful screen has the icon moving through blank space while the portable unit is showing you progressing on a well-known county route where I live.

It got so bad, I had friends in the car laughing at the unit as it plotted a course to a local hang-out.... The "locals" would never drive the route the TL's navi plotted! At one point, it had a ridiculous vector actually away from the destination just so it could utilize an interstate highway! Yes, I tried direct vs. easy.

We have a big road trip planned for the TL coming up and sadly, the portable GPS unit will be used.

xafwodahs

I agree, my Garmin 60CS is much more capable. The only advantage of the TL's nav unit is that it's always there and always on. In my previous car, I didn't always have the Garmin with me, and even if I did, I would have to turn it on and wait for lock. Oh well...

ponderpoint

Xaf,

Yeah, your right. It is nice and it's always on. I just wish it had more capability. A good example of its lack of detail is Spring Grove PA - bulls-eye this town with the TL navi..... You do not get a detailed map until your way in at 1/8 mile scale. When you go out to 1/2 mile scale - the town just disappears. Note that the railroad tracks are still indicated... That's just sheer stupidity - I can't recall driving on railroad tracks so this information is useless. Go out one click further, even more dismal with no detail, but the railroads are still indicated! What where the e-map designers thinking?

ponderpoint

I am completely impressed with the TL. It truly will be a memorable automobile that I have owned. I just wish I had bought one without the navi...

WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK! I am completely confused as to why Acura develops these wonderful cars and then lets it be defaced with such a horrible navigation system. It routinely plots routes that don't make any sense, addicted to the interstates to the point it will detour you out of the way, and after two clicks out on the zoom - loses all detail.

Great car.... Greater without the navi! Save your money and get a TL without it and then go out and get a portable unit.

liferules

I have to disagree with you. I have used nav programs on my Audi, and my relative's Lexus vehicles and I have to say the Acura one is hands down the best. I haven't had any bad routing and find it easy and intuitive to use...

Do you live in a small city where there isn't as much information in the nav programming?

xafwodahs

Ya, from what I understand, the Acura system is the best automotive GPS unit. However, for someone who has used a good handhelp GPS (Garmin 60CS), it's amazing how limited the automotive systems are.

I know some of that limitation is because it's designed specifically as an automotive unit, whereas the handhelds are used for a variety of things, and need to be more flexible.

But still, there are just some things - a lot of things, actually - I automatically expected, and then discovered weren't there. Examples:

I thought it would leave a breadcrumb trail. The Acura unit only shows breadcrumbs when offroad.

I definitely thought I would be able to program my own destination by latitude/longitude - I mean that's gotta be the most basic function of any GPS. Can't do it.

My handheld lets me control if I want more or less map detail, so if I'm in the county where there aren't as many roads, I can have more roads show up when zoomed out. Not possible on the Acura system.

My handheld gives me more options for routing, especially the "Avoid U-turns" option. Every time I miss an exit in my Acura, it says "Please make a U-turn as soon as possible" over and over again. Annoying. My handheld just figures out a different route, and if I do want to make a u-turn, I make it and the handheld will detect that and automatically recalculate back to the original route.

Speaking of talking, maybe it's just me, but I think the Acura unit talks too much. When coming up to a turn with my handheld, I get a single beep warning, then a double beep when I need to turn. That's it. With the Acura, it says "Please make a right turn in 1/2 mile." Then, "Please make a right turn in 1/4 mile." Then, "Please take the next right". Then, "Please continue on road for 1 mile." I wish I could tell her to shut up! (I actually tried - she thought I said "Show restaurants" or something...)

It's not so bad that I'm mad I got the navi-TL. But it's obvious that having the handheld gave me false expectations. For someone who never used a GPS before, it's probably really cool.

ponderpoint

I can illustrate exact situations where the TL's navi has wasted gas & time and given a horrifically flawed route. Even when portable units get kind of "whacky", you can zoom out to get a rough feel of how to go because the mapping stays detailed. Then the unit just re-calculates the route. "Xaf" is right - the TL's unit just keeps on repeating the U-turn command until you finally put it out of its misery and press cancel.

As for an example, start your trip near an interstate section but plot a destination that is pure diagonal into a somewhat rural area. The TL's navi will hug the interstate to a perpendicular point to the destination requiring more time and gas. My portable Garmin was much more logical utilizing a diagonal route that was.... A WELL TRAVELLED STATE ROUTE! We're not talking dirt or back roads here. The Garmin route required 38 minutes. The TL navi required almost an hour!

Given a dumb old paper map from AAA or the TL's navi.... I'd rather have the map. Gas is expensive these days and the TL's navi seems to have an appetite for it!

I'll stick with my portable unit, thank you.