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Honda and Acura sell the same DVDs for both cars. There are some differences in the Acura MDX -- it does have a trip computer and has the ability to drop virtual "breadcrumbs" to show where you've been if you go off road. However this seems to be a hardware feature in the MDX -- it apparently uses exactly the same DVD as the Odyssey and the TL-S.
Bottom line: (1) there is no such thing as an "Acura" DVD -- it is the same DVD. (2) While some Acura models do have a trip computer (as far as I know, the MDX) you can't add that feature by getting a DVD from a car with the trip computer.
by the way, there are ways get video on the nav screen. involves some modifications to the system. if you are handy it will be worth it if you have the IVES system installed. this way you can see what is playing on the screen without having to strain your neck to look at the screen in the back.
While there may be a secret service code to avoid it, I'm sure Honda's legal staff would not want it publicized (and I'm not sure that there is any such code.)
i am sure they will change that at some point. i can see chrysler advertising that their navigation system is ready to use as soon as you turn on the vehicle.
I find teh Navigation to be an amazing tool even with that one minor annoyance. What would also be nice is if the Odyssey Navigation screen also doubled as the radio and even AC controls. This way they will be able to save on dash board real estate and even offer a Honda Odyssey with both the Navigation and the DVD entertainment system on the same vehicle. On the Mercedes ML430, you get to control the Navigation, Radio, CD, CD changer, Cassete and even the Phone from the same screen.
Also, the dealer is recommending installing an aftermarket navi instead of waiting for a 2002. (I can wait)
I have always thought about when our 4 yr old and 17 month old start driving technology would be available to track them on our computer. But the technology is already here!!! I saw this on CNN the other day and thought you navi folks might appreciate it. Check it out! I want one!
http://www.wherifywireless.com/flash.htm
since i do most of the driving, my wife doesn't always know how to get to some places we visit often. i put in all the addresses in the nav that we visit frequently, but that she hasn't driven to yet. this way she will know how to get there if there ever is a reason.
also realize that it's like having a map in there. it has a joystick and you can wander all over the map with the joystick looking at roads and possible shortcuts. i do this while i am waiting for my wife to come out of a store.
if you look up a business it gives you phone numbers also.
I switched my order for the 2002 Odyssey to one with a navigation system. The wait is until April/May for one in Havasu blue, but I think the package will be worth the wait.
i will never own another vehicle without it.
Generally the new DVDs come out in September/October.
The 2002 DVD is supposed to expand the database greatly -- covering virtually the whole country, but I'd wait until it's relased to order -- last year's DVD contained far less than the original description.
No such thing as regional coverage, DVD covers the entire USA (went to Chicago with east coast purchase), no Canada coverage yet for Honda DVD based Navi. This could be a factor since you cannot ordered GPS with Canadian Odysseys.
Thanks
Barry
2. Go to Odyssey interior accessories
3. Bottom middle page under "Related Odyssey Information" => Order latest version of Navi System DVD OR CLICK HERE
Surely they don't build a lot of new streets and business every year.
Have to call Alpine and see, what they have to say. If they say it will work, then I guess the $300 is worth!! The other option would be if ther's money to burn (was able to find one on e-bay for $1200), then you could purchase the Alpine NVE-N852A. If I am not mistaken, this is the same unit (modified for OEM) which is in the New 04 MDX and 03 Accord.
The issue with being unable to input a new direction? I have a 2003 TL-S with NAV, and I have asked the system for a new direction by inputting a new address/phone number while the vehicle was moving.
I have made new direction inputs while driving my Odyssey NAV and it works fine too. I think it's so cool how fast it works to calcuate your new input.
Customer services is probably less responsive than the Navagation system current.
You can buy that disc, but I wonder if the dealer will allow us to return it if the disc does not work.
Have you bought the updated 8.5GB DVD NAV disc?
The last update that was released was 9/1/2001. I'm not sure what's going on, but if they do not release anymore updates, the nav. system will eventually lose much of its usefullness. I live near Boston, and you've ever heard of the Big Dig, you know that the roads in and around Boston have changed dramatically in the past few years.
Honda is too slow on this because they need to make it available for the Odyssey now, not in 2005!
Yeah, most of the time, ALL GPS are a little outdated. But there are still A LOT of old roads out there to take, even if the new roads are not on the NAV.
Thanks for the info.
On the other hand, all the reviews that I have read seem to rank the Honda/Acura Nav systems as the best available. I've seen several others, as well as after-market ones, but none compare, in my opinion.
It is true that the Honda databases are not updated very often, but I can live with that if I have to. (Roads don't change that often, although POIs do.)
One thing to consider is the fact that Nav systems, being computer-based electronics age rapidly. My Odyssey is now 4 years old -- not old for a car, but ancient for a computer. The new Accord/Acura Nav system is much faster and much smarter than the older one. There really isn't much Honda can do to upgrade the performance of the older systems, although it can and should update the database.
Although Honda/Acura uses Alpine NAV, no one--Honda dealers or Alpine people-- will say anything as to whether they are compatible!
Has anyone tried out an Alpine disc on the Honda or Acura NAV?
Another thing I noticed was that the Alpine NAV has 11 million POI and the updated Odyssey NAV which is suppose to come out this Fall has 7 million POI.
What does this mean? Don't tell me the so-called updated Odyssey NAV is already outdated before it is even released!
8.5 GB. 7 millions POI. $185? Can't wait.
The '03 NAV is way outdated on the POIs!
Hope the new one is truly more updated!
I hope it's worth it. If you want to wait, I'll try it out and let you know on Edmunds. They said on phone that it should ship out next Monday. We'll see.
Has new unverified routing, similar to '03 Accord, and now shows nearly all roads in 48 states. Excellent! And goes one better than my Accord, allowing routing through unverfied areas via an on/off option. Accord routes you around.
New voice, sounds similar to one on Accord, and is easier to understand. No option to choose male voice as in Accord, which upset my wife.
More POI's. Our local YMCA was not in the older DB, now is in the newer DB.
Performance seems same to me. This is good seeing as DB is a lot bigger.
Still not as many icons as Accord, which is ok since it would clutter smaller screen.
Overall, new unverified routing and larger DB makes a good Nav system even better.
Just curious, new DB has 7+ million POIs. Anyone know how many was in older DB?
I noticed the option for unverified routing, but what exactly is it?
I gues if we activated the icon for ALL restaurants, there would be a lot of icon too, right?
I also like the new voice. Must be a guy thing:-)
Yes, I also noticed a lot more POI.
I think the previous NAV had 3 million POI, but not sure. However, a lot of those older POI were out of date too, as a lot of businesses have closed.
My 2 year old home in a new addition still is not in the database, but the surrounding houses are.
I gotta try the unverified routing and see what it is.
So the "Easy Route" is basically using most of interstates, "Direct Route" is the shortest distance, but what in the world is unverified routing?