rjohn

Does upgrading the dvd (in my case from 2013 to 2016) result in better quality maps, or just update road systems (and the graphics get no better).

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

no graphical changes....as the hardware is the limiting factor. Remember, the hardware was implemented in 2008 for this particular car.
and with Moore's law and incremental upgrades....8 years is an ETERNITY in hardware life

Cap'n Preshoot

Early 2012 TL here (purchased new in March of 2011) - have held off about as long as I can, but wanting new maps. Just don't want to update today then get an eMail a month later saying there's an even newer map. Have held off this long because of frustration with how far behind the Acura maps are in comparison to Garmin, whose upgrades are free. Having to pay $100 I'd really like a NEW map, so the question is about what time of the year does Acura release?
Thanks in advance.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

January.

and it's not Acura per say.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

why even update? dont. dont pay 100 dollars. every January they have a deal and its knocked down to $79...but that's still a rip off.

dont upgrade.

Use your garmin with free updates, or even use your smart phone's GPS capabilities. but no, one shouldnt pay $100 for something that is free

BartmanEH

January? I think it's September:
Acura Navigation DVD 2017 | Acura Navigation System Updates
and
The Official Acura Map Update Site | FAQs | HERE
" 20. When will the next DVD update be available?"
" Update DVDs are usually released in the fall of each year. "

BartmanEH

I dunno... you buy a 50K car and then you think $100 every couple of years to update the onboard nav is too expensive? In this day and age of cops arresting you for even looking at your mobile phone, mounted on the dash or not, I prefer to pay a hundred bucks and get the nav updated that was part of a $2,000 tech package option in the first place and be assured that the police won't give me a hard time or worse, a $400 ticket.

sockpuppet

Fair comment; but also consider that the Acura Nav is by far a weaker product than either of the Garmin or Google maps. Not even in the same class. For some (at least for myself), paying for something that doesn't work as well as something that is "free" doesn't make much sense.
t make sanse

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I think it's unnecessarily expensive...

If I can spend $120 on a Garmin (new) and get LMT (Lifetime Maps and Traffic) there's absolutely no reason a $2500 'Tech' package on my car can't include lifetime maps and traffic.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

furthermore, $100 for a few updated POI?!?!

BartmanEH

I've held off for 4 years now using the original maps and I'm ready to pony up for new maps and I have the same issue compounded by the fact that I need the Canadian version which is always far more expensive and seems to have delayed release timing. This website says "Last Update September 12th, 2016: The new 2017 Acura Navigation System Update is out now available to purchase on DVD." but when I navigate the website to get my version it says "2016 Purple DVD Map Update v3.30.10.E0".

Argh. I'm probably going to wait a few more months to see if the 2017 version magically shows up.

rjohn

For me the answer on why I want to update is......I bought the car used, it already has navi, which I will use as the back up to my phone navi. Why not have the roads be accurate is my thinking. Plus it is a back up in case I am away from cell phone reception. I will likely wait a bit before doing it though.

Cap'n Preshoot

In view of what these cars cost new, it's hard to argue with the logic that these updates should be complimentary. To charge for them is an unappreciated gouge. And yes, in comparison to Garmin, the Acura Nav really sucks. However, some of the Houston suburbs (and all school zones) will nail you between $200 and $400 for fumbling w/your device while driving, which I really can't argue with. I support those laws, the tougher the better and wish they were nationwide. Distracted driving has become epidemic, worse than DWI. Sadly, a fat ticket rarely serves as anything more than a temporary reminder. A device-addicted female coworker has been ticketed an unbelievable 4 times, twice in 1 week!

chidoc79

Navteq updates the maps and there are roads that are 10 years old that still say unverified. But the new updates become available November.

CHiTO316

I called Acura yesterday to ask them what my options were on buying the new disc (i believe its the purple disc) and they told me that they aren't selling them anymore since the new 2017 version is coming up in the next couple of days. I went online to look it up and yes there it is showing that a new one is coming and their website shows out of stock. My question is, does Acura navigation have any relation with Here Maps? i see a huge logo on their website showing the blue square with the word "HERE" on it and was wondering that. If that is true then i would gladly upgrade since HERE Maps is very reliable and now that my vehicle is showing that it has live traffic then i would take advantage of it.

Guy Filippelli

should or will a 2007 tl trunk mount nav unit work properly in a 2005 tl ? my customer tried it and the voice feature does not work?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

You're in the completely wrong section to be asking that. This is the 4th Gen (4G) TL section. 2009-2014

jbrown16

I just got a used TL. How can I determine which edition i have of the maps, i.e., how far out of date i am?

gatewayad

First post here just get a TL 4G w/ tech package, called to get an updated disk and they told me to hold off till Monday 3-6-17 that they will all go on sale for $99
The Official Acura Map Update Site | Home | HERE

sockpuppet

They used to list "coverage areas", but now, they simply state, "Map coverage that includes the United States 48 Contiguous States, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands and Canada, your Acura will be equipped for travel both near and far." The story used to be that the Canadian disc got you all of the US, and all of Canada, while the US disc only got you the first 50 or 100 miles north of the border, and all of the US. I did, at one point, get the customer service person to admit that they were the same, and offered to sell me the US discs, but only if i had them delivered to a US address. They then apparently made a change, so that the discs looked like they were different. Whether or not they actually were is another matter.

But now, it looks a lot more like they are the same. I note the version number for both is "V3.40.7.F0"; I would assume that if they were distinctly Canadian or US, they would have different version numbers. I may call CS again and determine; if they are the same, I may look into hitting one of you guys with a US address up to receive the discs and then forward them along.

It's stupid that the US discs sell for $99 on sale, with $3.95 shipping, when the Canadian discs go for $179, and another $32.50 for shipping.

PR_TL

Still pretty expensive. I rarely use my NAV nowadays. Google Maps on my phone all the way!

sockpuppet

Google Maps is certainly about a million times better than the in-car nav, but on my LG, it sucks the battery dry. I can remedy that by plugging in, but then I'd also need to install a mount of some sort. In this jurisdiction, even holding the phone in your hands merits a distracted driving ticket (which I don't object to...I wish more people would just put their phones down).

I heard (though haven't confirmed), that police here have even started putting officers on transit buses, so that they can look down into vehicles and see drivers who are using their phones.

dregsfan

If that's true, what would the police do when they are sitting in a bus and see a driver using a phone?

sockpuppet

My guess, use their radio to talk to the officer in the unmarked following the bus.

illistik

Thanks for the heads up!. The navigation update is now at $99. I just purchased the 2017 update and will report back.

sockpuppet

Once you've got it running, can you plug in an address for me? I'm curious to see if the "first 100 miles north of the border" thing is true. Something like "9817 116 St, Grande Prairie, Alberta, CANADA" would work. (If the US map has the Grand Prairie Best Buy, then it would likely even show Santa's workshop).

illistik

Yeah, for sure. I'll let you know.

Booyakashaben

What more capability does a $100 upgrade to the system nav actually have? As far as I know anytime I've put in an address it finds it and gives very accurate nav to my destination. Maybe if I had spare money sure seems more of a super luxury item IMO.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

New/updated maps

illistik

The address shows up on the new navigation update!

CJinNOLA

I just ordered the 2017 update after buying a certified 2013 TL and was hoping it might have some upgrades. Not impressed with the NAV so far compared to the $150 Garmin that I was previously using where I could speak an entire address anywhere in the country and it would find it pretty easily. Also had posted speed limits built in that are pretty on the money and really help you adjust your speed when needed. Are there any added features with the upgraded maps like the speed limit feature on Garmin devices or others? Thanks in advance for any replies!

HollywoodTL

Sooooooooooo, let me ask you this question. Will each DVD update every acura? Or are the dvd's built per vin?

The reason I ask is if we pooled money, someone buys the dvd, updates their car and mails it to the next guy. I know, it seems like I am sticking to the man. But, like popular opinion.....spending $100 to update maps should be a free offer done over the air........?

thoiboi

You have to keep the DVD in the car though

HollywoodTL

So, you're telling me I have to leave that DVD in the disc drive???? Whenever I want to use the updated maps????

illistik

Unfortunately, each new DVD update is per VIN and each Acura vehicle has a different navigation disc (TL disc is purple whereas MDX disc is brown, etc).

HollywoodTL

So, I just ordered my update disc for $99. It said it was red in color.

illistik

What year and model Acura do you own?

HollywoodTL

ahh I have the 2011, which has the red. The 2012 and on has the Purple one.

sockpuppet

No, that's a mistake...the dvd does not have to remain in the drive after the update completes. If that were the case, once could not play cds or dvds after an update.

RenoTL

Older vehicles do not have a hard drive to load the DVD data onto so for those cars, they need to keep the DVD in a external drive (not sure where that is located but I would guess it is in the trunk). Newer cars have the hard drive so they can just load the DVD there and put the actual DVD disc aside once it has been installed. I am not sure when hard drives became the norm on our cars.