Hi all
For folks who have the Nav and have had the car for a while now, do you find yourself using it less & less as time goes by? Do you sometimes regret spending the extra 2 Grand for it?
I'm trying to gauge whether or not i want this and if it's worth the extra dough.

My salesman said after 6 months people dont even use it anymore unless on trips. He didnt recommend it unless i was a salesman or in real estate.

I still want it, but now i am having second thoughts.

Any opinions welcome
Thanks

 

Other than it making the car look SOOO much better It really doesn't get much use unless i'm traveling! But 2 things are for sure... It makes the car look way better than non navi and when you try to sell it people will be like "Oh my gosh, navigational system" because most people have never had one and it will be a GREAT selling point for your car

 

Well, it's far from "certain" because people's tastes are different. I, for one, don't take kindly to a video screen sitting in the middle of my dash.

 

Last night myself and a bunch of friends were following each other to a farm to go on the Cornmaze. (Don't laugh). So I followed them and of course it's dark and the roads are windy. So we pulled over and I asked if someone had the address. We put it in my NAV and then they all followed me there. What a life saver. After we left the bar for the evening. Of course you need a drink after attempting a corn maze, I used it to find my way out of the area and back to the highway to get home.

So - yes I am very glad I have it and I can think of other times in my other car that I wish I had it.

 

Navi is the best 2 grand I ever spend on the car. You dont need to use it everyday, just that one time when you really need it is enough. If you have 2 grand to spend for navi, go for it!!!!

 

I was worried about the same thing when I got mine. But I am glad I got it for a few reasons:

1. Just moved to Washington, DC when I got the car. Everytime that I am going to a new place, I tend to use it, given how complicated the roads are here. The father of a friend of mine just got a tsx and decided against the navi because he had lived in the same place for 30 years.

2. Controls. I like the way the navi displays non-map controls. The CD changer functions and the AC are great.

3. Resale. Cars that will fetch a little extra for resale are the ones that have something special or different. A model year of only 15,000 helps. A navi system helps even more.

There have been more times than I can count where the system has saved me hours of frustration and pages of bad mapquest directions. I am still so glad I got it.

 

I didn't buy it and my concern wasn't the extra $2k or the fact that I might not ever use it. Rather, it was that I'd go out to the car and be annoyed by a dead black screen in the middle of the dashboard every morning by the time the car reached the 150,000 mile milestone. By that time repairing the unit will probably cost more than the whole car is worth, so it would amount to a deal-killer rather than a resale feature.

I planned to buy one of the Garmin gizmos, probably the iQue, That I haven't bothered to do so yet shows me how much I really "need" it! After the next time I find myself in a traffic jam wondering how to drive around it I'll probably order the Garmin.

 

I still use mine. What I dont really usse is the voice activation part however.

 

I have a Thomas Guide map book that cost me $13. I used to use it a lot, but not much anymore. The thrill and excitement has waned. It's now about 15 years old, and most of the streets are still there. It sits in the map pocket behind my TSX's seat.

I tend to keep my car a lonnnng time--at least 10 years. Like Bob Shiftright, I don't want to end up with a worn-out expensive-to-replace toy or tool. Probably the first thing to go on those displays will be the screen. They may go blurry, dim, or simply blank-out, depending on the problem. The TSX w/Navi that I test drove had a blurry display! The salesperson quickly turned it off since I wasn't interested in Navi.

 

There aren't many after market solutions that works as well as Acura's, which is state-of-the-art. Acura/Alpine has the best system on the market.

I live in a large complex, sprawling city (LA). I use my NAV all the time, and find it incredible useful. I wouldn't buy another car without it.

 

Even for the folks who get a new car every three years - how well received would a three year old PC (or cell phone) be? One should think about this very carefully when buying any kind of electronics - especially built in ones. Unlike the car itself, electronics have a much higher replacement cycle. If you really want one get yourself the new Garmin 2650 (can be made to look like the built in unit) and in three years if you sell the car you could take it and install it in the new one - but of course by then even the portable ones will have improved enough that it will be like a three year old PC (cell phone). While it will sell better than a non navi car I don't think anyone will be WOWed over it (every other Accord will have one by then) and you certainly won't get the 2K back.

 

Technology ages fast, that is a given. I picked up the Navi and haven't looked back. Give me an address and I am there.

It is well designed and fairly easy to use -- but i can see where future generations could improve. I am learning to conform to its logic and getting fairly adept at finding locations quickly. I hope future generations will permit more complex searches and are bit less hiearchical.

I am having less success with the voice control. When I know the command, say it well and the background noice isn't too intrusive it is a great "hands free" way to control the cockpit enviroment. This is about 70% of the time. When I blank on the command, mumble the command, or the enviromental sounds invasive it can be frustrating. The steering wheel "Back" button gets a work out.

Buy the thing. It is useful ways you haven't thought of when it comes to finding your way around. The voice control when it is working well is great. Besides it is like being an early adopter on anything you get to "know" what is possible and get a glimpse at the future.

 

Thanks for all the diverse responses, keep em coming.

I must admit, it hasnt made my decision any easier!
I'm still undecided...you all have very good points on both sides of the fence!! LOL

 

Regarding resale, Biker makes a good point. Not an issue for me because I'm not much concerned about resale, but I wonder if the Nav will be much of a selling point even just 2 or 3 years down the road. It might be outdated by then.

But about the basic question: It's absolutely untrue that the Nav stops being useful, at least for most of us. Yes, I use it less than when I first got the car (April), but I use it quite a bit. And once you have it, you'll discover more and more uses for it that you never would have thought of.

For example, it's very helpful in planning long trips even if you know how to get there. It will tell you the mileage (pretty exactly) and the driving time (pretty well). It helped me plan where to do a stop-over on a drive between Florida and New York. And sometimes I've just been curious to see how long of a drive it would be to get somewhere. Nav lets you check that.

BTW, I haven't heard of anybody doing this, but this could be a great game to play, maybe especially with kids, on a long trip -- and, it would be educational. (This is a public service announcement. ) Preferably of course if you have someone in the front passenger seat to do the "research," so you don't have to be fiddling with the Nav. Ask people to guess how far it is to some city -- say, Cheyenne, Wyoming -- how much mileage, how long it would take -- then the Nav will give the answer.

Maybe even kids of all ages. On a slow day, I could play that game for hours.

 

Biker makes a good point. I know the DVD's get updated every couple years (they're not cheap, though) but I wonder if the OS and hardware can also be periodically updated? Maybe the widespread use of navigation systems will encourage firms to help us keep them fully up to date without having to replace the entire car! I don't use it nearly as much as my wife but it has saved my bacon more than once. ______________________________
04 TSX CG AT/NAV
03 MDX SSM TOURING/NAV/RES

 

I took the $2,000 I was going to spend on the Navi and subtracted $13 for a Thomas Guide. I took the remaining $1,987 and put it in a mutual fund that will end up being part of a downpayment for a house in a few years.

 

I use it all the time, but more of a where am I type of deal rather than a how do I get to wherever deal. It is really handy when going somewhere that you have never been - even if you have yahoo map in hand being able to see where you are and the upcoming streets without having to squint at a moving piece of paper is cool. Also cool to have the voice activated stuff - never have to look at the radio while doing 80 again.

I also find the "find the nearest restaurant of type x" function useful - also finds atms, hospitals, gas stations, etc - only problem is that my area of Texas most of the construction/retail is brand new so I need a new DVD to update the info/streets.

 

After my experience driving my 2001 CL-S with a navigation system, I'll never own a non-nav car again. Trust me when I tell you you'll never stop using the nav, whether it's for trips you know well or long journeys. I had my CL for 82,000 miles and used the nav every day.

I don't like the whole "I'll buy a map and save $2000" argument. There are many things the map can't do: look up restaurants, get phone numbers, find gas stations...etc.

The best example happened yesterday on my way to North Carolina. I was driving down a highway in OH and as I was turning a corner, I caught a glimpse of the accident ahead of me. Traffic was stopped and not moving. I quickly checked the nav system and found a highway that ran parallel to the road I was stuck on. A u-turn and four miles out of my way later, I was making forward progress again. That little maneuver probably saved me 30 minutes of wasted time.

The ability to see myself on the screen map proved invaluable once again. Without knowing where I was, I wouldn't have been able to take any detours with confidence. THAT'S the benefit of the nav system. Screw you Mr. McNally!

P.S. It's much safer when you don't have to glance down at a map while driving and always trying to find your place.

 

all things considered, i think i will cough up the dough and get the nav....
Now i just have to find a red 5AT w/nav.
i'll probably have to order and wait.....(bummer)
Thanks for all your inputs.
Any more?

 

I wont be in the market until around february(after Harley is paid off)...think i can swing a deal of 27,000 by then??

 

Probably not but you never know. My dealer in Chicago is sold out for 90 days. And he's getting MSRP with some extras probably thrown in.

 

This is part of the reason that the DVD player has a PCMIA slot. Room for updates and add-ons.

 

all this time watching you post reading your signature and i get it now lol still cant get over the zen of folding maps!

 

I have had my tsx w/ navi for 6 months now and I do use the navi less now than I did when I got it. The first month or two I used it all the time. Now I just use it to find a place I have never been to, even if I can figure out the way I like not having to worry about the correct way to get there. I also use it on trips. I think it makes the car much cooler. I don't regret getting navi at all. It is my favorite feature in the tsx.

 

Cool as a moose!

(Yeah, Nathan, great get! Never noticed it.)

 

I just got back from the valley. I spent the day up there. I had a brunch to go to, a dinner, and then a party this evening (not usually this popular, just a freaky kind of day). And, I also had to go to Costco out there in the valley inbetween events.

Anyway, I don't know my way around the valley at all, so I used the Navi extensively today. It just makes life sooooo much easier, out here in sprawling Los Angeles County.

I'll never buy another car without it.

 

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Crazytree
"04 TSX Nighthawk Black/Parchment w/Thomas Guide 5AT #9203"
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Cool as a moose!

(Yeah, Nathan, great get! Never noticed it.)


__________________
2004 TSX Carbon Gray/Ebony AT w Nav,
4/28


Blah. Buy the nav.

 

I think the only people who will tell you not to get the navigation are people who opted not to get it themselves. I haven't seen a post on this site yet about anyone who has gotten the navigation and regretted it. If you can afford it, get it.

 

I think it's like one of those things where you spent so much money on it... you avoid psychological dissonance by just not thinking about the fact you regret spending the extra $2,000.

 

OK, there are too many smart dudes on this forum. Props to Crazytree. But I rationalized the nav addition this way: "It's only $30 a month or so additional..." My feeble mind fully accepted this argument. And it's definitely a useful thing to have on board. I even used it to get my boss to a Mazda dealer a couple weeks ago so he could get his Miata fixed...
_____________________________
04 TSX CG AT/NAV
03 MDX SSM TOURING/NAV/RES

 

Along those lines Ozz, they are people who don't have one now and have NEVER had one. I bet less than 5% of people who have owned a navigation system opt not to get it on their next car. It's like a cell phone, once you have it you can't live without it.

 

If the 2k isn't going to kill you (which it shouldn't if you're looking at a 26-28k car), then get it. Its a great tool, period. Sure I don't use it as much as when I got it, but that was just gadget excitement.

I've used it countless times to see the road ahead of me when driving too fast on twisty backroads.. Its also come in handy when, for example, you're looking to see if a restaurant is open at a certain time or you want to call ahead for reservations. Just find the POI and it has the phone #.

You can rationalize the cost either way, but honestly I miss not having the nav when I'm in another car.

-r

 

Hee. Hee. My Magellan SportTrak hand-held GPS can do the same thing, and cost $150. So what if it doesn't do turn by turn or call restaurants.

 

Like many have already said, those that say don't get are the people who don't have it. The argument that we are trying to justify our 2k fails because most will get it again on the next car. I have it on my 2001CL-s and i don't think it is close to being outdated yet (yes new ones are awesome but my 2+year old one is still nicer than the infiniti/audi/bimmer etc ones). I use it everyday simply because i like to know how far away i am from where i am going. It is just nice to see how far the next exit is. Can not even count the number of times i would have been lost (map or no map in the back pocket) if not for this little gem. And sorry, having a tiny handheld map (be it electronic or folding) just does not measure up to the 8 inch screen, voice commands, points of interest etc that come with the acura. Only get it if you are willing to spend the extra money on all of your future cars.


EDIT: Oh yeah and don't ever, ever forget the cool factor of the Nav. Everyone that gets into my car wants to play with it and is just amazed when the map turns on and they see where the car is in relation to the map. Awesome

 

I did not have the option of the Navigation system so I went the less expensive route a bought an iQue. It appears to have all the navigation features of Acura's Navigation system and then some. It also leaves with me when I park the car and provides other capabilities that the Navi can only dream of.

I could not be happier with the choice I made.

 

Maybe, but it looks like ASS.

 

I have had the TSX for 3 months and use it every day.
Navigation is well worth the money. I already had my mind set on a car under 30k with navigation. The TSX fit the bill perfectly.

My job involves a lot of sales calls and trips to different country clubs. I do not golf much, but often have to find these locations after hours- and you all know country clubs are not in the most metropolis areas. This is when GPS comes in great handy. I can make an appointment without worrying about making a wrong turn or missing an exit. I can relax knowing that I am going to make my appointments on time.

GPS works great for trips and the voice automated function for entering phone numbers that pull up locations is the coolest!!
People are most impressed with the feature.

The argument that a handhelp map works just as well and that the technology will be obsolete is o.k. with me. I bought this car for the present and could care less about 10 years down the road. I only keep my cars for four years max anyway.

In closing, get the navigation system. It makes the TSX seem that much more luxurious. I am still kicking myself for not getting the 6 speed.

 

A close friend has one of those and we recently used it on a roadtrip. It is not even in the same league as the NAVI unit in the TSX in terms of capabilities. Not even in the same galaxy, as a matter of fact.

 

Can you explain the differences? It would be nice to have an educated repsonse on the matter...I'm not familiar with that handheld nav unit.

 

Well, I'd say they are optimized for different purposes. Handheld units don't provide turn-by-turn directions, but in terms of "YOU ARE HERE" capability with detailed street maps, they aren't all that different. And a hand-held unit can be just as accurate.

I agree they are generally apples and oranges, but I could use one to find the describe detour easily enough. Then you can take your handheld inside, upload your track info to your computer, separate out your different trips to different clients for mileage billing purposes, see how much time you spent parked at client so and so, update the maps, firmware etc.