GPS Rant
#1
GPS Rant
This is a great car!
The only blemish is the GPS system. This is my wife's car that I recently started to drive while she recovered from a broken leg. Who designed this GPS?
It is glacially slow, uses far too many key strokes, does a poor job of routing and is difficult to use. I have a 2017 so the data is fairly old and discovered the update cost is $150. No big deal for a quality product but this embarrassment to the Acura brand is not worth it. I've used Garmin products for years and (of course) Google Maps on a handset. (The small screen and need for cellular coverage make the Garmin solution more appealing to me) They are about equivalent and far, far superior to the Acura product. At $150 for a data update I'm strongly considering adding another $100 to get a Garmin product and velcro ing it to the existing screen.
To some extent is a matter of what you are used to. I'm used to snappy response, intuitive operation, fewer keystrokes, customization of screen info (I find elevation, and arrival time at destination very useful) and free bi-annual updates very compelling.
I hope Acura would make the effort to get a new GPS provider or upgrade the existing.
End of Rant.
Ron
The only blemish is the GPS system. This is my wife's car that I recently started to drive while she recovered from a broken leg. Who designed this GPS?
It is glacially slow, uses far too many key strokes, does a poor job of routing and is difficult to use. I have a 2017 so the data is fairly old and discovered the update cost is $150. No big deal for a quality product but this embarrassment to the Acura brand is not worth it. I've used Garmin products for years and (of course) Google Maps on a handset. (The small screen and need for cellular coverage make the Garmin solution more appealing to me) They are about equivalent and far, far superior to the Acura product. At $150 for a data update I'm strongly considering adding another $100 to get a Garmin product and velcro ing it to the existing screen.
To some extent is a matter of what you are used to. I'm used to snappy response, intuitive operation, fewer keystrokes, customization of screen info (I find elevation, and arrival time at destination very useful) and free bi-annual updates very compelling.
I hope Acura would make the effort to get a new GPS provider or upgrade the existing.
End of Rant.
Ron
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charlie65 (04-11-2023)
#2
Instructor
No arguments about the GPS system but here is something to consider in defense of Acura.
The technology for this generation navigation system is from 2015. And remember that Acura is not a technology company like Garmin, Apple, Android, etc. They did not design this system to be upgradable like a computer. The focus was to build a good car. I knew this when I bought my used 2017 Technology back in September. I did update the navigation system and it does improve the responsiveness of the system. It will never approach what you are used to for Garmin or your cell phone. But it is a good option for longer trips.
The technology for this generation navigation system is from 2015. And remember that Acura is not a technology company like Garmin, Apple, Android, etc. They did not design this system to be upgradable like a computer. The focus was to build a good car. I knew this when I bought my used 2017 Technology back in September. I did update the navigation system and it does improve the responsiveness of the system. It will never approach what you are used to for Garmin or your cell phone. But it is a good option for longer trips.
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justnspace (08-09-2021)
#3
No automotive manufacturer makes their own GPS. They are all rebranded versions of some major GPS vendor. Did some searching. As it turns out the NSX does use a Garmin system and it has 5 years of free updates. As far as I can tell all other models use the inferior Alpine system.
It is what it is. If I find I need the GPS (long trip or relocation), I'll just get a Garmin and attach it in front of the Acura GPS.
A dropped ball on Acura's part.
Ron
It is what it is. If I find I need the GPS (long trip or relocation), I'll just get a Garmin and attach it in front of the Acura GPS.
A dropped ball on Acura's part.
Ron
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Ron206 (05-27-2021)
#6
Instructor
If I were to update it this year, I would likely get just map and Gracenote updates. But t won't do that.....
#7
I got my update in October for $99 (bought used in September). What they send you is based on your system. Looking at the 2 DVDs I received, it was definitely more than a map update. The DVDs had my name on it!. I'm assuming the original owner did not update the navigation system and mine was the first update.
If I were to update it this year, I would likely get just map and Gracenote updates. But t won't do that.....
If I were to update it this year, I would likely get just map and Gracenote updates. But t won't do that.....
Thank you.
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#10
10th Gear
I'm in agreement. I come to the Acura brand from Ford. My trade in was an Escape.
Lower quality vehicle, but the maps and the Ford pass system all updated and services were free.
Just connect to my home wifi and update.
Acura link and maps update are way behind Ford.
Mike
Lower quality vehicle, but the maps and the Ford pass system all updated and services were free.
Just connect to my home wifi and update.
Acura link and maps update are way behind Ford.
Mike
#11
#12
Has anyone here installed Grom system?
https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/ho...n-upgrade.html
https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/ho...n-upgrade.html
ACURA RDX 2016-2017 NAVIGATION VIDEO INTERFACE with BUILT-IN HD SMARTPHONE MIRRORING via HDMI (navtool.com)
So far so good. There really isn't any documentation that came with it. They do have a Youtube vid that's helpful. Thanks to Gadgetjq on this site who also provided a Youtube video; I found that to be helpful.
It looks like there's an additional module needed to make it wireless. For now I'll be connecting my phone via a USB cable.
#13
Instructor
Has anyone here installed Grom system?
https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/ho...n-upgrade.html
https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/ho...n-upgrade.html
I am not completely trashing Navtool because it did work as expected for close to 3 years for me, but tech support is near non existent (they will claim on a bunch of forums they are a big company with hundreds of employees, but in reality it's one or two guys that build the units as they are ordered), and if you email after the warranty is expired, good luck getting any response at all...that was my problem, and that's why i dumped my navtool unit. Grom on the otherhand, have an active development team and update the firmware fairly regularly based on user feedback (that's why they incorporated wireless android auto and other features)...so far it is a great unit (it has it's hiccups, but you can at least be somewhat comforted knowing they are ACTIVELY trying to address any issues people run into so they can continue to provide a better overall product! Really wish Navtool would have at least half-assed some development over the past few years because they could have been the top dog in aftermarket android auto and carplay options, but they got too arrogant or whatever and now they are left with poor reviews on BBB and every website that mentions them....
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wusty23jd (01-03-2023)
#14
Advanced
I’m considering getting a 2018 RDX advance. I heard there is more of operating system update that can help but only dealer installs… curious if anyone heard of that? If so, did they charge for it? I heard it was to make up for the massive lag from the system.
if not- anyone who did a map update- did the operating system improve or input of an address? If so, please describe. Any input would be appreciated.
if not- anyone who did a map update- did the operating system improve or input of an address? If so, please describe. Any input would be appreciated.
#15
Instructor
I did the map and system update in October 2020. There was a little improvement in the operation but don't expect Google Maps/Waze level of speed. Remember this system was designed in late 2015 for the 2016 model year. I paid $99 for the discs. The instructions are pretty easy to follow. It does take about 4 hours to fully update the navigation system; the majority is done while you are driving. The initial system update takes about 35-40 minutes, the rest will be done while driving.
Here's a link to where you can order the update: https://acuranavi.navigation.com/pro...US/AcuraNA/USD
Here's a link to where you can order the update: https://acuranavi.navigation.com/pro...US/AcuraNA/USD
#16
GPS rant is warranted
I have the same issue. Two of my friends also purchased Acura suvs in the same 2-3 yrs and feel like Acura’s handling of the navigation deficiencies was disappointing. They’ve both purchased other non Acura suvs. I’d like to find a solution and it isn’t upgrading the mapping to similarly deficient maps. Just returned from a trip and the nav wouldn’t even let me put in 3 of the addresses. I joined the platform hoping to find a reasonable solution. There are many things I like about the RDX and even a few of the nav features like the ability to see the next turn right in front of me on the main dash and the car.
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