Is there any reason to consider buying an updated DVD for $149.00?? Seems the changes are minor and don't affect me.

 

I guess get an update maybe every 5 years...

 

Anyone who expects to have an "updated" nav is delirious.

As soon as you buy the disc its out dated.

 

Does the map accurately cover your area? If it doesn't, has your area been updated with the newer versions?

That's all you get really. My area has expanded drastically since the 2007 disc I had was made, and I felt the $99 specials that run frequently would be worth the update.

 

I got the nav update offer letter.
Couple of odd things in points of interest counts
Restaurants 2013 505,438 2014 497,270
Department Stores 2013 32,523 2014 31,939
Gas Stations 2013 118,954 2014 114,747
Hotels 2013 78,277 2014 71,073

the total POI counts are shrinking. Only categories that went up were ATMs and Convenient stores

 

People going out of business? Especially restaurants.

 

Here's the trend data from 2011 for restaurants. I'm not sure it is explained by going out of business

2011 492,178
2012 434,295
2013 505,438
2014 497,270

 

maybe they didnt pay the Zagat fee.

Or Acura couldnt keep up with the name changes they use to avoid taxes.

 

The restaurant industry is a tough market to break into. Something like 95% don't make it out of their first year and the majority that do won't make it past two. That's all I know.

 

I get that, but the #s don't jive with what has happened in economy. I would expect a lag in the POI data compared to economy. 2010/2011 were bad years, yet # of restaurants in POI data was very high in 2011

 

Seems this thread has been hijacked by a detailed analysis of the restaurant industry......sheesh!!

Sooooo I guess the answer to my original question would be "no"?

 

Okay everybody. Pack it up an move along. The OP only wanted 3 replies here and no other conversation. 6 extra comments is ridiculous!

 

+1 The area I live in is the same, my street wasnt even showing up on the old 05 disc that my car had, I actually lucked out and picked up the 2011 map and upgrade disc from a fellow member for $35 as he had upgraded to the 2013 disc.

OP I'd suggest to do the same, updating every 5 years seem to be a good idea, so if your current disc is more than 5 years old then its time to invest I guess

 

OP: "Seems the changes are minor and don't affect me"

You answered your own question

 

Next ask us about what oil to use.

 

....or maybe where to procure and how to change my AFT and differential fluids?!

I get the drift....will wait several years until new roads are built and included. Thanks to all.

 

haha

 

Google maps and waze are a hundred times better than Acura nav.

 

YES!! I was travelling last weekend and used the Google Maps app on my iPhone....terrific! I now have a talking phone that gets me anywhere. No more nav updates or carrying around a Garman with me!!

 

unless you have major road changes dont bother, name search is useless on our navs

 

Can't I just download the new maps and burn a DVD? I imagine someone has uploaded Acura maps online.

 

You can, but it isn't easy. Find the right download, find the right CD type, have the right software, and burn at the slowest speed possible. It will more than likely take you more than one try and a few hours, but it can be done.

I think I have instructions in my PM.

 

Please do share. I am still in 2005 here lol.

 

Your PM box is either full, or you don't have PM permissions yet. Let me know via PM when it's cleared up.

 

I'm new and got your pm, thanks. I will give it a go. The blank DVD's aren't too much. Any tips? I'm downloading everything now.

 

Like I mentioned in the PM, I haven't done it. I just know it can be done. Good luck.

 

 

I'm curious to try. It will only cost me a couple of dvds.

 

make sure you post a long write up on what worked and what didnt.

 

I did it a few years ago and concluded that it was not worth the hassle. I bought 3 Dual layer DVD's but I didn't have a dual layer burner so I had to borrow one. My experimentation quickly used up the 3 so I bought 10 more. Eventually I got it burnt and you then run the possibility of screwing up the car. I did, and had to delve deep to find the secret button pushing to get the car out of a loop. Eventually I got it to work so I burnt another one for a friend and it worked but had issues. Within a year I bought a new one from Navtec and got on with life. If your time is not worth much then go for it but I must have spent about 10 hours total on the project and I now have about 5 DL DVD's sitting in a box because I still do not own a burner to use them.

 

Messing with the firmware does worry me. I have a DL burner on my laptop and bought a 5 pack.

 

The ones that I did, don't mess with the firmware at all, I was only successful using Toast Titanium on my Mac, had no dice burning withe the Disk Utility. I found a legitimate upgrade disc on ebay to get my drive to the latest firmware, and all the versions have been fine since.

 

Can you upgrade the firmware and not the maps? I might buy a legit upgrade disc to see if I can use the downloaded maps. My fear is messing up the firmware. I can just reload the old maps if the downloaded maps are bad.

 

I have a 2007 RL purchased new. In 2010 I got the advertisement for for a new CD for the nav system. We had a new bridge and several bypasses added in 2008-09 in my local areas, so I thought why not. Well I loaded the disc and guess what...no changes from my 07 disc. My question: is there any way to tell what changes are made before you purchase a new disc?

 

There used to be a database with all of the versions and the areas that were updated. I can't seem to find it though. Hopefully someone else can.

 

the real answer is no, but on the upgrade site they have a list of cities that were updated.

 

Where is the upgrade site?

 

http://bit.ly/195PW9R

 

Just got one from ebay for $99.. 2014 Update 4.C0

 

99 is the average price once they send out our discount cards.