Have a 2006 RL coming off lease. I am thinking of buying the car but am tempted by the new 2009 TL only because the new HD navigation is awesome.

Would it be possible to upgrade my 2006 RL with the new navigation system?

Please let me know. Thanks.

 

You can upgrade the software. Give up on the retrofitting of another hardware system, however.

 

What additional features/function would be provided by getting the new software? Where do I buy that and how much does it cost?

 

its about $185 and you can get it from myacura.com. I still have the original version in my 05, it needs an update, but the price seems pretty outrageous.

 

If you go up to the Audio/Nav forum (still within Second Gen RL), you'll find many threads about the newer versions of software for your car. Some are buggy, including the version I use (but I haven't had troubles yet).

Essentially, the newer discs offer more mapping detail for particular areas, but they work "the same way" otherwise.

 

The DVDs do not add new functionality to the NAVI system.

They primarily update maps, POIs, traffic flow and directional data (i.e ONE WAY road indicators).

In some cases, they removed functions, such as the male voice is no longer an option on newer versions.

In some cases, corrections to functionality is included in new DVDs, such as the new DST auto adjust.

However, new funtionality in the NAVI system of the 09 RL (09 TL and 09 TSX) such as XM Weather and XM Note cannot be layered upon the 05-08 NAVIs. I researched this with my tech as I would like to add XM Weather. It requires new NAVI hardware, not simply a software, DVD or Flash Memory update.

Foolish, IMHO. If it were upgradeable functionality, Acura could earn $$$ making the upgrades to existing RL owners and XM could make $$$ with added subscription fees. Everyone wins.

If they think I am going to plunk down $50K to get a new RL for what amounts to software products AND get stuck with Acura UGLY...well, don't get me started.

 

In the near future, Acura will be offering navi updates through their website and I assume the USB interface in the car. So I've been told.

By the way, AcuraNavi.com has the 2008 discs discounted at $150

Here is a list of the improvements over the 2006 disc

Version 4.64


Coverage

US map coverage was expanded to include the following areas:

Alabama
Montgomery

California
Yuba

Colorado
Grand Junction

Georgia
Columbus

Illinois
Bloomington - Normal
Champaign
Charleston
Peoria
Quincy

Indiana
Evansville

Kansas
Topeka

Maryland
State of (partial) - Baltimore/Washington D.C. - including Charles and Carroll Counties
Cumberland

Michigan
Saginaw - Midland
Southeast Michigan - including Detroit-Grand Rapids-Lansing

Missouri
Springfield

North Carolina
Fayetteville
Jacksonville

Ohio
Youngstown

Oregon
Medford

Pennsylvania
Williamsport

Texas
Longview
Lubbock

Vermont
State of (partial) - including Burlington, Montpelier

Virginia
Danville

Washington
Yakima
Canada Detailed Coverage Areas

ALBERTA
Squamish-Lillooet
Squamish
Whistler
Frontenanc
Frontenac Islands
Gatineau
Gatineau
Muskoka
Bracebridge
Georgian Bay
Gravenhurst
Huntsville
Lake of Bays
Muskoka Lakes
Middlesex
London
Ottawa
Ottawa
Perth
Stratford
Simcoe
Adjala-Tosorontio
Barrie
Clearview
Collingwood
Essa
Innisfil
Midland
New Tecumseth
Orillia
Oro-Medonte
Penetanguishene
Ramara
Severn
Springwater
Tay
Tiny
Wasaga Beach


QUEBEC
Montreal-Laurentians
Les Laurentides
Amherst
Arundel
Barkmere
Brebeuf
Huberdeau
La Conception
La Minerve
Labelle
Lac-Superieur
Lantier
Mont-Tremblant
Montcalm
St-Faustin – Lac-Carre
Ste-Agathe-des-Monts
Ste-Lucie-des-Laurentides
Val-David
Val-des-Lacs
Val-Morin
Quebec
La Cote-de-Beaupre
Beaupre
Boischatel
Chateau-Richer
L’Ange-Gardien
St-Ferreol-les-Neiges
St-Joachim
St-Louis-de-Gonzague-du-Cap-Tourmente
Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre

La Jacques-Cartier
Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
Lac-Beauport
Lac-Delage
Lac-St-Joseph
Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval
Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
Shannon
L’Ile-D’Orleans
St-Francois
St-Jean
St-Laurent-de-L’Ile-d’Oreleans
St-Pierre-de-L’Ile-d’Orleans
Ste-Famille
Ste-Petronille
Levis
Levis
Quebec
Quebec




New Features
One way streets (indicated with arrows on the 1/20 mile scale - turn on in Icon Options - "Other icons")

Loss of male voice prompts (voice prompts revert to female - regardless of previous setup setting)

Additional brand icons for restaurants, motels and other POIs

Updated maps and POIs

 

For the 2009:

Coverage

US map coverage was expanded to include the following areas:

Arizona
Yuma

California
Central Valley - including Fresno, Merced, Modesto and Stockton
Humboldt
Mammoth Lakes

Florida
Panama City

Illinois
Carbondale
Galesburg
Urbana-Danville

Indiana
Bloomington
Muncie

Iowa
Waterloo-Cedar Falls

Mississippi
Memphis
Tupelo

Montana
Missoula

New Hampshire
Lebanon

New Mexico
Las Cruces

Ohio
Lima
Springfield

Pennsylvania
Southwest Pennsylvania – including Pittsburgh and Washington County

Texas
Amarillo
Beaumont
Nacogdoches-Lufkin
Texarkana
Wichita Falls

Utah
St. George

Vermount
Rutland

Virginia
Emporia
Staunton - Waynesboro - Harrisonburg

Wisconsin
Eau Claire
La Crosse

 

Keep in mind that the 2009 disc is NOT yet available for the 2nd gen RL

 

I moved this to the Navi section.

I can confirm that to get XM Weather, pre-2009s need new hardware. Not worth the cost. iPhone 3G + Weather Channel proggie is superior, but I only use it at stop lights (e.g. car is stopped). It automajically gives you the weather for your current position and it's a simple screen press to view the local map.

 

Look out the window.

 

^^^^^^ lol!