I plan on purchasing a TL in a couple of weeks and I'm having a difficult time deciding on a Navi system. My wife keeps telling me it's a $2K map. Any points you can help me with?

Thanks

 

It's a 2k map that gives you directions, and has a phone book built in. I personally will never buy another car without a navigation system--it's just too darn useful.

 

I dont think anyone here will talk you out of it. I have it on my '01 and its the best 2k I ever spent (well maybe)

you can also get the nav and get the kit so you can watch movies on it and you double it's functionality

 

here's another recent topic FOR the navi

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...threadid=33606

 

Ditto that.

There have been many "spirited" conversations on the topic.

Here is one that was just revived over on the Acura CL board.

 

Its saved me a countless amount of times. VERY useful on trips to areas you're unfamiliar with. Like TinMan said, best $2k I ever spent. Except for the 15 sets of $2k I used get the my TL!

Oh, almost forgot, I too will never buy another car w/o NAV (assuming they make cars w/o NAV when I'll be in the market again)

 

A very good investment. same as above, plus it looks cool.

 

Get it, you won't regret it.....

 

I didn't get it and I don't regret it. I drive the same routes most of the time. If I were a salesman or real estate agent then it would probably be worth it. Nav adds almost nothing at trade in time. Traded my 2000 TL for my 2002 TL-S neither with navi.

 

Definitely get it. Even though I know most of the routes I drive, it is indispensable. It has also save me a lot of times. Also when there are traffic, you can use your navi to get around the traffic by going through side streets. It also makes your interior look more luxurious. And I can also watch TV and play DVD movies on it. Best $2K investment ever. I will also not buy another car without a navi...oh and HIDs.

 

although i bought it just to buy it, i thought it would not be that useful. but you know, i found all the value in that system after it helped me out one time...and it has since helped me out a couple more times. i also don't think $30000-some odd dollars (invoice tl-s with navi) is all that much...it's a bargain compared to most other brands. let's say you bought it and you end up needing it, aftermarket is not as "nice" and requires some custom labor (but those can do more though). if the pioneer avc-rgb1 units were still readily available, i would use the nav conversion as another factor for getting it.

but it's really up to you.

 

dosa,

I have to agree with your wife and dj5, it's a $2000 map. Unless you're a salesman or real estate agent I don't think it's worth it. As for watching movies, that why I have a big screen at home. When i'm in the car i'm driving not watching movies.

 

First thing you need to consider is the area you are living in and the coverage of the area in the DVD database.

So, if you live in a rural area with little or no coverage than it is not worth it.

On the other hand, if you live in Big city like Boston or NY... It could be a life saver...

Luckily for me Boston, Nashua and Manchester (NH) are all 100% covered so I am very satisfied....

Imagine you are on the road and you want to book a dining table for yourself and yourwife, you know your favority restaurant but you dont have his phone number, solution is easy...wife punches the restaurant name and the phone number is there.....

Same story for Ordering Pizza....

Oh Another one, say you went for a raod trip and wondered in places that you are visiting for the first time, at the end of the trip is all what you care about is getting home FAST....

Just hit the NAV address book select your home address and follow the easy voice directions....
:smokin:

 

Its so amazing. If you dont know where to eat...just type in the food you want and lists of places come up. I would highly suggest it.

 

Cellular Phone? I don't have one and I don't need one. I have an answering machine at home and I keep a dozen quarters in my car. If I were a salesman or real estate agent then it would probably be worth it. A cellular phone allows people to track you down. I don't want to be found. If I need to make a call, there's a payphone at every 7-11.
/sarcasm off

Get the Navi. It's not just for salespeople and real estate agents no more so than computers are for engineers.

 

its da $hietz~!!

 

Just a $2K map? I soooooooooo regret not buying it. I will never buy another car that does not have navi and HIDs.

 

Get it. I am trying to install a stock navi in my 2000 TL jsut cuz of the PS2 and the navi. Got it from a salvage yard but alot of work. Save your self the hassel and get the damn thing.

 

Ah easy. Sit in the car, and type your address in, then click "MAP." Show your wife how it instantly shows your house's position. Now hit cancel to go back, then hit "OK." Show your wife how, no matter where you start from, it instantly knows how to get where you are going (and all you did was put in the address). (Navi-1, Map-0)

Now show her "Restaurants," "Chinese," "Distance to Travel" and it will show you all the Chinese restaurants in the area, from the closest one to the furthest. Choose one and drive to it. Notice that in the list there are little arrows indicating the general direction of each restaurant... even while in motion. Your wife could be looking for a place to eat (or sleep, or ATM) WHILE you are driving. (Navi-2, Map-0)

While you are navigating some place, make a wrong turn. The navi automatically finds a new route to get you back on track. This feature alone is a marriage saver. (Navi-3, Map-0)

Once you have it, you can get even fancier. While on a trip, if you run into a traffic jam, hit "Detour" and the navi will take you around it. (Navi-4, Map-0)

Want more? Program your own address into the address book. That way, when you arrive at where you're going you just punch up your home and the navi will get you on the road even in unfamiliar territory. (Navi-5, Map-0)

Still not convinced? Got a bunch of errands to run? Sit in your driveway and type them all in, adding them to "Today's destinations" list. The navi will take you to the closest one, then route you to the next closest one, etc. (Navi-6, Map-0)

I could go on, but this post is getting long enough already.

 

STOP IT!! You're making me feel even worse!

 

Navi is so fun to play with! haha. Even tho I know where the place is..i still use it to get there..and to get home! The Navi is pretty darn useful. mentl sure said alot...hehe!

 

Hee, hee! Great post, Mentl!

Dosa, I was hooked on the navi when I first saw it in operation on my father's LS400. I knew then that all of my future cars would have that feature! The trick is to see it in operation. The darn thing sells itself if properly demo'd.

Later,

V.

 

alright... I think dosa gets the point.... GET IT!!! OR REGRET IT!!!

 

you can setup ICONS for ATM's, Gas Stations, or Restaurants (by type) on the map.

so your within reach of any of those services.

 

If you live in a small city like Kingston, Ontario, there is no need to spend 2K for a nav. If you decide to travel...it is still fun to use the old method of MAPS>

On the other hand, If you live in a large city...a 2k investment for hours of time saving is worth it.

 

Thank you all for your input....

I plan on purchasing the Navi.

Michael

 

And after you use it a couple of times, come back here and tell us if *you* think it was worth it or not.

Later,

V.

 

Excellent point. Unless you've "lived" with it for a while, you'll never understand the value. I thought it was just a toy, now it will be a major factor in future car purchases.

 

Well last night was the payoff. My wife can back from an investment club meeting which was at a new house she had never been to. She had direction but she still got lost. She punched the address in to the Navi and it gets her right were she needs to be.

So I get, "That Navi is pretty cool!" Well, I like it too.

A couple of things I hope they add is an East/West coast edition. Living in Washington state, I just don't need NY info. The extra room that would carve out on the DVD would enable them to complete all the roads in my rural area. Also I sure would like to be able to press on the icons (fork&knife) and have the name pop up. I found several businesses - out of business.

Thanks everyone who responded in helping us make the decision.

 

They have plenty of space on the DVD for every road in the continental US. They just haven't gotten around to it yet

You can use the joystick to point at an icon and click on it, and it will bring up the names of the businesses there.

The business yellow pages database is about 4-5 years old. Yes, they haven't updated it for that long.

 

Is there any type of montly fees associate with using the navi?

 

Nope. It's just receiving signals from the Defense Department Satellites so there are no fees. OnStar, which is available on '03 TLs/CLs w/Navi do have a fee for OnStar only.

 

get it...its awesome. you will be surprised on how often you will use it...and it looks so really nice in the car..

 

Ah, boys... our job is done, here!

Now who's next?!

V.

 

I knew if I didn't buy it I'd be sitting at a red light mentally kicking myself (same with Type S) for my decision.

After all it represents only 6% of the cost of the car, but a lot more than that in terms of functionality.

 

It's one of those things you'll regret if you DON'T do it. Yes, I managed all those years without it, but like a cellular phone, and a home PC, I consider it an essential part of modern living. I do, however, agree that it's simply not as useful in rural areas. If you live in/around any midsize or better city though, you'll never spend a wiser $2K.

 

Thanks daverman, I must have missed that in the manual. I also called the Navi division of Acura and the rep there did not know you can 'info' an icon.

Anyway thanks again, works like a champ.

md