coolpillow

I am looking at buying a 2006 TL and wondered if you all would buy one with a navigation system or not. I have not researched this topic too much yet, but it seems that you can get a portable one for a few hundred dollars.

I did a test drive recently, and the navigation system was pretty clunky. Maybe it gets better if you use it a lot, but I found it hard to use. For example, if you were in a new area and wanted to go to a certain type of restaurant, it couldn't tell you what restaurants were there. You would have to type in the name of the restaurant. Then when I started doing that, it would call up a destination in another state! Also, I typed in the name of a major town around here, and it wasn't in the system! I guess that is why there are these threads about hacking the navi, huh?

So after that test drive, my gut is to not get one! What do you think?

jguerra23

Nav

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

get it.

paz840

iTrader: (2)

get one with navi, MANY ppl don't and regret it later

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Dude...go with Nav. You'll either kick yourself for the rest of your car's life or never regret it.

You were having difficulty with the Nav because it probably wasn't set up right yet. The Acura's Nav System is the best on the road. You just need to know how to use it. I had the same problem, but when you read the manual and understand the system, it's VERY helpful and alot of fun too. If it was a used car, it might have come from another state-that's why it possibly was calling a restaurant in another state. Say, "Display nearest _____ restaurant" and it will find Chinese, Italian style restaurants.

The Nav hack is actually more for the start-up screen. There's an "OK" button that you have to push every time you start the car. Many people see that as an annoyance, so they get around the start-up screen.

Seriously, go for a TL with Nav. If not the one you test drove-you can find another one. Be patient-you'll find the right car for you.

RC51Ryder

/\ What he said. Get the navi.

dechlin

iTrader: (1)

just say yes to nav!!!

acura911

nav all the way.

coolpillow

I am planning to get a 2006 TL and need to decide whether to get the navi system. I'm really interested in hearing from people who decided NOT to get it. Here is my pro/con list. Maybe you can help me add to it.

pro

sleek look
no theft hazard like with portable unit
??


con

I am planning to keep the car for 10+ years, and I am not sure the system will last that long, and I don't want the system to be obsolete

portable units are available relatively inexpensively (are they as good?)

portable units can be used in another car

it would be very inconvenient for me to get the navi system serviced

might be a pain to update (not sure how portable units are updates)

knavinusa

I decided not to get it because I figured I wouldn't use it that much. Kinda regret it though, since you do miss out on a fair number of features. Plus, it makes your interior a lot better, imo.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Just depends on the user. It is convenient and reliable, but if you didn't want to go NAVI just get a CARPC and update accordingly thats what some people do. Anyways just decide what you're going to do, and make sure you're happy with it. Don't worry about NAVI, worry about the sleek look of the TL, the mods of the TL, because that will cost you the money!

Tib

I have a portable GPS...didn't need a second one. Plus I like being able to cheaply replace the portable if needed.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

OP- I've merged both of your threads. There is no need for two of them.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...458&highlight=

1fsthatch

just get the nav ull hate it w.o

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

The Acura nav is a great asset, but it is poor in comparison with the Tom Tom we have in another car, or at least where we live in Central Jersey suburbs. When I've used the system it always indicates a route on major or at least heavier travelled highways as the "small back roads" never seem to materialize. It will give great directions but may take you miles away from a more direct route. I’ve also used it in other locations, states, and found it to be the same situation.

LoveMyTL-S

The Navi is a great asset, not to mention is looks great in the console. You can find the back roads if you zoom in and ask for detours. Also you can search for direct route, fast route, etc. Love the touch screen also. As far as updating the Navi, Alpine comes out with a new updated disc every year. Cost is a bit high though. I'd update every few years myself. Of course a portable one can be updated off your PC online and may be free. Another thing I like about the Navi is the large 7" screen. Easy to see. It's also integrated into your stereo system, A/C and bluetooth for your phone. My old TSX was a non-navi and I really regretted not having it. So when I got my TL-S it came with Navi and wow, what a difference. Anyway, just my

DMZ

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

The best part of getting the Navi is that you'll never be one of the 10's of 1000's who didn't get it that wound up banging their heads into the wall afterwards wishing they had. You also get voice control over the car's climate and audio systems to boot plus a sensor that sees the angle of the sun in summer and automatically adjusts the A/C on one side of the car or the other to compensate.

That screen is the HEART of the car's interior and makes an inifinitely better impression on passengers.
Why do you think the vast majority of used 3G TL's out there on the market are non-Navs?
.
.

paz840

iTrader: (2)

Vtec23

I was in the same situation last month, I was orginally going to get a non-navi TL because they were around $1000-$1500 cheaper. It makes the interior look 10x better and its touchscreen . So far no regrets,

by the way there are a ton on non-navi TL's for sale.

chairguru22

Nav. It's come in handy countless times and is great to find where you are, an alternate route, and of course, give you directions. It is also a good control center for the radio. It's not that great at finding restaurants and other locales because half the time it comes up with one hundreds of miles away. Like look up Best Buy and it won't necessarily direct you to the nearest one. (maybe there is a setting to fix all this)

dj5

Get the navi. I had an '02 TL-S without Navi and regretted not getting it. Got the '08 TL-S now with navi standard and loving it. My wife also has navi in her '06 Honda Pilot. She didn't want it at first, but now says she wouldn't want another car without it. The cost differental on a used TL with and without navi shouldn't be much more than $500.

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

NAVI FTW

Interior is just not the same without it.

bimmerman

99.9% of people who do not get Navi with they did.

pohljm

Go with the Navi for sure, I was originally not gonna go for it, but I did it pretty much just for resale value and from the moment I got it I was so happy that I did. Its much more than just navi, its the voice integration for all functions as well.

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

Navi, Navi, Navi.... If there was no Navi there would be no TL for me. That's one of the feature a must have.

subbuzz

I still get lost even with navi.lol The nav has great function and looks hot. It's alway's better to have it and not need it,than need it and not have it.........

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Plus, having Nav in your car will be better for resale too.

FreedomEagle50

I don't have a TL hopefully here pretty soon I will but from the time I've spend here I've noticed that everyone loves their navi and the people that don't have it wish they did. I say go for it because what's another 1000 bucks if you are keeping it that long. You will have it when you need it. Looks sweet! Non navi just looks weird with that bar thing in between also.

You can hook up backup camera to it and probably hook up and do more things than you can think of with navi than you can without it. Remember I don't have one yet this is just from what I've read so far.

shftl

I wanted a non-nav TL and I'm very happy with my choice. I recently drove an '09 loaner with nav and was not that impressed. If I had followed the nav's instructions I would have doubled my mileage home. The rear camera was impressive, I'll grant that the 04-06 nav dash is a cleaner look, and you can't make a portable really look good stuck on the dash somewhere, but:

If you need or want the function, portables are made by people who make their living making navigation units. If the product isn't satisfactory they go hungry. A carmaker, even Honda, has different priorities. You can update a portable regularly through your computer at modest cost. How often is the Acura system updated, how is it done, what does it cost, and most important, how long will it be supported? I kept my last car almost 10 years. You can take your portable with you and use it in a rental in a strange city: can't do that with an in-dash unit.

More important to me, how long will all the voice-activated features last, and what would it cost to repair or replace them? My bluetooth has already locked up on me once. I wouldn't want some more necessary function to do that. Any TL comes with toys that cost a fortune to replace--the HFL module alone is about $600. Buttons and switches are cheap and reliable.

I'm glad that those who paid the extra and got the nav are happy with it. I chose otherwise, and have never regretted it.

csmeance

get the navi, you won't regret it. Others have pointed out that navi's can break and then cost a bit to repair. Well with the navi system, you can always utlize that display for various things, so in-case it does break, put in your portable, and hook up a dvd for the SO/kids to the navi and be done.

007TL-S

NAVI, for resale reasons ,etc.....

Majofo

I guess I'm in that 0.1%

I'm not old but I'm old-school. Just give me a general direction and a street and I'll get there.. I don't care for navi's.. I like the readout of the non-navi's. I wouldn't mind a CarPC for the media storage and integrated functionality of wifi pickup but I definitely don't regret not having a Navi. I've had MDX & TL loaners with Navi and the only thing I thought they were good for was snooping on where the previous driver had been.. ha.

Everyone is different. I don't regret it one second. btw.. the non-navi head units are anti-theft / you need a code to use it so you can scratch that one off your list.

blkaspec

if you are buying used, like you are, i would say get it. i bought new and i was able to get my 06 without nav for a great deal, with all ASPEC parts included, so i didnt really mind. and like you said, the stock nav is not perfect.. i have a TomTom and i like it way better, but the fact that it can be stolen if left in the car, and the screen is a lot smaller makes the whole thing a bit of a pain. plus, there are plenty of mods for the stock nav that cant be done on the aftermarket portable systems.

i was able to get movies on my tomtom, and i am able to route the sound through my USA Spec Ipod adaptor, so if i ever feel like driving and watching movies i can

VillaWX3

Serious...I shelled out the extra dough for the NAV and haven't regretted it once...it's more than worth it

MR1

I would go with the navi again, it's the heart of the information system. We also have an MDX w/o navi and I've always been sorry and don't take it on trips like we should. To upgrade you buy a new dvd for ~$180 (way to much).

The truth is that the portable systems can give better directions and are easy to upgrade but are harder to see and hear. Besides, the fact that you can use it in more than one car means that it may be in the other car when you need it.

If you decide not to get it, make sure you know what you are passing on. Also be aware that if you install it later, it's expensive and the dealer will not do it.

bimmerman

You can buy a plug and play kit for $2000 (OEM) that is easy to install, or build your own car PC for about $1300-1700.

That will give you an idea of what it cost to add later, when buying used it normally raises the car about $500 on the sale price.