this is the weekend that my highland will be sold and I can go shopping!!!! woo hoo!!!

My question is this..............(don't laugh too hard)

I drove a 2006 TL with nav and we were playing around with it. Other than nav, calendar and a calculator (not sure why that is on there but) do the nav systems do anything else? we have been making a big issue about finding a car with nav but is that all it does? I love the look of the dash with the nav screen but if that is it, I think I can do without that option. Can the non nav display color be changed? looks kinda blah. I just want to make sure I get a car that I'm gonna keep another 12 years like I did my highlander.

 

If I could do it again, I'd go for non-navi, it's old, the screen resolution is poor by today's standards and it's $100 a year for the updated DVD.

If you have a phone or GPS like a Garmin, just use that.

As for your questions, the navi won't do much else unless you hack it, you can display your own picture by doing so and a few other things, probably not worth the time really. Your other option is hooking up a Car-PC (I think) and then you can hook an Apple TV or something like that to it.

But as I said, I'd go for non-navi if I had the option to pick again.

Currently mine is broken and I'm looking at $470 from Alpine to fix it.

 

Get nav without a doubt. The interior looks 20 times better with it. Besides that its a relatively nice quality system that works just fine, and you don't have to bother with one of those ugly windshield mount ones, or screwing with your phone. Just the way the interior looks with it is enough reason to get it. Resale value is another thing. For me personally if I was browsing adds and came across a TL with nav I wouldn't even consider buying it. I'm not the only one either so keep that in mind.
Get nav, you won't be disappointed. You can't kick yourself for getting it, but you certainly can if you don't.

 

I dot even use nav, I use the screen for the radio. its easier because its touch.

 

I like rear view camera and inside layout.

 

I'd actually go without NAV because of the price, but only to do something similar to this:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/android-tablet-integration-852090/

like JTS said, the interior looks a LOT better with the navi and you don't want another device blocking your windshield, etc. but, if you're tech-savvy or have a shop near you that can do a tablet integration, i'd go that route...google maps/navigation ftw. i have a tls that had to come w/ navi and i'd swap it out for a tablet (like a nexus 7) in a heartbeat if it didn't mean i had to give up the use of the back-up camera.

just another option :P

Edit: Here's a link to an install on a non-nav TL. https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/diy-guide-non-nav-acer-tablet-install-lots-pics-872367/

 

Oh yeah I forgot to mention backup camera like they said above. That's a HUGE feature IMO. Of course that's only if your getting an 07/08.

 

Go with the Nav, it actually makes a considerable jump in value to the car over a non nav. With that being said its obviously out-dated, my cousin's navi in her CIVIC (2012) is nicer than mine which it probably should be because its a newer car but in my mind it still doesnt justify it since you can never compare a Civic to a TL. So in the end its more of a look and value thing than the actual functionality because most smartphones these days have AMAZING navigation and its hands free. The only really cool feature the navi has is the back up camera and most likely you wont even have that because its only on the 07-08.

 

Pros for Nav:
-Looks better in the dash (substantially better on the pre-07 cars)
-useful/always there if you need it

Cons:
-cost (which in a pre-owned car won't be that much of a price differential between Nav and non Nav)
-smartphone connected via wired connection or BT (via USA Spec or iSimple) will probably be a better overall Nav than the factory Nav in a car from 2006

My recommendation would be to get the lowest mileage, best condition car you can find for the price and decide if you think the Nav is worth having (in other words, if you think it'll never /rarely get used, focus on getting a better quality TL even if no Nav).

Even though I appreciate having the Nav, I rarely use it. On any new car I ever get in the future, it won't be a 'must have' option.

 

non navi: (bland, boring, limited)






navi: (integrated, old but complements the dash and 07/08 mp3 song selection and the rear camera are invaluable)




GET THE NAV!

 

Honestly at this stage in the game it'd be type-s or nothing for me.

But, personally, I feel the nav is for the most part a waste. I'd rip it out and put a tablet in there. Lol

I had a complete NAV system at one point a few years back. And the more I played with a friends the less I wanted it. So I sold it. I want the sub display but the screen/system is not up to par for me.

 

all points considered and THANK YOU.

If I find a 2004 or 2005 without nav, is it hard to switch out and install the nav system?

 

many have performed this task BUT it is NOT for the faint of heart.

once u do a search and find out the work required to do that as well as the $$$.. u will NOT want to do it.

 

Everyone else mentioned the rear-view camera (standard on '07-'08 only), etc., but no one mentioned voice-command of accessory functions?!

The Navi model permits verbal control of audio and climate control systems-- I use "temperature, 70 degrees," "radio, XX.X FM" and other voice commands occasionally.

The Navi model is a pretty good navigation and calling system (surprisingly better overall than my 2009-2010 Garmin), and I don't mind the 2D screen graphics.

Navi is included on all TL-S models, FWIW.

The $1,000+ parts cost and work to convert a non-Navi to a Navi is too high and too much to justify a non-Navi-- just get a Navi model now if it intrigues you.

Welcome to AZ.

 

Just use your smartphone.

 

I'd get one with navi. I still use mine on a fairly regular basis and its already been mentioned that it makes the interior look way better.

And ill agree with mahara-if I were to purchace a 3g for the first time at this point I'd really only consiter a type s, maybe a super low mileage base 6mt.

 

To be honest if you're just going to work and back and 80% of the other trips besides going to work are to places that u know how to get to why would you ever want to spend all that money to convert a non nav into a nav? Not saying this is your situation but i personally only even use my nav maybe once a month because i work full time and have a family so there's not much time for traveling plus i am very good with directions and actually like finding places on my own so i can learn how to get around (lets face it, with navigation you arent LEARNING how to get around since you're being given the answer) which means 90% of the time i know exactly where im going and how to get there so the conversion just to fill in that 10% gap would have to be one of the dumbest things ever

 

It intergrating a tablet is not that expensive to do. Its way cheaper than converting a non to a navi and it is way better than the navi set up.

You are right, it is not an easy task to do.

 

Like I've always said, getting the Nav insures you'll never turn out to be amongst the many 1000's who wound up banging their heads into the wall afterwards that didn't get it wishing they had.

Though not a perfect system, it still works and is still better to have it than not. That screen is THE HEART of the interior presenting it in a more 21st century way. It gives your guests a finer opinion of your car. It also provides voice control for a host of navigation, audio, and climate functions - not just phone stuff. Plus that small sensor on the dash that sees where the sun is (supposedly) adjusts your air conditioning's might accordingly to that side.

Are you gonna get one of those portable GPS's and mount it to your windshield or dash so you can have a small portion of your view blocked off? Are you always gonna remember to take it down every time you park in public and then go through the motions of taking it out again and setting it up when you get back in? These things get stolen constantly from those who forget to unhook and hide them. Even an empty mount tells a would be thief there may be one in there.

Sure Google Maps goes a good job, but are you gonna mount your smartphone on the dash also winding up with something in your vision's way while always eating your data plan? Can you find yourself someplace where your carrier may not have data signal? You betcha!

Why do you think the vast majority of used 3G TL's for sale out there are NON-NAV units?
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^+1. Well said and definitely agree.

 

A smartphone is hands free, and no need to mount anywhere because they all have voice navigation. I enter the address on my google maps app and just place the phone on the cup holder lid and listen to the voice which advises me plenty early of any turns or exits... But everything else u said i definitely agree with.

 

Also, I have my i5 mounted on the upper left most section of the windshield. It's literally right in front of my face. And it doesn't even go below the factory "blue" windshield tint. Doesn't block a thing.

I'm not arguing having nav. I just think that nav is way too archaic.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-06-ACURA-TL-OEM-COMPLETE-NAVIGATION-SYSTEM-EAZY-TO-INSTALL-KIT-/221277878842?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item3385307a3a

 

I am liking mine, just got the car, I know its dated. I wasn't looking for nav, didn't even know the car had it til my first call to the dealer, a nice bonus actually it wouldn't sway me though, condition, mileage and 6mt trump nav.

 

Unlimited data plan? You betcha!

 

Rita if you can find a TL in great condition with nav, definitely go for it.

 

^+1 This!

I've owned two 3G TLs and both had Nav. It just completes the dashboard - IMHO.