I have a black Navigation screen on 06 TL. Everything I read says it is the trunk DVD player. Do I pay Alpine the ~$400 to repair or will the $225 ones on eBay work? What is your experience and recommendation? Thanks.

 

An '07/8 DVD unit on ebaY along with an '07/8 screen. Do this upgrade and you'll never look back! You'll even get available Nav updates to 2021 rather than 2014 to boot.
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Do you happen to have part numbers?

UPDATE: I found your other post:
- 07-08 XM receiver. pn: 39820-SEP-A22 retail price: 1269.42 acureoemparts price: 1015.54 (Price I paid: $44.00 -- ebay)
- 07-08 Navi drive. pn: 39546-SEP-A51 retail price: 2558.05 acuraoemparts price: 2046.44 (Price I paid: $500 -- acuzazine member. included original 4.62 disc)
- 07-08 HFL unit. pn: 39770-SEP-A12ZA retail price: 500.35 acuraoemparts price: 400.28 (Price I paid: $65 -- ebay)

 

The '07/8 XM Receiver and HFL unit are not plug compatible. The '07/8 screen is plug compatible with an adapter from Martin in FL. The '07/8 DVD unit IS plug compatible. Now if you want to futz with your wiring harnesses and plugs, then go all the way! I thought that was too much. The '07/8 Nav system works fine with these few limitations, and the clock works properly now!
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Alpine makes whatever repair is needed on your drive and provides a new navi disk for the $358 fee. The will warranty their work for over a year if you have any additional issues. This will allow you to maintain any navi hacks that you have created. these hacks are not available on the later year drives. You will also have increased functionality that you did not have previously like the trip computer which is also available on the 07/08 mod. The 07/08 has improved graphics over the 04/06, but nothing that would be close to current navigation software so your phone is going to be used. You may experience some issues with the 07/08 mod with some features not working properly. YMMV Looks like the 07/08 parts and installation would be close to 1K $600 parts $300 install.

 

ebay ones have no warranty so it's a shot in the dark as to how long they will last. I'd snag the 07-08 one and do the upgrade if $$$ isn't an issue. Install isn't that hard to do (esp if you don't have to replace the front screen).

If you don't care about the updates and the clock issue with the 2004-2006 drive, then pay alpine to fix it and you'll be set. Pay over the phone with Amex and they might double the warranty depending on what card you have.

If you want the clock to display properly, get the 2007-2008 upgrade.

 

You forgot to mention the biggest improvement of all besides the clock. No more waiting for the GO button!
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Thank you

 

Are you still looking for the 07-08 player, I have one for sale with map disc.
JR