Anyone think their NAVI data is a bit out of date?

I picked up my TL in Oct and thought the DVD was out of date then. I called in Jan and they said is was the lastest release and it would be at least a year before a new edition would be out.

I recently checked online and a new version (f) is out now! My current version is 3.03d.

The update is $185 + shipping and I was insulted that I would have to pay for an update that one could argue should have come with the new car. I talked with customer service AND the local dealer, they agree, but, can not of will not do anything for me.

With that said, what version does everyone else have? Has anyone tried to make a "backup" copy of their original DVD? Does anyone know the DVD format? (+-,etc).

Anyone have the "f" version?

Anyone know what version is currently in the new cars on the lots?

T

 

I just received my TL this past Wednesday. I checked the dvd and I have 3.03F.

The disc is dual layer so it can't be copied, yet.

 

What's the difference be between 3.03d and 3.03f versions?

 

Just found this on www.acuranavi.com for the 04 TL...
--------------------------
"The current orange labeled DVD for this model is version 3.30F. A revised version (3.30G DVD) will be available in mid May that corrects minor system issues. However, version 3.30G will not have any additional map coverage or updated POIs beyond what 3.30F offers.
---------------------------
I wonder what the "minor system issues" are that Acura is referring to....

 

I'll bet that they finally figured out how to get the "Color" Setup selection to actually do something.

 

Navi databases are usually around a year out of date, partly due to:

(1) Data conversion from the manufacturer's (Navteq) data format to Acura/Alpine's format.

(2) Once the data has been converted, Alpine starts testing out the functionality of the new pre-release database (which takes a really long period of time to test - you'd be amazed!),

(3) When Alpine's happy, they'll deliver a prototype deliverable database to Acura for testing.

(4) Then if Acura's happy, they move on to production runs, distribution, etc.

... And that's in a perfect world where nothing goes wrong. The process above would take quite a few months in ideal conditions.

In reality, Acura will write up problem reports to Alpine (The Navi system manufacturer), who may then write up problem reports to Navteq (The Navi database provider).

Each of these problem reports needs to be prioritized as to severity and when the sceduled delivery for the fix will be. This means meetings, phone calls, etc. which take more time.

Problem fixes will be handled and delivered on an agreed uopn schedule. My guesss is that the Acura/Alpine development around the 3.30G Navi disc (that is supposed to arrive in May) probably started sometime late last year.

On top of this, Alpine / Navteq probably has a contractual agreement with Acura on how many updates they will provide each year. Each update costs the manufacturer a lot of money to release.

It'd be really nice if you could get data as recent as last month, but there's a lot of development, bug fixes, and testing! Testing! TESTING! that needs to occur before it hits the streets. If that testing didn't occur, and the Navi system crashes after an update, imagine how pissed-off you would be ...

 

Anyone know how to report "bugs" in the POI data? Several local restaurants in my area are mis-categorized.

derscott

 

I got my car in Oct, so may have the earliest version (sorry, don't remember what it is). In Dec. I heard the new version put into 04TL, and immediately called to Acura Navi Division, who said it's identical DVD, and it's no need to buy the upgrade at that moment.

IMO, version D to G seems the same to me.

 

derscott - See here.

 

Excellent, thanks!

derscott

 

Hahaha, in Berkeley, some of the restaurants were so OBVIOUSLY miscategorized. For example:

Yokohama Station was categorized as Mexican instead of Japanese.
Taiwan Cafe was categorized as Mexican instead of Chinese.

 

i will test drive a TL in late may, and switch the DVDs on em with my odl one, he he... KIDDING

 

Here is an idea..whoever has the latest dvd navi should make a copy and sell it to us @ $20 a pop...that should cover your cost and everyone gets the latest copy

 

The site simply says POI updates (along with some system changes). Anyway to figure out what they changed?

Joe

 

FYI, there are probably more than one dozen dual layer DVD burners out there. Many are less than $100.

 

But the dual layer blank disks cost an arm and a leg right now...

 

There are a few missing roads in the DC area due to new road construction, but I suppose to some degree such things are inevitable. That's why it has the stuff in that disclaimer that appears! I would rather see the next update have expanded Canadian coverage so that the Navi would be more useful on road trips. I can easily find my way to Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Tremblant, Quebec City, or Cape Breton Island without a map, but the Navi cuts off just outside Montreal (and just north of Ottawa)--it would be a lot more useful if it had all of the major Canadian roads and the streets in the major cities. The fact that you can flip the Navi from miles to kilometres makes me suspect that they may expand Canadian coverage in the future.

(On the same note, it's interesting that you can't switch the MID from miles to kilometres. I know the Jaguar S-Type lets you do that. Seems like a useful idea for road trips.)

 

I bought my care about three weeks, it has 3.03G.

 

I know its somewhere on this forum, but where do you find the NAVI version info?

 

It's printed on the Navigation DVD. Simply pop it out of the player to see.

 

Great idea, except it is theft. Navteq needs to make money on this, they put a lot of work into it. Don't you want to keep them in business for a few years?

 

I pay $35,000+ for a car and don't get free updates? Compare that to, for example, registering a piece of software by paying $19.95 and having access to free lifetime updates.

Alpine & NavTeq should only charge a small fee to cover the costs of shipping and manufacturing the disks. If they really want to squeeze that little bit of extra money, they should rather ask for a higher initial price per unit (car) sold. We're talking about a few dollars only... just think about how many vehicle owners actually care about an updated navi? Most acuraziners wouldn't bother. And if most acuraziners don't bother, what do you think about Ms. Jagerbaum who doesn't understand what's the purpose of that TV set in the middle of the dashboard. I don't have any specific numbers to work with here - but if I did, I would divide the number of updated discs sold by the total number of vehicles sold. I bet the resulting percentage is in the low single digits, if not even subunitary.

Ripoff.

If you feel the same, do this: 1) Watch this thread closely and 2) Order the newest update, then return it for a refund.

Ready for the flames.

 

Why would you bump a 3 year old thread to rant about something thats already been discussed over and over.

There is your flame:

and here is your warning: Don't do it again.


There are plenty of threads on DVD updates and this one is, by far, outdated.