I have a 2006 acura tl with the original navigation dvd. I'm driving from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale next week and was wondering if it is okay to trust old navi dvd to get me there correctly.

 

Good question.

I would rather google maps it.

 

I use the 2004 Navi in my MDX all the time. It's kind of "old school" but it does the trick. You may find that some intersections have been remade since your dvd was pressed, but if you fly by something, the Navi will work to get you back on track. (They haven't moved any of the Interstates to my knowledge. ;-) )

(but.. if you are looking for a very specific address in Ft. Lauderdale, I would ensure that the Navi can find it. Otherwise, as Guitarplayer 16 suggests, have a local map for your final few turns)

 

Also... if you don't already have it, check out the "Waze" application for your smartphone. It uses real-time traffic info to guide you around delays, warn you about hazards and speed traps, etc.

 

Yes.
The road directions (using roads existing in 2005) will be good, and you'll be re-routed if you go off course. The updates are generally for points of interest and new streets/roads. The Navi won't have new stores, restaurants, etc. built since 2005 or so, though.

There was one software update around 2008-2009 which seemed to speed up the search/routing functions and updated the Daylight Savings Time function, so you might consider getting an updated Navi DVD-- version 3.90 or newer "orange" disc. The newest DVD is version 3.D0 and costs $99 through the Acura website.

The TL Navi still gives better routing(in SoCal, thus far) and verbal directions than the Garmin Nuvi we got in 2011 or so.

Welcome to AZ.

 

Thanks everyone! Tmobile data is pretty bad when you're in the middle of nowhere so I definitely want some back up options. I'll be going old school and printing out some map quest directions as well as using my navi

 

You should be fine for road directions. I presume you will be using Interstate-grade roads the entire way (Florida's Turnpike counts as Interstate-grade). None of the ones you'll encounter have changed much in the last ten years except for I-595 and I-95 in the Miami area. Both of those have fairly new express lanes that require a SunPass and your Navi won't show the express lanes. If you do not have a SunPass, simply do not enter the express lanes and you won't have a problem.

You might have some outdated POI info if you look for places to stop for lunch or the like, but since most states have those blue signs listing gas/food/lodging in advance of each interchange, this shouldn't be a major issue.

(Speaking of SunPass, if you do get a SunPass Mini sticker transponder, you can use scotch tape to fasten it to the windshield. That's how mine is attached and I've never had a problem with it being read properly. The stuff about how you must mount it permanently to your windshield is nonsense.)

 

It will do the trick, but it wouldn't hurt to get the updated disc.

 

Its ok to use it. I have 05 navi and i drive from Canada to Miami once or twice a year and usually use the GPS on my phone. Last year I used navigation to try and see and it took me on a different route. Because the maps date back to 05, it probbaly didnt give me the fastest / shortest path because i'm guessing some roads were maybe built after 05 but it did get me to Miami.

Out of a approx 35h drive, it took me a route that was about 1h longer. Not too bad if you ask me. The problem is in the city, where they build streets on a regular basis. If I use my navi in the city, i'll encounter a lot of issues...but on the highway it as fine