boe_d

The GPS may be just another feature to some like electric windows but to me the GPS is absolutely the most important feature for me on a vehicle. I kwow you can see the demo/tutorial on the Acura website. I was looking for an in depth review - positive and negative on the new 2012 Acura TL GPS.

Things I'd like to know -
1. How acurate is the voice recognition when giving street addresses?

2. How acurate is it at pulling addresses from your contacts?

3. How easy or difficult is it to transfer a contact from your outlook or phone- which phones are supported for data transfer?

4. How fast does it give directions?

5. Does it still only have knob input or can you finally touch the screen for input like you could a decade ago (still can't figure out why they don't let you do both)?

6. Are there any new features over the 2009 model GPS?

7. Can you input a new destination while in motion (I think Lexus had this problem).

8. How good is the BT quality for voice calls (both in the car and for noise cancellation for the person you are trying to talk to over the sound of the car)?

9 . What would you change?

Thanks.

Blaze9

I'm not sure about most of your questions, but I can answer 4, 5, and 8 fairly accuractly.

4. It's slower than my Toyota at calculating routes. I'm not sure why, but it takes on average about 3-4 seconds longer. It's not "slow" but not quick either. It won't be like running a PC from 1990 in today's world.

5. Only knob input. I actually prefer this over the Touchscreen, when driving. You have to be much more accurate while driving, and with the knob and placement of the screen, I can do quick glances from the road to the screen. With the touch screen in my 2011 Camry, it's too low and hard to change options. Overall, the knob and button feature is better than a touchscreen, but I guess that's just my point of view.

7. You can! That's the one MOST annoying this about my Toyota. It blocks off all map related entries once you're over 5MPH. This one allows all entries, but I recommend your passenger input information. You know, just to be safe.

TurboRush

I am very happy with the GPS/Nav on the Acura, like it much better than the one in my ES350.

The biggest complaint I have heard is the voice recognition isnt that good, I dont use it though. I think your best bet would be to go down to the dealership and drive it and test it out for yourself, its always hard to take peoples opinions because whats fast to me may be slow to you, etc.

Blaze9

I just played around a bit, I've done lots of commands for the map, mostly the find nearby <place>. I have a fairly heavy accent, but it picked up all my commands.

bliss!

The closest I know of would be CNET's Car Tech reviews which focus on the interior features and technology rather than the rest of the car.

You can find them online on CNET's own website or on YouTube.

They are not in-depth and are quick walkthroughs of the features. These two feature the 2012 and 2010 TL, the system hasn't changed dramatically between the years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7dq-WMTUWo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spXc1JaAOqA

This will show the voice recognition system, from the 2011 Accord. The user interface is much newer and better in the latest Acuras but the basic system works the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IErJ-XEjpNo#t=2m0s

And then one of the ZDX and MDX which also have the same system as the TL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VHWZwm5rqA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSlI62JJtPgIt's fine but addresses will have to be spelled out letter by letter unless the system is spot on in recognizing the entire word you said.As accurate as you entered it in your contact information.As easy as initiating an import via Bluetooth.About 400 metes ahead of the next direction change.Joystick input only.

As to one of the reasons why it's not touchscreen, among many others, is that a flush touchscreen is more prone to glare and being washed out rather than a recessed display-only screen that is all the way back inside the dashboard.Song By Voice™ is the headline feature, if not the only major change.I haven't had a complaint yet from people I talk to but I roll up my windows if I'm on the highway and I have to make a call.

bobgr04

Just got MDX 2012 with navigation.
Screen is much better but TTS removed! No more street names in guidance, confirmed by navigation specialist from Acura support , so stupid!
Another stupid functionality: handsfree will recognize the name of incoming call only if stored in the phonebook exactly as "+ 1 1234567899", "+" is a must (in Canada at least), format should be exactly as system shows incoming call.
Also, compare to previous years, no more confirmation before dialing, starts to dial without prompts! Be careful

J.A.S.

In answer to 5. Does it still only have knob input or can you finally touch the screen for input like you could a decade ago (still can't figure out why they don't let you do both)?

You may know this but there is a mode where you can input city and street by voice. I mention it because it took quite a while before I discovered it with my 2009 TL. When you're on the screen to set the destination by City or Street, simply say "Change to Say Name" and a screen will come up to input by voice.

Mr Marco

Next gen Acura NAV will not allow driver imput with the car in Drive.

lji

^ Where did you hear/read this? This was one of the major selling points for the Acura when I bought mine.