Is it just me, or do others think that a $149 fee for updating the maps on a $2000 navigation system a bit ridiculous? I have $200 Garmin that came with lifetime map upgrades for chrissake. And with the availability of smart phone navigation apps, I think it's nuts for Acura to charge that much for these updates. I might be willing to pay S&H for the DVD, but that's it.

 

Agreed; The update SHOULD be FREE for the length of the warranty

 

I don't even use the TL's GPS anymore (I probably should stop paying for XM traffic and weather) because I found the Waze app to me much more accurate. The voice navagation goes though the ELS when you play the iPhone's music through USB.

 

Nothing comes cheap for genuine Acura parts and services.

For services, one can DIY. But for factory parts, one cannot get away from paying high prices.

 

Wait another month or 2. Usually Navteq has a spring/summer sale where they will reduce the price to $99, but that is the cheapest you'll be able to get it for.

 

I'm pretty sure this is standard on all OEM navigations systems. We paid $199 to update the map in my wife's old ES330. I do agree however that it's BS...updates should be free.

 

$149 is a bargain, compared to the $179 we have to pay here in Canada for the same disc. I agree it should be less. The forums are full of people who wouldn't pay that much for an upgrade. The incremetal cost of producing each disc is negligible...a better business plan would seem (to me) to be to sell higher volume of the discs at a lower price. That way, they'd also get all those sweet, sweet customer mailing addresses which they could spam every year thereafter.

But what do I know?

 

I bought an upgrade for my 2006 TL when you could use the U.S. disk which I purchased while down south at U.S. prices. Now that us Canadians can only use the Canadian product at higher prices I refuse to purchase an update for my 2010. What you get in a new release is simply not worth the price.

 

It is absolutely crazy, that is why I still have never updated mine which sucks considering my neighborhood was only developed a few years ago and is nowhere on the disc lol. I wonder if you try calling and complaining? Has anyone tried? I argued with XM radio not too long ago and ended up winning. They gave me a renewal offer which I took since it was only about $20 for 6 months. I told them I wanted it on both of my TLs for that price and after about 10 minutes on the phone and giving them my code they said fine, probably just to shut me up. That was when i spoke to India. I then noticed it was only on the added car" called back they told me it was each car and I stressed the fact that it was too expensive and why would I pay for a service that I could get for free by hooking up my phone and playing Pandora. They refused to rectify so I googled the U.S. headquarters and the woman said she sees where I am coming from and within 2 minutes she had both of the radios up and running for me, no additional charge. Even gave me a discount when it is time to renew since she "understands" that it is a luxury item that can be done via phone for free and they "appreciate" my business.

Moral of the story: the squeeky wheel gets the grease lol

 

I actually would pay $149 for the navi dvd disk if it included some sort of firmware update adding any functionality...or even a different frickin font. Usually the only maps that are updated are in the middle of Nebraska or Idaho or some other non-densely populated area...

 

This is why I did not get the Tech package on my TL. I use my iPhone GPS and navigation anyway so why pay for something I won't use.

 

The Canadian and US discs are the same product. Only the price is different (and the fact that the US disc is only available if you have a US mailing address.).

 

Can one update the navi on the Canadian TL, using an US update disk ?

 

Based on what I learned from speaking with the nav people, as set out in my post to this thread, they are the same disc, so there should be no problem with updating a north american TL from either country's disc.

 

I just purchased a TL 2005 with nav, outdated> Reading those posts I am agree not to pay 149 for it.... My question is if disk will work to update several units or only works one single time

 

yes its ridiculous. Especially considering they update every year now or so it seems. Like am I going to sending $149 every year? Best to just let it ride unless you notice a problem. In Dallas, I have never seen any streets disappear. So I still run on the 2005 orange disk and it works fine. And they have not created many new roads either. Just maybe fixed some roads. I think upgrades in a city is really not worth it especially if you don't use it much.

 

I just received an email this morning from Honda advertising the $99 price on a new Navi DVD. This is for our 09 Ody but I would assume they will be doing the same thing for Acura shortly. If you're getting ready to buy wait just a little longer.

 

Unfortunately, what's being listed for $99 from Honda usually ends up costing a lot more from the more premium Acura brand.

 

Perhaps, however last year they were "blowing out" the old Acura disc's (US) at $99...expired in June, as I recall.

 

That's correct. I would expect them to do the same thing this year.

 

They already are for the.orange disk. I just got an email about it 2 days ago.