ossaguy

I got a letter from Acura today,saying that my 2015 RDX is due for an update on the Navigation system. ( wish I could get a letter saying the airbags are in,instead! )

So it's $99.00,instead of the regular price of $149.00 it says.I hardly use the nav on it,since I don;t drive much now.When I use it,it's come in handy.To be honest,I have not worked at getting the voice command feature working,but just use the manual knob.

There is probably a lot of useful stuff it can do,but I just have not tried exploring those things yet.

Will it continue to work the same if I don't do it? It says that in between updates,15% of the roads & points of interest change.

I'd rather keep the money in the bank,but thought I'd ask you all for any thoughts on it.

Thanks for any feedback,
Steve

othermike

Yes, your Navi will continue working just fine. I get these letters once or twice a year for a 2010 RDX, which is still on the factory-original Navi database. They drop the price to $99 every year about this time too.

If you have a need for the most current mapping info available to supplement an out-of-date Navi, my guess is that a smartphone (iPhone, etc.) would be your best bet.

colt427

I'd update every 3-4 years for that $99.

BLEXV6

I would think you would not really need to do this after about 4 years.

Comfy

Tell them you would be interested when they would do a "free update over the air". Those leeches are simply trying to milk the last possible drop of money from you for an outdated technology. My best guess is that you would see no change even after the update and if you ask them why the reply would be that the update happened in other areas (which are of no concern for you anyway).
Did you just say that you do not use the Nav at all. Then why would you even post this question....just saying. Your money would be better off in your bank .
1+ to BLEXV6.

ceb

Each area of the country is re-mapped by Navteq/HERE about every 5 years but POIs are updated more frequently. Some parts of the country are still poorly mapped.


Navteq used to provide a listing of which areas were updated when they released new map data so you could make an informed decision if you wanted to update, but they quit doing that a few years ago.


The easiest way to tell if your area has been updated is to find a road that is fairly new (two-ish years old or so) that isn't on your map, then go to the dealer, borrow an RDX with the new map revision and see if that road is there. If so, then the map has been updated for your area.


Most of the changes are to points of interest - completely useless if you ask me as Google does a much better job with reporting up to date POIs.


AFAIK, only Tesla does OTA map updates, although the dealer told my sister on Saturday that her new ILX maps updated OTA.

Comfy

I'm aware of Tesla being the only one to do free OTA updates. Just trying to steer Acura in that direction. .
I wouldn't doubt the dealer when he says about free updates for ILX. Lol.

ceb

Good point. OTA updates are unlikely although update downloads to a computer - and then to a flash drive that one sticks in the car, is easy - but somebody has to pay.


Mercedes is going for free updates for three years.


Suzuki actually did it right. They sold you a Garmin that plugged into a spot on the car and integrated (albeit pretty basically) with the car. Map updates were done from your computer with free "lifetime" maps.

visiter555

Funny thing...


US update = ~$99 & ~$4 shipping = ~$103 US$


Same map...
CANADA update = $~179 & ~$33 shipping & exchange = $274.31 US$


Yes it is exactly the same map update version. US is from Acura US site and Canada is from Acura Canada site.


Acura...this is just too funny!!! We know how they deal with Canadians...Takata.

Comfy

BTW, I also received the $99 map update request yesterday. I had to laugh it off in spite of my wife's objections. .

CrimsonElan

Really? Since when 179+33=212 cdn is 274 us$, which is 1 cdn = 1.3 US$?

YeuEmMaiMai

yes nav is worth it, you will get it back when you sell the car

Comfy

Yes, the in-car Nav is worth it. I think this thread was about updating the Nav software frequently.

YeuEmMaiMai

update every other year if you must but I would not do it every year... that is crazy expensive as you could just get a garmin with free updates

richardyc

do people that just got a 16 or 17 also need this update? since this update just came out, I'd think the disc that came with the car is the same version in a 2015. I probably won't buy the update, I never bought one for the 12. I am just curious. and I don't think you will get your money back when you sell or trade in your car, "I want $100 more because I have a newer version of nav software." tell that to the buyer...seriously?

ceb

Nobody "needs" this update. Your nav won't quit working (like Office 365) when the new version comes out and - like I said in a previous post - it depends on if your area has been updated recently.


The 17's should have the most recent mapping updates, as should 2016's bought in the last few months.

Poolman

Is there a way to have my smart phone, interface with the screen , and just use the smart phone Nav ?

Carbon2008RDX

Simple answer. Nope!

Comfy

Gadgetjq

Yes you can and it's easy. I've done this with my Toyota Avalon and use it for a LOT more than just navigation. Here's one link to a company offering the harness and magic box that makes it happen. There are probably others if you do a web search for "RDX phone mirror."

Here's a link to my 'how to' page that offers a lot of information (I used a different harness but it's the same concept) along with a video showing the system in action.

Cheers!

Poolman

Thanks you for that info, this is going to help a great deal. I had hoped that this could be achieved.

Poolman

Hmmm, would something like this work, Says it will hook up,,and seems to be an easy doable project at an inexpensive price point. HMM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-WiFi-Au....c100508.m3226

RenoTL

A/C the web link, only the most recent Acura models are compatible.

Poolman

Well , when checking the compatibility section, my 2015 RDX base shows that it is compatible with the electronics .

visiter555

At the time of purchase it was actually just over 1.3 exchange and visa fees. There are cash rates, bank rates, Visa rates (varies from card to card) MasterCard rates, etc...

I do daily US transactions and the rates change all day long let alone day to day...

visiter555

Already answered...I have got to read the entire thread THEN go back and respond...lol
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++
There certainly is a way to integrate your phone or other device with the RDX "screen".

Check
http://www.navtool.com
and
ACURA RDX 2013-2015 NAVIGATION VIDEO INTERFACE with BUILT-IN HD SMARTPHONE MIRRORING via HDMI

richardyc

does the update make the NAV more responsive? I hate how slow the system is, if the update will make it fast, it might worth the $100 for me.

Comfy

Gadgetjq

I think you're at the mercy of the slowest link in the chain and that would be the hard drive. Since nav updates generally contain 'more' information rather than less it's doubtful you'd see any speed boost. I wonder if we can clone the HDD to an SSD and swap the faster solid state drive in. Now THAT would be a cool mod.

Cheers!

1FastAMG

Yes there is a way.

NavTool ACURA RDX 2007-2017

jcross1231

I have the feeling that may not help much. The slowest link in the chain seems to be the mediocre processing system Acura installed. It takes at least 45-60 seconds for everything to boot up and get going before proper responses to inputs take place.

My solution is going to be buying a '19 as soon as they get Android Auto working. I hear the processing isn't significantly better on those vehicles, though.

static808

The NAV on these 2nd Generations are slowwwwww...My 2005 Acura RL was more responsive...Somebody at Acura/Honda got a great deal on some old Pentium processors and bought qty 100,000.

redrdx17

I'm interested in installing the NavTool in my '17 Base so I can project Google maps onto my screen since I don't have the Tech package. The equipment looks expensive and I was wondering if anyone could share their experience with this product before I make an investment.

Comfy

colt427

In my case, I think an update is worth it.
I moved to another state where there's plenty of new home developments and roads here and being built. I will wait for a $99 update.

Comfy

Now that I'm approaching the 5 year mark, I'm also open to the idea of a Nav update.
Does anyone know if the update is only the map locations/points or the entire interface looks different...?

colt427

From my 16 Advance to my '18, the map looks the same. I do have roads where I am I didn't have with the '16. I'd update every 3-4 years. Maybe 1- 2 years once because of my suburb of Charlotte, NC growing area.

jcross1231

There was an update to the user interface 2 years ago, although it wasn't significant. It looks the same. A couple of functions were added. It's been long enough ago I don't recall the details. The only thing I noticed about this year's update as far as the interface is that the legal notice on power up got longer - long enough they had to reduce the font size.