jake3131

According to a couple of dealers I've spoken to, they have customers who have substituted their navigation hard drive with camera memory. I've been trying to research this and have found plenty of available PCMCIA memory cards and adapters that will fit a whole host of different memory medias. Is this possible or just another story from the mostly ill informed service reps. that seem to handle the navigations systems that I've spoken to. If anyone can help I would surely appreciate this. The only dealer in Florida that I know that has the latest Dec. 2003 map update is about 3 hours away in Sarrasota, Florida. They will not return ship any hardrives due to their fragile nature. I'm hoping if a solid state memory works I will not have a problem mailing it for future updates. Please help!

vipvop

I've heard of people using compact flash cards with a PCMCIA adapter and having it work with no problems, so you should be fine. There's a guy online who sells ones preloaded with maps too, search for "hacking navi" in the audio forum and you should find it.

jake3131

Thanks VIPVOP, I'm hoping this will work. I tried searching on "Hacking Navi", but did not have any luck. I've just posted this thread maybe I'll wait a few days, he may find me. Thanks again Jake3131

vipvop

Check out http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/99_acura_tl_navi/

jake3131

Dear VIPVOP, thanks so much for your info on the Navigation system. I called up the Angelfire web site and then ordered the Flash memory right from Paul Mooney. I will e-mail you again when I receive it later this week. His site contains 15 pages specifically about the hard drive nav. systems.
Thanks again, Jake3131

jake3131

dear vipvop,
I did receive the replacement PCMCIA Kensington 512MB Flash memory card to replace my Hard Drive.
It is plug and play, and booted up on the first try. I've already noticed a definite improvement on speed, especially when asking the system to map out a trip.
Recommending Paul for help was excellent advice. If Acura does have an update again, I can now use normal shipping to get it to the nearest participating dealer. (in my my case saving a 6 hr. round trip to Sarasota). I've also been told Acura is working on a conversion kit to upgrade the Hard Drive system to CD. No other details. The bad news is that they are not planning any more HD. updates.
Thanks Again, Jake3131
P.S. For anyone else reading this, click on the Angelfire web site (in vipvop's reply), This has all the answers for your hard drive navigation questions.