FLYGUY31

I got a letter today saying there is an update for the navi..Question? Is it worth paying for? It's $149 before 6/1. I don't use the navi all that much, so I'm leaning on not getting it..Any opinions??

KillerG

dont bother, they barely update anything

Craig-D

Your car is only one model year old. How much do you think most roads have changed since then? The answer is: not much. IMHO, updating Nav need only be done as often as you update your computer - about once every 4-5 years.

KillerG

just an FYI, the updated navi may also update your ECU

FLYGUY31

Sorry for the ignorance...ECU????

KillerG

its cool, so there is an electronic brain which controls many aspects of the cars behavior such engine/electronics that we typically call the ECU, or electronic control unit.

essentially its the software for our car.

Lets say it rolls off the assembly line with version 1.0. There is strong speculation, that updating the nav firmware also updates your ECU in the process, in a sort of stealth update that Acura doesnt talk about. so while your maps get updated, the cars brain also gets pushed to version 2.0

what does that mean? your car may behave slightly differently after a navi update.

There was a guy a while back who updated his navi and thought his car got faster, well, obviously, we called him an ass-clown, but there may have been some truth to it, because his ECU number was different or something. We talked about it in a navi thread a ways back but nothing ever ended up conclusive

FLYGUY31

Killer, thanks for the info...But I guess I'll wait until that is actually confirmed..if anyone can...I really don't think I need the update at this early point as far as the Navi goes. Thanks .

KillerG

yeah, the ecu thing is just an extra, no need to upgrade for atleast 4 years imo, maybe then ull get ur moneys worth for the dvd!

nj2pa2nc

if you wait you can get a better deal-there was a sale a few months back for $99.00+tax and shipping fees (which will also will be added on to that $149 price.

DJMcGee

Acura does NOT update the ECU by NAVI update. Doing an ECU upgrade blindly is never acceptable, this would have to be done by a dealer or a technician with the right tools with the car on hand. ECU updates or recoding can only be done through the OBD port.

I have been involved in ECU flashing and it can go bad, leaving you with an ECU that will not function.

SoCaliTrojan

KillerG is notorious for saying whatever he can to work people up. He's trying to get people to jump in like you did. The navi DVD in the trunk is unrelated to the engine's ECU. Even if we were to connect the two directly together and somehow make them communicate, navi maps won't change the fuel/air ratio of the engine.

Other than updates to the maps, though, the navi DVD could possibly update the firmware of the navi unit. For example, when the US changed the dates for the daylight saving time, owners had to get a new navi DVD so that the changeover dates would be created. Also, the audio screen user interface was slightly changed in one of the updates.

As for OP's questions, it only updates navi maps and points of interests (gas stations, restaurants, etc). Unless you live or work near some newly developed areas, you won't need the updates. I would only purchase an update once every 4 or 5 years. In that time, I'm sure businesses may have closed or opened up.

I updated my 2006 for the first time a couple of months ago, and nothing changed other than the daylight saving time. Also note that if you have any addresses stored, they'll be wiped (at least in the 1st gen).

KillerG

nah bro, i really didnt know this time, i also discussed it another thread where we attempted to change our startup screen and the project failed

sorry, wasnt trying to be trollin this time