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I just called Honda Navigation - Click HERE for Original Thread
puccetti
I was able to get through on the 888 number and got a real person, imagine that...

Anyways he said the new DVD is being compiled and will be available in November. I asked if it will have more detailed information and he said it should. He also offered to put me on the email list to be notified when it is available, so I did that.

He also asked me the year and type of Honda.

Just an FYI for EX-L Nav people

Chris
swoon
Puccetti,

Hey thanks for the info. I just bought my EX-L with Nav last Saturday. I was wondering, was I suppose to get the Navigation DVD with the purchase? Or is that dealer owned?

:confused:
Mkell
quote:
Originally posted by swoon
Puccetti,

Hey thanks for the info. I just bought my EX-L with Nav last Saturday. I was wondering, was I suppose to get the Navigation DVD with the purchase? Or is that dealer owned?

:confused:



You have a dvd in your nav unit under the passenger seat. The deal is you buy a new one and pop it in.

Puccetti - I am shocked! A real person answered?? That is great. I've been trying for a while. Thanks for the update. I am very curious about the updated dvd.
GLJones
Awsome news! Hope they corrected the streets around my house. They recently realigned many of them and the map thinks I am off-road quite a bit.
puccetti
If they actually put me on the email list I will post it to tell everyone, when I get an email. If not I will start calling at the end of the month.
redrok03
Good work! Keep us updated puccetti. I can't wait till we get more info on the updated maps, especially for Kentucky.
Gordo
Have you been following the 2003 MDX changes on its website? Looks like Navi system is $2200 option but includes rear view
camera in that price.

Pricing discussion
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...81725#post81725

Looks like system screens are much improved too. See brochure pictures that are pasted in on that site as well. Are they different than Pilot's and do annual updates include these improvements?
Mkell
The MDX navi is based on a new upgraded dvd - that is my understanding anyway. It is the same one that is in the new Accord with more memory and thus more detailed maps and points of interest. I read somewhere that at least one dealership indicated an upgraded system replacement would be available for the Pilot in the future. That is an entire unit replacement - hardware and software - probably not the screen. At this point it seems to be rumor or speculation. There may be a definitive word out there but I have not seen/heard it.

What we Pilot owners are expecting on an annual basis is a new dvd - the disk itself that pops into the navi unit under the passenger seat. It should have updated maps with some fixes and expanded area coverage. The truth is, my system is fantastic now in my home area - Washington, DC region. I'm not pining away for the mdx system. I am interested in seeing Honda/Alpine keep the updates coming on the dvd - I want to see real support for their systems over time. One big question will be how they update the points of interest - the gas stations, restaurants, etc. Those will change more than roads. We'll see!
Mkell
I put a call into the 888 number. Still no new dvd posted. I left a voice mail asking for the expected release date. I thought these things were going to be every year. Maybe they have more months in their year.

By the way, there is some discussion over at the mdx forum regarding the new nav system for the mdx. It sounds like they suspect that Honda/Acura has not given the 03 MDX nav as much of an update as the Accord system. I'm not sure what the deal is, but it is interesting for those who want to track whether there is an up grade route for the Pilot NAV. Also, I noticed that the adds for the 03 MDX really highlight the nav with backup camera as options. That's good news. I've got those, so I guess I don't need to buy a new MDX!
Mkell
I just got a voice mail. The caller said that the upgrade will be a small upgrade and will be available in Nov, Dec. By small they might mean that they are not adding many cities. What is unclear is whether they update the POIs, mistakes, etc.
fgrogan
We just picked up our new SS EX-L with Navi tonight. One fo the first things I checked out was the navigaation software versions and it says 2.061. Is that the update for this year?
alxab
quote:
Originally posted by fgrogan
We just picked up our new SS EX-L with Navi tonight. One fo the first things I checked out was the navigaation software versions and it says 2.061. Is that the update for this year?


Looks like it is. I got my Pilot in September, and the software version is 2.05F. The database version is ADB0750. What is your d/b version?
steve
quote:
Originally posted by fgrogan
We just picked up our new SS EX-L with Navi tonight. One fo the first things I checked out was the navigaation software versions and it says 2.061. Is that the update for this year?



Appears to be a "patch release". See http://acuramdx.org/forums/showthre...ht=navi+upgrade
fgrogan
quote:
Originally posted by alxab


Looks like it is. I got my Pilot in September, and the software version is 2.05F. The database version is ADB0750. What is your d/b version?



Sorry for the delay in replying, a 6 month old and a job search will do that to you!

Here is all of the data from the Information screen:

Database Area: Continental US
Database Version: ADB0750
Software Version: Ver 2.061

So it seems from the MDX owners site that this is just a fix release and that there is some major new DVD coming out?


Additional update, I just called the Alpine customer service number from the DVD purchase screen and here is what the very nice woman siad:

New DVD coming out in mid Feb 2003. The only updates on it will be less than 2% more coverage area, specifically: Chaleston, WV..Saracuse, NY...Albany, NY..Lake Placid, NY and Flint, MI.

Also she said that even thought he Information screen says the software is 2.061 look at the version on the DVD. Sure enough, the version stamped on the DVD is 2.05B. Bizzare.

Their web site is supposed to be updated soon with new info about the new DVD. Seems like a worthless update, unless you live in those 5 cities. :(
GLJones
Not a worthless update if they have updated the maps in the currently covered cities. Within 5 miles of me we have had the following changes...

2 main roads were relocated over 100 yards
2 new expressways
12 new neighborhoods with new streets & addresses
1 street renamed

Many businesses changed.

If they don't plan to completely update the maps and business database, the system becomes a bit useless pretty quickly. I already find the business database needs a lot of work. Some places are very hard to search for. Today, searched for Bennigans and there are 3 different ways to do it.

Bennigan's
Bennigans
Bennigan's Bar and Tavern.

Each have a bunch and you have to check all three to find the closest or the one you are looking for.

It would be nice if they would consolidate the more obvious ones like major chain stores, restaraunts and other businesses.

I would rather see the phone numbers left out and use the space for more maps.
kbleicher
I'm clicking on the DVD upgrade link via Honda' website (registered owners area), and it's not pulling anything up.

Anyone know if the new DVD is out yet? I checked a couple of weeks ago and it didn't look like it.

Also, is there a new thread tracking this? I searched around, but I couldn't find it....

Thanks....
Mkell
Thanks for reviving this thread. I have not heard about a new DVD. There are a number of us that were told that we would be notified when it comes out. It was supposed to be out in October. So while we were told that it would be annually, I think it is clear that the promise was a sales-related lie. In my book the best NAV will be the one that actually updates the info on a regular basis. What good is a new and improved NAV with many many POIs when in no time at all many phone numbers and locations are out of date. I'm annoyed. If someone has gotten ahold of a new dvd, please let us know. BTW, they did put out an update to the nav software to fixed a few bugs - that did not update the POIs and maps.
kbleicher
Thanks for the info, Mkell.

Regarding the update for bug fixes...

Is this via DVD as well, or is it a dealer upgrade, yadda yadda yadda. You know what the newer version is? I've noted a bug here and there with mine (sorry; don't have my version on me right now).

I'll be optimistic and assume the newly-broken DVD upgrade link via the Honda web site means they're working to put a new form online.

My theory regarding Honda: Get as many Pilots shipped with the old software before you make the DVDs available. That way, more $100+ DVD upgrades coming in...
Mkell
The DVD software upgrade is done at the dealership. They pop in a dvd and upload the new software to the dvd system. I have not had it done, but others have and I think it takes very little time. It fixes stuff like parts of the nav screen going black at times. The DVD in the Pilot is updated by Alpine, the manufacturer of the dvd system. As far as I know, they are the ones that will make the $150 (or whatever the price is finally going to be.) I think we buy it from them. I think all of us NAV owners should demand that Honda get this done on a regular basis. I am noticing more NAV owners on this site now. Maybe we can start a nagging campaign.
jimburgia
Just picked up our Sage Brush with NAV and I haven't noticed anything bad about the unit. Is there something I should be looking for???
havasu
I am wondering if the maps are updated to include more of the state of Kentucky than just Louisville.

That's what kept us from getting the NAV. We bought a Garmin StreetPilot III instead. It's great.
kbleicher
quote:
Originally posted by jimburgia
Just picked up our Sage Brush with NAV and I haven't noticed anything bad about the unit. Is there something I should be looking for???


I took delivery in early December. There isn't anything necessary "wrong" with my NAV; in fact, I love it! But I like to have the latest / greatest, so I was curious regarding software updates.

I did have a recent issue with the "Advanced" search; it kept rebooting the NAV. Once I turned the Pilot off / on (rebooted the SUV; did Bill gates design the thing), it worked again.

My only complaint regards business searching. If you hunt by company (say "Sears"), you then have to pick which type of Sears (Tools, appliances, etc.) to match the database. If you guess wrong, it picks the Sears 3 states away.

As far as the DVD itself's concerned, again, I would simply like to have something a bit more up to date. It's amazing how quickly the business listing changes. There are a few new roads and highway ramps in my area as well.

Again, for the most part, I love the NAV, and it was well worth the effort. It's not perfect, however. You still need to use your judgement now and then....
Mkell
The nav is very nice. Don't get me wrong. I use it all the time. The bugs have been minor, which is why I have not bothered to get the update done.

I think that Honda needs to do a better job in updating the software. If that means that they need to work on Alpine to get moving, then that is what they should do. They sold this to us and told us that it would be maintained. Well - let's see it. I'll even say "please."

Regarding the Pilot NAV versus the Garmin. To me it's just like the RES, I use a laptop or a car tv/vcr combo, but the RES would be much much nicer. The NAV integrated into the vehicle is really nice and to me the screen is much much better that the Garmin. The thing is, if the Garmin is supported - meaning that it is updated with lots of POIs with good phone numbers - Maybe it is better in the long run. I have not come to that conclusion yet, but I could if it turns out to be like pulling teeth to get an update on the NAV. What happens in 5-10 years from now when the new models have overtaken the discussion forums - are we going to find regular updates to the Pilot's NAV. I sure hope so, but right now it's just a hope.
kbleicher
I checked my current versions:
Software: 2.061
Database: ADB0750

Looks like I'm consistent with fgrogan's earlier post. If any of the newer Pilot owners have updated numbers per the information display screen, please post.

Since they're not doing as well with the updates as we'd hoped, I assume asking for a software release note (to check on the modifications prior to scheduling an appointment with Honda) would be a pipe dream? ;)

And I agree. My overall satisfaction level with the NAV is very high. It's easy to take for granted over time; I keep reminding myself how impressed I was when I first started using it.
havasu
Yes the Integrated NAV would be nice. I would not have to reach all the way to the dashboard to touch a button, and the integrated NAV's screen is larger. Also I don't like to leave it on the dashboard when parked, as it's a theft invitation. So I'm constantly putting it up and down. But yes the Garmin StreetPilot is very easy to update - just download the updates and use USB attachment to update the memory card.
kbleicher
I assume everyone's seen the newest thread at:


HONDA PILOT .ORG > General > Audio & Electronics > Nav System Owners - Group Gripe


Sorry; I don't know how to link to this directly... :32:

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