| wxperson |
I have been meaning to post this for a few months but waited until I had more data... :-)
I have had the 2007 MDX for 6 months now and while I really like the car, I really am dissapointed in the NAV system.
It all somes down to routing. I have used a Garmin StreetPilot for years and only rarely did it come up with some unusual routing instructions... and when it did, they were only a little unusual.
The MDX NAV system is downright stupid at times!
I am in the Atlanta, GA area and one time when routing to a garden nursery it suggested a route that took me 10 miles out of my way to get there. This was in a verified area with only secondary roads so no interstate options would come into play.
This past weekend, I was going to a small town of Barnesville, GA. There are really 2 routes to pick from .. one that stays on the interstate until a 10-15 mile run of SR 36.. this is the best one.. and another which takes you on about 50 miles of highway roads... about the same distance as the 1st option but not the fastest route. The NAV system wanted the 2nd option. I said OK.. I will just pass its suggested exit on I-75 south and it will eventually recalculate to the 2nd option. I had to go about 20 miles past it's suggested exit before it finally figured it out. Until then, it kept on telling me to do a u-turn go back 20 miles to get back on the correct route.
When I got home I plugged in my GARMIN street pilot and it's "fastest" option had the correct route on it.. My other experiences with the Garmin have been very good with much more intelligent recalculating.
My overall grade for the MDX NAV is a C- while the GARMIN gets an A-. I wish that ACURA would go with the leading consumer manufacturer of GPS systems. The MDX NAV has a great display but its logic is not as good as the much more inexpensive GARMIN units.
Just my 2 cents worth.
George |
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| LionSpeed |
| you are too kind for giving it a C- (a passing grade). Some would hate it so much that it deserves an F (as for F*****UP). |
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| ultiluder |
I've noticed that, too. My Garmin IQ3600 does a much better job at finding a better route. I've tried all the routing options in the X.
Like you said, it takes a good while before the Nav system in the X figures out a better new route once you are going off course on purpose. Is there an "Avoid U-turn" setting on the X like the Garmin? |
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| smm3 |
I would have to agree too. I have a Garmin Streetpilot 2620 and it gives much better directions. It was much more user friendly. I don't trust the X navigation whereas I trusted the Garmin.
Another thing that bothers me is that the time to destination is not accurate. As you get closer to the destination, the time changes. The Garmin was accurate based on your speed and adjusted all along the route. I can't figure out how the X one calculates the time.
Hate to gripe, but its the honest truth. I will live with it and I love everything else about the X. |
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| Mike_TX |
Hmmmm. I'm surprised to see this set of posts.
I too have owned Garmins (a 2610, a 2620, and a Nuvi 360), and while they're excellent, they've got their own peculiarities, too. the Nuvi, for instance, didn't last long, since I couldn't see it in bright light and couldn't understand the tinny little voice.
As for routing, all I can say is my trusty 2620 took me for a real ride in Washington, D.C. and Boston! I saw the same buildings 3 times before turning it off and stopping for directions. And Garmin could never explain why Wal-mart (country's largest retailer) doesn't seem to be in their databases. WTF?
I'll say this - for OEM nav's, the Acura unit in your MDX is head and shoulders above Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes (the 3 others I've had hands-on experience with). It IS important to select the right routing method (and you can view all 3 at once if you want to compare them).
If, for example, you select "minimize freeways", you might end up going the long way around ... but that's what you told it to do.
I guess I'm saying I'm completely satisfied with my MDX's nav (and the one in my RL, too). In fact, the nav is the main reason I bought the MDX instead of a competitor's car!
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| highcountrymdx |
The Navi system uses posted speed limits to calculate routing and arrival times. If you travel faster than posted speed limits, it will update your arrival time on an ongoing basis. But it always assumes you are will be going the posted limit, something I rarely do.
I also noticed that the routing sometimes takes you a different route than you might choose. But once I factored in the internal speed limit calculation, things began to make sense. I've also noted the same sort of thing going on in the Chrysler navi, and the Hertz Never Lost (Magellan) systems.
If I were the navi czar I would include just one feature: On the Magellan systems (Never Lost, etc.,) the next turn point is continuously shown at the top of the screen. It lists not just the distance and direction of the next turn, but also the name of the next street. In the Alpine version (Honda navi systems) you have to wait for the popup graphic to appear, or query the navi (via 'direction list) to see the name of the next street. On the Magellan it's nice to see your present street on the bottom of the screen, and the next street on the top. See this screenshot.
All in all, an outstanding system. |
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| gmc74 |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike_TX
Hmmmm. I'm surprised to see this set of posts.
I too have owned Garmins (a 2610, a 2620, and a Nuvi 360), and while they're excellent, they've got their own peculiarities, too. the Nuvi, for instance, didn't last long, since I couldn't see it in bright light and couldn't understand the tinny little voice.
As for routing, all I can say is my trusty 2620 took me for a real ride in Washington, D.C. and Boston! I saw the same buildings 3 times before turning it off and stopping for directions. And Garmin could never explain why Wal-mart (country's largest retailer) doesn't seem to be in their databases. WTF?
I'll say this - for OEM nav's, the Acura unit in your MDX is head and shoulders above Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes (the 3 others I've had hands-on experience with). It IS important to select the right routing method (and you can view all 3 at once if you want to compare them).
If, for example, you select "minimize freeways", you might end up going the long way around ... but that's what you told it to do.
I guess I'm saying I'm completely satisfied with my MDX's nav (and the one in my RL, too). In fact, the nav is the main reason I bought the MDX instead of a competitor's car!
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Don't forget BMW's, their nav is crap as well |
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| hipcheck |
I've been very happy with the Nav system so far. It's much better than other OEM systems and the integrated traffic monitoring is very useful for me.
I can think of some options that would be nice additions but overall it has worked well in the Twin Cities. |
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| jwaters |
This thread is a bit funny. Honda/Acura NAV systems are routinely rated as the best in the industry by many experts. Are they perfect? No, but what is? I think in some instances this is a case of disliking it because it's different than what your are used to. Aside from somewhat fuzzy graphics and the rear camera delay, the system is great!
B+ from me. :)
(FWIW, no, I don't own an MDX, but my 2006 Pilot NAV is quite similar) |
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| wxperson |
In my case it is not a matter of being comfortable with what I had used in the past.. I wanted to love the MDX NAV.
It just has some real funky programming (like asking me to backtrack 20 miles on an interstate to get to a route that is all side roads anyhow). If I had done what it suggested, I would have driven 60 miles instead of the 40 miles going the other route (which the GARMIN suggested from the start).
George |
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| krafty81 |
I could not disagree more with the original poster. I think the nav system is great, and I have tried many. The features are easily to use and I really like the ability to search for restaurants and other attractions while driving. I would not trade it!
:D |
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| rai |
quote:
Originally posted by jwaters
This thread is a bit funny. Honda/Acura NAV systems are routinely rated as the best in the industry by many experts. Are they perfect? No, but what is? I think in some instances this is a case of disliking it because it's different than what your are used to. Aside from somewhat fuzzy graphics and the rear camera delay, the system is great!
B+ from me. :)
(FWIW, no, I don't own an MDX, but my 2006 Pilot NAV is quite similar)
+100
I don't think any nav is perfect. But the rear camera is worth a lot to me (it's not a stand alone option, but if it was it'd be worth more than a pocket nav system (to me)) and the built in nav looks good, is much larger and louder easier to read (understand) than typical portable navs.
I'm not an expert on navs, but I have a portable (magellen) and a built in nav in the Sienna. |
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| m500 |
| Its really about personal preference and setting it up properly. I've tried First Gen Acura Nav, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus and now the latest Nav with MDX. I gotta said its by far the best I've experienced. My wife love her Lexus Nav but I prefer my Acura Nav. Its more to my liking of how it works and operates. |
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| uopercival |
| Just some additional info about the Nav , the unit is manufactured by Alpine. So the question is: Is it manufactured for Acura solely or is it based on Alpine's GPS decks? |
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| gmc74 |
quote:
Originally posted by rai
+100
I don't think any nav is perfect. But the rear camera is worth a lot to me (it's not a stand alone option, but if it was it'd be worth more than a pocket nav system (to me)) and the built in nav looks good, is much larger and louder easier to read (understand) than typical portable navs.
I'm not an expert on navs, but I have a portable (magellen) and a built in nav in the Sienna.
Not to mention it is harder to steal than a portable nav. I had a portable nav in my old car, and I was constantly concerned that someone would steal it, I had to take it down each time I parked... it was a pain |
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| burnside |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
If I were the navi czar I would include just one feature: On the Magellan systems (Never Lost, etc.,) the next turn point is continuously shown at the top of the screen. It lists not just the distance and direction of the next turn, but also the name of the next street. In the Alpine version (Honda navi systems) you have to wait for the popup graphic to appear, or query the navi (via 'direction list) to see the name of the next street. On the Magellan it's nice to see your present street on the bottom of the screen, and the next street on the top. See this screenshot.
All in all, an outstanding system.
On the 2007 MDX Nav, you can change your display preference so that the right hand of the screen always shows the next streets and turns on your route. |
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| Mike_TX |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
If I were the navi czar I would include just one feature: On the Magellan systems (Never Lost, etc.,) the next turn point is continuously shown at the top of the screen. It lists not just the distance and direction of the next turn, but also the name of the next street. In the Alpine version (Honda navi systems) you have to wait for the popup graphic to appear, or query the navi (via 'direction list) to see the name of the next street. On the Magellan it's nice to see your present street on the bottom of the screen, and the next street on the top. See this screenshot.
All in all, an outstanding system.
I've discovered that if you push the "Map/Guide" button, it will display the upcoming turn info. Punch it again and it go back to the map. If I'm wondering about the next turn, I cam always check it this way.
Also, if you set guidance to "Max", you'll get an extra notification (1/2 mile out from a turn) and it will also pronounce the street name.
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| acuramdxkc |
quote:
Originally posted by burnside
On the 2007 MDX Nav, you can change your display preference so that the right hand of the screen always shows the next streets and turns on your route.
Yes, that is nice, IF you've bothered to put in and follow a route. 99% of my driving doesn't need a route (e.g. I know where I'm going). It would be nice (as all Garmins do) if the upcoming street were always displayed legibly whether you're following a route or not. |
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| gmc74 |
quote:
Originally posted by acuramdxkc
Yes, that is nice, IF you've bothered to put in and follow a route. 99% of my driving doesn't need a route (e.g. I know where I'm going). It would be nice (as all Garmins do) if the upcoming street were always displayed legibly whether you're following a route or not.
Don't take this the way it is going to sound... If you know where you are going, why do you need the NAV on, and the street showing?
It is a Navigation system, not a "what street is coming next, I don't want the help you are offering, but I want you to offer the help I want, system"
Sorry, it just seems silly... |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by gmc74
Don't take this the way it is going to sound... If you know where you are going, why do you need the NAV on, and the street showing?
It is a Navigation system, not a "what street is coming next, I don't want the help you are offering, but I want you to offer the help I want, system"
Sorry, it just seems silly...
Agreed. Perhaps the poster is inclined to verify the validity of his existence and place in the world by looking at the map and thereby confirming that the driving experience he is undergoing is not surreal. :eek: :D |
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| acuramdxkc |
quote:
Originally posted by gmc74
Sorry, it just seems silly...
I don't know about your MDX but every time I start the car the NAV system comes on automatically with the annoying disclaimer that I just have to respond to. It eventually goes away after a minute or two and goes dark, but I have a tendency to just push the button to just make it go away quicker and then the NAVs on. If I want to see the radio display (which I like to do) I have to push a button anyway.
And if you're paying for traffic information or congestion, or maybe looking for gas stations or ATMs on the spur of the moment, it is really nice to see those icons and traffic info without going through the user-UNfriendly way to actually plan a route.
And there are trees where I live, and sometimes those trees block the street signs when I am looking for a certain street, and it would be nice to know the street ahead of time. The upcoming street is not displayed half the time in the navigation system.
I mean, we all paid over $3000 for the system, so why not have it on all the time, especially since you turn it on just to make the disclaimer go away?
Actually, I think the NAV system was DESIGNED to be on all the time and you are the one missing out. |
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| gmc74 |
quote:
Originally posted by acuramdxkc
I don't know about your MDX but every time I start the car the NAV system comes on automatically with the annoying disclaimer that I just have to respond to. It eventually goes away after a minute or two and goes dark, but I have a tendency to just push the button to just make it go away quicker and then the NAVs on. If I want to see the radio display (which I like to do) I have to push a button anyway.
And if you're paying for traffic information or congestion, or maybe looking for gas stations or ATMs on the spur of the moment, it is really nice to see those icons and traffic info without going through the user-UNfriendly way to actually plan a route.
And there are trees where I live, and sometimes those trees block the street signs when I am looking for a certain street, and it would be nice to know the street ahead of time. The upcoming street is not displayed half the time in the navigation system.
I mean, we all paid over $3000 for the system, so why not have it on all the time, especially since you turn it on just to make the disclaimer go away?
Actually, I think the NAV system was DESIGNED to be on all the time and you are the one missing out.
to each their own I guess. When I know where I am going, I don't need the streets to be read to me... but that is just me I guess. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| You can activate the Audio display screen by pushing the button without acknowledging the disclaimer even when the screen is dark. |
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| Goodgirl |
| Twice I have found glitches. The nav map shows a right turn (or left turn) coming up and the voice tells me to do the opposite. This has happened twice. Actually one exit I take frequently near Raleigh NC and when I am taking a left to go onto I-40 it tells me to go right (which is the wrong verbal directive although the map is correct showing a turn to the left)but quickly recalculates after I make the turn and then is correct. |
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| dzuidze |
| For me, I just love the feature that the NAV readjust the routing to a specific location rather than forcing the driver to follow only one particular direction. |
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| SpicyMikey |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike_TX
I'll say this - for OEM nav's, the Acura unit in your MDX is head and shoulders above Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes (the 3 others I've had hands-on experience with). It IS important to select the right routing method (and you can view all 3 at once if you want to compare them). .
Mike is right. If you are grading the Honda/Acura nav system on a scale, taking all factors into account, then I think it definitely gets an A. Having said that, this Alpine system definitely makes questionable decisions sometimes about routes. More so then other systems I've had in the past |
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| wxperson |
quote:
Originally posted by dzuidze
For me, I just love the feature that the NAV readjust the routing to a specific location rather than forcing the driver to follow only one particular direction.
The reason I started this thread was because the last problem I had was that the NAV system would not adjust to a new position. It kept telling me to doa u turn to get back to the original route... I even tried turning it off and back on and it kept telling me to go an extra 20 miles by going north instead of south west. After about 20 miles... it finally figured it out and suggested the "alternate" route.
FWIW... Mapquest and others suggested the "alternate" route from the beginning.... so it is not like I was going in a weird way :-)
Like I said in the first post.. I like everything about the NAV except for average routing capabilities ... compared to GARMIN and Magellan units..
I still prefer the built in unit but I am thinking about keeping my old GARMIN in the secret compartment in the back of the MDX in case I ever really get lost :) |
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| Mike_TX |
quote:
Originally posted by wxperson
The reason I started this thread was because the last problem I had was that the NAV system would not adjust to a new position. It kept telling me to doa u turn to get back to the original route... I even tried turning it off and back on and it kept telling me to go an extra 20 miles by going north instead of south west. After about 20 miles... it finally figured it out and suggested the "alternate" route.
FWIW... Mapquest and others suggested the "alternate" route from the beginning.... so it is not like I was going in a weird way :-)
Like I said in the first post.. I like everything about the NAV except for average routing capabilities ... compared to GARMIN and Magellan units..
I still prefer the built in unit but I am thinking about keeping my old GARMIN in the secret compartment in the back of the MDX in case I ever really get lost :)
I know what you're talking about. If, for instance, you have selected the "maximize freeways" routing method, it will try its best to take you back to the freeway by u-turning you.
What you have to do is change the routing method when it tries to do this. It's really quite logical ... in my example, you've told it to use freeways as much as possible, then you've pulled off the freeway. The system figures you've accidentally screwed up, so it tries to do exactly what you've told it to do - go by way of the freeway.
I've experienced this a couple of times, most recently when I had to jump off a freeway because of an accident backing up traffic. When it tried to take me back to the freeway, I had to tell it to minimize freeways so it would use surface streets. It's a simple button push to change routing methods, so it was no biggie. But it was just trying to do what I had originally told it to do.
Let me add - as a former multiple Garmin owner - Garmin uses a logic that is hard to "un-learn" when you go to another system. If you keep trying to do things the "Garmin way", you'll be very frustrated. Give it up and learn the Acura system ... you'll be glad you did. I am.
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| wxperson |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike_TX
I know what you're talking about. If, for instance, you have selected the "maximize freeways" routing method, it will try its best to take you back to the freeway by u-turning you.
What you have to do is change the routing method when it tries to do this. It's really quite logical ... in my example, you've told it to use freeways as much as possible, then you've pulled off the freeway. The system figures you've accidentally screwed up, so it tries to do exactly what you've told it to do - go by way of the freeway.
I've experienced this a couple of times, most recently when I had to jump off a freeway because of an accident backing up traffic. When it tried to take me back to the freeway, I had to tell it to minimize freeways so it would use surface streets. It's a simple button push to change routing methods, so it was no biggie. But it was just trying to do what I had originally told it to do.
Let me add - as a former multiple Garmin owner - Garmin uses a logic that is hard to "un-learn" when you go to another system. If you keep trying to do things the "Garmin way", you'll be very frustrated. Give it up and learn the Acura system ... you'll be glad you did. I am.
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Thanks.. I did try every route and they are were the same. Go back 20 miles.... etc.. |
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