| MDX-Ray |
Picked up my 2003 MDX at the dealer tonight. Have to wait for tomorrow for the burlwood shift knob and the BSM.
Like the kids in National Lampoon's "Vacation," I'm going to need plastic surgery to get the smile off my face! :jump3:
Sorry about the picture quality - my dig camera has a weak flash.
MDX-Ray |
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| MDX-Ray |
| Here's the front console. The DVD player is on the bottom, right in front of the shift. The tape and single CD slot are above that. |
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| MDX-Ray |
| Oblique view of the console... |
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| MDX-Ray |
Here's a drivers side window view.
The 6cd changer is under the driver's seat. |
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| MDX-Ray |
| As per posts in other threads - I'll check out the voice control tomorrow, but the manual makes me think it is just for navi, as has been previously suggested. For example, I don't see commands to control the radio or climate control. :( |
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| MDXtrous |
Very Nice!!
How about pics of DVD screen with DVD in it? |
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| 2003MDX |
Where is the 3D Navi and Voice Command buttons?
Hope it comes with the 3D view?
:p |
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| Doofy |
SWEET sweet SWEET
I'm really curious what this 3D view for the NAV is. If possible, can you show us a picture of it. |
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| paul123 |
| very nice!! Best of luck! Post some more pic's of the different screens on the navagation and also the screen in the back seat. The wood wheel looks to be thicker than the 2002 model. |
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| MDX-Ray |
The DVD has minimal controls up front (sound vol), there are controls both on the ceiling unit and of course in the remote control.
Spidey... |
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| MDX-Ray |
| Its a typical dvd remote contol. They throw in a little holder which is convenient. |
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| MDX-Ray |
| Another view of the DVD screen |
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| paul123 |
| Nice, beautiful, it brings a tear to my eye!! |
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| MDX-Ray |
| On the steering wheel, there are only two voice buttons. The "Back" acts as a cancel button. |
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| MDX-Ray |
| The microphone is next to the driver's ceiling light... |
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| baliach |
Congratulations!!!!
It looks like you'll be going for rides just to play with the RES. What's the rear view camera picture like? Any initial thoughts on the Navi or the rear view camera?
My dealer called today. My '03 Touring Navi arrived yesterday and will be available either tmr or mon. Can't wait!!! |
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| MDX-Ray |
Have to say- I am pretty inexperienced with navi systems, I have only used one once in a rental. I played with it some while we went out to dinner, but mostly just in the standard map mode. I currently have no clue about "3d navi" or what that might mean. I'm going to try and get through some of the manuals tonight so I can share some more info.
Camera - I should have taken a picture, sorry, It's somewhat fisheyed for increased field of view, but its not too distracting and I assume this is standard. At night the rear lights seemed adequate to light up about 7-8 feet behind the vehicle while backing up. Haven't used it in the day, sorry. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow, along with a couple of exterior pics. |
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| laborlitigator |
| I'm jealous already. . . nice ride! |
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| mdxxxx |
Very impressive! I look forward to your future pics!
:4: :29: |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX-Ray
Have to say- I am pretty inexperienced with navi systems, I have only used one once in a rental...........
I guess you're looking for my expert assistance, eh? ;) .....just kidding! :D
quote:
I played with it some while we went out to dinner, but mostly just in the standard map mode. I currently have no clue about "3d navi" or what that might mean. I'm going to try and get through some of the manuals tonight so I can share some more info.
Considering I'm buying the MDX over the my other "finalist" :D , the 4Runner, primarily for the Acura Navi you can imagine my excitement to see it in action. I'm eagerly waiting for your evaluation of the voice-activation and other nifty improvements they've made!!
Thanks! |
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| Casique |
MDX-Ray
Congrats! Where is the navi DVD player located?:confused: |
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| sports007girl |
| We just got our first Touring NAV with Rear Entertainment System at the dealership here in Austin. We spent a good couple of hours playing with the voice commands last night...very cool. You can even ask "What time is it?" And the system promptly responds (in your choice of male or female voice, "The time is 7:01 pm." Nifty. You can ask it to go to various screens, adjust views (zoom, brightness, day or night view), or find the nearest gas station (or grocery store, ATM, restaurant, etc.) This system makes it very easy to drive and use the NAV at the same time. Rear back-up camera is a little distorted (in that things look farther away than they actually are), but I think it serves its purpose (to avoid kids, bikes or sleeping pets). ;) I look forward to selling my first of these - I know there will be some very satisfied customers!!! |
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| MDX-Ray |
| The Navi DVD, with the "PC Card" expansion slot, is under the passenger seat. |
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| Casique |
| There was some talk on another thread that it had been moved somewhere into the rear section... |
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| Randall Morton |
Congratulations MDX=Ray,
I got mine too but I haven't been to the dealer to see it yet. I'll probably go look this afternoon but they said it would not be ready until late Monday or Tuesday. |
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| mlkeller |
MDX-Ray-
Your sig mentions the RES trim - what is that? The pic on acura.com is not clear (it looks like it's the center console trim, but that's included, right?), and the dealer wasn't sure... :confused:
BTW, thanx for the pics, I really can't wait now :4: |
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| Arzoo |
MDX-Ray,
You can finally answer the most important question of all; Does the NAV display allow you to change the HVAC fan speed both up and down? |
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| JohnW |
Also - would it be possible to pop out your 2003 NAV DVD, find a willing 2002'er, and put your DVD in its player to see if the software would be compatible? Is that even a possibility?!? :confused:
Sure would be comforting to know if it is.
Rgds,
JohnW |
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| 2002 Acura MDX! |
| Nice car MDX-Ray, NAV/DVD is a great combo in the MDX :29: :22: :15: :5: |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by Arzoo
MDX-Ray,
You can finally answer the most important question of all; Does the NAV display allow you to change the HVAC fan speed both up and down?
Sadly, I have been unable to find any documentation about changing fan speed, auto temp settings, etc. with the voice navi. You can change it, of course, with the touch screen. But I have yet to find a voice control for it. You can use a voice command to jump to the screen where you control ac settings, but then you have to touch screen to actually set it.
The fact that it is controlled by the screen makes me hopeful that at least the system CAN can controlled via the Navi, and that perhaps the "PC CARD" may allow for future updates to the voice control.
I'll let you know if I find out differently. I am still discovering stuff. |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by Casique
There was some talk on another thread that it had been moved somewhere into the rear section...
I had thought so as well, but that is not the case. I first inspected the rear section, found nothing, and looked under the passenger seat. There it was. |
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| JTM |
| Very nice... very very nice.... :D |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by mlkeller
MDX-Ray-
Your sig mentions the RES trim - what is that? The pic on acura.com is not clear (it looks like it's the center console trim, but that's included, right?), and the dealer wasn't sure... :confused:
As you note, it was listed as a separate item on the options site at acura.com. Really, my dealer was completely unfamilliar with options on this vehicle.
The RES trim is for the center console. I think it also includes the wood trim around the back AC control console. The other wood trim package is for the dash (in front of the steering wheel).
The lower cupholders are area around the shift knob are all in the wood trim. The inner doors also have wood trim. I don't know whick package these were a part of.
Still waiting on my burlwood shift :rolleyes: |
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| MDX-Ray |
Some more impressions:
There is a center button on the audio controls that lets you switch between rear and front control. For example, you can lower the rear volume to zero (the headphones have their own vol controls) and then crank up the CD player in the front. You can also play other devices in the rear only.
If you are playing a DVD, and set the center roller knob to "Back control" then if you hit FF or REV on the buttons you can fast forward or skip chapters on the DVD; so you DO have some reasonable control of the DVD from the front. Clearly you're not going to be cursoring around because you can't see the DVD screen, but this is still useful.
Also, if you cut the car off, then start it up later, the DVD picks up right where you stopped. I'm guess this must be a standard feature on car DVD's, but it's not on my home DVD. It is a very convenient feature. For example, you stop at a gas station on a trip or have to turn the car off, you don't have to search for the point you stopped at when you power the system back up.
You also are able to disable the remote control and rear controls with a push of a button on the front console - giving the driver sole control of the DVD unit. Similar controls for the windows, door locks, and rear AC are nice for working with kids.
The DVD player can also play normal CD's - so total CD capacity is 8. CD-R disks do work, at least in the 6 cd changer. A nice feature for 2004 would be native mp3 support for disks, so that up to 10 hours of music could be played from each disk (as mp3 files saved on the disk).
Installed some carseats today - that LATCH system is really nice, much easier to deal with than the shoulder belts and feels more secure.
The HomeLink universal transceiver is nice and much more powerful than the remote garage door openers that we had been using. This is nice because you can activate the garage from further down the street, thus it is fully open by the time you arrive to park. |
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| agoel |
CONGRATS!!!!
Just a few quick questions:
1. Do you know what the "PC Card" expansion slot is for?
2. Do I also understand there are more wood trim options than just the Dash, Steering, and Knob????
Thanks in advance. |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by agoel
CONGRATS!!!!
Just a few quick questions:
1. Do you know what the "PC Card" expansion slot is for?
2. Do I also understand there are more wood trim options than just the Dash, Steering, and Knob????
Thanks in advance.
The manual says the PC Card slot is for "furture expandability" or something like that. The manual mentions that they are considering other languages for the voice activation, so maybe that is the plan for the PC card, but that is pure speculation. Personally, I would rather see new features such as more comprehensive control of all the car's systems. The voice function is pretty cool. Among the standard commands are things like "Locate nearest parking garage" which could help if you are trying to park in an unfamilliar city. The Navi also does a nice job with auto-rerouting. For example, if you take a different route, it doesn't get pissed off and start beeping at you. It just readjusts the route based on the way you are going. Nice. :29:
Those of you who have already used navi systems may be used to these features, but here is some idea of the features:
You can Display or Hide things like ATM's Shopping, Grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. Gas stations show up with the logo of the station; for example you'll see a little "Shell" or "BP" logo as the station on the map. When I parked my car at work tonight, it showed where I parked as a parking lot instead of assuming I went "off road." It saves a list of your previous destinations. You can search for a location by phone number (cool!). From anywhere you can voice commend "Go Home" and it'll get you home.
The navi shows parking lots as grey, lakes as blue, parks as green, etc. and has correct boundaries. It also computes your elevation.
Wood trim:
There are four wood trim options based on my understanding: The wood trim package (gague trim, in front of the driver), RES trim (center console), wheel (which looks and feels very nice!) and the shift knob.
I'm not sure which trim package includes the door trim and the rear AC console wood trim, but they are included in one of the above packages. See pics from earlier in the thread for how these look.
The lower cupholder and trim around the shift are also wood trim.
On the Acura.Com site, I think they use the same picture for the mahogany knob and the burlwood knob (oops). I have read on other threads here that the burlwood knob matches the rest of the trim better, which makes sense. Having read that, I switched my order a few days ago, which is why I'm still waiting on the shift knob. It was supposed to be in today, but now it looks like Monday. :rolleyes: |
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| MDX-Ray |
In researching that past question, I see on my own vehicle that the dealer forgot to install the meter wood trim! Argggg!!! :3:
Here's a nice list of what they forgot when they gave me my car:
1) Cargo tray
2) Side moulding
3) Gague wood trim
I was in such a hurry to get to a dinner that I didn't check everything. Lovely.
:11: DEALER EVALUATION |
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| hockeyplayer |
| Parking lots as grey? Having a hard time picturing alot of grey on the screen if it shows all parking lots. Interesting. Does the nav have anything alotted for a calculator and phone numbers as was previously posted? How is your fan control? Are you able to adjust fan speed up and down? Have you found the voice recognition a smooth process meaning you do not have to repeat and it recognizes your words? Congratulations. |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by hockeyplayer
Parking lots as grey? Having a hard time picturing alot of grey on the screen if it shows all parking lots. Interesting. Does the nav have anything alotted for a calculator and phone numbers as was previously posted? How is your fan control? Are you able to adjust fan speed up and down? Have you found the voice recognition a smooth process meaning you do not have to repeat and it recognizes your words? Congratulations.
I think it only shows "major" lots. Mine is for a hospital. For example, it won't paint the parking lot of a gas station. It does differentiate between parking lots and parking garages.
You can call up the calculator via the voice control, but I think you have to use the touch screen to use it. I'll check this out. I'll also see if you can speak phone numbers. You can get to the fan control screen with a voice command, but I don't believe you can actually change the fan setting with a voice command. You have to then use the touch screen. Maybe they want to sell us a PC card in the future. :bonk:
VR has been very smooth. Obviously it shuts everything else in the car up when you hit the voice assist button. I have had it not understand me once or twice, but I also have not been going out of my way to be clear. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| thanks for the info. About the fan control, Can you manually adjust up and down using the nav screen. I had read prior posts about the lack of voice control for HVAC control. What a shame. Once again, they start on a good thing and then just quit 3/4 the way. Why? |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by hockeyplayer
thanks for the info. About the fan control, Can you manually adjust up and down using the nav screen. I had read prior posts about the lack of voice control for HVAC control. What a shame. Once again, they start on a good thing and then just quit 3/4 the way. Why?
Yes, on the AC/Info screen (which can be accessed by pushbutton or voice command), there is a menu up top with things like Nav setup, trip computer, voice command help, calendar, etc.; and on the bottom of the touch screen from left to right they have AC Mode (which toggles between floor level, defrost, etc), AC on/off, Fan speed with 5 settings, and outside temperature. The outside temp detector is under the front bumper. Inside temp is by the driver's feet and there is a sunlight sensor just behind the lowest part of the windshield.
Again, clearly the fan is controllable by the navi screen. It would be nice if there were voice commands for it. I may play around a little to see if there are any undocumented commands, but I doubt it. |
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| jkim357 |
How's the camera on reverse? Is it in color or black and white?
Nice car, must be having fun!
thanks. |
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| pdempsey |
Thanks for all the info. I have a NAVI on order, but won't see it until December.
I could not see where the camera is in the picture in the beginning of the thread. Any chance of posting another with daytime lighting?
Thanks! |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by jkim357
How's the camera on reverse? Is it in color or black and white?
The camera is color. It has a fisheye lens to increase the field of view, but is directed somewhat down. As a result, you see what is directly behind the vehicle (5-6 feet) very well but areas farther back than that are kind of squished at the top.
You won't feel comfortable backing up with only the camera to guide you. It is a fine supplement to be checked but in most situations you are going to need to use the mirrors and good old fashion head turning. For me, its main utility is going to be making sure that a dog or toy is not immediately behind the vehicle when I start backing up. It is effective in eliminating that "blind spot" below the back window. |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by pdempsey
I could not see where the camera is in the picture in the beginning of the thread. Any chance of posting another with daytime lighting?
I'll try to get some daytime pics up. On that picture, the camera is the black device just above and to the right of the license tag. It sits along the underside of the chrome "ACURA" plate on the back of the vehicle. |
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| mauigrl721 |
MDX-Ray--
I must be slow, because I couldn't tell from your response if you can select fan speed both ways (up and down)? Thanks for all your great responses in educating us!!! |
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| Casique |
MDX-Ray
Thanks for helping out with the thousand questions! Here is one more.
Can you ask the system "voice function" what the temperature is inside and or outside? I know you can ask the time. Thanks.:1: |
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| mystic |
Since you don't have to throw a manual switch for the fan (controls are all touch-screen), I can't see why adding voice control of the A/C fan would be such a big deal. All of the pieces for this functionality are in place. Its got to be just software.
Lets just hope for a software upgrade! |
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| nm2 |
quote:
Originally posted by mauigrl721
MDX-Ray--
I must be slow, because I couldn't tell from your response if you can select fan speed both ways (up and down)? Thanks for all your great responses in educating us!!!
yes you can select both up/down from the navi screen. you can also select the mode of the fan. |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX-Ray
I'm not sure which trim package includes the door trim and the rear AC console wood trim, but they are included in one of the above packages. See pics from earlier in the thread for how these look.
The lower cupholder and trim around the shift are also wood trim.
They aren't part of an accessory package, they are standard on all models. |
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| MDX-Ray |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
They aren't part of an accessory package, they are standard on all models.
Thanks! I haven't seen other ones so I didn't know. |
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| henry_atwork |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX-Ray
I may play around a little to see if there are any undocumented commands, but I doubt it.
like easter eggs in computer software :D
http://www.eeggs.com/
"find nearest acura dealership that will sell me accessories for over msrp!"
-henry |
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| pdempsey |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX-Ray
On that picture, the camera is the black device just above and to the right of the license tag. It sits along the underside of the chrome "ACURA" plate on the back of the vehicle.
I was wondering if the camera was going to stay clean or if we're going to have to hop out of the car and wipe it off anytime there is a little rain.
Let us know if you drive in rain and if it gets all muddy :confused: |
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| Gryphon |
| Congratulations and thanks for all the answers. All the best with your new toy! 3 weeks and counting for me. |
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| Awais |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX-Ray
Here's a drivers side window view.
The 6cd changer is under the driver's seat.
MDX-Ray has attached this image:
:awais: Is it me or did they really increase the thickness of the steering wheel for '03? Looks nice. Post pics of the new shifter when you get it :) |
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| sebreeze |
| Just wondering if the NAV display deletes the original display on the base and touring edition. The base and touring show a blue screen with compass and trip computer. Are the same features on the NAV screen instead or both. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| sebreeze: the trip computer on the MDX's without the navigation option are completely different. I believe some had described the non-nav screen as "etched". The navigation equipped MDX displays a completely different screen when one chooses to control the HVAC system or check trip history. The compass on a nav equipped MDX shows up on the screen in the shape of an arrow in the right hand corner while the screen displays route info. Note also that the navigation equipped screen displays color while the non navigation displays a blue and black screen. Hope this helps. |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by Casique
MDX-Ray
Thanks for helping out with the thousand questions! Here is one more.
Can you ask the system "voice function" what the temperature is inside and or outside? I know you can ask the time. Thanks.:1:
.....Here's why: The 2003 Accord Voice Navi has many more commands than the MDX's......I have an '03 Accord Navigation System manual here in front of me and have gone through all the pages and couldn't find a command like that.......So, if the '03 Accord doesn't have it , the MDX most likely does not. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| Can anyone with the 03 nav find out what version Acura is labeling the latest DVD? Just curious. |
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| zafer |
| I didn't see the actual DVD disc itself, but the configuration screen said ver. 1.00. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| Hmmmmm. Interesting.Thanks for the info. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
full disc
Anyone have a DVD burner that could burn one so one of us 02ers can try it? |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
Anyone have a DVD burner that could burn one so one of us 02ers can try it?
In another thread one dealer said it was the first thing they tried when they had an `02 and an `03 w/navi together on the lot. The `02 system didn't boot. |
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| MonsterDX |
Zafer,
I was wondering if you could answer a question for me and it is...
How did you get to display the information showing how many satellites are available and positioning etc.? :confused:
I checked my disc and I do have the same disc as yours but when I go to the check on the version, the only info I get is "version 1.0"
Any help would be greatly appreciated. :1zhelp:
Thank you,
MonsterDX |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
In another thread one dealer said it was the first thing they tried when the had an `02 and an `03 w/navi together on the lot. The `02 system didn't boot.
dohhh! |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by MonsterDX
How did you get to display the information showing how many satellites are available and positioning etc.? :confused:
Turn on the Navi, accept the disclaimer, then press and hold the Menu, Map/guide, and Cancel buttons in that order for 5 seconds. Then from the menu that appears, select GPS info. |
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| jurincie |
Zafer,
Have you figured out all of those other diagnostic screens yet? I was in there looking around, but I didn't wan't to hurt anything. |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by jurincie
Zafer,
Have you figured out all of those other diagnostic screens yet?
No, actually I really haven't tried to.
I'm wondering more about this Adjust: Vehicle Position function available in the second setup screen (pg. 78 of manual). The map database contains our home street address, a cul-de-sac, but when I'm at the beginning of our driveway, the navi shows me way off in our back yard. There are some other places it thinks I'm offroading, or driving on another parallel road. I wonder if I do an adjustment for one of these locations, is the offset going to be global and mess up the 99% of stuff thats correct? The manual doesn't caution against doing such adjustments, or a limit to how many corrections can be made.
Has anyone tried this?
vicpai the navi guru, do you know anything about this function? Thanx! |
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| hockeyplayer |
| I have yet to adjust the nav. I too notice the wandering but that is due to loss of satellite strength. I do notice that sometimes the nav likes to take off ramps while I am driving down the interstate and then roar back onto the onramp. Hope the little guy in the unit stops at the light.:) I live in Atlanta and always gets a little goofy around spaghetti junction. Anyone else from Atlanta have this problem there too? |
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| mauigrl721 |
| Thanks,zafer , for the directions on how to get to the various other screens...going to try that later tonight. I almost called Acura last week because I didn't have a signal (GPS symbol was white) for 3 days....VERY annoying:3: , but it came back on Christmas Eve! All's well, for now;) |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by mauigrl721
Thanks,zafer , for the directions on how to get to the various other screens...going to try that later tonight. I almost called Acura last week because I didn't have a signal (GPS symbol was white) for 3 days....VERY annoying:3: , but it came back on Christmas Eve! All's well, for now;)
Acura wouldn't have been able to help you with that. You can call NAVCEN @703-13-5900 7/24, or checkout for service interruptions here -> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/gpsnotices/default.htm |
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