Navigation System Feedback

6270 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by drumslinger, Jan 13, 2011

Wally

Discussion Starter · Jan 8, 2011

Hello fellow CT enthusiasts! I am new to this site, but not new to Honda’s, I have a 2007 Honda Element, and a 2002 Honda Accord. I also belong to the Element Owners Club. I am currently considering a CT EX-L 4WD with Navi. I am very impressed with the solid construction, quiet interior, and handling on back country roads as well as highways. I have one reservation, the navigation system.

I need your help. For those CT owners with the navigation system, I would like to hear your feedback. I am a Realtor®, and rely heavily on my current navigation system. I have not seen much feedback on the Accord navigation system. Do you like it? Is it easy to use? Do you use the voice commands, or manually dial in your trip information?
Your feedback would be very much appreciated.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Army Dad

· #2 · Jan 8, 2011

Welcome Wally.

I actually use mine infrequently, but I can attest that once you play with it a little it is pretty much intuitive to set up destinations,etc. Not being real adept and using it infrequently I'll let someone else comment on its accuracy, etc. Like most things, if you don't use it regularly you lose the edge, i.e., as you get older you don't remember , lol.

andyman97

· #3 · Jan 8, 2011

Welcome to the forum.

I have some advice that may not be of much help, but...
The problem that I find with in-car navigation is that it tends not to be up to the minute and doesn't receive regular updates. I've never used an OEM Honda navigation system, but I had a pioneer touchscreen navigation system in my Accord. I liked it until I got an android smartphone, equipped with google maps. Google maps doesn't have "pre-loaded" maps in the phone's memory, but relies on the data connection to download maps directly off of the google maps server, the same way your pc does. Another huge plus is that it gives live traffic overlays on the maps and your route, allowing for an easy reroute to avoid heavy traffic. That has really helped me shave time off of trips several times.

With that in mind, I didn't bother spending the extra money on a nav equipped CT, my phone more than meets my expectations for directions, mapping, etc.

Be that as it may, if I had your concern, I would try to determine how the maps on the Honda nav system are updated and how frequently they are updated. Good luck!

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ifonline

· #4 · Jan 8, 2011

I'm on the other side of the fence. No maps, no matter how current or how obtained (phone versus GPS unit, for example) will be 100% accurate. Bearing that in mind, I much prefer having the navigation built in to both my Crosstour and my Goldwing (and the Goldwing even has weather and traffic as well). The convenience and integration far outweighs the negatives, as far as I'm concerned.

Wally

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 8, 2011

Thanks for the feedback...

I currently have a Pioneer AVIC Z3 with HD radio, XM, Bluetooth, Gracenote, DVD/CD and yes the Navi with a 40gb hard drive installed in my 2007 Honda Element. Installed 2 years ago, the cost was about $3500 - but I use it for my business, and honestly, was worth every penny. I have updated it only once (it took 8 hours!!!) as far as updates, I don't think that any of these Navi systems are ever up-to-date, so I take the comments about updates not being done on a timely manner with a grain of salt, keep an atlas in back for reference.

I was concerned with the use of the Honda Navigation system (as compared to the Pioneer) but I can see that with regular use, its going to be easier to use, and probably integrate better with the operation of the Crosstour.

I test drove the Crosstour at Carbone Honda in Bennington VT. Its a great dealership as they are located right on the Ethan Allan Highway (Route 7), yet they have some great country curvy roads too, and a field up in back of the dealership to test drive 4wd. The Crosstour was an amazing ride, on the highway it was sooo quite, yet when I hit the entrance ramp and exit ramp of the highway - it held the corners effortlessly. I love my Element, and plan on keeping it, but I am looking forward to a quiet ride, and being able to hear my clients when they call me on my speakerphone!

thanks again for the feedback.

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Wally

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 8, 2011

I agree completely....

drumslinger

· #7 · Jan 10, 2011

I got the Nav package and am happy with it, but more with the "extras" than the Nav itself. These include the backup camera (something I will not be without again, ever) and voice control. If the Nav were offered separately, I probably would not have gotten it. My portable unit does a great job, speaks street names and has 3-D maps (which the Honda does not).

CCT

· #8 · Jan 11, 2011

Didn't get Navi but wish I had. I've had other Honda/Acura navis and liked them.
Another benefit of the navi option is the back up camera feature which would help with rear vision.
My advice: go the extra $$ and get it.
C.

leek69

· #9 · Jan 12, 2011

Has anyone bought the new 2011 map NAV CD upgrade? and if so...see any difference.

Montauk17

· #10 · Jan 12, 2011

leek69 said:
Has anyone bought the new 2011 map NAV CD upgrade? and if so...see any difference.

I'm holding off... Mainly because my 2010 CT is missing a road that my 2006 Accord w/Navi (2005 maps) is also missing. I am not confident that the maps in my area get updated often. This particular road has existed for as long as I have lived in this county (14+ years) and I still leave breadcrumbs when I use this road.

leek69

· #11 · Jan 12, 2011

Montauk17 said:
I'm holding off... Mainly because my 2010 CT is missing a road that my 2006 Accord w/Navi (2005 maps) is also missing. I am not confident that the maps in my area get updated often. This particular road has existed for as long as I have lived in this county (14+ years) and I still leave breadcrumbs when I use this road.

I agree wit ya...maybe some day they will do a joint effort with Garmin or someone cause Garmin (with updated map) works about 1000X better than factory junk...but it is cool to have in dash.

CCT

· #12 · Jan 12, 2011

LOL, "updates"........When I got my first Infiniti in '02, its navi had (at least) 2 streets that were incorrect in my town: my street that is Harwood rd. and my brother's street which is Calvin. All the navis at that time insisted that they were Hardwood and Calvan.

At the time Zenrin, the company looking after updates, asked members and owners to send in corrections for future editions. I did this on no less than 3 Infinitis in subsequent years but to no avail.
I don't know who updates Lex and Honda/Acura and my new Garmin but one of the errors still exists on Lex, and both still exist on the Acura and Garmin and this is 9 years hence!

I'm sure they prioritize updates but I wouldn't hold out much hope on any specific changes.

C.

andyman97

· #13 · Jan 12, 2011

CCT said:
LOL, "updates"........When I got my first Infiniti in '02, its navi had (at least) 2 streets that were incorrect in my town: my street that is Harwood rd. and my brother's street which is Calvin. All the navis at that time insisted that they were Hardwood and Calvan.

At the time Zenrin, the company looking after updates, asked members and owners to send in corrections for future editions. I did this on no less than 3 Infinitis in subsequent years but to no avail.
I don't know who updates Lex and Honda/Acura and my new Garmin but one of the errors still exists on Lex, and both still exist on the Acura and Garmin and this is 9 years hence!

I'm sure they prioritize updates but I wouldn't hold out much hope on any specific changes.

C.

That is exactly why I am partial to google maps.
Harwood Rd, Ontario

CCT

· #14 · Jan 12, 2011

Hamilton on about half hour south of me but you were close. My Harwood is in Cambridge, Ontario.

C.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...o+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&z=16

RedBeast

· #15 · Jan 12, 2011

I have never owned a car with navigation. I've driven in some though. My in-laws Mercedes and it was fine. I assume a learning curve for all new tech. I have not had a better experience (not with TomTom, Magellan, et al) than I have with my Android with Google Maps. However, like CCT I might have gone with it for the b/u camera. Might.

CCT

· #16 · Jan 12, 2011

RedBeast said:
I have never owned a car with navigation. I've driven in some though. My in-laws Mercedes and it was fine. I assume a learning curve for all new tech. I have not had a better experience (not with TomTom, Magellan, et al) than I have with my Android with Google Maps. However, like CCT I might have gone with it for the b/u camera. Might.

+1..... I like my Garmin a lot too and in some areas it's more up-to-date than my Lex, but the Garmin is exposed too and if left once in the wrong area, it's a target for theft (and damage).

Something built in would be less likely to be taken or attract the wrong person.

BTW, If I can, I always use google maps to confirm what the navi(s) tell me just to be sure.

C.

drumslinger

· #17 · Jan 13, 2011

leek69 said:
Has anyone bought the new 2011 map NAV CD upgrade? and if so...see any difference.

I bought the 2011 DVD update. There is better coverage in Eastern Pa. I can't vouch for any other part of the country.

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