[joshh]

Can anyone comment on the usefullness of the navigation system in the Boston and its suburbs, as far out as Worcester. I'm moving from Dallas to Boston and I wasn't going to get the Navigation for Dallas (easy to get around) but I may re-order for Boston. Thank you. Josh Harrison

 

[swhtech]

I have the navigation in my TL, which keep in mind that the DVD is about 2 years old, and the coverage in Massachusetts, and the rest of the northeast is very good. I would imagine with the newest DVD from Acura, the coverage is even better.

 

[BostonX]

Fair warning!

Navigation of any type has never been easy in Boston (!) but at least with the MDX's system you'll have a slight advantage. Also keep in mind that a lot of the surface roads near the waterfront change on a weekly basis due to the "Big Dig" project. Good luck in Boston, it's a great city!

 

[Guest]

Slightly off topic

Boston is one tough city to drive in. One of my sons who attended MIT once told me that the greatest cause of accidents in Boston was two vehicles trying to hit the same pedestrian at the same time! After spending some time driving in that beautiful city I have to tend to agree with him.

Johnnyreb

 

[KAC]

Re: Slightly off topic

Boston is one tough city to drive in. One of my sons who attended MIT once told me that the greatest cause of accidents in Boston was two vehicles trying to hit the same pedestrian at the same time! After spending some time driving in that beautiful city I have to tend to agree with him.

As an MIT grad myself, I second that. Pedestrian bowling is quite the sport up there. I'm still waiting for my MDX so can't report on the Nav coverage up there.

Kim

 

[Markedoc]

I live between Boston and Worcester and the NAV has worked great in both places. I've lived in Mass for 14 years, so I probably could have lived without it, but once or twice a month I use it to get somewhere I haven't been before. Looking at new houses now so it's a benefit there.

I would say if you are not from around here, definately get the NAV. Not only are the roads screwed up, so are most of the drivers!

 

[mdxpecting]

NAV in Boston is excellent

I work in downtown Boston and live in Newton (a suburb) and the NAV coverage and usefullness is excellent in both places. During a recent trip through the windy cobblestone streets of downtown with many one-way roads, the NAV guided me through with remarkable accuracy.

When the big dig is complete in 2006, I'll buy the DVD update.

 

[DaleB]

Re: NAV in Boston is excellent

When the big dig is complete in 2006, I'll buy the DVD update.

I guess that's like missing the movie and waiting for the rental.

 

[Pauls MDX]

Don't pass on navagation

I wouldn't pass the new dvd based system is excellent and when your looking for an address it is a great items. you don't even have to load different dvd's when crossing the state lines. You'll be sorry if you have to go with an aftermarket system down the road.

 

[vicpai]

I can definitely vouch for that......

I wouldn't pass the new dvd based system is excellent and when your looking for an address it is a great items. you don't even have to load different dvd's when crossing the state lines. You'll be sorry if you have to go with an aftermarket system down the road.

YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE SORRY IF YOU OPT OUT OF THE FACTORY NAV AND LATER HAVE TO GO IN FOR AN AFTERMARKET UNIT - These aftermarket units do not integrate as well resulting in reduced accuracy because the yaw sensors, speed sensors etc require a tremendous amount of precision and integration to work accurately - for example I'm told that if the Navi unit is mounted any more than + or - 5 degrees from the LONGITUDNAL AXIS (front to rear) of the vehicle, the yaw sensor will have some inaccuracy in it, AND 5 degrees is a very teeny-weeny figure - and this is evident in my aftermarket unit installed in my 4-Runner - I highly doubt the installers have any way of measuring this and I'm sure they just "VISUALIZE" and "ESTIMATE" which is not good enough. Besides this, there are many other similar little things which need to be proprerly executed during installation making it very difficult to determine if all odds and ends have been properly taken care of.

BOTTOM LINE - A FACTORY-EQUIPPED NAVIGATION SYSTEM is the only way to go because Navi systems are ultra-complicated devices requiring very high levels of precision and integration for them to work accurately, and ACCURACY being the key work here, because without this the very purpose of the Navigation system is defeated!

FYI the Alpine DVD system I purchased for my 4-Runner is nowhere near as good as the one in my 2000 Acura 3.2TL/Navi - and I can CONFIDENTLY say this because I've used BOTH EXTENSIVELY!!

 

[MDXMom]

These aftermarket units do not integrate as well resulting in reduced accuracy because the yaw sensors, speed sensors etc require a tremendous amount of precision and integration to work accurately -

Just curious. (And since I chose not to get the Navi, I'm not knowledgable on its features, nor the way it works.) Wouldn't the GPS care more about where the antenna is on the car rather than the unit and its yaw sensor? Also, the speed doesn't need to be "sense"d separately, does it, apart from a tie in to the speedometer? Or, does the Navi not count on the accuracy of the speedometer?

Anyone have a Navi 101 textbook?

Its basic, but if a unit is "aftermarket", I would think its calibration utilities would have to be able to make up for that somehow.... If not now, then hopefully by the time the price is right for me, anyway, if all of this is true!

 

[Pauls MDX]

Other factors other than antenna

The other sensors determine which direction you are heading and the speed sensors tell you the ETA which is estimated time of arrival at any destination is determined by the speed sensors. The direction sensors show the direction you are heading. There are many other factors as I am new and learning day to day. I was glad to get my navation from acura as I am hearing from numerious friends are having difficulty with their aftermarket units. If you have to go with an aftermarket system do your homework as far which are top end models, I wouldn't try to cut cost with such a expensive piece of equipment.

 

[donsev]

Just curious. (And since I chose not to get the Navi, I'm not knowledgable on its features, nor the way it works.) Wouldn't the GPS care more about where the antenna is on the car rather than the unit and its yaw sensor? Also, the speed doesn't need to be "sense"d separately, does it, apart from a tie in to the speedometer? Or, does the Navi not count on the accuracy of the speedometer?

MDXMom,

Yes and No.


Yes, to some degree, the location of the GPS antenna does have some impact but only on the quality of the signal reception from the satellites (you need to be able to acquire/maintain a solid signal from at least 3 satellites for a proper lat./long. fix.). IF, you could guarantee perfect satellite reception AT ALL TIMES for the GPS receiver, you would have less of a need for the secondary inputs (speed sensor, yaw sensor). But since that is impossible (think tunnels, midtown Manhattan, heavy forest), the secondary sensors help the Navi to "guess" where you are based on your last GPS location and your subsequent speed and direction changes (until the GPS can re-acquire it's signal).

 

[MDXMom]

Thank you for all of the info - that's helpful. So these are sensors that help fill the reception/transmission voids, so that the user has a continual flow if information. I assume you don't know which is which info (actual or derived), but the overall output leans toward being fairly accurate.

I don't expect I'll be getting an aftermarket Navi anytime soon, as even they are too much money for me to spend on something I don't think I'd use (as in really need directions) enough to make it worth it. I do think it's a cool gadget, though. Perhaps my next MDX will have one...

 

[donsev]

Portable GPS solutions don't have to be that expensive and can work quite well. I have used Delorme products (SA4, SA5, SA7, RWE, Earthmate, Solus 1.5, Solus 2 Pro) on laptops and PDAs and other than the "where do you put it to see the display" question, I am very happy with the results.