The new navigation upgrade is out. My current version is from 2001. Is it
worth updating?

On Thu, 02 Oct 2003 14:21:04 GMT, "Maby" <maby2 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

We picked up the 2003 v.1 DVD to upgrade the 2000 v.1 we had in our
2002 RX300. $260 at Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly, VA. I installed it
myself, so I don't know how much installation would cost. The dealer
told us software upgrades were not covered under our extended
warranty.

It corrected a few local routing bugs and added new stores and
restaurants to the database. Other than that, I didn't see any big
difference. We plan to update every 2-3 years, just to keep up with
road construction.

Is replacing the DVD as easy as popping out the old one and putting in the
new one?
Or is there more to it? Is it fully calibrated with the GPS on install or do
you have to set anything there?

Also, menus are the same or different?




"Mark Doernhoefer" <mdoernho (AT) acm (DOT) org> wrote

"jt" <jeff (AT) sorrynoemail (DOT) com> wrote

Just put it in (once you find the obscure eject button) and turn on the
system. It will upgrade (with a warning) the OS and the maps. Depending on
your location the maps may be improved. There was an increase in roads
included in the routing system (yellow roads are not). There was a major fix
to the routing algorithm -- in some areas it used to pick very unreliable
routes. The voice prompts where also adjusted for better usability (if you
use them) by adjusting their timings. There are a few settings that now
adjust the routing algorithm to account for your driving habits ( if you
drive very slowly on unknown secondary roads and faster on unknown
highways -- you can set the avg speed which the software will take into
account when choosing the route).

For me it made very little difference around my home, but it made a big
difference when I went to Arizona this year over last.

cheers,

bt

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 19:45:39 GMT, "jt" <jeff (AT) sorrynoemail (DOT) com> wrote:

It's like the DVD drive on your computer except there's no tray and
there's a sliding switch. You'll need power to the unit; I'd
recommend doing this with the vehicle running, less chance that power
would be interrupted during reprogramming.

Open the spare tire compartment and lift out the right hand plastic
piece. The DVD drive is locared on the right behind the jack. There
is a sliding switch on the front to the left of the DVD slot. Slide
the switch to the rear of the vehicle and press the button under the
switch. The DVD will slide out. Slide in the new DVD. The system will
reboot and reprogram the navigation system.

You can monitor the progress from the nav display. You'll see the
warning not to interrupt the reprogramming process. I don't know if
they are flashing memory during this period, but I would err on the
side of caution and heed this warning. If you interrupt a memory
flash, you can be in a world of hurt.

I did not run any of the calibration routines since the map seems to
be accurate. My wife says the routing system now provides correct
directions through a rebuilt intersection near us.

Will this remove all of the marked points?

"Mark Doernhoefer" <mdoernho (AT) acm (DOT) org> wrote

When I updated mine to the 2002 ver last year it kept all my prefs and
marked points.

-- Pete


jt wrote: