I have had my heart set on a new Acura TL for a while now. On a whim I went and test drove a new G35 Sport, and am having serious second thoughts.

To say I was extremely impressed with many things in the G would be a distinct understatement. One thing that stood out as a major sticking point (for me at least) was the whole have to be stopped for most of the Nav system to work.

When I noted that on the Acura forums, someone replied with "easily fixed". Those folks are a wealth of knowledge, but due to the area of expertise I wanted to check in here and see what you guys had to say on the matter.

 

I don't have any information or speculation on what hacks may be forthcoming to allow full nav functionality while drіving (or to allow copying MP3s to the HD, or to allow viewing movies while drіving, or ....). I'm wondering, though, if you have any specific information on just what nаvigation system functions are disabled while drіving. The '07 navigation manual, available in PDF, is very vague on that point, offering only four sets of "stopped" and "drіving" images as illustrations of what is disabled. Clearly, some data input and display is disabled, but it's less obvious that you "have to be stopped for most of the Nav system to work", especially considering that voice input is included.

 

You don't have to stop to use the Nav, verbal commands work. For example while driving I gave it a command for an address and it took it no problem.

 

What's neat about the voice command is that you don't have to talk like a robot. Just speak in a natural, clear voice (enunciate clearly, but not too much). It's so fun! (I only did it for a minute or two.)

 

I can't wait for my next nav system... for this exact feature.

I hate sitting in the driveway trying to get some obscure address punched in.

 

Mine has a problem with the French names of streets and cities here in Quebec. I wish it would understand spelling so I could just start with a few letters and then get a list in return to choose from.

 

Exactly! I also like the fact that you can enter a phone number and it will create a route for you.

 

I'm not able to get XM traffic. Isn't it supposed to be free for 3 months? And I only played with it for 5 minutes, but I only have 3 XM stations ("preview" stations). What gives?

 

Im having the same problem goofy. Theres no info to set up the XM in the car and I haven't called the dealer yet to ask what gives.

 

Yes, you get XM NavTraffic free for three months.

 

I had to call up and activate XM and NavTraffic. You need to mention that this is a new car purchase and that you're supposed to get the first 3 months free for both features.

I've heard the dealer is supposed to do that for you, but if they didn't call XM up.