2002 I35 Navigation System - anyone Switch from CD to DVD??

[almatike]

Hi Folks - was looking into getting the navigation CD for my region (MCA7), and found out they have not been updated since 2005 - not good for New England by any means! Has anyone cosidered or actually completed switching out their stock CD-based system (2003 and prior navi systems) for a newer factory DVD head unit (Zenrin keeps all DVD's updated to current maps and a single DVD covers the entire country)? It would be nice if the DVD head could 'plug into' the current system, leaving the monitor and the wiring largely untouched - but that's probably a fantasy. . Zenrin cust service suggested they may takeone more pass at a CD update this fall (08), but do not expect they will give recent purchasers of the current version a price break to upgrade at that time. .

[ZGadson]

I thought about that when installing my OEM system...

Both CD and DVD operating units are very similar; the buttons are the same, the screens are both RGB input, and the wire harnesses are even the same. It would take some computer knowledge to make the switch because the easiest way would be to swap out the CD reading parts in the navi control unit to DVD reading parts and install a DVD based operating system on the unit's control board.

It can be done, the hardest part would be finding someone who has the ability to make a change like that.

Modified by ZGadson at 9:27 AM 8/26/2008
Modified by ZGadson at 12:33 PM 8/27/2008

[ktmrider]

Hi,

Sorry to ask the obvious, but IF the drive unit read DVDs, couldwe upgrade to beyond the 5.5 version out now?

Thanks.

[ZGadson]

As convenient as it would be, it does not read DVDs. Any MCA 5.5 disc would be the most recent CD our navigation system can read.

A CD-DVD switch would be benificial becuase DVDs are not going out of style anytime soon.

EDIT: I wrote a nicely worded letter to Zernin explaining how some of us have 2004 I35s with the factory warranty still remaining, but somehow Zernin seems to have put I35 owners aside to pursue new technology rather than maintain what already exists (meaning the switch to DVD navigation leaves all of us in the dust).
Modified by ZGadson at 8:28 AM 9/20/2008

[ktmrider]

Anymore news about the potential update in the fall of 2008 by Zenrin?

[ZGadson]

As or right now, anyone with a CD based nav system isnt worth anything to Zernin. We're no longer important.

[ktmrider]

[QUOTE=ZGadson]As or right now, anyone with a CD based nav system isnt worth anything to Zernin. We're no longer important.[/QUOTE

This guy below (Neeraj) from Zernin claims Infiniti finds us unimportant.

Please read below:

"The decision was entirely from Infiniti. We are only a software company.



Neeraj Chand



Zenrin USA Inc

851 Treager Ave, Suite 210

San Bruno, CA, 94066

650-615-4229



-----Original Message-----From: Marco [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:04 PMTo: NeerajSubject: RE: Zenrin.com Infiniti Help Desk Contact Request



Why is that?

In a $40K 2002 vehicle, we can only expect 3 years of support?

I will make this an issue when buying my next car.

Marco

--- On Tue, 9/9/08, Neeraj <[email protected]> wrote:

From: Neeraj <[email protected]>Subject: RE: Zenrin.com Infiniti Help Desk Contact RequestTo: "'Marco'" <[email protected]>Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 12:37 PM

Dear Customer,



Unfortunately, we are no longer producing the updates for the CD based navigation systems. The current version we have is 5.5 which was released three years ago.



Neeraj Chand



Zenrin USA Inc

851 Treager Ave, Suite 210

San Bruno, CA, 94066

650-615-4229"

[ZGadson]

What annoys me the most is that my street isnt even on the map. I live on a state road that has been in existance since the beginning of time, and still, its not on the map.

[ktmrider]

Zenrin cust service suggested they may takeone more pass at a CD update this fall (08), but do not expect they will give recent purchasers of the current version a price break to upgrade at that time. .

Any word on this yet?

[rebrab]

I have a 2004 Infiniti I 35 with navigation. The current CD system is obsolete in my opinion. I would like to replace the navigation unit with a single din DVD player. My question is can the pop up video screen interface with a DVD player? Has anyone tried it?