2008 M35 Navigation Annoyances

[friedoyster]

1) Purchased new end of 1/09 ... car came loaded with '07 Nav maps even though a new level of SW was available. It is Infiniti's policy not to upgrade the maps, presale, even when a new level exists (according to Navteq). Cost me 200.00 to get a recent level from Navteq. Unacceptable, and complaining to no avail through the Infiniti channels

2) Question... apparently if you scroll over a restaurant or hotel ICON, the name of the place will not pop-up? Only works for buildings, and destinations. Pretty weak since the names of these places are already in the database. Even Acuara Nav does this.... oh well.

[palincal]

Talking abt nav. user unfriendliness, yesterday I was trying it recognize a street name. This system gives you only two attempts to get the pronunciation right. It doesn't provide a list of matching street names. Instead, it requires an exact match in the database. After two attempts, it cancels the whole destination input and goes back to map screen.

Also, don't press any radio or climate control buttons while you are in the middle of punching in a destination. It will cancel the whole thing and you will have to do it all over again.

[NightWatch]

Infiniti's NAV system is basically the same as technology today as was introduced in 2003. It is a second generation NAV system. Oh they've changed a few I/O channels (touch screen, voice commands) but its the same basic underlying technology thats been around for 5 or 6 years. Its not the greatest. About the only "pro" is that Infiniti did a nice job of integrating it into the ergonomics of the car's cabin and it is visually appealing. The major "con" is that you can buy a 4th Generation portable GPS NAV device (Garmin, Magellen) that is far superior technologically for little more than the cost of updating the maps on the Infiniti.

[infinitiandbeyond]

lt could be MUCH worse. As in a piece of sh*t BMW I-Drive that people STILL b**ch and complain about, including the media. They are worse off at getting it right after as many if not more years. Laughable compared to what you pay for one.

[ghstudio]

Even though I pretty much dislike the nav system in my 08m35, it does present a list of street names when you say the name and you can pick the one that you meant. That's actually one of the good things it does.

Some of the things that drive me nuts:

1) you always have to start to find an address with the state and city....even if you want to find an address in the same city you are in.2) you quickly learn the next steps for voice prompts, so when it says enter city, you want to say "oshkosh" but you have to wait and listen to the nav system say "or push back to cancel" every single time....arghh....3) It doesn't show all street names on the map, even though it knows them...as a realtor this really sucks because as I'm driving thru a community, I don't know where every street is and the nav system map doesn't help.4) if I zoom in hoping to see more street names, there are at least two levels where I am told there is not enough detail to show the map....but it isn't telling me the street names. All I see is a yellow line which is a street but with no name.....argh!!!!

On the plus side:

1) I find that it's biggest benefit is finding my way OUT of communities when I've wandered around...I just say "take me home" and it plots a path out to the main roads. Great!!!!2) street name recognition is far better than on the 06Nav system. At least on the 08, you get a list of streets..the 06 would just give you the wrong street and you had to try to pronounce the street name differently and hope.3) It looks great to clients...and I can easily show them how close a home is to some feature, main road, etc...

Wish List:1) Give the unit a personality....."you missed the turn again, dummy"; "oh, not again, please make another u-turn"; "why can't you follow my directions"

I do not miss some of the commands that were eliminated in 08. I never felt the need to change the the passenger side A/C temperature using my voice, etc.

[ArbitrageMan]

I hear you guys. In my old car I couldn't even talk to my nav. And I could never fold it up properly to put it back into the glove compartment. It was awful.

[tonewheel]

Having the NAV in my 07 M35, AND using a Garmin Nuvi when I travel, I can say that the Garmin technology wins hands down.

Biggest beef I have with the built-in NAV is the inability to "use" it while moving. What I suggest Infiniti do is tie the NAV into the same sensor used in the front passenger seat that detects when someone is seated in it (for the airbag activation). Example, if my wife is traveling with the, the car would know that a body is sitting in that seat and could activate all features of the NAV. C'mon Infiniti, that's a software upgrade!