I would not pay for anything out of date that only comes out once annually. The point of this forum is to help those that need it. Since I knew better, I spoke up. If you were spending your own hard earned money you would want the most up to date information. There is no rule anywhere that says that 14.1 correlates to being for 2015 and 15.1 is only for 2016. It is active as of when it becomes available for purchase. Besides, these GPS systems are very antiquated anyway. Why spend any money on this when we have much better options for free like Waze which route for traffic and warns you of police and hazards. I wouldnt spend a dime on another dvd disc for my LS. That said, if I was going to do so, I wouldn't want data from 2014.

 

Do you change your Nav disc version to the current calendar year version each and every year when the new disc comes out very year since you've owned your LS, so you don't drive around with "out of date data"? That would surely be an expensive waste to most.

You assume that everyone wants to spend top retail dollar every year for the so-called current calendar version Nav disc, and your implication that my post isn't helping those who need it is just plain wrong. If you think the 14.1 version is "out of date," your 15.1 version ($169 - $210 retail) is also out of date as soon as you bought it. The link I provided above to a genuine (not copyright stolen) Nav version 14.1 disc at $44.99 is a good value, and that's why others purchased it and expressed their appreciation. The 14.1 is a reasonable and viable choice to upgrade the Nav disc, especially for those of us who don't update the Nav disc every year. Most of the LS's on the road today have much older versions of the Nav disc installed, many have never been updated, so the 14.1 Nav disc version is a significant and inexpensive upgrade to the navigation and POI selections.

 

You're taking it personally that I called you out for being wrong. Just accept it and move on. This is not productive anymore.

 

You seem to be taking it personally that many here would buy the 14.1 version and even 13.1 Nav disc (at a substantial cost savings over the cost of the 15.1 disc version). See posts above and in another earlier thread a few weeks ago where I provided this link -> http://navidvd.com/lexus/42-2014-bmw...-disc-set.html for the genuine Lexus Nav 14.1 disc for calendar year 2015. My post was correct that the disc version is labeled one year behind the calendar year, so the 14.1 version disc is the most recent for calendar 2015.

We agree the 15.1 version disc (calendar year 2016) was released very recently in late October. However, people could buy the 15.1 disc (at a much higher cost) and find no updates that have any effect whatsoever on their unique usage of the Nav system. That's the gamble you take (and that you advocate) buying the most recent released disc and paying top dollar for it, only to find that the new street that was completed in your neighborhood this past year isn't even shown on the "most up to date" Nav disc.

You advised above "you want 15.1" but didn't point out the significant difference in costs between 15.1 and 14.1. Do you have a source where members can obtain a genuine copy of the 15.1 version at a cost savings from the retail dealer price? Updating every year to the "newest" disc is costly, with very little or likely no benefit to the user - a total waste of money. Updating every 2 - 3 years with the current calendar year disc is a sensible and cost-effective option for many. It's an individual choice depending upon type of driving (local, cross country, etc.), exclusive reliance on the Nav system for roads, restaurants, and other POIs, etc. (especially when there are real-time alternatives with current traffic conditions).

 

like I said before, Waze is better and free. why rely on old technology?

 

Every individual owner can determine when they want to update their DVD. The MyLexus site provides data each year to show (state by state) the changes that have been incorporated into the yearly DVD release.

I lived in an area where an extensive bypass was being constructed and lasted for a couple of years or more. I didn't necessarily like to see that I was driving through an area and not being on a road. However, I waited until the project was completed and listed as being incorporated on the new yearly DVD before buying it.

This allows each owner to determine and choose when they want to upgrade their DVD. I see nothing wrong with this.

I don't find it necessary for me to have a phone/nav system to distract me while driving. That is even becoming illegal in an adjacent city.

 

This turned into an XKCD comic all of a sudden!


To your points, I just picked up a new-to-me LS430 that has v2.1 in it. I wanted to update the NAV, but I wasn't going to pay the cost from the dealership for the disc, not to mention the price they mentioned for labor "installing" the update.

It's also my understanding that there will be no further updates for my car's NAV system, so the choice for me was between v13.1 and v14.1, as v15.1 supposedly isn't even an option for my vehicle UNLESS I update the DVD drive as well.

Lastly, I've found Waze to be less than impressive in my area, to the point that I don't use it anymore. This point, alone, sums up the opinions in this thread. Use what works best for you, but realize it may NOT be best for everyone.

To each their own.

 

13.1 is the last update for Gen 3 nav, drewkaree. www.lexusnavigation.com
Agreed.
Waze is only one - there are many, many more available like Google Maps or Inrix.

 

I bought the 2-disc set, as I'm in WI, and travel both east and west. Since it seems the disc stays in the drive, does this mean I can load both into the unit, or what exactly is the process to update the system beyond inserting the first disc?

 

Drew, the Nav player is a 1-disc player - only 1 Nav disc is accepted into, and can be installed and used in the player. You have to choose which disc you are going to insert. It's my understanding that the same "road" information is contained on both East and West versions of the Gen 2/3 updated discs. The only difference between the two discs is POI info. See attached dealer info that explains it in greater detail. Are you sure that you need both East and West versions?

 

Oddly enough, my discs just hit my mailbox when I got home today!

My travels take me to 4 states, primarily. North Carolina, Maryland, Iowa & Minnesota, with me being smack in the middle of the coverage areas of each disc. I was thinking the system either had the capability to load more than one disc, or to store the info from one disc while physically retaining the other, perhaps in some sort of memory chip. Apparently this isn't the case.

From the PDF you posted, I can see that all I'm really "losing" is the ability to search for POI's by name in the area not covered by the disc I choose to install. If I'm understanding that correctly, I'll still be able to SEE the POI's and select one, which is acceptable.

I've got a few options for offloading the other disc that I won't use, so no worries. In the event that I can't, I'm only out $20 bucks or so. I'll still have saved over $100 off the dealership price

 

What does that mean?.. ..How hard is it to change the disc?..