NorthGa

Hello,
Being a newbie I am slowly learning how to 'navigate' on this vehicle (pun intended)

1. I am trying to determine what version NAV software I have. Supposedly the latest is version 12.1? But I can't tell if that is the version I have or not? What I did find is this
Would someone be able to interpret those numbers for me? and inform me as to how recent of an update I have?

2. I will be going on trips, via the interstates mostly, and am wondering if the POI's on this Lexus system include the 'Rest Stops' that are along the way on the interstates? Kind of important for me (some of you will know why/what I mean) Someone have experience with this and can inform me?

Thanks

heisnuts

You have a free year of the Enform system, which includes live operator assistance. The live operator might be able to assist you with rest stops along your trips if it is not already in the system.

NorthGa

I have no idea about the Enform? No one told me I had that?

BertL

OP, welcome to the world of Lexus.

I cant cross-check as I dont know for sure what model and year your RX is, but I think you have the 2011 version of the maps according to the FAQs I read on the Nav site. The first 2 numbers so far have indicated the year of release... If history follows, Lexus should be releasing 13.1 in the upcoming weeks. This is one to bookmark: http://www.lexusnavigation.com/faq.php. That site will give you all the info on Nav updates, what really changed in the newest map database (worth a check before you spend the money to upgrade).

On Rest Stops, look for "Rest Areas" which the 7th Generation Nav (2013 RX) have... I do not know for sure if Rest Areas are maintained in previous gens of Nav. One consideration for you though in a practical sense is, at least here in California, many Rest Stops are closed... They show up in my Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, as well as Google Maps as being there (they are), but with State budget cuts the last few years, they are closed... Watching for towns with fast food places is the way I take care of the situation on long trips... and is a good way to pick up something to drink along the way as a little payment for them being there in my time of need.

Hope that helps some.

BertL

Enform comes with a free trial period in the US for new purchases. More info here: https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...rm/overview.do

RX330inFL

I would recommend calling your purchasing dealership and scheduling some time with your Lexus Technology Specialist or salesperson to work with you to understand what you purchased. It is what they are there for and it seems your salesperson was not thorough in explaining what you had purchased if you do not know about the Enform system.

BertL

GREAT recommendation.

OP, you purchased a quality vehicle with a huge learning curve if its your first. Let Lexus do their thing and now spend time with you, explaining the great technology you have invested in. Make a list of your questions, make the appointment, and take a drive in to your dealership and let the Technology Specialist explain and show you everthing. It Is why Lexus put them in place in all dealerships a year ago. We of course will be here to help, but it's just not as cool as getting the personalized service from the dealership you deserve.

Sh1nra

Agreed! Ask your dealer if they offer a class for it. (Mine did, initially I thought it was weird but took the offer because I didn't want to read through the manual xP)
It helps a lot!

go3Ds

I have the same map version codes as you, which are the 11.1 maps. The 11 in 21-11-24 and 2011 in [2011-06-1] mean they are 11.1 maps. The 12.1 maps on the 2013s would have 12 and 2012 in the codes. Your 2013 must be an earlier build date like mine. You can find your build date on the sticker inside the front drivers door panel. My 2013 build date was 4/12 (Japan), and the 12.1 maps didn't arrive until later in the year build dates. As BertL mentioned, there is lots of good information about maps on the Lexus navigation website.

We also use the interstates frequently, and coast to coast. Rest stops show up on the navigation, but we prefer the huge travel centers which have very clean restrooms, as well as decent price for gas and other needs. Only problem for us is navigating our 4 pound Yorkie over to a patch of grass, as travel stops can be very busy.

Agree with others on the Lexus Technology specialist, especially if you need more than just a quick answer on something. Be sure to call ahead of time, although I have done spur of the moment at times while visiting out of area Lexus dealers. Also, the navigation manual takes more detailed reading than the other manuals.

RX330inFL

Thanks. Please indulge me while I get up on my soapbox for a moment and rant a bit.

[RANT]

It has been over a year now since Lexus announced that all dealerships, at least in the US, would hire a Lexus Technology Specialist and those positions were staffed. What has been the net affect of that action? Are the needs of the customers being served as originally planned? We see so little of individuals here talking about their experiences with said individual. When I do see a glimpse of information is does not sound like these folks are all that well informed or have access to anything at a higher level nor do they seem to be collecting any information for testing problems to send to corporate. Is there a technology trouble ticket system? Where is the database of instructions on how to pair every available phone to every available Lexus vehicle? I see little in the way of content being created by this staff of individuals. Of course, there may be more going on locally than I suspect and would gladly enjoy being proven wrong. Perhaps some dealerships are taking better advantage of the position. Still, there should be more than 200 of these folks. Give me a staff of 200 well trained and selected individuals scattered throughout the country and I could move mountains.

Instead, what I am seeing now, at least in my area, are that these individuals now have titles such as Lexus Technology Specialist / Inventory Management. They obviously do not have enough to do to keep them busy and/or the dealerships found a way to usurp the desires of Lexus corporate in making these a part-time position and adding other responsibilities to their job descriptions. If this is to be the case then why not just do a better job of training the sales staff to perform this training work? Is it not their job to make sure buying customers are fully aware of all the features they are getting for their money? Like with the OP for this message thread, it does not sound like this is happening. Now, is that a problem with the customer or the dealership? Inquiring minds want to know.

Lexus, the year is 2013 and even late in the year at that. Where are the in depth topic video tutorials especially for the new complex technologies to include the navigation system? Where are even the basic care tutorials? Where is the non-sales related Youtube channel? Where is the face-to-face customer support over services such as FaceTime or Skype? Where is the Lexus employee to monitor the pulse of the customer in online forums such as this one?

Next time you are at the Lexus dealership take a moment to find your Lexus Technology Specialist to introduce yourself. Ask them about their job responsibilities and what services they provide to customers. Am sure they would appreciate you spending time with them as they seem to be as lonely as the proverbial Maytag repairman.

[/RANT]

NorthGa

I appreciate the input/responses I have received.

The thing I am noticing tho is that my Garmin is more 'helpful' than what the Lexus Nav is? Probably because maybe I don't know how to use it? I can get turn by turn 'voice' assistance with the Garmin in my 'rural' areas but Lexus Nav is not so helpful. Additionally the Garmin 'recalculates' when I go astray. Not the Lexus Nav....it just stays silent and I have to find my own way back to the 'route' that it chose. Again, maybe, I just don't know what I am doing yet.

I do see at the Lexus site for Navigation that 'my' area is not 'detailed'. So I guess that's why I don't get a lot of assistance? But Garmin can????

I like the Lexus Nav but wish it was more helpful.....but then it may be me???

BertL

Yes, I pretty much agree with you. As a person that started a multi-million-dollars/year software support business for a major company in the US, I too am all about the support process, the layers of support that is available to those providing the face to the customer, responsiveness, training/certification of support personnel, etc. Lexus has a long way to go in that regard and how they deploy and support other things like Enform to improve what they do and how their "total package" is perceived in the marketplace.

OTOH, I think we have to always temper impressions we garner here, considering the source so-to-say. Forums like this tend to either have enthusiasts that think they know what they are doing (us?), sometimes newbies that pop on for a question or two and are never heard from again, or the occasional person that likes to stir the pot and use this forum for their own version of Yelp to complain about this-or-that. There are however other groups of people -- and those are the ones that just don't read, don't listen or truly try to pay attention, as well as a growing number of people that simply don't like to pick up the phone or go back to the dealership, and may want an answer immediately regardless of what that involves (as long as it doesn't cost money), and prefer social media including sites like this to have other people answer their questions for them. Lexus support is not set up to deal with this last set of customers in any way other than generic marketing -- technical support is still only from the dealership as you say. I'm on the Lexus Advisory Panel for RX, as I'm sure other random people are, and it's interesting as there has been little questioning on support specifics in the months I've received surveys -- mostly (unfortunately) marketing touchy-feely stuff.

You're dead on in terms of Lexus can step up to the plate in providing support in more ways how today's customer really wants to receive it. Lexus and other auto mfgrs have a bit tougher job not truly owning each and every dealership and therefore every employee to try and ensure more consistency in deployment of things like the Technology Specialists. Lexus can influence their dealerships to do what they want via underlying incentives that can be in part based on survey results ...but I think what we see is a lot of inconsistency between dealerships -- some offering better customer experience than others, while some seem to act like high volume pressure dealerships -- but again, only from those people that choose to really participate in this forum for one reason or another and we don't ever hear both sides of the story.

Personally, I consider myself a research hound and try to be a well-informed and as self-sufficient customer when it comes to things like my automobiles. I know I'm not in the majority though, just as you may not be. When I step in to buy a car, it's never a spur of the moment thing -- I've researched and gotten my selection down to some handful of possibilities. I have specific questions for each model I want to look at. I also set a tone with my Sales Person in those regards and am as interested in what the customer experience is for me at the outset of stepping foot in a dealership as I am in the vehicle itself. I'm fortunate, as there are many other dealers within an hour of my home for almost every brand, and I drop that hint in there somewhere in our introduction, as well as I'm comfortable buying through the internet, but that isn't my preferred way to establish a relationship. (Good buzz words, huh?)

In my specific case buying my 2013 RX450h, Technology Specialists had not been announced yet, but my Salesman took me on a tour of the facility and made sure I knew about post sales support on my very first visit before we even talked about price. When I took delivery, I had become known I guess as an "informed" customer since I'd provided a lot of info to the dealership from here and other sources about the 2013s before they even had it. The new dealership Technology Specialist was assigned to me to be the one to walk me through the use of the RX on delivery day -- he had recently been announced, was a former Salesman at the dealership, and my impression was he was just starting through training for his new role, but he did a good job and included a couple of things I didn't know about. He did a good job with me, and did a couple follow-up calls to make sure I was happy with my purchase, as well as his Birthday call to me always ends with a "let me know if I can ever help some way" ...but then again, I think my dealership attempts to still provide the best customer service experience they can. It's why I keep going back for those high-priced maintenance jobs vs Toyota and Indy's -- not just for the free Cappucino, danish and sandwiches.

...so, all that to say in more net terms: "+1" to everything you said.

BertL

If the map database does not contain your location, the Nav can't be of much help. If I were you, since this is a new car, when you call the dealership, talk also to your salesperson -- tell them your Nav is useless as it does not contain any map data for your home area. It appears your truck has a very outdated 2011 map database. Can the dealership help getting you a newer version? (You should also check that link I provided to see if your area is on the 2012 version, if not, we'll all pray it shows up in 2013.)

Unfortunately, if you are "off the map" from a Nav perspective, the truck will not offer any guidance assistance until you get back into some area it knows about.

...also, FWIW -- not an excuse -- but the Lexus map database is provided by NavTek that is owned by Nokia. Lots of auto mfgrs use the NavTek database. Garmin of course does not.

Good luck. Wish there was a way to help you better from a distance -- I'm on the other coast. You have though signed-up for Lexus Drivers, right? https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...-lexus/home.do If not, do it now. It's free, and will open up a bunch of stuff for you including some video tutorials, access to service information on your RX, etc.

offroad200

I've been debating whether to wade into the waters of this debate about LTS's. After reading BertL's great comments, I feel more comfortable about that now. Plus I want to stress that I am in no way, shape or form representing my dealership or my own position. I am just a car guy at heart that uses these forums to help others when possible and learn things myself. Here goes:

I am a Lexus Technology Specialist at a Lexus dealership. I used to work in the parts dept. and have basically been helping with customer's BT and nav questions/concerns since I've been working here (6yrs). Way before this was an official position. I guess that's why I was tasked for it. Like it's been mention, this isn't my only job. But to be honest, it doesn't take up much of my time. We have pretty good resources to turn to when we have questions that we can't answer. I personally feel a customer would much rather hear "I'm not sure but I will find out the answer for you" than "No it won't work" (at least if the LTS isn't sure). I am not a software engineer or an actual genius. I'm just a human that can make mistakes like everyone else. I don't/can't know everything. I'm good at looking at a problem and figuring it out. But I will do everything in my power to resolve a customer's issues. And honestly 90% of issues involve us properly teaching customers how to use our systems. Even the limitations of it. Very few are actual problems. I am only speaking for my own experiences here. I can't speak for other LTS's or their dealerships. You (especially forum users) may know more about all the little nuances of your particular car than me. You have one car and one system to know and understand. I have many. All models and at least 5 different Nav systems. This isn't meant as an excuse, just reality. Combine that with everything else I'm tasked with during the course of a business day. Maybe I've been lucky here. Very little of my LTS responsibility has been hard core troubleshooting.

Just my 2 cents. I'm going to lunch now because I'm hungry and not a robot.

NorthGa

I have called the 'sales person' and he is a very nice and helpful person.....but......his response was

"I am really in not such a bad situation for my software is ONLY 2 years old". "They usually do not recommend 'updating' until 5 years"

I find no fault in his response; it's what is to be expected? As per BertL recommendation I have looked at the 12.1 software 'notes' and 'my' area is still labeled as not detailed. Since I am 'rural' I am not expecting the 13.? to be any more detailed. As I scanned all the areas I will be traveling it appears that mostly 'larger' metro areas will have detailed stuff but the rural areas I pass thru will be no better than what I experience locally? I will hope the 'Rest Areas' will be easily findable via the Lexus Nav? I think the first time I go on an extended trip I will run BOTH systems (Lexus/Garmin) and see how it goes and what the Lexus system does as compared to Garmin.

Thanks everyone