for those of us RX330 owners who've been sweating the details of the new NAV software - I got a chance to play with it today at Sewell Lexus in Dallas. Granted, it was in a brand-spankin' new, Sport-Tuned LS430 with 18" rims (I digress) and it does has some features the RX software doesn't (blue tooth, integrated cell phone capability) I wanted to examine the update POI and see if indeed the infrastructure (highways, etc) had been updated or ignored.

Well I was pleasantly surprised to find that MOST ALL major highway construction has been updated - at least in the DFW area - including the George Bush Tollway and the North Dallas Tollway north of Hwy 121.

another exciting feature of the new software is it's POI structure detail - you can zoom in closer than 1/16 mile - to actual FEET - and when you select a commercial building you can see a list of the various businesses that reside in that building! The LS will also allow you to call a particlular business phone numbers right from the NAV with integrated cell phone technology and bluetooth.

Now I realize that the software update DVD may vary slightly but I gotta think the updated POI and infrastructure will be on there and I hope the updated zoom capabilities apply as well....

I now know what's at the top of my Xmas wish list

 

Do you know when the new software will ship with new RX330's? I've been promised a vehicle by years end, and it would be nice to receive the new software when the vehicle arrives.

 

My RX330 is coming (supposedly) the first week of November. Do you think the new software will be on it, or am I going to have to shell out more dinero for it.

 

I've heard rumours that the new software will be "available" October 1st 2003

 

Also, is the Nav equipment in the RX330 4th generation or does the software make it generation 4.

 

jeffknet - were you quoted a price on the upgrade? I bought my RX330 from Sewell less than a month ago and asked if I could get the upgrade free, since it was due out in October. The answer was "NO".

I also own an '01 MDX that is due for the first Navi update (yeah 3 yrs b4 the first update) & a price of $185 is projected. Unlike the RX, it's an Alpine system.

 

I've been told anywhere from $250 to $400

 

You can probably do it right now if you wanted to. I've upgraded an SC and LS from gen 3 to gen 4, and all it requires it to replace the navi ECU and the DVD. I'm 99% sure the RX330 would be the same.

$400 sounds a little cheap though. I think it would be more than that.

 

JP - I'm new to this. The ECU is the DVD player, or the box, right? So to upgrade you had to buy a new DVD player and a new DVD data disk? What would happen if you just put the new DVD disk into the old DVD player? I think I read somewhere that the DVD disk also updates the operating system. I have the same question as dreday68:

 

Yes, the ECU is a small box that contains the navigation processor, hardware, DVD drive, etc. Every generation is a change in both hardware and software, so gen 4 is new hardware and software. If you try to put a gen 4 DVD into a gen 3 ECU, it won't work.

 

maybe I was too hasty in my assumption - upon further review it appears the new 2004 DVD software I saw in the new LS430 is proprietary to the new 2004 LS and LX models ONLY - the RX330 software update will NOT feature the same updated infrastructure and zoom capabilities as the LS & LX.

Seems the LS and LX offer a much different platform including Bluetooth technology so it's not just a simple software update that can apply to crossplatform Lexus models...

DARN DARN DARN

 

Then what's the use of even coming out with an update that only has more POIs on it? Who's gonna pay for that? Not me!

 

Actually, I am going to get the update. I find that the POIs that we have now lacking -- it is missing A LOT of things that my little Garmin 2610 has.

I was quote $275 from my dealer, and I see that Sewell Lexus @ www.lexus-parts.com is selling it for like $288. Anyone know where to get this cheaper?

Also, I know that on the RX300, the nav disk was in the back by the spare tire. Where is it on the RX330?

 

All:

I just picked up my Flint Mica/Performance/Nav a few days ago. I was very paranoid that I would be getting the old nav with it, since the RX330s I test drove a few weeks ago all had a version of the map database that didn't even show my neighborhood.

I saw the update software listed on on of the Lexus parts web sites (for $288, I think) where it said that dealers would be able to order it starting Oct. 1. Called Lexus corporate, who told me that the new version number is ver.03.1. Called the parts department at the dealer that was supposed to receive my vehicle from the port this week, and they told me that they knew about the update, but that (of course) they couldn't order it until after 10/1. Their price was $399, I think.

Anyway, I was all set to negotiate the upgrade into my new RX, but when it arrived from the port, it already had ver.03.1 installed. My neighborhood and my address are in the database now, which is my biggest evidence that, in fact, I did get the new software.

It does seem to have TONS of POI. I'm not really sure how different it is for Portland than it was previously. Haven't seen the feature of listing businesses in public buildings, so I'm not sure that's part of the RX Nav.

So far, LOVE the RX.

 

I picked up my RX330 last week. My NAV version DVD is v2.1 . What is the best way for me to get the update free? Dealer, or should I try calling Lexus?