Traffic Updates on Nav system

xarthan,
Are you aware that there is a procedure to get into the "diagnostic mode" of navigation system?
Once you do, you will see item
#7: Traffic System NONE

In the notes, it says
Traffic System -> indicates RDS-TMC system availability on the vehicle
- TMC: Equipped
- NONE: Not equipped

In short, the Navi system can obviously handle it, but somehow omitted on CX9.

P.S. Here is how to get into diagnostic mode, in case you wonder (for 2007-8, not sure about 09)
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position
2. Press the MENU button
3. Select "Navgation Set Up"
4. Select "Calibration"
5. Select "Map Version"
6. Press the upper left part of the screen 2 times, then press the lower left part 2 times
7. Voila!!!
Have fun, and don't sue me if you mess up anything.

There is also a "Check Mode" for information cluster. But, that is another story.
 
Can't be changed, unfortunately.
My guess is that a hardware module is not present in our NAVI unit.
(i.e. RDS-TMC decoder)
In an Acura NAVI system, the software is also enhanced to be able to calculate routes based on traffic condition. That goes beyond merely displaying congested routes.

I had a portable GPS with lifetime traffic. However, I don't find it extremely useful due to the delay in traffic information.
However, maybe that's just me.
 
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That would have been the only reason I'd have gone with the serious /sat system... if it would have made live traffic info available... It's a plus when I'm tracking/helping my drivers online... via google
 
According to edmunds.com, the 2010 NAVI system does come with Real-time Traffic.

"NV3: Navigation/
Voice-activated DVD navigation system with 7" touch screen; Real time traffic;
Single in-dash CD player REQUIRES (1MC and LG2) or (1EP and LG2). "


"Real-time" is a marketing term. In computer science, it only means that "things get done within a tolerable/preset time limit".
The traffic info is as fast as people reporting it and entering it into the system.
That usually takes a few minutes. I used a Navigon (with lifetime traffic), I was caught up in traffic due to highway accidents a couple times. The traffic was "green" in both cases when I took the highways. It did change to red after I was caught up for 10 minutes.
 
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OE NAVI systems can't compete with portables in terms of usability and features. However, it has one major advantage that portable GPS can't compete with.
dead reckoning: When your OW NAVI loses sat signals (needs 3 or more satellites visible), your OE system can refer to speed input (from VSS) and steering angle (from gyro on board - accurate to 0.5degree) to project your movement until sat signal is reacquired. This is very useful in places such as tunnels, parking structures, forests, city streets with tall buildings nearby.
 
OE NAVI systems can't compete with portables in terms of usability and features. However, it has one major advantage that portable GPS can't compete with.
dead reckoning: When your OW NAVI loses sat signals (needs 3 or more satellites visible), your OE system can refer to speed input (from VSS) and steering angle (from gyro on board - accurate to 0.5degree) to project your movement until sat signal is reacquired. This is very useful in places such as tunnels, parking structures, forests, city streets with tall buildings nearby.

Yea, works great driving around the BIG DIG in Boston. The car knows my current speed and uses the velocity and planned route while I drive around under ground. Once surface-side, I'm connected in a split moment. Something the portables cannot do.

OK, that's 1 for the Mazda NAV system. Wish there were more!
 

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