mjw1964

So, the dealership delivered by '07 460, Mercury Metallic, on Tuesday. I had the dealership upgrade the Nav to 9.1.

I love the car so far.
But I have to say I'm disappointed in how much it tells me that it can't give me turn by turn instructions because of unnamed roads. I guess I don't understand why my $200 Tom Tom does it nearly everywhere in my area, but this system can't?

What gives?

Nospinzone

Maybe you don't have it set for your geographic zone.

mjw1964

It's set for the right region. And in fact, the map actually shows the roads with their names, so it knows them.

It just won't say them.

I don't get it.

jstjohnz

The LS460 nav, at least 2007-2009, doesn't announce street names. It is ridiculous that the nav system in a vehicle of this caliber lacks what most every department store gps has had for years.

It does have some neat features, like lane guidance, but inability to pronounce street names is inexcusable. Entering destinations is ridiculously time-consuming also.

mjw1964

Well, it announces some names--like major highways. But not street names, although as I said the map shows them.

That is the only thing that disappoints me. It's not up to the standards of this car.

jstjohnz

AYou're right, it will announce numbered highways by name, it doesn't actually 'pronounce' any non-numeric road names.

mjw1964

I wonder if a future upgrade will fix this? I guess not if they haven't done it already. I bet it's fixed on Gen6.

JFNash

Our local dealer in SA added this feature to all Lexus cars coming to the country.

You have the option to listen to the directions (including street names) in Arabic and in English. In both languages you'll be able to get the street name pronounced, and precisely.

So it's a matter of desire, not ability by Lexus of America.

mjw1964

How do I get this done here in America? Does my dealership have this ability???

JFNash

I don't know about America. But I do know for sure that it's technically possible and corporate Lexus probably knows how to do it, since they've done in countries like SA.

It might be one of Lexus' so many legal paranoias.

I can record a couple minutes of driving with the guidance system turned on, on my friend's LS460 or RX350 and upload it for you to see how clear and precise it is.

mjw1964

JFNash, that would be cool...I would just like to hear the system working as I think it should work.

mjw1964

From the Lexus Nav maps site:

"Non-detailed Area Coverage = turn-by-turn guidance may not (cannot) be provided on all roads. Major highways and streets are generally covered but residential network accuracy has not been confirmed."

Huh?

JFNash

Here it is mjw1964: Click here to download

The file is 63 MB, so you'll probably need to give it a few minutes to download.

You will notice that when it comes to the exits and street names that are pronounceable in English, the original ugly woman's voice will pronounce it very easily (like in 0:34). If the nav sys doesn't have the street name, it will just tell you to turn right/left after whatever meters/ft (like in 1:05). And when the street name is available to the nav sys but it's difficult for the ugly voice to pronounce it, an ugly Arab woman's voice will jump in and help the American woman (like in 1:55).

You can show it to the deniers at the dealership when they tell it's not possible.

Johnny

They can do it. The 2010 RX with Navi Ver. 9.1 has it, and it calls out all the street names.

The female voice that announces the street names is different though.

mjw1964

Did you have the dealership make some adjustment? Did it just come that way?