Anyone know when this year's navigation DVD will be out? What will be the version number?

 

If history holds, it should be any time now. and be version 8.1. Haven't heard of an official release date now that you mention it.

 

I just got an email from Sewell Lexus ... the 8.1 DVD update is available now! $299 or $250 if you send in your copy of 7.1.

 

here is the link

http://www.sewellpartsonline.com:80/...90141&all=Y%20

I don't know if you can get the $50 rebate if you old disk is older than 7.1. Promo is worded very specific to 7.1

 

you can get it for $250 from www.l-tunedparts.com (Carson Toyota -- a forum sponsor)

this is without any rebate involved

 

Does anyone know if you can still create the hybrid disc with the 5.1 disc file and the new 8.1 map data? I currently have the 5.1. disc and the 6.1 disc and, since it is now a couple of years old, would like to upgrade sometime soon.

 

you might be able to get it cheaper....from what i hear the entire dealership (carson toyota) including parts has been real slow.........

 

Unknown probably this early on. I can tell you that Lexus tightened the screws on the hybrid trick with 7.1. For gen 4, they managed to defeat it so it couldn't be done, at least by conventional data disc burning methods, by changing the file structure and indexing for v 7.

Several say they were still able to do 5.1/7.1 with Gen5 which is what you have in an 08. I easily burned a 6.1 hybrid so pretty certain that my burner, blank media and software were lexus 'compatible' but I was never able to get a 5/7 combo to work in our gen5 car. Others say they did. So would say buyer beware if you do so expecting to get a hybrid to work, at least until some brave souls try it and report in.

For v7, I ended up getting the Lockpick for $99 which allows unlock of the nav using the factory dvd.

 

I got the email from Sewel, and as I read their web page, the list price is $299, but with the proper "Promo Code" the price is $250 (I assume the promo code is for members here). The rebate is an additional $50 that Sewell will send you later, after you send in your 7.1 DVD (so it's not so much a rebate as it is a repurchase or trade-in). With all of that, the net cost would be $200, which is very low. I don't have a 7.1 to trade in (I think I'm running 3.1, which would seem to have no resale value), but I will order the 8.1, which will run in both of my cars (one is Gen 2 and one is Gen 3).

 

I ordered mine from Carson Toyota...got a call from them today: it's not quite available yet, but should be "any day now".

 

I just ordered my new DVD from Sewell, and my above post is correct in that the sale price is $250. The "rebate" is an extra payment if you later send back a ver 7.1 disc. They said to expect delivery within 10 days.
We shall see.

 

I received an email that my 8.1 NAV has shipped from Sewell on Friday via FedEx, so the dealers have them now and they are in circulation, so to speak.

 

How do I find a list of updates and new areas covered? I hope they improve the POI database because it's the biggest joke.

 

Thanks for the reply ecount00, I may just do the same as you and buy one of the Lockpicks rather than waiting to see if it works or Lexus eventually figures out what many of their customers want.

Push on 802.11's reply, I would like to know what has been updated before buying it. My 6.1 has only led me astray once in over a year of constant use.

 

I'm not aware of a way to find the changes/updates from disc to disc. Whatever updates they make, it's not going to be like a Garmin.....it really is a crap shoot on year to year. depends on when they do a scan in a particular area vs when new poi or addresses officially go live. several major new roads near us took a year longer to show up than i expected (in 7 rather than 6). overall we find the system more than adequate with rare quirks that have been discussed. it's never delivered us to the wrong place. sometimes searching by poi name is a treasure hunt give the odd way some things are categorized and cross referenced. that's where a top notch stand alone shines i think.