zoeydanielle

Thank You ZZ4, Bill How was the Install? The Nav override is a simple plug and play. The Nav unit is under the rear cargo area floor, next to the plastic Jack, Lug wrench, etc. tray. The unit for the Phone and Audio is also plug and play, but the radio and Nav screen have to be removed to get at the wires. Again, not really difficult, but more involved than just the Nav override. I was interested in the Ultimate LockPick 3, which supposedly does everything except wash your shirts, but after watching their install video which required taking apart the entire front of the audio/video console, I got spooked. I am not Joe Handy, and unless this was done by an experienced audio after-market tech guy, I wouldn't chance it myself. In addition, is it all that important that we have input info while driving? I just got the dealer to install the new 7.1 software for free. The car was only a month old, and they did it as a goodwill gesture.

The dealer gave me the 7.1 disc as a courtesy and because the car was less than a month old. The 7.1 disc is now installed, gratis.

I know that I have seen this somewhere on the site, but can someone tell me how to identify the current version of the navigation software on my 08 RX 350? I just convinced the dealer to replace my version 6.1 with 7.1 (complimentary, may I add) and I want to make sure I got the 7.1 version. Where is it located on the navigation screen?

I have had experience with the portable and the dealer installed versions. I went with the dealer install in my 2008 RX350. I also chose Sirius over XM, which is available on the 2008 model. I chose Sirius because they offer a lifetime subscription and I chose the dealer install version because I liked the ease of use through the Nav system, also I just liked having clean lines inside the car. My charges for dealer install before delivery was 800.00 The only thing I don't like is the text is limited to 10 characters, but that is the case on anything being played through the system. I have a 2008 RX350 which I took delivery on about 3 weeks ago. I had the dealer (Highland Park Lexus) install the XM radio, for which he charged $500. A bit high, but I was charged almost $400, 4 1/2f years ago when a local mobile audio dealer installed an aftermarket XM on my 2003 Nissan Murano. The Lexus dealer installed the clamshell antenna in the center of the roof, just forward of the rear hatch door. The only complaint I have is that the wire from the claimshell is exposed before it enters the rubber gasket of the rear hatch. I saw that several dealers e-Bay were selling antenna tail covers, and for $5.00 I ordered one. This should cover the antenna wire. It has adhesive on the bottom and sticks to the roof. In terms of reception, I have absolutely no complaints. The radio performs as well, if not better, as my prior XM on the Nissan, and I can see what songs and performers are playing by pressing the audio button on the screen.

I purchased a 2008 RX350 about a week and a half ago and found that my navigation system software was 6.1. I was told by the salesperson that the RX400H has 7.1, but that the RX350's were only coming through with 6.1. I asked him if I could get the 7.1 disc, but he was not particularly forthcoming, and said that he had gotten no complaints as far as 6.1 was concerned. On a trip to visit a friend who lives far out from me (about 50 miles), I found that I as unable to locate the address, and in addition, some of the local businesses that were listed, were no longer in operation. I'm interested in the 7.1 disc, but don't want to spend needless money unless I know what I will be getting in terms of the updated information? Does anyone know how I could find this out?

I just got my 08 RX 350 and had the XM Radio installed because I had it on my prior car and my wife's as well. The dealer mouted the antenna in the middle of the roof, just in front of the rear hatch opening, which is where it was on my prior car. It is inconspicous, and unless you are right next to it, you really don't notice it.

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I couldn't seem to locate an answer. What is the general concensus about putting a shield on the navigation screen to improve the screen life and avoid fingerprints? Right now I don't have a shield on the screen and I am using a eye glass cloth (per the owner's manual) to clean the screen. I have had the car only a week, so I'm open to suggestions. I had one on my Dell Axim PDA and later on my Blackberry, but I took it off the latter unit because it was distorting the screen.

Thank you! the only version of 7.1 available at this time is current geneation 5 systems which are 2006 is350 and most 2007 2008. the update for gen 2/3 and generation 4 will not be out until the first of the year. they have to bring out the 5th generation soooner so they can put them in the 2008 new lexus. they get all these made first then they start producing 2008 7.1 upates for no longer in production gen 2 3 and 4 computers.they are all 7.1 but mostly incompatible with each other . so watch which 7.1 you are buying. if your lexus is 2006 or older the current 7.1 disc wont work. it is marked u32 at 2 oclock on the disc face. the 4th generation update will say u22 . the gen 2/3 will have part number 86841-33036. I just posted this reply to another thread: This was my experience so far" "I just purchased a 2008 RX350 and after reading this string of e-mails, asked the salesperson what version of the navigation software was installed in the car. He reported that it was Version 6.1, but that the RX400H was equipped with 7.1. I asked if he could get me Version 7.1, but he claimed that it only came with the 400H. He also claimed that they had received no customer complaints about Version 6.1. Yesterday my wife and I went to visit friends in a relatively new area, about 55 miles from Chicago. The area, one of those Del Webb Sun City communities, has been developed for at least 5 years. Lo and behold, our friends' address/street was not in the navigation software, and when I did some further checking, I found that some of the points of interest were no longer valid. Businesses that were listed, had been closed for some time. When I got home, I called Lexus Customer Service and spoke with a nice young woman who indicated that they would look into the problem and get back to me within 48 hours. We'll see if that proves to be true, but obviously, 6.1 is out of date."

I too had the same issue on my RX350, and once I followed your lead, everything went fine. I suppose as a new member of this forum I don't have the right to pontificate, but I am very pleased with all aspects of the car. Yes, it isn't perfect, but what things make of plastic and steel are. Thank G-d for that! It just seems to me that we should be grateful that we are driving a $45000+ car and even higher for the 400H. Maybe Acura and BMW have better Nav systems, but why complain if you didn't your homework to begin with. My friend just bought an Acura MDX and it rides like a tank. My wife and I just took a 110 mile round trip in our new RX and it was like floating on a cloud. I test drove the Acura RDX and the MDX and neither my wife and I liked the ride. So, be happy you have a great car or trade it in.