The navigation system in my Honda Accord and my friend's Acura TSX seem to be the same, save for the Acura logo that shows up when his loads. The navigation system in the Acura TL also seems the same, except for the addition of the climate control system's ability to use the sun position (determined by the navigation system) to adjust the climate zones. Furthermore, when one steps up to the 2005 Acura RL, I imagine one would get the same system. But the RL adds an important feature: it has real-time traffic data integrated with the navigation system. It gets this data from the XM radio reciever. Now, since all of these systems use the same DVD for the maps, and they seem to use exactly the same hardware for everything else, it would stand to reason that the software stored in the ROM of the navigation system determines what features are available to the user. Furthermore, these ROMs are most likely upgradable. Maybe the service guide contains information as to how. My Accord has XM. If the hardware is identical to the Acura RL, that means that the only thing keeping my Accord from knowing the traffic conditions is software. If this is the case, then perhaps it would be possible for some enterprising person to figure out how to get the RL software into an Accord or TL. (The TSX does not yet have XM, but I suppose that it could use the TL's climate control abilities.) I am just posting this to plant the seeds of thought into people's minds. Having traffic data available as part of my navigation system would sure add a lot of value to my Accord. -Joshua
