Signal HONDA ODYSSEY 2008 RB1-RB2 / 3.G Navigation Manual
Page 103 of 148
Navigation System103
System Limitations
Although your navigation system is one 
of the most highly sophisticated pieces 
of equipment you will find in a modern 
automobile, you may find during its use, 
that it has certain limitations.
The system uses signals from the Global 
Positioning System (GPS) to aid in 
determining its current location. The 
GPS is operated by the U.S.
Department of Defense. For security 
reasons, there are certain inaccuracies 
built into the GPS that the navigation 
system must constantly compensate for. 
This can cause occasional positioning 
errors of up to several hundred feet.
For example, in urban areas where 
streets are close together, this could 
cause the system to show that you are 
traveling on a street that parallels the 
street you are actually on. The system 
will, under most circumstances, correct 
itself while you drive. Also, depending on your current view of 
the sky and the position of the satellites, 
the elevation may be shown incorrectly. 
You may also notice some delay of the 
vehicle position icon at intersections; 
this is normal.
GPS Reception Issues
The signals received from the GPS 
satellites are extremely weak (less than 
a millionth of the strength of a local FM 
station), and require an unobstructed 
view of sky. The signal can easily be 
interrupted or interfered with by the 
following:
 After-market metallic window tint 
above or to the sides of the GPS 
antenna (located under the dash)
 Cell phones, PDAs, or other  electronic devices docked in a cradle 
or laying loose on the dash
 Radar detectors mounted on the dash
 Remote starters, or “hidden” vehicle  location systems mounted near the 
navigation unit
 Other after-market audio electronic  devices mounted near the navigation 
unit  Trees, tall buildings, freeway 
overpasses, tunnels or overhead 
electrical power wires
Although the system will direct you to 
your desired destination, it may not 
always generate what you consider to be 
the most direct rout e. Try changing the 
method of routing. See  Changing the 
Routing Method  on page
48.  You may 
also have Unverified Area Routing set 
to “OFF.” See  Unverified Area Routing  
on page
87 .
Additionally, the mapping database 
contains verified and unverified maps. 
See  Map Overview  on page
6. A 
Disclaimer screen will warn you if your 
route includes unverified streets.
Unverified streets may be missing from 
the map, in the wrong location, or have 
an incorrect name or address range.
Exercise addition al caution when 
driving in these unverified areas.
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Page 110 of 148
110Navigation System
Coverage Areas
Map Coverage
The system provides map coverage for 
the following 48 US states, and southern 
Canada. The US map coverage consists 
of accurately mapped (verified) 
metropolitan areas (in the following 
list), and a less accurate (unverified) 
rural database. Canada coverage 
consists of major metropolitan areas, 
and major roads connecting the 
metropolitan areas within about 100 
miles north of the U.S. border. If you 
need additional North Canada coverage, 
you may purchase the gray Canadian 
DVD (see Obtaining a Navigation 
Update DVD  on page
108 ). See Map 
Overview  on page
6 fo r a discussion of 
map coverage.
The cities and metropolitan areas in the 
following list are fully mapped. Only 
major streets, roads, and freeways have 
been verified outside these areas. If your 
route passes through these areas, routing 
may be limited in these areas, depending 
on your routing choices. See  Unverified 
Area Routing  on page
87 .If you desire additional map coverage 
information, contact Honda Customer 
Services or go to 
www.honda.com and 
select “Honda Automobiles,” enter 
“navi” into the “Typ e a question” field, 
and follow the links. Enter your vehicle 
model and model year, then select the 
state in which you want to check map 
coverage.
Operation in Hawaii and Alaska
Certain functions that  rely on a satellite 
signal will not work correctly in Hawaii 
and Alaska. These functions include but 
are not limited to automatic clock 
updates and time zone adjustments.
U.S. Detailed Coverage Areas
Alabama
Birmingham/Tuscaloosa
Huntsville
Mobile
Montgomery
Arizona Phoenix Metro
Sedona
Tucson
Arkansas Fayetteville
Hot Springs
Little Rock
California Bakersfield
Fresno
Los Angeles/San Diego Metro
Merced
Modesto
Sacramento Metro
Sacramento-Reno-Lake Tahoe-Yuba
San Francisco Bay  (approximately 
Monterey to Sonoma) – including 
Monterey County and Hollister
San Luis Obispo
Stockton
Southern California Area
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Page 123 of 148
Navigation System123
Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance, Routing
Problem Solution
The navi does not route me the same way I would go, or the 
way some other mapping progr am displays. Why is this? The navigation system attempts to 
generate the optimum route. See 
Changing the Routing Method  on page
48.
Why is the street I’m on not s hown on the map? It has been 
here for more than a year. The mapping database is 
constantly undergoing revision. See page
110 for 
ways to obtain the latest detailed coverage information.
The vehicle position icon is not  following the road and the 
“GPS icon” text in the upper left hand corner of the screen is 
white or missing.  The GPS antenna (located
 under the center of the dash) may be blocked by 
personal items. For best  reception, remove items  from the dash, such as 
radar detectors, cell phone s, or loose articles.
 Metallic tinting or other after-marke t devices can interfere with the GPS 
reception. Please see  your dealer. Also see  System Limitations on 
page
103.
I entered a destination, but th e blue highlighted route and 
voice guidance stopped, or turned  into a blue/purple dashed 
line before I got to my destination. Why is this? Your route has entered 
an unverified area. See  Unverified Area Routing  on 
page
87.
The map rotates while I make a turns, Ho w can I stop this? Select the “North-up” ma p orientation by voice, or by touching the map 
orientation icon on the  map screen. See  Map Orientation  on page
57.
Sometimes I can not select  between the North-up, and 
Heading-up map orientations, why is this? The “Heading-up” map orientation can 
only be shown in the lower scales 
(1/20 - 1 mile scales). See  Map Scale on page
56.
While driving to my destinati on, the “time to go” display 
sometimes increases even  though I am getting closer. The “Time to go” is based on actual 
road speeds. However if your speed 
slows down when you encounter slower traffic, the system updates the 
“Time to go” based of your actual spee d to give you a better estimate of 
arrival time.
The vehicle position icon on the map “lags” a short distance 
behind especially when I arrive  at an intersection. Is there 
anything wrong? No, when at an intersection, the syst
em is unaware of the width of the 
intersecting road. Large  differences is vehicle position can indicate a 
temporary loss of  the GPS signal. See  GPS Reception Issues  on page
103.
 2008  Odyssey 00X31-SHJ-8101  
Page 128 of 148
128Navigation System
Troubleshooting
* If the error persists, or is shown for a wide area, see your dealer.
Screen Error Message Solution
Navigation system is unable to acquire a pr oper GPS signal. Make sure there is nothi ng on the dash blocking the GPS antenna (aft er-
market metallic window ti nting or after-market devices placed on the dash, 
like radar detectors, cell  phones, or loose items). If  the dashboard is clear of 
objects, move the vehicle to an open sp ace away from tall buildings, trees, 
etc. 
Navigation unit door is open or  No DVD disc is inserted. 
Please check system. Make sure that the navigation DVD disc
 is inserted with the label side up 
and the navigation unit door is fully  snapped closed (see page
109).
No DVD disc. Please check system. Check  that the navigation DVD disc is inserted with the label side up (see 
page
109). If the problem persists,  see your dealer.
Display temp is too high. Syst em will shut down until display 
cools down. This message will appear briefly when
 the display temperature is too high, 
and then the display will turn off  until the temperature cools down. The 
system will turn back on when the display cools down.
DVD disc reading error (unfor matted). Please consult your 
dealer. Check the DVD disc surface
 for deep scratches or other damage. Make sure 
you are using a Navigation DVD (white  colored label). The system cannot 
read other mapping databases or vide o DVDs. If the problem persists, see 
your dealer.
Route has not been complete d. Please try again from a 
different location. This message will appear when you are routing to or from a place (new 
area) that is not in the database. Try 
planning a different route to or from a 
different location.*
No alternate route found. Origin al route will be followed. No alternative route method was f ound. The original route method will be 
used.*
Ensure that a road name is di splayed at the bottom of the map.
This destination cannot be found in da tabase. The destination was not found in  the database. Try another destination 
nearby, or select the des tination with the joystick.*
Vehicle is out of the databa se coverage area. The vehicl e is located outside of the mapped area provided by your 
navigation DVD. See pa ge
110 for  map coverage.
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Navigation System129
Glossary
Glossary
The following is a glossary of terms 
pertaining to the voice recognition 
navigation system.
Avoid Area - Areas you wish to avoid 
can be entered into the system, and 
will be avoided while routing.
Breadcrumbs -  Off road tracking dots 
that can be followe d on the map to 
retrace your route back to a mapped 
(digitized) road. This function can be 
turned on/off in  Setup screen 
(second).
Database -  This consists of the map 
data, and the POI (Points Of Interest) 
data stored on the DVD.
DCA -  Detailed Coverage Area. The 
main metropolitan areas in the lower 
48 states, and southern Canada are 
mapped to this level. See page
110 
for a list of these areas. Digitized Road -
 A road that appears on 
the navigation screen. The road name 
will appear at the bottom of the 
navigation screen. If the user drives 
“off road,” the navigation system will 
display “breadcrumbs,” depending on 
how far you drive from a mapped 
road.
Disclaimer Screen -  Screen containing 
cautionary information. It is meant to 
be read carefully and acknowledged 
by the customer when using the 
navigation system.
DVD or DVD-ROM -  Digital Versatile 
Disc. The navigation program and 
database resides on this disc. For 
information on how to order a 
replacement or update DVD, see 
page
108.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. See 
page
121 fo r a list of the customer 
FAQs, and troubleshooting 
information. GPS -
 Global Positioning System. A 
network of 24 satellites in orbit 
around the earth. The navigation 
system can simultaneously receive 
signals from up to 12 satellites to 
accurately position the vehicle on the 
map.
GPS Antenna -  Located in the center of 
the dash. Electronic items operating 
in this general location can interfere 
with the GPS signal.
HFL -  Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®. 
Only the Touring model is equipped 
with this feature, which uses 
Bluetooth technology as a wireless 
link between the vehicle and your 
Bluetooth compatible cell phone.
Icon -  Symbol representing Points of 
Interest (POI) that can be displayed 
on the map.
Initialization -  This refers to the period 
needed to reacquire the GPS satellite 
orbital information whenever the 
navigation system power has been 
disconnected. This can take 10 to 45 
minutes with the vehicle out in an 
open area.
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Navigation System131
Glossary
Vehicle Speed Sensor -  Provides speed 
signal to the navigation system for 
moving the VP icon on the map.
Verified Streets -  These streets consist 
of the detailed metropolitan coverage 
areas, and all other inter-town 
connection roads.  These roads are 
shown in black on the map.
Voice Control -  See VR.
VP -  Vehicle Position. When in map 
mode, this circular icon shows the 
vehicle position on the map. Touch 
this icon to show the latitude, 
longitude, and elevation of your 
current position.
VR -  Voice Recognition. This allows 
voice control of many of the 
navigation functions. The hardware 
consists of the microphone, voice 
control switch ( NAVI TALK/NAVI 
BACK  buttons), and the front 
speakers.
Waypoint -  A temporary destination 
you may enter on route (e.g., a gas 
station, ATM, etc.). See page
65. WMA -
 A Windows media audio file 
that can be played from a CD-R.
Yaw Rate Sensor -  Senses when the 
vehicle makes a turn, which makes 
the VP change direction on the map 
as you turn.
Zagat Ratings -  Restaurant ratings 
information prov ided by Zagat 
Survey. See the  Information screen 
on page
75  for an explanation of the 
ratings.
 2008  Odyssey 00X31-SHJ-8101