The official Honda Navi Hackers Challenge Thread!
#101
01-29-2010 | 11:07 AM
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 561
From: Illinois
Cheers
#102
02-01-2010 | 09:39 AM
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 726
From: USA
I saw a thread over in some other Honda/Acura forum. They claim to have achieved the trip computer option... the guy just hasn't posted instructions yet. They claim this hack will work for all Honda/Acura with navigation. That remains to be seen on the Fit.
They've done the intro screen hack, which allows the user to insert an image of choice. This is nothing new... this thread made that hack available awhile ago. They also have apparently bypassed the "nag" screen you get when you first startup the system... you people would know more about that than I at this point. Like I said, my Fit hasn't shipped from Japan yet. (the one Honda promised over a week ago now
)I have some experience with system CD/DVD hacks, although somewhat limited in this respect. Still, I'm going to take a crack (pun intended
) at all the above, and anything else I can come up with after mine is delivered and I get some time. I will post any successes I may have.I don't know whether Honda is "really that good," users are really that bad, or just not as interested as you in achieving what you're wanting them to achieve. I'm sure everyone would like anything extra they can squeeze out of their navs.
I do have a question though. Not to be rude, but, have you tried to accomplish anything you're looking to do, yourself? Or, are you just waiting around for someone else to solve these issues, coaxing others into doing it while getting frustrated because nothing is happening?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as if you're wanting others to do something you're either not willing to do, or you're not comfortable enough with to try and accomplish yourself.
<----- (coax, coax! 
)If not, then please forgive the misinterpretation. I just don't remember reading anywhere in this entire long thread of any action taken by you to attempt to try or remedy anything. If true, the term "we" you use in your challenge takes on an entirely different meaning!
Again, not promising anything. I will post any and all results I may find. If not, then I guess Honda is "really that good!" Besides, you know they're just sitting around purposely thinking of ways to prohibit you and I from getting that secretive trip computer info on our navigation systems... and I think they're going to call in the FBI and make it a federal offense on top of everything else!
#103
02-01-2010 | 12:22 PM
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 95
From: Cumming, Georgia
Very good! And observant of you! 
There were a few things early on that peeved me during my research.
1st was the headrest. Mine kept creeping up on me. Others were and still are annoyed at the angle. I couldn't do much with the angle and neither could the others But I did find a simple fix to the creep and posted it on the appropriate thread.
2nd was the BSM. Appropriately coined the Bull-Sh*t-Ometer. Otherwise known as the mpg gauge. By my calculations, it was off by 12% enough to irritate alot of folks. I cannot modify firmware but we caused enough stink on these forums about it that Honda put out a TSB to correct it. After the fix, I'm off by 1% Perfectly acceptable given the tools abilities. And this was posted on the appropriate threads also.
But this thread is about the Nav system. During my research I found out that apparently there was a trip computer embedded in the nav systems we own. now this may be true, maybe not. I honestly don't know. So I posted it. But from what I understand, it is locked out for whatever reason. Maybe because it didn't correlate with the mpg gauge, maybe it was cause it an economy car and they wanted that only for the higher units, who knows. But its my theory that if we own the equipment, we paid for the equipment, we should be able to use that equipment.
Now, I did find out enough to figure out that we could get in a back door and see at least some of the information that is collected. Based on what I saw, there should be enough information to populate a trip computer. And I posted that info as well.
Now as far as attempting that crack myself... well thats where I do fall short. I'm not even remotely qualified to attempt that. Hence the enclosed challenge. I have researched what I can, posted what I could, created enough attention to the issues to hopefully solicit a qualified response. Maybe thats you?
It worked for the BSM and I hope it works here.
No i'm not frustrated. Just irritated that we have these tools apparently built into our vehicles we paid dearly for, and we are denied their use for whatever reason. And if you own one, you should be too.
It's just my goal here to make people aware that we have this tool possibly available to us and hopefully to find someone qualified enough to attempt to access it for us. It's certainly not critical, But surely would be nice to have. And my previous post was just an attempt to keep the thread alive.
Now if you feel I haven't done enough, well... you're certainly entitled to your opinion. But I feel I've done all I can with the feeble abilities I have and to at least encourage those that can. 
Now If that is you... well I certainly wish you luck in your attempts!
Thank you for your post. Good luck to you if you choose to attempt this!
Hip
There were a few things early on that peeved me during my research. 1st was the headrest. Mine kept creeping up on me. Others were and still are annoyed at the angle. I couldn't do much with the angle and neither could the others But I did find a simple fix to the creep and posted it on the appropriate thread.
2nd was the BSM. Appropriately coined the Bull-Sh*t-Ometer. Otherwise known as the mpg gauge. By my calculations, it was off by 12% enough to irritate alot of folks. I cannot modify firmware but we caused enough stink on these forums about it that Honda put out a TSB to correct it. After the fix, I'm off by 1% Perfectly acceptable given the tools abilities. And this was posted on the appropriate threads also.
But this thread is about the Nav system. During my research I found out that apparently there was a trip computer embedded in the nav systems we own. now this may be true, maybe not. I honestly don't know. So I posted it. But from what I understand, it is locked out for whatever reason. Maybe because it didn't correlate with the mpg gauge, maybe it was cause it an economy car and they wanted that only for the higher units, who knows. But its my theory that if we own the equipment, we paid for the equipment, we should be able to use that equipment.
Now, I did find out enough to figure out that we could get in a back door and see at least some of the information that is collected. Based on what I saw, there should be enough information to populate a trip computer. And I posted that info as well.
Now as far as attempting that crack myself... well thats where I do fall short. I'm not even remotely qualified to attempt that. Hence the enclosed challenge. I have researched what I can, posted what I could, created enough attention to the issues to hopefully solicit a qualified response. Maybe thats you?
It worked for the BSM and I hope it works here. No i'm not frustrated. Just irritated that we have these tools apparently built into our vehicles we paid dearly for, and we are denied their use for whatever reason. And if you own one, you should be too.
It's just my goal here to make people aware that we have this tool possibly available to us and hopefully to find someone qualified enough to attempt to access it for us. It's certainly not critical, But surely would be nice to have. And my previous post was just an attempt to keep the thread alive.
Now if you feel I haven't done enough,
well... you're certainly entitled to your opinion. But I feel I've done all I can with the feeble abilities I have and to at least encourage those that can. Now If that is you... well I certainly wish you luck in your attempts!
Thank you for your post. Good luck to you if you choose to attempt this!
Hip
Last edited by Hipshot; 02-01-2010 at 12:37 PM.
#104
02-01-2010 | 05:32 PM
New Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 13
From: Springfield, VA
Just a reminder to everyone still reading this thread: this challenge is by no means trivial to achieve. From what others who have tried reported, Honda (or more likely Alpine, the creator of our nav systems) has put in several anti-hack checks within the software to thwart attempts at modification.
While these measures most likely do not completely eliminate the possibility of removing the nag screen and/or adding the trip computer back in (if it's even there to begin with), the kind of person who would be able to do it is going to have to be very skilled with disassembling assembly language code. It's not enough to just figure out where to jump over the OK button; all the anti-hack measures must be circumvented as well.
I'm sure there are highly experienced/skilled people out there that could probably hack it in a matter of hours or days, but it's doubtful (m)any of them own a Fit w/ a navigation system. That said, there's no harm in remaining hopeful.
While these measures most likely do not completely eliminate the possibility of removing the nag screen and/or adding the trip computer back in (if it's even there to begin with), the kind of person who would be able to do it is going to have to be very skilled with disassembling assembly language code. It's not enough to just figure out where to jump over the OK button; all the anti-hack measures must be circumvented as well.
I'm sure there are highly experienced/skilled people out there that could probably hack it in a matter of hours or days, but it's doubtful (m)any of them own a Fit w/ a navigation system. That said, there's no harm in remaining hopeful.
It's just my goal here to make people aware that we have this tool possibly available to us and hopefully to find someone qualified enough to attempt to access it for us. It's certainly not critical, But surely would be nice to have. And my previous post was just an attempt to keep the thread alive.
#105
02-01-2010 | 06:28 PM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 95
From: Cumming, Georgia
As they say... If it was easy... EVERYBODY would be doing it!
Oh I figured it wouldn't be easy by any stretch of the imagination. But I DO remain hopeful. I'll admit myself that it's been awhile since I looked into this. But annunC8's post renewed my enthusiasm.
So I did a little more digging today.. I wish I would of copied the link but Someone on an Acura Thread said "The trip computer is absolutely in there!" It's supposed to be under the info screen where the calculator is but the button is removed, hence disabled. It went on to say they have re enabled it. But it was an older version (of course). In any case it renews my hope someone cracks the code for the 2009/10 versions and we get the trip computer we deserve.
Makes ya wonder why you are forced to pay for this stuff but then denied it's use? ARRG!
Oh I figured it wouldn't be easy by any stretch of the imagination. But I DO remain hopeful. I'll admit myself that it's been awhile since I looked into this. But annunC8's post renewed my enthusiasm.
So I did a little more digging today.. I wish I would of copied the link but Someone on an Acura Thread said "The trip computer is absolutely in there!" It's supposed to be under the info screen where the calculator is but the button is removed, hence disabled. It went on to say they have re enabled it. But it was an older version (of course). In any case it renews my hope someone cracks the code for the 2009/10 versions and we get the trip computer we deserve.
Makes ya wonder why you are forced to pay for this stuff but then denied it's use? ARRG!
Last edited by Hipshot; 02-01-2010 at 06:32 PM.
#106
02-02-2010 | 10:34 AM
New Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 13
From: Springfield, VA
Do you know what the trip computer does? What info does it give that isn't already available elsewhere? The Nav system tells you how much longer until you reach your destination, and how many miles are left. The odometer has both average and instantaneous MPG displays. So what's left for the trip computer?
#107
02-02-2010 | 02:14 PM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 95
From: Cumming, Georgia
Do you know what the trip computer does? What info does it give that isn't already available elsewhere? The Nav system tells you how much longer until you reach your destination, and how many miles are left. The odometer has both average and instantaneous MPG displays. So what's left for the trip computer?
What on earth do I need MORE gadgetry for? I prolly wouldn't know how to work that new fangled thin anyways.. I mean all them buttons and digits n stuff..
Who needs all that extra information. It would be just another distraction whilst I attempt to drive.
Umm.. maybe your onto something there Bubba! Thank GOD I didn't ask someone to hack the dvd player so it will play movies while I drive! Now THAT would be USEFUL!
Just funnin ya Rosco!
Depending on the software you can get all kinds of fun stuff. I've seen things like digital speeds, compass headings, digital readouts for instant MPG, Trip MPG Tank MPG, graphic readouts.. and results etc. Fuel usages.. gallons used, gallons left... miles left.. Depending on the sensors available ..things like ..TPS readouts.. actual engine temp ...Oil pressure readings .oh.. I could go on and on... but you get the idea. (Yes SOME of that info we already get) But not all.
It's all about what is the software is capable of. And who knows what lurks buried in our navi systems.. That is what I wanna find out!
#108
02-02-2010 | 02:51 PM
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 726
From: USA
I'm just messing with you, Hip! If there are unforeseen features, or features disabled, then I too would love to see everything functioning.
I'm getting the navigation model more for the VSA, and the slight insurance deduction that particular feature represents, rather than for the actual nav itself. I understand the navigation unit IS a fairly decent unit though.
I only wish Honda would have offered Fit owners the same unit Civic owners are offered. It would appear they are basically the same units. The only differences are the Civic models offer XM satellite radio and the face of the units are a bit more black in color than the Fit models. (more of a dark grey or rather a "graphite" color)
So the Fit gets the same good navigation system and an AUX. The Civics get navigation, XM, but get no AUX option. Kinda' screwy if you ask me. If I were Honda I would have combined all of the features and sent them out for all cars instead of adding to "expanded-with-minimal-differences" inventory hassles. By doing so some customers wouldn't feel like they were slighted in any way.
I spoke with a guy with a Civic at a mall last week. He said he could care less about the XM radio... he was, in his own words, p!$$ed that the Fit navs offered an AUX option but the system in his Civic didn't. So there you go... since you can't make everyone happy why not just offer the same unit to all? That's my way of thinking... but then I don't make decisions for Honda.
Hip, if my Fit ever manages to arrive
, you can bet at some point I will take a crack at whatever I can come up with. I also have two buddies who are serious coders, who may be willing to help. If nothing else they are young enough that they don't like to think of anything, software-wise, "beating" them. I may present it as a "challenge," they just may take it. If it can be hacked or cracked, these two could do it. One works for Electronic Arts and the other is a government coder. The only problem for them is most likely everyone's problem... time!
Anyway, if I come up with something, anything, this thread will get a post first and foremost. I've received a lot of help and advice from members on this forum. The least I could do is give back in some way.
Take 'em easy, Hip!
I'm getting the navigation model more for the VSA, and the slight insurance deduction that particular feature represents, rather than for the actual nav itself. I understand the navigation unit IS a fairly decent unit though.
I only wish Honda would have offered Fit owners the same unit Civic owners are offered. It would appear they are basically the same units. The only differences are the Civic models offer XM satellite radio and the face of the units are a bit more black in color than the Fit models. (more of a dark grey or rather a "graphite" color)
So the Fit gets the same good navigation system and an AUX. The Civics get navigation, XM, but get no AUX option. Kinda' screwy if you ask me. If I were Honda I would have combined all of the features and sent them out for all cars instead of adding to "expanded-with-minimal-differences" inventory hassles. By doing so some customers wouldn't feel like they were slighted in any way.
I spoke with a guy with a Civic at a mall last week. He said he could care less about the XM radio... he was, in his own words, p!$$ed that the Fit navs offered an AUX option but the system in his Civic didn't. So there you go... since you can't make everyone happy why not just offer the same unit to all? That's my way of thinking... but then I don't make decisions for Honda.
Hip, if my Fit ever manages to arrive
, you can bet at some point I will take a crack at whatever I can come up with. I also have two buddies who are serious coders, who may be willing to help. If nothing else they are young enough that they don't like to think of anything, software-wise, "beating" them. I may present it as a "challenge," they just may take it. If it can be hacked or cracked, these two could do it. One works for Electronic Arts and the other is a government coder. The only problem for them is most likely everyone's problem... time!Anyway, if I come up with something, anything, this thread will get a post first and foremost. I've received a lot of help and advice from members on this forum. The least I could do is give back in some way.
Take 'em easy, Hip!
#109
02-02-2010 | 05:38 PM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 95
From: Cumming, Georgia
Thanks! Nice to see we can still have some fun on the threads!
Read somewhere its based on windows CE or a variant thereof.. .Anywho... good luck.. lookin forward to someone finally finding something.....anything?
Nice to see we can still have some fun on the threads! Read somewhere its based on windows CE or a variant thereof.. .Anywho... good luck.. lookin forward to someone finally finding something.....anything?
#110
09-10-2010 | 02:21 AM
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
From: Riverside/Running Springs, Ca
Instructions for the 'Splash Screen Hack" can be found at How to hack the 2006 Honda Civic Navigation System
It,s still up and may help you. Remember to follow all the instructions EXACTLY.
Please note: As of now, I don't know of any working fix for the "Nag" screen.
Found this in a Navi folder:
DumpNAVI by bysin
-----------------
This program is used to list, extract, and modify files
contained in an XIP BIN file located on Acura/Honda
navigation DVD. This system has been tested on the
TSX. Use at your own risk.
Some of the things I have been able to modify are:
- Changed the background picture to my own
personal image.
- Removed the "nag screen" at the beginning
screen.
- Change some of the words that pop up.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to modify
files in your navigation system. It requires a DVD-ROM
drive and a CD or DVD burner.
1. At the main screen of the navigation system, hold down
the Map/Guide, Menu, and Cancel buttons for 5 seconds.
2. Hit the "Version" button on the touch screen.
3. Hold down the Menu button for 5 seconds.
4. Write down the filename next to the words "Loading
Filename" (ex. BNHN404A.BIN).
5. Open your trunk and find the DVD player attached to
the navigation system.
6. Push down the front plate and eject the Navigation
DVD-ROM.
7. Place the DVD in your computer and copy all 9 BIN
files onto your hard drive (should be around 104 MB),
this includes:
BN2HH12C.BIN
BN2HH110.BIN
BN2HH120.BIN
BN2HHMLD.BIN
BN2HN12B.BIN
BN2HN18B.BIN
BN2HN380.BIN
BNHH401A.BIN
BNHN404A.BIN
8. Use the dumpnavi tool to extract the files on the
BIN file that was on your car, ex:
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN extract
9. The files will extract to the directory associated
with the name of the file.
10. After modifying the files, use the dumpnavi tool
to update them to the BIN, ex:
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update Back.bmp
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update navi.exe navi-nonag.exe
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update Diag.exe
11. Copy the modified BIN file, including all other BIN
files (9 in total) to a blank CD or DVD.
12. Insert the origional navigation DVD back into the
DVD-ROM in your car.
13. Start the car normally, and at the main navigation
screen hold Map/Guide, Menu, and Cancel for 5
seconds once again.
14. Hit the "Version" button on the touch screen once
again.
15. Take the origional navigation DVD out of the car,
and replace it with the CD/DVD you just created.
16. Hit the "Load Disc" button on the Version screen.
17. It should take about 20 seconds for your car to
load the new BIN and reboot. Once that happens,
take out your burned CD/DVD and put back the
origional navigation DVD.
18. If anything goes wrong, remove the ground to the
battery for 30 seconds with the origional DVD
in the car. The old OS will load back on the
system.
It,s still up and may help you. Remember to follow all the instructions EXACTLY.
Please note: As of now, I don't know of any working fix for the "Nag" screen.
Found this in a Navi folder:
DumpNAVI by bysin
-----------------
This program is used to list, extract, and modify files
contained in an XIP BIN file located on Acura/Honda
navigation DVD. This system has been tested on the
TSX. Use at your own risk.
Some of the things I have been able to modify are:
- Changed the background picture to my own
personal image.
- Removed the "nag screen" at the beginning
screen.
- Change some of the words that pop up.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to modify
files in your navigation system. It requires a DVD-ROM
drive and a CD or DVD burner.
1. At the main screen of the navigation system, hold down
the Map/Guide, Menu, and Cancel buttons for 5 seconds.
2. Hit the "Version" button on the touch screen.
3. Hold down the Menu button for 5 seconds.
4. Write down the filename next to the words "Loading
Filename" (ex. BNHN404A.BIN).
5. Open your trunk and find the DVD player attached to
the navigation system.
6. Push down the front plate and eject the Navigation
DVD-ROM.
7. Place the DVD in your computer and copy all 9 BIN
files onto your hard drive (should be around 104 MB),
this includes:
BN2HH12C.BIN
BN2HH110.BIN
BN2HH120.BIN
BN2HHMLD.BIN
BN2HN12B.BIN
BN2HN18B.BIN
BN2HN380.BIN
BNHH401A.BIN
BNHN404A.BIN
8. Use the dumpnavi tool to extract the files on the
BIN file that was on your car, ex:
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN extract
9. The files will extract to the directory associated
with the name of the file.
10. After modifying the files, use the dumpnavi tool
to update them to the BIN, ex:
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update Back.bmp
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update navi.exe navi-nonag.exe
dumpnavi BNHN404A.BIN update Diag.exe
11. Copy the modified BIN file, including all other BIN
files (9 in total) to a blank CD or DVD.
12. Insert the origional navigation DVD back into the
DVD-ROM in your car.
13. Start the car normally, and at the main navigation
screen hold Map/Guide, Menu, and Cancel for 5
seconds once again.
14. Hit the "Version" button on the touch screen once
again.
15. Take the origional navigation DVD out of the car,
and replace it with the CD/DVD you just created.
16. Hit the "Load Disc" button on the Version screen.
17. It should take about 20 seconds for your car to
load the new BIN and reboot. Once that happens,
take out your burned CD/DVD and put back the
origional navigation DVD.
18. If anything goes wrong, remove the ground to the
battery for 30 seconds with the origional DVD
in the car. The old OS will load back on the
system.
In step 3 and 4 when I hold down the menu button, it doesn't say anything about loading a file. So that leaves me with no idea which .bin file to modify...
Here are the bin files I have:
09AVN.bin
09AVN2.bin
09OldAVN.bin
09OldAVN2.bin
EDATA_ENUS.bin
EDATA_FRCA.bin
VRDB.BIN
Disc Version is: 6.72B
Im guessing VRDB.BIN is the one to be modified but thats really only an assumption... Ill try to extract the files and read their contents but I cant guarantee if ill get anything out of them...
Also, has anyone tried DUMPNavi GUI by bysin? Seems its the *easy* way to change the splash screen and maybe even modify the "nag screen" if you know what BIN file to use...
If I can figure out the boot file, ill try out bysin's GUI app...
#113
09-13-2010 | 12:52 AM
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
From: Riverside/Running Springs, Ca
Didn't you swap your splash screen? When you held "menu" in steps 3-4 did it give you a loading screen? What .bin file did you modify? What version disc are/were you using? What write-up did you follow to change the splash screen?
Last edited by swbooking; 09-13-2010 at 12:55 AM.
#118
09-20-2010 | 07:59 AM
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 50
From: south burbs,il
^ Did you try the way the Acura forum says?
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604912
That's what I used.
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604912
That's what I used.
Last edited by toyotabb; 09-20-2010 at 08:13 AM.
#119
09-24-2010 | 01:11 AM
New Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
From: Great Mills, MD
Cool Navi Hack
If you want to see a cool hack on the Honda navi system, check it out all here. Not only I was able to add a carpc and use the navi screen, but I was also able to use the factory buttons to interface with the PC.
2007 Honda Odyssey with Factory Navigation - MP3Car.com
DominicanJB
2007 Honda Odyssey with Factory Navigation - MP3Car.com
DominicanJB
#120
04-21-2011 | 12:18 AM
New Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
From: Hendersonville,NC
Speaking of hacks - has anyone figured out how to get around the 999 song "arbitrary limit" that was placed on the radio's PC card interface ? I can put a 32GB CF card in the slot, and it works fine, but deletes all songs above 999.