new navigation unit...

[VJ]

Hello,

The navigation unit in my car (a 1 DIN navigation, Blaupunkt DX-R52) seems to have gone on the blink. Sometimes it does not accept destinations (while it may accept the exact same destination a day later), sometimes the screen blanks (removable faceplate, most likely some bad contact with it), and sometimes keys don't work (most likely faceplate issue as well).

So I'm wondering what you guys would do? I tend to prefer a built in system (accuracy with gyroscopes, better understandible directions, ...), but it has some downsides too, most notable is the price of the maps (for my Blaupunkt, one country costs 160 euro, whereas mapupdates for portable systems cost 100 euro for the whole of Europe). I have seen that Pioneer has announced a new model that gets its map updates via SD card (like portable systems), the AVIC-F900bt , but I have also read comments that map updates for Pioneer systems are rare ... My car has room for a double DIN unit. Other options are to go with a portable system that connects with the radio (for speech guidance), I have read that some units actually transfer spoken directions via bluetooth to a radio that supports it.

forgot to mention: main reason for me for using a navigation is traffic avoidance (so this brings me to the high end range of portable systems)


Jörg

[Dilitante1]

what about those tom-tom units? My manager has one and swears by it.....his is setup to do directions but show fast food and liquor store locations....

http://www.tomtom.com/ shows Belgium as a supported state...

[VJ]

Yes, those kind of devices are what I meant with "portable navigation".

I have used my parents' portable Blaupunkt device, but while it does a splendid job, I tend to prefer a built in model. Main reasons for me are

• less cable hassle (can be overcome by having some dockingsystem installed, exists for e.g. portable Blaupunkts)
• better sound throught car speakers (can be overcome by a dock)
• higher accuracy (fall back to gyroscopes/tachymeter when satellite reception is gone - some new portable models also have this now; extremely important when using the tunnels in Brussels)
• system is there when you need it, no fondeling about (less fondeling with a dock: just click it in)
• less theft-prone (portable devices are still stolen a lot, or at least car windows are smashed when traces of a suction cup are visible, thieves assuming the device is hidden somewhere)

So while almost all my gripes with portable devices can be overcome with such a dock, the more I think about it, the more I still *feel* that such a portable thingy is not really for me. But the reason for this thread is to verify if my feeling is still just, or not...


Jörg

[ND66]

"portable navigation, use pure standalone "

Cheap & easy to replace when the unit goes bad. Easy to use in different car if there is a need.


.

[VJ]

I have been looking around, and my first thought was to get this:

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/10/20/241/AVIC-F900BT/index.html

It seems to have the benefits of a portable system (map updates via sd card, nice display, support for loss of signal) with the benefits of a built in system (no hassle). But I have read bad things about mapudates for Pioneer (very infrequent).

But I'm now thinking of getting this portable unit:

http://www.blaupunkt.com/uk/7612201630_main.asp

and have it dock with my current system. There is a place on the dash in my car where it would fit perfectly. It would give me no hassle (just click it in place, all cables are connected) and support for when satellite signal is lost; I then only use the radio/mp3 portion of my current system. Should it give too many issues, I can easily upgrade it, and keep the docked navigation.

So I may be going for the latter option... Just need to check if it is possible to dock the navigation with my current radio (most likely yes, as it has all the same connections the normal radios have).


Jörg

[Marshmallowman]

I use a mio 520, its a car/portable unit that comes with cradle and supports bt.
It easy to hack and use as a PDA, it has windows ce 5. It plays mp3s video..etc.

I also installed a 3rd party gps software(exploroz) which supports geographic maps etc for when I go offroading.

So I have the convience of the mio talking navigation(on screen display is handy), but I have the fall back of using regular "maps" for see topgraphy and other stuff.

I got the entire australia in 1:250K Raster maps up a 8gb flash memory card

It also a nice convient size that I can use while walking or riding.

[Helevitia]

June 9th, when Apple announces the 3G iPhone, it may have a navigation system built in. Something to think about. ust in case you don't know, it interfaces with Google so everything is very easy to find.

Best of both worlds, in dash 2 din deck with portable nav. Alpine W205 with Blackbird II:









Or, any Nuvi is a good purchase if you want to go portable only.

Pioneer is the best bang for the buck, but sometimes they have little quirks that annoy the crap out of people.

Alpine is usually the most expensive but I like them the best. Personal preference.

Personally I use a 2 din Alpine setup (not the one above), because I have no need for portable. I twould be nice to switch cars every now and then, so that may be a favtor for you.

I also have traffic, weather, movies times, gas prices, which all help when you sit in a car for 2-3 hours every day.

How long is your commute? Do you use your vehicle for road trips? Do you have a second vehicle that could benefit from a nav? Ask yourself these questions.

[VJ]

Currently, I frequently drive long trips (200+ km), through congested areas (have to pass either Brussels or Antwerp), so proper traffic guidance is a must. I also frequently have to get to address I have no clue as to where they are. But I'm always using the same car. I have used my parent's portable system, but don't like the hassle: powercable, tmc antenna, suction cup, ... Also, their system fails in tunnels (which are frequent in Brussels); I know there are some TomTom systems that ought to overcome this (but the hassle remains).

My car is 4 years now, so while the Alpine systems are nice, I feel they may be too expensive for this car.


Jörg

[UtwigMU]

Currently everyone is buying Garmin here for that.

[VJ]

Best of both worlds, in dash 2 din deck with portable nav. Alpine W205 with Blackbird II:

I have read up some more, and do tend to like the combo systems.

Both Blaupunkt and Alpine allow it. While I currently have a Blaupunkt, I could go for the portable Alpine, and if (personal feeling is more when ) it totally craps out, I could get an Alpine head unit...
Only thing I couldn't find: does the Alpine system (e.g. the Blackbird II) use gyros to compensate for a lost satellite signal? And what if it is docked?



Jörg

[VJ]

The newly released Pioneer navgate rang is also interesting... both price-wise and performance wise...

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/page/products/NavGate/navigation.html

The points I'm interested in are:
- map data not via cd/dvd
- user oploadable POI
- tmc
- gyro fall back
The units also seem to offer a decent bluetooth integration (e.g. use contacts as destinations!) and media functionality (e.g. play music from usb storage). It even seems possible to plan routes on PC and upload them via SD card. I'm just waiting for the full operating instructions manual to come available, and I'll inquire how frequent Pioneer comes out with mapupdates (I have found that they have made a new agreement with TeleAtlas). If it is all ok, then given the price point, I know it will be a more expensive solution than a portable system, but it will be a solution that is to my full liking.

Full integration with a portable Blaupunkt also is still an option, but given the (current) limited range of Blaupunkt gear it doesn't feel very future proof. Another option I thought of wat the portable Alpine system, but it doesn't get good reviews (routing is not optimal), no gyro fall back (not even when docked), and still quite expensive (and still the hassle as long as it isn't docked with an Alpine head unit). Other portable devices may be interestig, but when I search for the features I want, I end up in the quite expensive range of devices, making me prefer the built in Pioneer.
(if possible, I'll inquire this weekend for it)

Jörg

[Elie]

I really like my Garmin Nuvi 350. There are newer models however that display a satelite view just like google earth, pretty cool.

Elie

[VJ]

For a short while, I considered a Garmin GPSMAP495. It is an aviation gps unit, but it also allows for in car navigation. But as it doesn't support TMC, I will not go for it at this time. I may still get one at a later time, but the purely for aviation use.


Jörg

[VJ]

Well, I've ordered a new one...
Due to additional problems with my current system (screen blanks sometimes, mp3 controls don't always respond, fixing/removing the front panel does not feel safe anymore, ...), I ordered a new built in device.

The choice was between the new Pioneer AVIC-F900bt and the Kenwood DNX8220bt. Initially, I ordered the Pioneer, but as there seem to be delivery problems (didn't arrive last week, will not arrive this week - and I need it) combined with the facts that many users on forums complain about serious issues (they are hoping for a firmware update) and that the Kenwood is cheaper and more consistent in updates, I changed my order to the Kenwood. It will be installed this Saturday.


Jörg