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Automotive News & Views Navigation GPS Systems
1721 messages, Last post on Oct 16, 2009 at 7:29 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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I am against putting these in cars..at least in their current configurations. I think they have the potential to be far more dangerous to other drivers than cell phones. Can you imagine driving down the interstate at 75MPH while the clown next to you is playing with his nav system and taking his eyes off the road? Or, how about the wizard who runs a red light while he is fiddling with his display?? If manufacturers are going to make these things, they need to incorporate a heads up display, or put the LCD right in the drivers line of sight..not in the middle of the dashboard. Presently, auto makers are pushing these things because they are making a ridiculous profit on them. Analyze just what your $2000 is really buying. First, there is a $50 microprocessor, a $30 DVD or CD/rom, a small $85 LCD screen,, and a $150 GPS. For a real cost of 3 to 4 hundred dollars, they can make 400% profit...a wildly good deal for them! If I am going on a trip, I can map out my route in advance with my $10 Rand and McNalley computer program, and toss my $5 R and M atlas in the car if I want to take a side trip. If I am going someplace in a strange city, I can map that out in advance using Yahoo or Mapquest. I can see a few specific uses for these systems..the real estate saleslady, for example, but for the vast majority of people, they are just another toy...one that may someday put them in a serious accident. |
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| You're missing many cars. For starters, you don't list the Acura TSX or any BMWs. | |
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| I thought when I started I would capture names of all of them, but I skipped a bunch as I went along and forgot about that. | |
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If you drive a 2004 car with a navigation system built-in by the manufacturer, would you please answer until we have the models accounted for which I will list after the question. I am not trying to find this for after-market systems Q: Can you force your NAV system to follow you without a)prompting, b) guiding, or c) establishing any destinations? Further explanation: this would just be showing the map, just showing where the car is located on the map and allowing you to glance at it to see current location and direction. Acura TL Cadillac CTS Honda Accord Honda Odyssey Infiniti G35 Lexus ES330 Toyota Avalon Toyota Camry |
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Deminin, I agree with your cost breakdown but I don't think Navi systems will be the next hula hoop. I actually think they'll be the next air conditioning or power windows or cruise control, or in other words, a feature that 10 years from now will probably be standard on every car. Once I tried one I was hooked and came close to buying an Accord just for this feature, but then luckily I stumbled upon these messages that talked about less expensive Navi options, so now that's the direction I'm heading in. I think that anyone who ever grew up watching Batman, Knight Rider or James Bond movies would go ga-ga over Navi. Talk about the ultimate grown up toy! Like any toy, Navi is fun and cool for the kid in us, but practical for the grown-up who hates asking for directions or thumbing through a road map book. I think it will be that way for at least a few more years until the next gizmo comes a long (anti-gravity cars I hope). Now I have a question for the board: does anyone know if another company makes something like Honda's voice activation Navi? The idea of just speaking "find me a Chinese restaurant" and having the system come up with the info is just too cool for words. |
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| Here's another question: a few people mentioned the idea of just buying a laptop or PDA with a built in GPS and Navigation software. Can anyone suggest some specific models & brands for this sort of thing? | |
| I opted for the laptop and purchased the Delorme software with Earthmate GPS. I've been really disappointed in it. It doesn't automatically reroute (other than to tell you "Off route!" and "Turn back on" followed by the name of the street you are already on). And I have never had it actually take me to the exact location up to this point. So, needless to say, we still use maps and plan our trips ahead of time. | |
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The PDA system I was looking into was the Garmin Ique 3600. It has the built in GPS, and it is a Palm v.5.1(?), so you have the best of both worlds. I ended up going with the Garmin Streetpilot 2610, a stand alone GPS sysytem, as I figured in the long run it will benefit me more. Mark |
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| The Garmin iQue3600 is definitely the best bargain for a beginner GPS driver that wants versatility and convenience. RadioShack carries them and they are on sell for $550. It’s a big purchase, but it is a PDA/GPS & MP3 Player all in one!!! This thing is awesome and the guys at RadioShack were the best. It’s so fun and easy to use. Turn by turn voice guided directions. It’s easy to justify spending that much when you think about how much a PDA, GPS, & Mp3 player would cost separately. Plus, it has Palm OS so it’s a proven product. Garmin is highly recognizable as the leader in the industry. RadioShack has lots of cool GPS products from Garmin AND Magellan. They have the Roadmate on the web with a really cool demo. Go to RadioShack and buy an iQue3600, you won’t be disappointed. | |
| I know that I went a little RS crazy there for a minute, bu they offered me the best deal & they know thier GPS stuff!!! | |
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