- #21 of 201
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Re: Regarding the optional navigation... [mpuzach]
by clarkkent
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Jun 10, 2007 (5:09 am)
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Replying to: mpuzach (May 30, 2007 10:02 pm)
Why don't you just get a portable unit? They are better and about 1/5 the cost of a factory unit. And you can use it in all your cars. I find I can only drive one car at a time, so a portable unit works in for me. 
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- #22 of 201
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Re: Regarding the optional navigation... [clarkkent]
by mpuzach
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Jun 10, 2007 (9:09 am)
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Replying to: clarkkent (Jun 10, 2007 5:09 am)
Yeah, that's a consideration although our other 2 cars (2006 Mazda 3 and 2005 Corvette) already have factory navigation. I also prefer the look of an in-dash unit; it's just a personal preference. I'm going to wait and see if Hyundai offers navigation in 2008 and if so, whether or not the unit will work in my '07. If so, that's what I'll get; if not, I'll check out the other options.
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- #23 of 201
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Re: Regarding the optional navigation... [mpuzach]
by davesuv
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Jun 10, 2007 (6:02 pm)
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Replying to: mpuzach (Jun 10, 2007 9:09 am)
After using the built-in navigation system in our Lexus RX350, I too was disappointed that I couldn't get one on my Santa Fe. I ended up buying a Garmin StreetPilot c340. One of the better purchases I've ever made. The user interface on the Garmin is much nicer/easier than our built-in Lexus one. Plus, I really like being able to take the unit inside with me to program potential destinations when we're on a trip. It also enables you to plan out your next day's activities or potential restaurants without having to sit in the car.
After trying out a few locations, I now keep mine mounted at the lower left corner of the windshield (to the left of the steering wheel). This keeps the screen in my field of view - much nicer and safer for me than having to look down at the center console. It's also easier to reach and does not obscure any road visibility. I run the power cord straight down, then tucked out of the way under the dash across to the center, where it plugs in.
Garmin now has the Nuvi series, which uses the same user interface, but are thinner and have a more sensitive satellite antenna. I strongly recommend one that speaks the street names, which I find very useful. I have no experience with other brands.
2007 Santa Fe AWD Limited with Premium and Touring packages
Dark Cherry Red with beige leather interior
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- #24 of 201
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Re: Regarding the optional navigation... [davesuv]
by gizzer777
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Jun 10, 2007 (6:29 pm)
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Replying to: davesuv (Jun 10, 2007 6:02 pm)
I will vouch for the Nuvi 350 and the street name callouts. My previous TomTom would say take right turn in 500 ft...well sometimes there may be 2 or more right turns within approx 500 ft. The Nuvi says "In 500 ft take right turn on "Virginia street" for example...it also recalculates VERY quickly if you deviate from what it thinks is the correct route. Also no cds to load. I stopped buying the built in Navs a few years ago since IMHO they are way overpriced, less accurate and less features. My friend has a 1999 Porsche (built in Nav) and within 3 yrs he was unable to get new cd maps for it...Paperweight now. I think the Nuvi maps about due for an update...will also be expensive I am sure.
At least with the Nuvi 350 at under $400,(was $1000 when it came out!) you can always toss it and buy something new if they stop selling new map updates and buy a new model when needed...not to mention the car to car and travel portability. The SIRF III chipset is accurate to within about 10 ft...Not to mention that within 3-5 yrs...I am sure there will be many more advances, not to mention that the Nuvi can be firmware updated over the Net I have updated the firmware at least 4 times since I bought it a year and 1/3 ago....I really am sold on mine. (it also is an MP3 player with SD cards....The garmin interface is VERY straight forward as well) unfortunately Hyundai neglected to put an input jack on its stock Radio, so I don't use that feature when the Nuvi is in the SF.
BTW: I do NOT work for Garmin
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- #25 of 201
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Garmin 660
by tuggers
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Jun 19, 2007 (3:57 pm)
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I've been looking at this one at Sam's Club for $549.
I know it can play audible books. Anyone have any other info or opinions on this unit?
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- #26 of 201
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Re: Garmin 660 [tuggers]
by steve_ HOST
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Jun 19, 2007 (9:16 pm)
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Replying to: tuggers (Jun 19, 2007 3:57 pm)
It sounds like some of the units come with 2008 (v9) maps while others have the v8 maps. There's no way to tell by looking at the boxes what version is installed on the unit. Some people who got a similar deal from Costco last week got a little ticked when they found out they have to pay for the v9 upgrade when others got v9 with their unit.
Since it's a $75 update fee, if you buy it you may want to make sure you can return it if you think you want the latest map version.
The posters over in the Navigation / GPS Systems discussion may know the real skinny - I just saw a few people complaining about the map versions over on Fatwallet.com
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- #27 of 201
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Re: optional navigation [jcwsbltd]
by ricknj
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Jun 19, 2007 (10:55 pm)
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Replying to: jcwsbltd (Jun 06, 2007 11:23 pm)
you have to know what you need first with choosing between tom tom or garmin, i tried both and each has its advantage over the other but user friendly wise; recalculating navigation option when you come up with traffic to redirect you say 1-3 mile around traffic feature i like and the follow the dot thing as well as the turns didnt care much about the street being called out because i see the list of streets anyway on the screen, also i can see better with my prescription sunglasses on with the lcd screen unlike the garmin nuvi which was cool too because it was thin and had so many point of interest including the address and phone number of what you are looking for in your search but battery life was bad (4 hrs tom 510 with lots of turns/voice prompting and lcd light on all the way), i have the tom tom 510 and it works fine for my needs so bottom line you gotta know your needs first, circuit city has extended warranty i purchased didnt know the tom tom had a reset button when it froze on me returned it after a few months they gave me new one where in i added a few bucks upgraded to the 510 didnt need the hard drive for the 910, garmin nuvi i found hard to remove from the the glass unlike my tom 510 i can easily remove with one hand so as setting it up is easy. my last string was i almost got into an accident with the garmin once ,recalculating i disagree because its slow to my liking (sorry garmin users) i ended up returning it. you got to compare and try dont just go by what other people say too, i went with the looks for the garmin nuvi but ended up with a user friendly one with the tom tom.
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- #28 of 201
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Re: Factory Nav [mpuzach]
by themoonman
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Jun 23, 2007 (7:44 pm)
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Replying to: mpuzach (Jun 07, 2007 5:17 pm)
I have the Pioneer AVIC-D3 and am very happy with it. It is a good fit in the double din opening. It also has a lot of options available, and a lot of adjustments to fine tune the system. You can set the control lighting to match the blue in the Santa Fe. The way the Navigation works is- when you program a destination you need the DVD in the player. The system pulls the route information off the DVD and stores it in an internal memory. Yo can then remove the Navigation DVD and load another disc.
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- #29 of 201
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Garmin Nuvi 350 is great
by sduff68
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Jul 11, 2007 (12:09 am)
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I have owned a Garmin Nuvi 350 for about a year and a half and it was worth the $800.00 I paid for it! It usually stays in my wife's car. Being able to buy it now for $400.00-500.00 now is a bargain! I doubt many in dash car units are this good!
The ease of use, text to speech feature (street names instead of turn right in 500 feet), small size, and long battery life are great features. Once you upgrade your software you can download different little icons to match the general shape and color of your car.
I had a Magellan 2200T that I bought formy car, and though it was a good basic Navigation system and could get you to where you wanted to go it had a very un intuitive interface that was extremely frustrating to figure out after leaving the Nuvi. You couldn't search for a new destination or point of interest without cancelling the destination you wer heading to (like you can on the Nuvi). And locating what you were trying to find in the point of interest database was almost impossible.
You can also change the accent of the voices (male, female, American, British, Australian, etc). Right now my wife and I prefer the female Australian voice, sounds more realistic.
One of the best features are the points of interest feature. It is so easy to find local stores, fast food places, gas stations in your area. Even though my maps are a year old my points of interest are usually accurate.
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- #30 of 201
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Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 is great [sduff68]
by slateblue
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Jul 11, 2007 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: sduff68 (Jul 11, 2007 12:09 am)
Thanks for posting the information, I have been considering the Nuvi 350 or 650.
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