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Those with factory navigation

R

RKS

Diamond Member
Some of cars we are considering don't allow you to add a simple nav system. You have to buy the 'tech package' with is usually over $2K. Since we don't take too many road trips; do you agree thqat it's better to just buy a portable GPS instead? It may not not look as nice but it would be portable, much less expensive, easier and cheaper to upgrade.
 
Originally posted by: RKS
Some of cars we are considering don't allow you to add a simple nav system. You have to buy the 'tech package' with is usually over $2K. Since we don't take too many road trips; do you agree thqat it's better to just buy a portable GPS instead? It may not not look as nice but it would be portable, much less expensive, easier and cheaper to upgrade.
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I drive into unfamiliar areas quite often and am honestly terrible with directions, if they had an option for the OEM in my car, I would have done so.

In your case though it seems you already have made up your mind. Get a cell phone with navi and it's even easier 😉
 
Built-in is not worth it. Portable units are universally less expensive and are 100% as functional. Plus, in 5 years you can easily upgrade your portable unit to the newest and best available, but with a built-in unit you're stuck with it perpetually.

ZV
 
I like my OEM nav and contrary to Zenm's comment, it is not perpetual. Every time you get a new car you get a new nav system.
 
Originally posted by: dirtboy
I like my OEM nav and contrary to Zenm's comment, it is not perpetual. Every time you get a new car you get a new nav system.
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:laugh: actually 🙁 I usually keep my cars for about 10 years or 200K miles.


I have had some version of a Maxima for at least 15 years. They advertised going back to 4DSC roots but decided to no longer offer a true manual 😕 , so neither my wife nor I will consider it. A similarly equipped G37 Sedan is about the same price and it can be had with a 6M.

 
Originally posted by: dirtboy
I like my OEM nav and contrary to Zenm's comment, it is not perpetual. Every time you get a new car you get a new nav system.
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You get new cars every three years? Most people don't.

OEM nav always seemed like a waste of money to me. It costs ten times as much as standalone, is locked to that car (take your friend's car? No nav), and isn't very upgradeable without changing the car itself.
 
I guess the big thing I like about my OEM GPS system is I know it will be there when I return to my car - unlikely to be stolen. I don't have to fool around with mounting it again, finding the plug or anything else. One push of a button and I'm good to go. There is a new update DVD too. Also, having one all the way out to the windshield isn't very handy either IMHO. I get real time traffic in select cities too just like the portable ones.
 
I love my OEM system. It can be upgraded every half year with the new NAVTEQ releases (free if you know where to look). I think the only downside is the POI thing is more difficult than it needs to be. The free lifetime real-time traffic w/ alternate routing is great too. Another factor is looks - if I didn't get the NAV, the idrive screen would've been much more narrow making it look a bit cheap. Oh yes, resale too - lots of people want it in the car if they're buying used. Anyway, if you don't care for looks, then there's not a lot of arguments against getting a portable - other than it being a target for thievage.
 
I am all the way towards stock nav. I regret I didn't get it with my Bimmer, and that's one of the reason that I will trade-in my car to get the one with nav in few years. Less messy, a lot more convenient with the interface linked to the car system, and well, yeah it looks cool. With update available for the period longer than the time I'd own my car (7 years max), I don't see older-version being an issue either.

But the biggest reason is, no or less chance of theft alone worth more than anything. After I had mine stolen and the actual damage to the car was more than what the nav was worth, I will definately get the one with built-in nav next time. Trauma of theft keeps chasing me :Q
 
I would say that the comments about OEM nav were true in the past with earlier systems, but aren't true anymore.



 
Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I would say that the comments about OEM nav were true in the past with earlier systems, but aren't true anymore.
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Which comments?

That it costs more? Still true, typically runs around $1,000 whereas a portable one is maybe $350.

That it's stuck in only one vehicle? Still true.

That it's essentially non-upgradeable? Still true (the map updates are only map updates, there's no new core functionality).

Financially, the built-in navigation units don't make sense if you're buying the $1,000 package just for the navigation. If you think they look better or if you don't mind paying that much or whatever your reason is then by all means, get the built-in, it's your money. But financially they are still a poor choice.

ZV
 
OEM nav units don't get as many map updates / firmware updates as portable units like Garmin's Nuvis and TomTom's Go units. Don't waste your money on an OEM unit.
 
OEMs looks way better on the dash.
OEMs can't be jacked. Nor do you have to take out the damn thing every time u get out the car, or put it on when you get into the car.
OEMs has integrated functions such as using the NAV screen to display AC, vehicle health/diagnostics, and music info.
OEMs nav have way stronger satellite signal as its antenna is housed in a sharkfin on the exterior of the vehicle.

Did I mention portable GPS looks ugly and ghetto as hell? Most mount points are not safe and are within the vicinity of the airbag shall they explode, which will fly that thing into your head.

The only thing a portable GPS have over an OEM GPS is price. There shouldn't be even be a comparison, it is like comparing a Civic to a Mercedes, both will serve the intended purpose of the product, but someone is willing to pay more for the extras. There is simply no point to compare them, different level of products intended for different market segments. People buying $200 portables are not gonna buy $2000 OEM navs.
 
OEM on my G would have been around $2k.

Instead I bought a PDA, a GPS receiver, and loaded a map program on it. Total ~$350. I've used it as a guide maybe twice but I've used the PDA a lot and I've let other people use the receiver so its been well worth it over all.
 
"That it's essentially non-upgradeable? Still true (the map updates are only map updates, there's no new core functionality). "

MyGig with nav, for example, has fairly regular firmware and map updates. Plus it does a whole lot more than just nav. The firmware updates have added and removed features over time.

Sure, you have to pay for the map updates, but that's true of the portables as well.

If you like portables, fine, but the built in systems are excellent now, imo, even if more expensive.

List of the firmware updates to MyGig with nav that you can install yourself, a map update was released in July 2008. Harman Becker is doing a pretty good job of keeping up with the MyGig firmware updates. There have also been several Gracenotes updates released.

The firmware and Gracenotes updates are available online for free. Unfortunately, you still have to go to Navteq for the map updates, but that is the case for everyone.

All of the updates involve nothing more than inserting a CD or DVD and waiting.

January 2007
Application version: NTG4_9.041
July 2007
Application version: NTG4_9.556

October 2007
Application version: NTG4_9.561

January 2008
Application version: NTG4_9.665

February 2008
Application version: NTG4_9.668

April 2008
Application version: NTG4_9.713

May 2008
Application version: NTG4_9.715

August 2008
Application version: NTG4_9.807
(2009 factory models come with software version listed as 1.055. This is similar to, but older than 9.807)
 
Originally posted by: LTC8K6
People are saying "$2K for nav", but you usually get much more than just nav.
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I can go along with that. In fact, I said as much when I specified that they only fail to make sense if you're paying the extra money solely for the navigation. The MyGig system you mention is a good example of other functionality that may or may not be worth it.

ZV
 
"Recorder for AM, FM, SIRIUS, DVD Drive, auxiliary input, and microphone"

I should clarify that this function was axed from MyGig...I think we can all guess why.

I should also say that my dealer spoke to me at great length about uconnect and bluetooth in my Jeep, while neglecting to inform me that my particular MyGig radio didn't actually have uconnect... 😀
 
Originally posted by: Imdmn04
OEMs nav have way stronger satellite signal as its antenna is housed in a sharkfin on the exterior of the vehicle.

Did I mention portable GPS looks ugly and ghetto as hell? Most mount points are not safe and are within the vicinity of the airbag shall they explode, which will fly that thing into your head.
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As far as signal strength, I've never seen a portable fail to acquire and maintain a lock so even if a built-in has a theoretically better signal, it seems to be a moot point in actual practice.

And about the airbags, I don't know what cars you drive, but I've never seen a car with an airbag in the center of the dashboard where a portable nav setup would sit. They wouldn't be anywhere even close to either the driver's or passenger's airbag.

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
The only thing a portable GPS have over an OEM GPS is price. There shouldn't be even be a comparison, it is like comparing a Civic to a Mercedes, both will serve the intended purpose of the product, but someone is willing to pay more for the extras. There is simply no point to compare them, different level of products intended for different market segments. People buying $200 portables are not gonna buy $2000 OEM navs.
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Glad that you think the rest of us are poor. Oh well, back to my Porsches I guess.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Did I mention portable GPS looks ugly and ghetto as hell? Most mount points are not safe and are within the vicinity of the airbag shall they explode, which will fly that thing into your head.

The only thing a portable GPS have over an OEM GPS is price. There shouldn't be even be a comparison, it is like comparing a Civic to a Mercedes, both will serve the intended purpose of the product, but someone is willing to pay more for the extras.
Click to expand...

Hehe, completely and utterly untrue. Looks are a matter of personal preference (frankly I think that it's much more natural and safer to glance slightly to the side for a HUD-esque unit in your windscreen, rather than staring DOWN at your center console every time), and if your unit is anywhere near the airbag you're doing it wrong.

Price, modernity of electronics, upgradeability, portability, and mounting location are ALL pluses for portable. Perhaps a better comparison would be Elise vs. Rolls Royce...the latter is much more expensive and has much more luxury, but the Elise offers so much more to people who care about hardware and function, not "class".
 
i dunno, i love my oem navi. feature wise it has everything i need and more. plus voice control which is cool (and built in to the car)
 
Originally posted by: Imdmn04
OEMs looks way better on the dash.
OEMs can't be jacked. Nor do you have to take out the damn thing every time u get out the car, or put it on when you get into the car.
OEMs has integrated functions such as using the NAV screen to display AC, vehicle health/diagnostics, and music info.
OEMs nav have way stronger satellite signal as its antenna is housed in a sharkfin on the exterior of the vehicle.

Did I mention portable GPS looks ugly and ghetto as hell? Most mount points are not safe and are within the vicinity of the airbag shall they explode, which will fly that thing into your head.

The only thing a portable GPS have over an OEM GPS is price. There shouldn't be even be a comparison, it is like comparing a Civic to a Mercedes, both will serve the intended purpose of the product, but someone is willing to pay more for the extras. There is simply no point to compare them, different level of products intended for different market segments. People buying $200 portables are not gonna buy $2000 OEM navs.
Click to expand...

ok I'll go tell my wife you said her E350 4Matic looks ghetto with a portable GPS sitting over the centre of the dash with the mat.

You are lucky you don't live in Toronto or she will run you down.
 
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