Ask Autoblog: What's the best aftermarket nav system?
Max has asked the Autoblog crew which aftermarket nav system, in our honest and infinitely wise opinion, is best.
Uh… we honestly don't know. Most of the nav systems we've used in the past are DVD-based units from the factory. We
don't have much experience with the suction-cup-to-the-windshield variety.
We would definitely require expandable memory and a subscription service for updated maps, traffic and weather info.
We dig TomTom's Plus service because it provides all of
the aforementioned necessities and additional navigation voices to perk up your trip to grandma's house. A touchscreen
and mounting system would be nice, as well.
Since we're not the experts on this one, can any readers out there recommend a unit for Matt?
Also, check out this Ask Engadget post on virtually the same question.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
King Volcano 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I have the Magellan RoadMate 700. I love the unit when it is working, the problem is I had to send it back to Thales twice within the first 6 months of ownership. I'm 14 months into ownership and now the touch screen is no longer working and I am a few months past my warranty. Since the touch screen is not working, I am forced to use the toggle button to navigate the menu. It's slower, but at least it works. I use it every day for work and rely on the unit to get me where I need to go. Again, the unit is great, the quality is just so-so. When this bugger dies, I will try another manufacturer.
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
You know, I haven't used many aftermarket NAV systems but I'm thinking of buying one of those hardware sender/recievers that you plug into a laptop. Save me a bunch of money. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.
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whofan 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Lowrance makes great gps units for hunting and fishing. They are compatible with Navionics electronic maps. I don`t much about use in cars. Garmin is another good name. I`m looking to purchase a Lowerance hand held GPS in the future.
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I'm looking at the iGuidance software for the software portion --- looks very good. 100 bucks means I can spend 150 on a quality hardware device and save like 500 bucks. Sweeeeeet. Mostly looked at that one because it has a PC version. The review that I looked at was for the PPC version so maybe the PC version has some tricks up its sleeve. I'm looking at the laptop thing because of the 15 inch screen :)
I don't know what Navionics maps are but I will look into that. I did notice that iGuidance is compatable with a lot of units.
Does anyone know if you can import maps from, say, 3rd parties on the internet, to get more detailed if you need it? I don't think I will need it based on the reviews but how easy would that be to do?
Thanks.
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Steve B 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I have a Garmin GPS V. It's a pretty basic unit; I bought it at Best Buy for $300 about 2 years ago, but it has served us well on our cross country roadtrips.
The downsides:
- it doesn't have detail streetmaps loaded, nor space for the whole US. You must sync it to a computer and download the maps you intend to use. It connects via the serial (as in not USB) port and uploading maps to the unit is slow.
- The screen is monochrome and small. It's hard to read the maps while driving (not that doing such is a good idea anyway!) it has a navigate mode that is good at getting you where you are going. It beats my wife with a Rand McNally atlas when driving through big cities.
On the upside, it has good battery life, and can be unclamped from it's mount and will fit in a pocket for hiking. The preloaded data lists (as of 2003) all interstate exits and nearby restaurants and services. When loaded with map data, it has lots of information on local businesses, including phone numbers.
It's not nearly as impressive as a fancy in dash, or a newer aftermarket unit, but for the infrequency that we use it (3-4 times a year) it gets the job done. If you need a map to navigate in your own city (I had this place down after about 3 mos living here), you probably would want a more sophisticated unit.
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Tom W 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
This looks like the hot set-up for a laptop:
http://www.microsoft.com/streets/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=001
Pretty good deal at $129
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Zedd 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
How's the Garmin 2610/2620? I looked around on usenet and these were highly recommended despite being older models. Has anyone here used them?
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King Volcano 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Regarding the #2 post. I bought a laptop model and sold it after a few days. The combo took up too much space and it was cumbersome. Not to mention, it's unsafe to leave your computer in a hot car...and it tempting for a criminal to steal everthing is seen. Waiting for the laptop to boot-up was a hassle. My 3 cents.
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Bob 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I just got the Garmin C320 (doesn't come with maps pre-loaded like the C330...uses an SD card) and I love it. Just a simple unit, easy to use, no buttons (everything is touch screen, except for power and volume) and the 3D mapping is great (although, for some reason, a lot of people in the reviews for it didn't like it for whatever reason...I find it very useful). Not exactly feature-rich, but the price is right. Got it online for about $425.00.
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md 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I vote mapquest.com, it can even be accesed from fancy cellphones with internet acces, and in the long run will probably cost a whole lot less. But I'm as stingy as can be, and I don't even have a radio in my car so you probably shouldn't take my advice.
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Rutger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I'm looking for something to get to work on a Car PC, but nothing comes close to what TomTom offers. Especially in the 5.0 offering. Good maps. Good info.
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cristiana 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I bought the TomTom Go 300 several months ago, and I love it. It is so easy to setup, all you do is pop in the included SD card, and then it just works. It also can interface with your cellphone via bluetooth, and it can download traffic updates, and if you have it set right, it will automatically change your route based on the traffic data. It has voices in a whole bunch of languages, and you can even download a John Cleese voice, and have him speak the directions to you.
The unit was relatively inexpensive, I got it for $600 at newegg. And, now that I have it, I can't go back to not using a navigation system.
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
coupla things:
no 5. post: That does look great. I wonder how they can make it as cheap as normal software? (w/o the unit). Which unit do they use?
TomTom: I thought it was not that good in the US. I am in the US. I don't need traffic updates, no traffic monitoring systems are planned for MA or NH. Or am I wrong? That would definitely be a feature on my list if they were.
Mapquest would be good, except that following a map is easier and in the long run it will be cheaper than anywhere internet access.
I'm looking at the iGuidance software, what is the reccomended unit for the hardware side? A lot are compatable, but what should I be looking for for features?
Thanks guys and gals.
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cristiana 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
The tomtom has great support for the United States, I live on long island, and I have taken long drives, and I didn't have any problems with it. Plus, the website doesn't mention that the traffic function works in the US, but, i tried it anyway, and it works just fine. It is great for getting around the NYC traffic.
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Adding to the above:
I'm afraid I'm understanding the hardware thing less and less. I got this link for reviewing hardware units: http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_browse&t=reviews&c=82
and they all come with software. I just want the unit that I can use with my iGuidance software. I want to use iGuidance because it looks like the best. But will it work with any old gps reciever?
I am confused.
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Tom W 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
theflinger,
This may be what you need.
http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance2_combo.html
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Tom W 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Or you can get the GPS receiver alone here.
http://www.inavcorp.com/products/royaltek_mouse.html
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
cristiana -- thank you for that info. I wonder if anyone can say if it works for Massachusetts (Boston??)
Tom: Nice....99 is a great price. You're of the camp that the hardware doesn't matter that much?
I noticed on that link that 2.11 does traffic monitoring as well. Can anyone speak of that in the MA area?
Thanks so much for your help guys. Really appreciate it.
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theflinger 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
One more thing. " PS2/USB input power: DC 5V 5 %, 180mA, typical
Car cigarette power adaptor: +9V ~ +16V"
Is that saying it can run off the USB port? Because I doubt it has a transformer in that tiny little body for stepping 14v to 5v... yet I hope it can run off USB since I only have one car jack and running off USB would be a lot neater.
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Angelo 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Just a simple unit, easy to use, no buttons (everything is touch screen, except for power and volume) and the 3D mapping is great (although, for some reason, a lot of people in the reviews for it didn't like it for whatever reason...I find it very useful).
http://www.referatedirector.com/referate/fizica/referat18/fizica5.php
http://www.referatedirector.com/referate/fizica/referat17/fizica2.php
http://www.referatedirector.com/referate/fizica/referat16/fizica3.php
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