So, I'm getting my 2002 C5 in a couple of weeks, but I'm drooling over my friends Navigation System in his 2001 BMW M3. The Nav System in his car is amazing, and I *wish* that I could have ordered it for the C5.

I've seen some Alpine systems, but I am not impressed with a screen popping out of the head unit. I'd prefer an integrated screen - probably mucho dinero, though. I guess that I'd buy an Alpine system if I knew that it was a solid design. It just seems so flimsy in the pictures.

Has anyone purchased, installed, used or seen a Nav System in a C5? What did you think of it... did it look pro or mickey-mouse? :confused:

-Alan

 

I think Ken at http://www.vetteessentials.com has a nice one:

mmmm GPS :D

 

I used to, sold it to Afy. :D

 

I have used several, and those experiences have prevented me from actually BUYING one.

The DVD based systems are WAY better than the CD_ROM systems, in terms of information and processing speed. Plus, the whole US is on 1 disc, unlike the CD system which is 5 discs for the whole US. That becomea a real pain when traveling across multiple states mapped on multiple discs.

The mapping capability and routing of the DVD system is impressive. But I don't do a lot of traveling in unfamiliar territory. When I do, it's mostly interstate. That's the primary reason I can't justify 2G's for it. But it does work. Be advised, the detailed mapping is only there more metropolitan areas - the rest is pretty basic and maybe non-existent depending on where you are. Paper maps are actually more detailed in rural and small-town areas.

Alpine, Pioneer, and Kenwood all offer aftermarket DVD nav systems. Kenwood has fixed position monitors that are TOUCH SCREEN for the nav system. That is a unique function and very valuable I think.

If you really want a nav system, seriously consider the Garmin GPS V. It is a portable/hand-held with mapping that is uploaded via PC for the area(s) you're traveling. It has similar content (ATM's, restaurants, hotels) plus it lists all the available services at the exits for all the interstates. That's very handy I think, because you can "look ahead" and see what is available where. It's only $500 retail. I've seen it for $414 online.

Happy shopping!


[Modified by lotzahp, 5:29 PM 11/19/2001]

 

Nothing impressive about the CD-based OEM Nav system, like those found in German cars. I should know, I had a 2001 996 TT w/ Nav. Like someone said, very slow, inaccurate and a pain in butt if you are travelling out of the CD region. You'll need 7-9 CD to cover the whole US. What's worse is the Nav system in my MB S55 AMG. I can't even program it to go to the exact address. It can only get me to about a block of my destination. Not to mention, the dinky screens in both the Porsche and the Mercedes. I cannot comment on the M3 , as I don't have a BMW. However, if it's CD-based, and the CD is by Navtech, I'm pretty sure it functions like the Porsche or the MB systems.

On the other hand, I have 2 Alpine Nav DVD-based system, both with flip screens. One in my 99 Expedition, and the other in my 02 Z06. I've had my Expedition Nav system since early Jan this year. My Z06 Nav system was just installed last month. The Alpine is an excellent system. It will get you right to your destination accurately. It does not matter if it's just around town or 1000 miles away, you will not have to replace a disc while travelling to your destination. The calculation speed is about half of the OEM system. This is a big deal if your system needs to recalculate because of a traffic situation. You can program it to draw the map to match you vehicle heading. It can list street names on the map. It has more points of interests than the OEM systems. Additionally, you can easily hook up a video signal to your screen, like a backup camera, DVD or PS2. I had those installed in my Expedition, but not in the Z06, I did not see the point of having those equipment in a sports car. Overall, the Alpine is just a much better system.

From what I've been hearing, the new Pioneer DVD-based Nav system is even better. I also hear the Japanese DVD-based system are nice as well. As I don't have first hand experience on those, I can't really comment on it.

Raymond

 

The 2001 BMW M3 comes with a fixed screen, DVD-based Nav system that is amazing as far as I am concerned. The system has very good knowledge of not only city streets, but major points of interest. For instance, the need to find a Mobil gas station in an unfamaliar area is very simple with this system.

I just want something comparible. I wasn't considering a CD based system because of all of the hassle. I'm willing to spend the extra $$. I'd prefer the fixed screen, but I'm curious about the Alpine. Does the screen shake a lot with the C5?

-Alan

 

The very best nav/dvd system is made by Alpine. Go check out their website http://www.alpine.com it is truly remarkable. My exgirlfriend has a 2001 QX4 with touch screen nav, it's awesome, even as a very cool birds eye view screen that no one else has.

But Alpine's is still better. Be prepared to spend ~$4500 on it though.

 

According to the BMW and Navtech websites, the M3 or the E46 are all CD-based Nav system. The CD-based system is really impressive until you see a DVD-based one. Not only it will direct you to the closes gas station, you can actually choose a gas station by moving a cursor to one of the gas station icons on the map. It will give you the address and the phone number of the icon you choose on the map. You can even choose a gas station in a city 2000 miles away. I don't think any CD-based system can do that. There are just much more features on the Alpine system than my ex-Porsche system or my current MB CD-based system. I'm pretty sure the functionality of the BMW will be somewhat similar to the MB and the Porsche since the CD-software is made by Navtech.

As for the flopping screen, the screen on my Z06 does not jiggle or flop around, even with a spirited drive up Mt. Wilson. The only drawback I can think of is it blocks the center vent. In a really warm situation, you can temporarily close the screen. The navigation will still continue to give directions as needed. You really need to check it out at your local Alpine dealer.

Raymond

 

I'm not sure about the web site, but my buddies M3 sitting out in my driveway has a DVD-based Nav System. It is a single DVD for the entire United States, and yes, it is very impressive.

I'm looking forward to visting my local Alpine dealer, though.



[Modified by alanmeyer, 11:28 PM 11/20/2001]

 

Well, I work for Harman/Becker (so excuse me if this sounds biased) but I am very happy with my NAV unit. I have one of the single din "turn-by-turn" (No map display, just directions) systems not on the American market yet. It uses 2 CDs, one for East coast and one for West coast and it works very well. most of the problems I have found have to do with the digitization of the roads (or lack there of) and most all systems get there map data from the same company, so the Problem usually carrries over to other systems too. Personally I dont like the Alpine (at least the one we have) and the funny thing is, we just got updated software for the Alpine unit and now it works worse!
Different systems have different problems and features, it just depends on your preferrence. I preferr my turn-by-turn system.

 

http://www.destinator1.com

I use my Compaq iPAQ in conjunction with the Destinator. I can store all my maps on my IBM MicroDrive. You can get a MicroDrive or CF card that is faster and greater data capacity than a DVD. The beauty of this is it is protable. I can use it in any car I drive including rental cars. When I am not driving I have a very good Pocket PC that is highly versatile.

It mounts easily in a vent clip and is easily viewed from the driver's seat. It provides voice directions as well as showing your position on NavTech maps.

 

:cool: What a great product. I have to say, it's about as inexpensive as you could hope for. However, I'd like to know the following:
(1) What maps does it come with? Do you have to load each city individually?
(2) How much was your IBM Microdrive? It seems like a necessity if you want a complete system
(3) I didn't see any provisions for Points of Interest on the Maps. For instance, some cars have Gas Stations, Parks, Police Stations, etc. all listed as pre-defined destinations. Does this exist for the Destinator?
(4) The FM transmitter seems to be the choice for listening to the voice instructions. However, this is a disadvantage because then you can't listen to music at the same time. Is there another solution?

Thanks for the link. This may be my new Nav system!

-Alan

 

Well, I did some more looking and I found a review that was very helpful. The review picked the Pocket Co-Pilot. The review can be found here:
http://www.semperaptus.com/reviews/r080101.shtml

Also, the Pocket Co-Pilot seems to be more up-to-date, with a new version coming out in December, which has a more integrated design with the GPS receiver. You can get that information here:
http://www.pocketcopilot.com

-Alan

 

That's what I had before i sold it to afy

Go to here for pics
http://oz.uc.edu:8000/~tonsc/GPS_Navigation.htm

 

I sent these questions to the Destinator guys. Here's their response:

We are now shipping Destinator 1.5 with maps of North America. Maps are devided into regions with some regions covering one state and others covering multiple states, depending on details and size, etc. You can load as many map regions to your iPAQ as the memory situation allows, however, Destinator will only work with one region at a time. Microdrive is great if you want to load all maps, but I don't have prices. Points of Interest (POI) is great, and has been added to Destinator 1.5. The voice instructions on the Destinator comes through the iPAQ's internal speakers loud and clear - No FM transmitter is necessary.

-Alan

 

What's the reason that you got rid of it? The Co-Pilot has a new version, which might be a better overall solution.. The Alpine version that you mention as too pricey on your link doesn't feel integrated enough. I'm still planning on visiting my local Alpine dealer soon, though.

-Alan

 

I haven't tried the newest features with Destinator 1.5. Supposedly you can use a nationwide map (which I have loaded) to do routing across the US. It is supposed to seamlessly use the area maps from GPS position to get the detailed streets and roads used in the routing.

My 340 mb microdrive was $200 nearly a year ago. You should be able to get a 1 gig microdrive for nearly the same price now. CF cards are getting cheaper and are definitely faster. You can buy a 256 mb card for ~ $100. They now make 2 gig cards.

I used the earlier version on a trip out to Colorado and New Mexico from Louisiana. I could hear the voice directions quite well with the top down. All the maps I needed would fit on the 256 mb card.

With the older version my routing was limited to the locations within the area maps. I used a laptop with Microsoft Software to get my overall routing. The Destinator worked quite well for routing within each area included in each map file. This newer version should eliminate this limitation. I also have not used the new Points of Interest feature. I have just been using version 1.5 for a few days.

I haven't tried Pocket CoPilot. It may be as good or better.

In a larger car I used to use my laptop with a Magellan GPS receiver. It was too unwieldy for a C5. I like my destinator so much I will never go back to using the laptop in any vehicle with a GPS receiver. I may still use a laptop to double check routings (while at home or in the office).


[Modified by gtragitt, 11:04 PM 11/30/2001]

 

Well I just never used it. It worked perfectly, and great, but i didn't travel enough to use it. There are times now and again where I wish I had it, but just once in a while. You can fit almos 3/4 of the country on a 340 meg microdrive for traveroute and with the 1 gig microdrive, you can really fit the whole country.

Look into Visteon, they make GPS that wis really cool too.

 

The problem with the portable units are the exposed wire for the GPS antenna and the power supply. I thought your main criteria for a navigation system is for it to look integrated to the car. If you want an integrated look, portable is not the way to go. I originally had a notebook GPS for my Expedition but decided to install the Alpine system because of the cluttered look of the notebook with the power wire and the antenna attached to it. Now, if you want to go with an iPAQ, the Pocket CoPilot 2.0 Navman would be the best option. It looks like this unit is completely portable without having to use a wired antenna. Not to mention Co-Pilot makes one of the best nav software designed for car use. The only drawback is the batteries only last 3 hours.

BTW, BMW does not make a DVD-based Nav system for any of their cars yet, not even the 2002 models.

Raymond

 

The Destinator is powered from the accesory plug inside my console. It also keeps my iPAQ powered. Because it is portable the clutter is gone when you aren't using it. It is unobtrusive when you are using it. The iPAQ being mounted in a vent clip is no mre cluttered than a mobile phone. How many people have their mobile phones mounted into their dashboards or some other permanent location in their cars?