I am narrowing down the features I plan on ordering in my vette. Right now, I am at

Coupe
Victory Red (The ONLY Color for a Vette )
Titanium Gray
3LT
Z51
Automatic
Chrome Wheels

I have read a few threads on the Nav, and it seems that either you like it, or you don't. The one thing that I have noticed, is that it makes the center console look a lot "neater", as you don't have all of the buttons for the radio.

Has anyone run into problems with the Touch Screen on the NAV Window?

Can someone provide detail as to why they do / don't like it ?

 

The GM navigation system is good but not nearly at the level of a Infinity or Acura. These are the only two that I have used before for comparison. If you have used either of these systems you will be dissapointed with it. I do not want to bash the GM but it is not that good of a system. The graphics are adequate but not great. The 3D view is poor, don't even bother. The directions are sometimes wrong or just poor. Maybe when I get an updated disk this will be better. It will often send me through a very congested city area instead of putting me on the highway right next to it. I wish it would tell you the names of the roads when giving instructions for turns. It does tell the names of the highways and exits but not any other secondary roads. You will realize how much you miss this after you drive an Infinity.

On the plus side I really like the touch screen integration and graphics for the radio. I also like the radio stations being displayed on the HUD. Also I like the way it looks in the dash.

If you are buying the NAV for the navigation function then you will be disappointed. But the NAV option includes the radio and HUD interface, very nice. Sadly, if I am going somewhere totally foreign to me I need to familiarize myself with the route and the destination before I leave. Depending on the NAV system alone can put you in some bad situations (like driving through cities unneccesarily), send you in the wrong direction (especially off highway ramps) or send you way out of your way.

I would give GM a D for the NAV and a B for the radio/HUD integration. If GM cannot issue firmware and DVD upgrades for this system sometime soon then I will most likely have to buy a Garmin.

 

The Nav does have a steep learning curve to get the most out of it. But most of the complaints about it boil down to pilot error. If you know how to use it, it will take you on the route you prefer.

The big sore points for me are that the voice command mode is virtually useless for me with about a 90% failure rate to properly recognize commands, and you can't easily make routing changes on the fly (say to deal with road construction).

OTOH, the integration with the HUD is spectacularly useful, and not available with any aftermarket alternative. The touch screen works very well, better than most other touch screen devices I have used. It is a good radio HU too, I've measured the specs, and they are very good.

 

It sounds like I like my Corvette's nav system better than NEVERL8 likes his. I've had good success with it and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Of course, it's only going to be as good as the data on the map DVDs.

The touch screen is great although I find myself cleaning off the fingerprints quite often. My screen has functioned flawlessly for my entire 2 years of ownership.

BTW, Victory Red is no more "the ONLY color for a Vette" than a manual is the only transmission for one!

 

I've had my NAV over two years and would buy it again. I have had no trouble with it and like Shopdog I have the sound turned off. I got tired of her voice. I have the HUD option and like the directions displayed on it. I added the six disk CD player and it works with the NAV.

 

Most of the time I don't mind the Nav lady's chatter, though I do find myself making sarcastic comments to her from time to time. I just can't get the thing to understand my voice commands, so I quit trying to use voice command.

 

Well, guess it depends on if you really need a navigation system in your car. I don't really need it, and so I find that I don't use the NAV system hardly at all. As for the touch screen and such, I personally don't like it.
You lose the 6 disc CD changer, that really sucks. To use the CD changer, push a button, watch the NAV screen slowly open, insert CD, then watch it close. Now to switch discs, do it all over again.

Startup the car, its at least 7-10 seconds before you can turn on the radio. I assume this is the NAV DVD spinning up, otherwise I can't figure out why there is any delay in just turning the radio on.

The NAV itself, always have to hit I Agree to engage - absolutely unnecessary and after the 10th time, really annoying. So, to turn on NAV and radio - start car and wait 10 seconds, press power button, hit I agree, press Source, select FM, CD, or XM. Now you can start to listen to music (and now of course, hit the NAV button again to display the NAV screen). Thats way too many buttons just to hear music.

So, if you need a NAV system, and will really use it, I guess its as good as any other. But for me, its the 1 and only option I wouldn't get again (especially for the price). But, live and learn.

 

Completely. Couldn't say it any better. The NAV is better than my BMW (albeit the BMW is a MKIII computer) and is virtually the same as the Lexus.

 

I wouldn't call it "operator error", I'd call it very unintuitive to use. I have factory Nav in my Corvette and M45 Infiniti, and I have an aftermarket nav. The Corvette is by a wide margin the hardest to use. Call it operator error if you want, but it's kind of like the old Apple (computer) commericials - which one is more powerful? The one that people can actually use the easiest.

Don't get me wrong, I ordered it in the '08 after cursing it for two years in my '05. It's still very useful. I just wish GM had put their best foot forward (I've played with the units in the new Tahoes, and they are much better in that regard).

 

IMO, the navigation is forgettable.

If it weren't for the touch screen radio and what I consider the more pleasing aesthetics vs the std. radio, I'd consider it $1700 wasted.

I also have a BMW DVD Nav, and while it takes more time to program in a destination point, their system is superior in that it allows you to make changes while driving, the graphics quality (while still difficult to see in sunlight) is better, and the actual map detail appears to be more up to date and complete.

(I have the 07' updated disc - I'm hopeful that the new 2 disc setup improves road/attraction detail).

To mirror what Bruce (NEVERL8) wrote above, I find that I have to have a map to supplement the NAV because when you go out more than a couple of miles, the detail (I'm talking about major highways) is not evident.

I have to admit that I haven't taken a lot of time to learn the nuances, but should I have to?

On the bright side is the integrated Nav/HUD - I've not yet used that feature, but I can see it being useful.

If I were to do it again, I'd skip the GM version and plan to spend the money far more wisely on an aftermarket DVD setup.

$0.02 deposited

 

I was a skeptic at first. The dumba$$ at the dealer couldn't help me to understand it any better than if my dog was trying to explain it to me. I played with it a bit, and although I did endure some frustration, I have become hooked.

I took the Vette on a couple road trips to unfamiliar cities and found it to be unbelievably useful. It's like having my own Mapquest, at my fingertips, anytime I want it, and it reminds me when to react, just in case I slack off.

On my way to a last minute, no planning, Yankees/Rockies game in Denver, I used it to get to my hotel in the middle of the night. Never been there before, and it dropped me in the parking lot like a guardian angel. The next morning, after I entered the StubHub address to get my tickets, I randomly searched for a carwash to clean the bug guts off the nose. Post carwash, I followed the route to my destination. I could not get lost! After receiving my tix via StubHub downtown, I headed towards Coors Field. I typed COORS FIELD into the Nav system, and I realized I was .2 miles away. I figured I was close enough to park and walk, so I found the nearest Vette-Friendly parking area, and hoofed it less than 1000 steps to the stadium. Afterward, in the parking garage, I entered my home as destination, and it took me in the shortest means possible to the hwy out of town. And, if you are looking for the nearest Krispy Kreme on the way home, just type it in. It will find it for you, as long as you can pull over long enough to do it.

My only complaint is that you cannot update or type in destinations as you drive. But I can understand it is safety related and accept it. As you can see, without a map, I moved through a strange city with ease. No need to find a Kinkos and use Mapquest, or make a dozen maps prior to a road trip... I am minutes away from buying the wife a new Suburban, and will not consider one without NAVIGATION...

 

I've had, and used several dozen navigation systems , they are necessary on ocean boats. The GM vette system is as good as most automotive built ins. The thing is to take the time to learn to use it and you'll be amazed.
I wouldn't be without it !

 

Just my 2 cents , I bought a Garmin 350 nuvi & it can be uased on any car you own , got great price wal-mart on line ,
worked for me.....

 

I have the factory NAV in my C6 and a Gamin Nuvi I use in my other car. I would get the factory NAV if I were you. It's integration is great and I've never had a problem with it.

 

I love my nav and all my future Corvettes will have one.

 

nav with HUD integration is awesome.

Once you learn how to use it, it is pretty good.

There are ones out there that are A LOT better, but it's a good to have. Plus the touch screen with the corvette logo is just COOL

 

I'll agree with Shopdog and the others who say that the nav has a steep learning curve. But computers have a steep learning curve and you got here, didn't you? It's steep because it is so powerful. That's why the manual is 122 pages. To detour around construction you say "Dee 2er". Works for me at least 95% of the time. But if it doesn't, just take an exit or cross street. It will recalculate automatically and give you the directions to the next turn. Want to do some sightseeing in the middle of a route? Say "Short" and it will calculate the shortest distance to your destination which might include alleys but always seems to include some beautiful country roads. Late? Say "Quick" and it gets you there the fastest way. "Normal" tends to put you in traffic since it uses the most multi-lane roads because it wants to take you the way most people go. Read the manual (it's in the FAQ) and you will see that it is VERY powerful once you take the time to learn how to use it.

Yes it occasionally tells you to turn when a turn isn't appropriate. This occurs for me mostly when I'm on a road that isn't mapped quite right. We have one around here that is almost half a mile off at points. There's another that tells me to make a right turn when it is really just a side street joining the one I'm on which is also curving to the right at the same point. Just ignore it. You have a map right in front of you so you can see where you're going and if it looks like the nav is confused just keep going (or turn) and it will immediately and automatically recalculate the route and in a few seconds tell you where the next turn is.

Bottom line - having used Garmins for over 10 years until I got the 07, the Garmin went into the glovebox and I would never have a Corvette again without nav.

P.S. You didn't ask but making MP3 disks for the nav is also a steep learning curve because they don't work the way the manual says they do. Once you learn the limitations (no VBR, shorter names, Ver. 1 labels), find the right free software, and learn it, they are easy.

 

I think the NAV is a must...... the trick I have learned to help get routes that make sense is to adjust the "ROUTE PREFERENCES"..... I have mine maxed out in favor of interstates and toll roads and minimized for local roads. So even if I select SHORTEST ROUTE it doesn't just take me on a straight line to the destination..... it uses my road preferences and will usually give a different route from the QUICKEST. I also have found that if there are areas you don't want to go thru....use the AVOID AREAS feature. With these settings I'd say I am pretty happy with the NAV....best feature.... it ties into the HUD. I also have an Infinity M35 and as others have said, that system is vastly better than the C6.

 

The looks and the radio functions were the biggie for me in ordering Nav. Not to mention the PAL (personal audio link) that they are supposed to release in September which will integrate the IPOD with the Nav and the Nav screen, and also charge the IPOD. Different than the 1/8" audio in jack they put on the standard radio for 08. That's huge for me, as I am one who will never do XM radio again because of their business practices and crappy sound. Other than that, I doubt I will ever use Nav in the Vette, but I use it all the time in my daily driver SRX.