I'd bet that aftermarket units would sell more if they interfaced with the HUD....

 

This or similar is available on my NAV... Split screen freeway mode....on the right - three next exits.

 

GM needs to add a voice activated system like Honda/Acura currently has. You can ask the system to:

"find nearest gas stations"
"find nearest hotels"
"find nearest restaurants"
"go home"
"XM radio station 16"
"FM radio station 98.7"
"climate control automatic 72 degrees"

By adding the voice activated system, they could get around the "safety concern" of trying to program when driving because everything could be done by voice (with steering wheel mounted buttons to voice a command) rather than entering it in on the screen.

 

I just took out the factory nav and replaced it with the Kenwood 8120. It uses Garmin advanced navigation. You can wish in one had and **** in the other and I can guaranty which one will fill up first.

The DNX8120 has a customizable Graphic User Interface (GUI), exceptional performance features such as 5-volt preamp outputs, built-in Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround 5.1 channel decoders, built-in Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free mobile phone use and more. 6.95” TFT LCD touch screen monitor that is reverse tilt capable with angle memory function, and HD Radio and Satellite Radio Ready when used with optional tuners. Feature two switches or relays for controlling external devices, such as a garage door opener, security gates or home lighting systems. It plays DVD's, mp3, etc. The DVD is easily overriden by grounding the wire that goes to the emergency brake. It has complete Ipod control so I keep the iPod in the center console with no wires showing. The unit dispalys the album art even plays video off the iPod.

The DNX8120 is equipped with a built-in Garmin advanced navigation system with complete maps of the continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada along with over 6 million points of interest. It uses internal flash memory for driving the navigation software engine so there’s no need to swap navigation discs. The receiver is also XM and Sirius ready. Traffic/Weather Ready when used with an XM Satellite module.

I also installed an 8-inch sub and Alpine amp. The Bose speakers actually sound pretty good now.

There is no comparison between the stock unit and the 8120. The only thing you lose is the hud arrows which frankly I can do without as I don't pay that much attention to the hud anyway. I should have done this along time ago. There are other units out there that are just as good as the Kenwood I'm sure.

 

I am used to the big screens. Glad it is at least 6.5 inches.

A bigger screen maybe would show bigger resolution for my aging Eyesight.

Have no opinion on improvement , as My '09 is not here yet...

I will compare it to the NAV on my '04 Lexus RX330. That one seems to work well with tons of features that I don't have time to learn...

Andy NOLa

 

The current system already does most of that. Although the reaction to your command from the "voice lady" can be pretty funny, my brother says his RL can be pretty amusing also.

 

In no particular order:

- fix the darned software bugs (a 10 page book I could write, even after I got the latest software upgrade flashed in by the dealer)

- enter desitination while moving... or if the stupid lawyers insist on the darned thing that won't let me input something while moving, at least it should let it when the airbag sensor picks up a passenger sitting in that seat

- better input algorithm for street addresses (such as, if I don't know the exact N S E W and St Blvd Lane Ave details, I can just put in 1234 Main, and it will resolve it like my Garmin will... whenever possible anyway... like if there's only ONE 1234 Main in a certain town, it should help me figure it out easily, and not require me to experiment for 10 minutes with St, or Ave, or Blvd, or Ct, or N, or S, or E, etc.)

- better voice recognition... when I say "go home", no, I didn't say "coffee house"

- sharper (nicer) screen features... currently a bit dull looking, not as sharp (polished) as Caddie

- better access to screens telling satellite signal strength (each one, and position in the sky)

- install the newer super-sensitive style receivers (I forgot the acronym) that allow the units to receive signals even in cities with tall buildings or under roofs

- if they don't already have 12 receivers + WAAS (local correction signal), they should (but I think the units already have both??)

- different media, not DVD... flash would be best (so there are no moving parts), but even a hard drive would be fine if it's well padded/durable enough to stand the bumps... anyway, SOMETHING with more memory than the current unit is needed... might even allow for 3-D "pictures" of major landmarks/buildings... definitely needs way more memory to cover more without switching discs... 50 gigs is not expensive nowadays

- current traffic condition integration

- display screen for altitude, coordinates, etc.

- better map provider... whoever they use now is a joke... inaccurate streets, even for things that have been around (or not been around) for 40+ years... or, if we must keep the current map provider, lower the damned price... I just paid $200 for a map update!!! (And, the map STILL thinks I can drive north down my block, then turn right on an imaginary street that has never existed for the 36 years I've lived here.) We're definitely NOT getting our money's worth out of these maps

- speaking of that, this isn't a comment on the nav unit itself, but, GM should implement some sort of feedback mechanism to the map providers, so that we can submit corrections to the maps for the next releases (which they can feel free to verify, but currently there's no mechanism to tell the map providers when their maps are dead wrong)

- wouldn't hurt to make the software upgrade process easier too... don't want to go to the dealer for this... most of them don't understand the nav system, and it's a hassle to explain to them why I want the software update, then wait for them to figure out how to get it

- an understanding of the concept of a reversible lane (lanes that go eastbound during morning rush hour, westbound during evening rush hour)... and will quit telling me to make a u-turn in the middle of the highway

- continue improvements on "highway mode" - I don't need to be told every time I pass an exit to keep going straight, and NOT to get off the highway I'm on

- a mode that will allow automatic zooming in or out based on how far away the desitation is, though, shouldn't get rid of current mode as an option

- when I want a phone number for a poi for a frequently used destination, I don't want to have to look it up all over again... if it's in my recent destinations, I expect to have the "info" button, but, nope, it's not there currently... gotta look it up from scratch again

- get rid of the "zone" concept... just input state should be good enough, like the Garmin

- wouldn't mind being able to watch DVDs (when not driving), but this is a low priority

- bluetooth integration so I can just click on a phone number from the nav poi, and it dials

Don't get me wrong, however, just because my list is long. I think there are a million good things about the current unit... and I really wouldn't want most of the other in-dash units I've seen... even the Caddie's nav isn't as good (overall anyway)... this unit is among the best already... just needs some fine tuning.


Sorry for overlaps with people in other replies... I didn't read any before I posted mine... I just saw Talon post, so I responded directly.

 

Simon,

The XM unit in the C6 is designed to run off of the Class 2 bus. There is not an XM unit designed for Class 2 that has built in the extra functionality to process the traffic data and provide it to the Nav head unit. Down the road when the vehicle bus is updated to GM LAN, then providing real-time traffic updates via XM is a possibility.

 

1. The interface with the HUD is one of the greatest features of the nav system.

2. Eliminate the need to enter the "zone" of the country that you're programming. I live in one of the "border" states between zones and this is an added incovenience to have to enter the zone of the destination. Neither my Nissan, Acura, or Honda navigation systems require this.

3. Add the interface with traffic reports similar to the Chrysler navigation I've utilized.

4. Thanks to CF member Ray Kawal, I did the DIY switch to allow me to program the Nav while moving... this is an easy mod for those that would like this feature.

5. Like others, I would like a brightness enhancer for the screen. With top down, verts can't view their nav screen during daylight hours.

Hope we see some improvement!

 

we should ba able to have user selectable screens that show many things at once graphicaly, (like the new skyline GT-R)
integrated Bluetooth,
better way to input adresses.

the whole unit itself should fit better physically into the dash!! more contouered/