Navigation sucks!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,657
Likes: 540
From: SE Pa
agreed and in this day and age there is NO excuse for it not being totally intuative....ie. GARMIN !
when the goofy nut case from GM called me to do my post purchase survey she was so intent on reading from her script I had to repeat three times that my only complaint was the Nav POS.
when the goofy nut case from GM called me to do my post purchase survey she was so intent on reading from her script I had to repeat three times that my only complaint was the Nav POS.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
agreed and in this day and age there is NO excuse for it not being totally intuative....ie. GARMIN !
when the goofy nut case from GM called me to do my post purchase survey she was so intent on reading from her script I had to repeat three times that my only complaint was the Nav POS.
when the goofy nut case from GM called me to do my post purchase survey she was so intent on reading from her script I had to repeat three times that my only complaint was the Nav POS.
People expect the stock nav to be as easy to use as a garmin. It clearly is not that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 285
From: West Barnstable MA
But wouldn't you think they could enhance the programming of the NAV and bring it up to modern standards. I would be willing to pay for that, even I'd I had to go to the dealer!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
I have found that the GM nav is far more sophisticated than any of the many Garmin's I have owned and once I learned how to use all of it's capabilities I was very pleased and really like the integration into the HUD of the nav info. That is something because there is no HUD integration available with any of the aftermarket units. That is one feature after using it for a year I just will not give up.
I had the Kenwood touchscreen with the Garmin interface in the convert I sold last summer and it worked fine but it was not nearly as integrated or sophisticated as the GM unit is.
Take the time to learn it and you will grow to really like and appreciate it.
100%I've used the Factory NAV in my 09 since new.
Yes it was a little slow learning at first, but after that no problem.
At one point I got brain washed by all the Negative posts on how bad the Factory NAV is supposed to be.
So I was able to try a number of aftermarket units and they were not just cheap one dimensional units either.
Yup, they all worked great and easy to use, but that's where they ended.
Being used to all the capability of the Factory NAV, I found None of the other NAV units came close to the capability of the Factory NAV.
Sorry, but IMO the only thing wrong with the Factory NAV is learning how to use it
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,713
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We had the factory nav in our 2006, and got it again in our 2009. Between the two cars, we've driven about 90,000 miles over much of the United States. The factory nav is difficult to learn, but overall it does as good a job as our two Garmins or our two cellphone navs or our two "other company" car navs. I don't have to worry about hooking it up, or someone breaking a window to steal it, or a small screen; and the HUD interface is outstanding in heavy traffic.
Perfect? No.
Still our favorite? Yes
Perfect? No.
Still our favorite? Yes
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
100%I've used the Factory NAV in my 09 since new.
Yes it was a little slow learning at first, but after that no problem.
At one point I got brain washed by all the Negative posts on how bad the Factory NAV is supposed to be.
So I was able to try a number of aftermarket units and they were not just cheap one dimensional units either.
Yup, they all worked great and easy to use, but that's where they ended.
Being used to all the capability of the Factory NAV, I found None of the other NAV units came close to the capability of the Factory NAV.
Sorry, but IMO the only thing wrong with the Factory NAV is learning how to use it
100% I also was brain washed with negative comments about the nav when I first came upon the forum before becoming a member. Then I took some time and learned how to use the unit. It is not perfect, but it is pretty good and quite capable.
I also think the Corvette team placed the intelligence of the average Corvette owner high enough to figure the nav out also. They did not account for just how many people became used to the garmin units being so easy to use. No knock on garmin as they are great little units.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: New Boston, TX
100%I've used the Factory NAV in my 09 since new.
Yes it was a little slow learning at first, but after that no problem.
At one point I got brain washed by all the Negative posts on how bad the Factory NAV is supposed to be.
So I was able to try a number of aftermarket units and they were not just cheap one dimensional units either.
Yup, they all worked great and easy to use, but that's where they ended.
Being used to all the capability of the Factory NAV, I found None of the other NAV units came close to the capability of the Factory NAV.
Sorry, but IMO the only thing wrong with the Factory NAV is learning how to use it
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
Truly......if I spend a long time learning the tutorial, will I learn how to make it choose the correct route? That is the only issue I have. Everyone says that it is so much better if we take the time to learn how to use it. What actually is so much better about the factory Nav than a Garmin, for example. Thusfar nobody has actually said...other than the split screen, which I wish I could turn off forever.
If you do not like a garmin hanging from your window or a after market nav stuffed in your dash, then the stock nav is a capable unit.
Sadly each choice has a negative. The garmin has to hang from your window or stick on something on the dash or cup holder. The after market looks after market. Then we have the stock nav that is not easy to use and requires DVD updates that are expensive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,612
Likes: 493
From: brooklyn ny
If you have any specific questions on system features or operation I'll be happy to assist you. I can provide you with a link to my tutorial for download. If you are coming to the C5/C6 Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum next week, I'll be putting on a seminar on getting the most from the factory navigation unit on Saturday morning and will be happy to spend some one on one time to help you work with the system and answer any questions you may have.
Paul
Paul
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
Hey Paul whats up? You have got to be the nicest guys in the world. I remember how much time you spent with me over the phone trying to figure out my system and why it wouldn't work (because i didn't have Bose). You have got to be one of the best forum members out there.
Without exception. His Corvette website and business should reflect that.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Truly......if I spend a long time learning the tutorial, will I learn how to make it choose the correct route? That is the only issue I have. Everyone says that it is so much better if we take the time to learn how to use it. What actually is so much better about the factory Nav than a Garmin, for example. Thusfar nobody has actually said...other than the split screen, which I wish I could turn off forever.
When I put in a destination I get 3 choices to choose from.
From there I can see where and how each route is going to take me to my destination and make my choice.
Then if I see a segment that is not congruent to the easiest/shortest or what ever, I can change "only" that segment if I want, before starting my journey.
I will agree, it's not the NAV for everyone
And as petes Z06 says, other units are good and the Factory NAV is not the cure all..
But it is way better than most users will give it credit for and has more capabilities than most users even know about
The Factory NAV is simply underestimated and misunderstood
PS: you can also turn off the Split screen if you want
Last edited by Dif; Apr 18, 2012 at 11:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I have used the NAV on many of my road trips, and it has never let me down.
It always gives you 3 routes, and each of those routes can be customized, etc etc.
I like it best because it comes up on the HUD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
If you read and try things per the Manual, it works just fine. There are a couple very good instructional articles on this forum, check them out also. I have GPS in every vehicle I own, both factory installed and aftermarket and they all have their quirks, but if you just work them a bit they all provide good results. I've had no issues with the factory NAV in my Vette once I read through and tried things out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock AR
If you have any specific questions on system features or operation I'll be happy to assist you. I can provide you with a link to my tutorial for download. If you are coming to the C5/C6 Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum next week, I'll be putting on a seminar on getting the most from the factory navigation unit on Saturday morning and will be happy to spend some one on one time to help you work with the system and answer any questions you may have.
Paul
Paul
Unfortunately I will not be able to come to your seminar.
Thanks again,
George