Factory Navi
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Factory Navi
I'm in the market for a 2008 or newer C6. One of the options I'd really like is navigation, but finding a car outfitted with everything I want, including navi has been difficult.
My question, what do you think of the factory navigation system? Does it effectively get you where you are going? Would you buy it again? Should I spend the time to find one with the factory navi or can I put in an aftermarket instead? I'm not interested in a dash mounted unit, but one that would look factory installed when finished. I would also like to be able to use the Bose stereo with this unit and other voice activated features.
I'm interested in your opinions as to how well the factory unit works and whether an aftermarket unit is an acceptable alternative?
Thanks all.
My question, what do you think of the factory navigation system? Does it effectively get you where you are going? Would you buy it again? Should I spend the time to find one with the factory navi or can I put in an aftermarket instead? I'm not interested in a dash mounted unit, but one that would look factory installed when finished. I would also like to be able to use the Bose stereo with this unit and other voice activated features.
I'm interested in your opinions as to how well the factory unit works and whether an aftermarket unit is an acceptable alternative?
Thanks all.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 445
Likes: 5
From: Oshkosh WI
I'm in the market for a 2008 or newer C6. One of the options I'd really like is navigation, but finding a car outfitted with everything I want, including navi has been difficult.
My question, what do you think of the factory navigation system? Does it effectively get you where you are going? Would you buy it again? Should I spend the time to find one with the factory navi or can I put in an aftermarket instead? I'm not interested in a dash mounted unit, but one that would look factory installed when finished. I would also like to be able to use the Bose stereo with this unit and other voice activated features.
I'm interested in your opinions as to how well the factory unit works and whether an aftermarket unit is an acceptable alternative?
Thanks all.
My question, what do you think of the factory navigation system? Does it effectively get you where you are going? Would you buy it again? Should I spend the time to find one with the factory navi or can I put in an aftermarket instead? I'm not interested in a dash mounted unit, but one that would look factory installed when finished. I would also like to be able to use the Bose stereo with this unit and other voice activated features.
I'm interested in your opinions as to how well the factory unit works and whether an aftermarket unit is an acceptable alternative?
Thanks all.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Mine has factory nav and although I don't use it much it has worked and got me to my destination in the several times I have. The graphics are sub par. It's not the easiest thing to learn to use. If the car came without nav I'd buy an aftermarket one with a lot more options and better graphics. There are kits that make them look factory installed. Double D mods (vendor here) has a good selection and will do the wiring for you if you want so it will be plug and play.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Mine has factory nav and although I don't use it much it has worked and got me to my destination in the several times I have. The graphics are sub par. It's not the easiest thing to learn to use. If the car came without nav I'd buy an aftermarket one with a lot more options and better graphics. There are kits that make them look factory installed. Double D mods (vendor here) has a good selection and will do the wiring for you if you want so it will be plug and play.
I did by a Kenwood for my 08 but I wasn't too crazy about it to be honest. They don't look factory installed IMHO which is the main draw back. My last two C6 had the NAV come with it. The graphics are sub par but overall it is ok. I'm pretty familiar with the roads if I'm within around 500 miles of my house, at least the main ones. I don't like voice guidance on any NAV. My Garmin tried to send me down a one way street which would not have been good, oh Betty said "turn left" and I looked at the one way sign pointing at me. Every since then she has been silent.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 44
From: Richmond TX
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I have a hand held Garmin I use in my other vehicles and I'm very happy with it. In particular I like the way it chooses routes. I've found in my local area, it chooses routes similar to what I would choose. Having a Garmin based system would be a plus.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 13
From: turn 12 at Road America or TX
The C6 nav is circa 2003 and the update DVDs are $200 at the dealer - less on fleabay.
my '13 2LT has one and it works OK but a handheld is superior. Plus, it's locked out from programming unless the vehicle is stationary - really honks Wifey off because she can't program it from the passenger seat. My 2 cents ...
my '13 2LT has one and it works OK but a handheld is superior. Plus, it's locked out from programming unless the vehicle is stationary - really honks Wifey off because she can't program it from the passenger seat. My 2 cents ...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Best way to describe it,
You will spend about zero time looking at the dash as you are driving,and instead use the Hud for all the information you need to see instead. Even RPM shift points are sound, so you still not spending any time looking at the dash.
Right now, the factory Nav unit is the only unit that will display it's information through the HUD, and why the factor Nav still has a huge following (even with all it limitations).
Note, there is a company working on a interface to send aftermarket Nav radio information to the GM HUD, it it has not been released yet.
To add, if you have a Bose system in the car, then there is the third VSS plug that you need already installed (just taped back on the large wiring harness since it not needed for the CP players). If you don't have the bose system, then you will need to add the VSS wiring to the wiring harness instead.
You will spend about zero time looking at the dash as you are driving,and instead use the Hud for all the information you need to see instead. Even RPM shift points are sound, so you still not spending any time looking at the dash.
Right now, the factory Nav unit is the only unit that will display it's information through the HUD, and why the factor Nav still has a huge following (even with all it limitations).
Note, there is a company working on a interface to send aftermarket Nav radio information to the GM HUD, it it has not been released yet.
To add, if you have a Bose system in the car, then there is the third VSS plug that you need already installed (just taped back on the large wiring harness since it not needed for the CP players). If you don't have the bose system, then you will need to add the VSS wiring to the wiring harness instead.
Last edited by Dano523; May 2, 2014 at 03:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I've got a factory nav in all my vehicles and they all work fine. I had the best unit pioneer has to offer in one of my trucks before I traded and absolutely hated it. Factory is better.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 24
From: New Jersey
I have a 2008 vert and the nav is almost useless when the sun hits it. When you can see it, the interface is very dated and challenging to use. Google on my phone does a much better job and I don't have to buy new maps for it.
I bought the car new and if I had to do it over, I wouldn't spend the extra money on it.
I bought the car new and if I had to do it over, I wouldn't spend the extra money on it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 4
From: Rockaway NJ
EH nav has gotten me where to go... every time... sometimes not the most direct (per google maps) but it got me there without issue
also its not useless with glare is you have HUD ... i LOVE that it interfaces with HUD so it tells me which way to turn how far etc etc... never have to look at it actually !
also its not useless with glare is you have HUD ... i LOVE that it interfaces with HUD so it tells me which way to turn how far etc etc... never have to look at it actually !
Last edited by robertaj; May 2, 2014 at 06:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We have factory Nav in our C6, and different "other maker" factory navs in the two grocery getters.
We also have two Garmins and four cellphone navs.
We have used them all quite extensively, and also spent many thousands of miles in caravan with other cars using different systems.
Any nav system will be "pretty good but not perfect", they just have different advantages and disadvantages.
After 110,000 miles over most of the USA while using the C6 factory nav, it's the one we prefer. Talon90 has an excellent tutorial linked through this Forum.
We also have two Garmins and four cellphone navs.
We have used them all quite extensively, and also spent many thousands of miles in caravan with other cars using different systems.
Any nav system will be "pretty good but not perfect", they just have different advantages and disadvantages.
After 110,000 miles over most of the USA while using the C6 factory nav, it's the one we prefer. Talon90 has an excellent tutorial linked through this Forum.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 205
From: Westerville Ohio
As I'm sure you're getting the impression by now, the factory nav really isn't that great. However, the integration into the heads up display and every other part of the car is what sells me on a factory navigation system.
Definetely not the best, but i would opt for it again if given the chance.
Definetely not the best, but i would opt for it again if given the chance.
