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Comments
xnappo, "Ford Freestyle" #2033, 16 Jan 2005 10:03 am
Steve, Host
selling after market oem nav systems for solara's? I want to add GPS but couldn't get it when I bought the car last year this site has in dash toyota gps systems. Any help would be appreciated
Anyway, these are supposedly OEM systems being sold via a 3rd party. If it comes with everything you need and a full warranty, I guess its ok. But how difficult is the installation? Are the cars prewired for it?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I use the "bean bag" style mount that comes with the unit to sit it on the dashboard. I've used it in several different cars, rental and mine, and have never had a problem with it sliding even in extreme braking and cornering situations. The unit also comes with a smaller mount, and 1 each of a temporary or permanent adhesive pad to stick the unit to the dash. They sell additional mounts and sticky pads also. The speaker/power plugs into the power point/lighter.
I heavily weighed my previous good experiences with Garmin products in my decision to buy the 2610.
I had planned on getting a built in NAV on my next vehicle, but now I'm planning on just using the 2610. It works plenty good enough for me, plus I save the $2000 Honda gets for their unit!
As far as getting as fully loaded Garmin 2610 a good place is GPSdiscount.com for $633.14 shipped(or factory overhauled with 1 yr warranty $533 )StreetPilot® 2610 receiver with:
built-in antenna
MapSource City Navigator
Alphanumeric remote control
External speaker with 12/24-volt adapter cable
PC/USB interface cable
A/C power adapter
Integrated dash mount
Bean Bag mount
Americas Autoroute basemap
MapSource® City Navigator North America CD with full coverage and full unlock
128 MB CompactFlash memory card
The Garmin 2620 has dead reconning ,but is not portable.$799 The 2650 is a more enhanced 2620.
The two leaders in GPS are Garmin and Magellan. If you want an all combined unit with MP3 stereo, etc, I would check out the reviews carefully as to the quality and accuracy of the GPS portion.
Good Luck.
MidCow
NOTE: Earlier someone complained about the Navigation system in an Oddessy. Most navigation systems will not give street details in small towns. If that is what there person was trying to do theire navigation, then there are no navigation/GPS systems that will work. Otherwise the Honda/Acura system is probably the best. Toyota/Lexus is second. And the luxury car makers: Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti come in a distant third.
thanks.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
What it means is that if you temporarily lose your satellite signal,example going through tall buildings downtown, the GPS will still figure where you are and where you are going based on your last heading and last speed of travel. Then when the satellite signal does come back there is no recalculation or map change.
Thanks,
MidCow
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The models which have dead reckoning are the 2650 and 2660 which are more expensive but are still totally portable although the dead reckoning feature requires a cable between the speedometer and the unit for the dead reckoning to work. The unit can be disconnected and used in any vehicle, but the dead reckoning won't work unless you have that cable installed in each car. Less portable, perhaps, but still portable.
I checked and you are right. I bought a 2610 about two years ago and they were referring to the 2620 , at least I thought, as the speedometer connected dead reckoning. At that time the 2650 and 2660 didn't exist. But thanks for the correction.
Anyway bottom line, the Garmin is very useful and accurate and can be updated about every 18 months at around $155.
YMMV,
MidCow
Mark
If so, do I need a special adapter or is it just a standard RCA input. Once plugged in, how do I switch modes on the player. Thanks for the help.
- how are updates applied? A DVD came with the car but the car didn't come equipped with a DVD player. Unless the CD changer can read this disk. The manual doesn't say anything about this; I guess they assume you'll go to a dealer to install updates.
- how do I find out if there is a later version available (aside from checking with a dealer)?
- is there a site where I can submit corrections to the data? One example I noticed is that a business named McDonalds Something is incorrectly marked on the map as a McDonalds fast food restaurant. Yet just a 1/2 mile away, a McDonalds that has been in the same location for 20 years isn't listed.
If you can answer these questions or point me to another suitable forum I'd be grateful.
Thank you.
Have you searched the car for a DVD player? Under the seat? in a panel somewhere in the back?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I think the DVD I have may be the original one. In my web searches I learned that there was a free DVD upgrade so probably the previous owner got the newer one installed. The version in the system is 4.2 which I believe is the later one. I did notice something marked "Navigation" under the drivers seat. Maybe that's the spot. I just sort of assumed it had something to do with the GPS.
Thanks.
p.s. I don't have a preference as to which kind of system it is (voice activated, touch screen, toggle etc) just as long as it works! Thanks!!!
Get a streets and routing program for your computer and plan a lot of routing there beforehand and don't neglect maps. They will still be more convenient many, many times.
I have operated two different navigation systems on two brands and I cannot vouch that any one is better than another. One possible exception is that a late model system that takes voice commands MIGHT be quicker and more convenient, because you never want to more than glance at it, never changing anything while you are driving.
I wish you the best.
Some added advice: make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Any suggestions????
Thanks
"...make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost. "
Woe is me! I just bought a 2005 Toyota Highlander a week ago with Nav and although I played with the system during the test drive it happened to always be while stopped! Two days later I find out that you can hardly do anything while the vehicle is moving! I've owned two other Nav systems (one in a 2004 Honda Accord and another after market install into a Trailblazer) neither had any such restrictions.
I've been searching the web for days trying to find a workaround or hack to re-enable the functionality. I found one possible solution at Coastaletech, but he's reserving it for Prius owners (would it even work on a Highlander Nav system?)
Anyone know of another solution?
And where did you get the quote for $250?
Thanks in advance!!!
I can see it now: A guy with a cell phone on his shoulder, a double Whopper in his left hand, tuning XM radio with his right hand, and oh by the way, I think I'll play with the Navigation system while I'm at it. At least he isn't putting on his makeup (we hope) when his spouse might well be.
Is it a wonder we have people killed everyday on the highway? I don't think so.
This is the second worst idea I've heard recently. The worst was the thought of allowing 300 people on an airplane to talk on their cell phones (all at the same time) for the entire flight. That sounds like fun....
All that said, I'm for technology and if there was some way to allow a passenger (only) to program the NAV system, then I'd be all for it. I'm just not sure how that could work.
But until then, I don't want my spouse or children being killed because someone was trying to find Burger King and was too lazy to pull over. And when that happens and your insurance company finds out you have overridden the Toyota NAV "I AGREE" feature, I wonder if they will pay for all the damage and loss of life? I also hope the Prius guy selling these has a good lawyer, because I guarantee you he will be blamed if someone is injured or killed -- in spite of his disclaimer. It's just the world we live in.
Okay, stepping off of soap box now....I do like my Nav system.
Now that so many nav systems are incorporating voice recognition, we can do more and more w/o taking our eyes off the road.
Presumably one has one's eyes on the road while making that maneuver.
tidester, host
Steve, Host
However I believe strongly in personal responsibility. I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I don't eat while driving, and I always wear my seat belt. Can you honestly say you've never used your nav system while driving? Even the ones that don't allow you to change the destination still allow you enough options to divert your attention from the road long enough for an accident to happen.
I don't think its up to the manufacturers of cell phones and cars and the owners of drive-thrus to enforce those behaviors on the public. Following your logic logic we should close all the drive thrus since we can't guarantee that only the passengers will eat while the car is in motion and the auto makers should all install cell phone jammers in their cars and cars shouldn't be able to be driven if everyone isn't wearing their seat belt.
I've had two other nav systems and when you know the system it usually takes no more attention than the radio (maybe should we disable changing radio stations while moving too?). It certainly takes less attention that dealing with an atlas or huge folding map while driving ... which is the option people are left with when their nav systems prevent them from using it. By the way, when I'm driving its my wife who looks at the map and vice-versa, we should be allowed a similar arrangement with the nav system.
Just because something can be enforced doesn't mean that it should be enforced...particularly when its not illegal (yet).
As for the insurance question. I think it would be perfectly fair if the insurance companies didn't cover drivers in such situations, but unfortunately I don't expect it would stop anyone from engaging in those activities.
And, yes, I can honestly say I have never used the NAV while driving. On the Toyota Camry 2004 model, the only icons that you can even push while driving are for HOSPITAL, POLICE or a TOYOTA dealership. That's it. You can't enter other information.
If we used your idea of "personal responsibility" drivers would want to drive 90 after 5 beers because they are themselves certainly "personally responsible". It's just the other guys that aren't. Ah, if it were only that easy. We, unfortunately, can't depend on personal responsibility when people are driving 2-ton SUVS at 70 mph, and that's why safety laws are passed.
Would it deeply trouble me if a law was passed prohibiting you from eating a 16 inch pizza while driving in your car? No, not that much. When you get in the driver's seat of a car you have a "personal responsibility" to yourself, your family, and all other drivers to try to keep them alive. Everything else from eating, to cell phones, to Navigation systems miss the point. But until a law is passed, I guess you are free to do whatever you want. Being "personally responsible" of course.
When a congressman's spouse or child is killed, then something might be done to eliminate some of these distractions. By the way, you cannot drive in New York state with a hand-held cell phone. You must use a hands-free unit and more states are considering enacting similar laws.
I agree that the solution will be voice-activated NAV systems that are already coming on line. I believe the latest Toyota system in the Avalon has this and probably Lexus, too.. Now if we could just fix the 16 inch pizza problem.
I understand - only emergency situations, like in case of injury or the sudden need to find that Toyota dealership ASAP!!!"
I am not familiar with your system, but is there a way to add an external atenaee to boost the signal? I know on the Streetpilot w/o an antenaee the accuracy is say 30' to 60'; with the add on it gets down to about 9' accuracy. That helps in knowing about a turn before you pass it
Mark