Recommendations for a in-dash navi unit

[dablackgoku1234]

Looking to put in an in-dash navi/entertainment system into my car. Was looking at the Kenwood DNX7120 with voice street names for gps. Is there anything similiar to that from other companies with voice gps?

[ES_Revenge]

You mean text-to-speech or do you mean you talk to it? If you meant the former I think most, if not all, in-dash units have that feature. It's the portables where you have to look for that feature a little more. Still check before buying, of course.

For double DIN stuff:

The Pio AVICs are pretty good too. The AVIC-D3 is phased out/discontinued but you can still get one at a decent deal. It uses DVD-based nav though. There's also the AVIC-Z2/Z3, which is HDD based and more pricey. Then there's the new AVIC F-series which phased out the D-series. However unfortunately there are a lot of bugs with these at the moment and everyone is waiting for Pio to release a firmware update to correct them.

There's also the DNX8120 which is my recommendation--it has some more features the 7120 doesn't.

There's a new JVC unit out now too (can't remember the model number now) but there aren't too many reviews on it yet. It has a cool proximity sensor feature that highlights things as you float your hand over them.

The one thing (and perhaps only thing) I don't like about the DNX8120 and DNX7120 is that they've dropped CD changer control. The nav is flash based, so not a huge problem, but you're still limited to just one disc in the main unit. The 8120 has every other sort of connection though--USB, iPod, Bluetooth, AUX--but still I think it's stupid. They are using a new KAB (Kenwood Advanced Bus) system for add-on sat tuners, but they are not planning on releaseing any KAB CD changers.

[overboost]

I have a Pioneer Avic Z2 for sale if you are interested, please PM me.


Looking to put in an in-dash navi/entertainment system into my car. Was looking at the Kenwood DNX7120 with voice street names for gps. Is there anything similiar to that from other companies with voice gps?

[Kieraw]

How do the manufacturer package navi's compare to aftermarket?

[ichpen]

That really depends on the manufacturer. Some are good (new Cadillacs 08+ have a really decent Pioneer based HD navi system), Infiniti is not bad, some are awful Mercedes being a prime example.

The good thing about getting it from the manufacturer is that a) it blends completely with your car's interior (something you have to work for very hard to achieve with aftermarket) and b) some cars have a lot of features built into the Navis (GM is a prime example) so you're pretty much forced to stick with them....

[antman59]

Where is the best place to buy an indash double din system. I heard that dealercostcaraudio.com is good but I am not sure how much duty is. Anyone ever used them?

[M-e-X-x]

pioneer or alpine...

[ES_Revenge]

How do the manufacturer package navi's compare to aftermarket?
Typically they pale in comparison to decent aftermarket gear. They do have looks and integration features you won't get in an aftermarket unit though.

To add to what ichpen said, factory nav systems often have nice features like turn/routing information that appears in the instrument panel (as well as traditional stuff like radio station, track info, etc.) which you will not get with aftermarket systems. Also higher end vehicles may have advanced control systems integrated with factory nav. Examples are such systems as BMWs iDrive and Audi's MMI. In those cases factory nav is not a bad idea.

On the other hand any good aftermarket deck will dust the factory offering in pretty much every other category--sound quality, expandability, features, etc. To top it all off, the aftermarket systems cost signifcantly less money in most cases.

Unless nav is standard on the car or unless you also get one of those fancy control systems, personally I would stay away from factory nav/audio and the high price tags they carry.

[mr_raider]

Some cars have complex integrated dashes with integrated Head Units that are not DIN or double DIN. In those cases, a swa with aftermarket unit may not be feasible. There is alwas the suction cup alternative.

[ES_Revenge]

There is alwas the suction cup alternative.
Yeah but that's ghetto. I would rather be lost than have a suction cup GPS.

[kin0kin]

Anybody know where's the best place to pick up the 8120? The cheapest I've found is on ebay but those folks only shipped with UPS ground...ewww.

If kenwood tossed in hdd in the unit, it'd be perfect for me.

[olddog]

if you want qulaity and reliability, get one of the Eclipse series. some come with harddrives and others use the traditional discs navigation.
trust me, i am on my third one and i love it. i have had the AVN2454, AVN5495 and now have the AVN5435. The AVN 5495 was a harddrive model but i sold it when i sold my old Lexus.
I have the AVN 5435 in one of my current Lexuses.
Here is a pics of it in my car. Nav is accurate and on point, watch dvds, mp3 discs, cd rw discs....you can even hook up your ipod and watch movies and music from it on the unit.
The newer models also have bluetooth. It is also good to know that Eclipse Fujitsu makes the nav system for Lexus oem navigation.
good luck

olddog
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data//500/Picture_0227.jpg

[danns]

Yeah but that's ghetto. I would rather be lost than have a suction cup GPS.

HEY that was a low blow:mad: . Nothing wrong with a suction cup GPS.

[kin0kin]

Nothing wrong, just inelegant. With wires on the dash and all.

[ES_Revenge]

HEY that was a low blow:mad: . Nothing wrong with a suction cup GPS.
LOL don't take it personally :lol: I have friends that have suction-cup GPSes and I tell them the same thing ;) They on the other hand think I'm nuts for wanting to spend $800-$1300 on an in-dash nav-equipped HU.

It's not so bad in older cars and/or cars that don't have GPS as an option or don't have a double-DIN opening or something like that. But when people buy new luxury cars like BMW, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti, etc. and then go with a suction cup GPS that's when it really annoys me. Looks way ghetto as I said, IMO of course ;)

[danns]

Ya i wasn't that mad. More like joking mad.
Im actually curious how those OEM GPS units are in their routing system compared to "suction cup" GPS units? I know garmin is a leader in finding the most efficient route but how do they compare to routing systems of eclipse, pioneer in-dash units??

[ES_Revenge]

Well Kenwood units actually use nav by Garmin, so its pretty comparable. People say the higher end/more expensive portable Garmins have some better features and better graphics and stuff but for the most part it's still "as Garmin" as other Garmin units.

Other units from other manufacturers get pretty good reviews on the nav portion overall, but it does vary so it's best to read reviews on any given unit or brand before buying. I haven't really heard any huge complaints about nav on any of the reputable car audio brands though.

[TurboVolvo]

I just installed the JVC KW-NX7000 unit into my Mazda and I'm very happy with it. It has navigation on SD card (easy to update) USB connection that works with a iPods, separate SD card for multi-media (including AAC files and Divx) DVD player, and so on.
The navigation mapping is by Navteq and has a built-in traffic tuner (doesn't work in the GTA :mad: )


My only dislikes with the unit are:
No radio RDS (come on, for $1000 this should be standard!)
No standard AUX jack (must buy separate connector, again, lots of money and this basic feature is not standard)
No Canadian specific POI's available (No TIM HORTONS!!) I'm hoping for an update on this matter.
Traffic feature doesn't work in the GTA even though it's advertised that it does (the 3 month free trial is really a bonus so I don't pay $50 for nothing)
Slow read times when using iPod through USB
Because of the flip out screen, the unit cannot be mounted flush with the dash so it sticks out too far for my taste.

This may seem a lot, but my "likes" would be too much to list.

Anyway here is a link to the manufacturer site for details:
KW_NX7000 (http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/product-detail.asp?model=KW-NX7000)

[KrownLakeshore]

in my experience, right now clarion has the best navigation system hands down,
eclipse is great, but the top of the line eclipse unit versus the clarion top of the line unit, money wise, clarion is cheaper, and the nav system its incredibly fast and to the point,
new clarion comes with build in blue tooth as well, no mics, no wires, all thru the speakers of your vehicle.
just my two cents,
cheers,

[Tomy]

how about the AVIC-F900T

im interestd in picking that up. if someone can give me a review or suggestion ill greatly appreciate it!

and i really agree with a lot of people here.. the portable GPS has its advantage, but its too messy in the car with all the wires and what not..

[ES_Revenge]

how about the AVIC-F900T

im interestd in picking that up. if someone can give me a review or suggestion ill greatly appreciate it!

and i really agree with a lot of people here.. the portable GPS has its advantage, but its too messy in the car with all the wires and what not..

Check out AVIC411.com--all the info you'll ever need on Pio AVICs :)

The F900BT is in the new F-series. It's pretty good feature-wise but there have been a lot of bugs. Pio released a new firmware but some bugs still exist and people are still waiting for further updates. To read more about this, go on the forums at AVIC411 as again all the info you'll need is on there.

As a side note I would recommend the F90BT over the F900BT as it's the same unit only the F90BT is the Premier model (higher voltage pre-outs, longer warranty if you buy authorised, and I think the iPod cable is included but I can't remember now).

[Tomy]

Check out AVIC411.com--all the info you'll ever need on Pio AVICs :)

The F900BT is in the new F-series. It's pretty good feature-wise but there have been a lot of bugs. Pio released a new firmware but some bugs still exist and people are still waiting for further updates. To read more about this, go on the forums at AVIC411 as again all the info you'll need is on there.

As a side note I would recommend the F90BT over the F900BT as it's the same unit only the F90BT is the Premier model (higher voltage pre-outs, longer warranty if you buy authorised, and I think the iPod cable is included but I can't remember now).

cool, i never heard of the F90.. i can see that it's about 100$ more, but other than the warranty and ipod cable, i don't see much of a difference.

[Tomy]

^^ do u know if the F900 series uses garmin or pioneer itself?

b/c i really like the garmin features.

[ES_Revenge]

cool, i never heard of the F90.. i can see that it's about 100$ more, but other than the warranty and ipod cable, i don't see much of a difference.
LOL that's all the difference there is ;) Well that and the pre-outs. If you have an iPod and plan to use it, it's worth it to get the F90BT. If not it's only really worth it if you'll be using external amplification as the higher pre-outs are of benefit there.

It is the exact same unit other than those things, which is usual with Premier v. non Premier units. Sort of like how Mercedes-AMG cars lose a number in the model name, so do Premier units. So an F90BT is the same as the F900BT, but it's the Premier model.

^^ do u know if the F900 series uses garmin or pioneer itself?

b/c i really like the garmin features.
Pioneer does not use Garmin nav. The only car audio company that uses Garmin, to my knowledge, is Kenwood.

[dog_mumu]

i really agree with a lot of people here.. the portable GPS has its advantage, but its too messy in the car with all the wires and what not..

Depending what you get of course. Higher end portables have well thought-out designs. Easy to put in, take a ride to a far away place, take it out, take it with you on a boat, ride the waves where you never went before and lead your inexperienced city-grown but sea-dreaming ass back to your car in the end. ;)

[mr_raider]

But when people buy new luxury cars like BMW, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti, etc. and then go with a suction cup GPS that's when it really annoys me. Looks way ghetto as I said, IMO of course ;)

The g35 and the IS have custom dashes with no kits available. The IS integrates the HVAC controls in the center stack making it very difficult to go with an in dash replacement. Those who have done it had to keep the stock HU and relocate it to the glove compartment. That's more ghetto than a Nuvi.

So I now drive a Lexus with a Garmin suction cup Nuvi. :cheesygri

It was that or pony up 10K for the nav package with power sunshades, sonar, and laser guided missiles.

[KrownLakeshore]

g35 are actually very doable ,
as for the is lexus , we have installed a flip up single din nav,
it works as well,

[ES_Revenge]

The g35 and the IS have custom dashes with no kits available. The IS integrates the HVAC controls in the center stack making it very difficult to go with an in dash replacement. Those who have done it had to keep the stock HU and relocate it to the glove compartment. That's more ghetto than a Nuvi.
It can probably be relocated to the trunk (or elsewhere), but even in the glovebox, how is that ghetto? No one sees it unless they are in your car and open the glove box. There's no honkin' suction cup on the windshield and no wires all over the place, are there?

As for cars that have no kits available well suck it up and buy the factory nav, buy another car, or just look ghetto LOL.

It was that or pony up 10K for the nav package with power sunshades, sonar, and laser guided missiles.
Should've ponied up! Those laser guided missles alone were worth the $10k!

[ichpen]

Don't forget to spend a little extra and upgrade your speakers/subwoofers... Spending 1k+ on a navi only to play music over some Bose tin can solution is not money well spent...

[TurboVolvo]

You guys have to check out this site I stumbled accross when I was searching for an in-dash unit myself:
www.ricaraudio.com

Unfortunately not available in the US or Canada, but according to a contact, they will be in 2009. Priced around $1200

[mr_raider]

g35 are actually very doable ,
as for the is lexus , we have installed a flip up single din nav,
it works as well,

What did you do with the stock controls? How many hours did the install take? I'm actually wiling to drive over to Toronto for this :cheesygri

[cjean]

I just installed the JVC KW-NX7000 unit into my Mazda and I'm very happy with it. It has navigation on SD card (easy to update) USB connection that works with a iPods, separate SD card for multi-media (including AAC files and Divx) DVD player, and so on.
The navigation mapping is by Navteq and has a built-in traffic tuner (doesn't work in the GTA :mad: )


My only dislikes with the unit are:
No radio RDS (come on, for $1000 this should be standard!)
No standard AUX jack (must buy separate connector, again, lots of money and this basic feature is not standard)
No Canadian specific POI's available (No TIM HORTONS!!) I'm hoping for an update on this matter.
Traffic feature doesn't work in the GTA even though it's advertised that it does (the 3 month free trial is really a bonus so I don't pay $50 for nothing)
Slow read times when using iPod through USB
Because of the flip out screen, the unit cannot be mounted flush with the dash so it sticks out too far for my taste.

This may seem a lot, but my "likes" would be too much to list.

Anyway here is a link to the manufacturer site for details:
KW_NX7000 (http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/product-detail.asp?model=KW-NX7000)

Hi TurboVolvo,

I have the same unit and I would like to confirm with you if we have the same issues. I'm trying to get the help of JVC, they are very unresponsive and totally lost to what I'm asking. Maybe we can work together.

This is what I've sent to them:

Dear JVC Canada customer support.

This is my third request form to JVC Canada (2 by email, 1 phone call) and so far I did not get satisfying answers (no replies to email sent over 3 weeks ago!). After my phone call to JVC, customer support relegated me to local repair shop that can’t do anything about software issues. JVC support person refused to give me her email for me to send her this document along with video’s as proof.

I just purchased (December 29, 2008) a KW-NX7000 along with the optional Bluetooth device KS-BTA200.

Below, please find the list of outstanding issues that I found and hoping they are going to be resolved by JVC engineering dept. or at least acknowledged.

Navigation related problems:

1- In navigation mode, the speed limit doesn’t show-up on the screen and speed alert warning doesn’t work. I have properly configured them in the setting pages to have them to work. Other Canadian users experiencing the same problem. This is a feature advertised by JVC and does not work for us, Canadian users.


2- Exit number from Highway is spelled by TTS but is not shown on the screen. This is not a big issue but when we have a phone conversation, the TTS is muted or attenuated and then we have no guidance on the exit to take except to watch arrow direction. This is very driver distracting. This is a basic feature available even on the cheapest standalone navigation portable system.


3- Entering an address starting by street name then by city, it doesn’t ask for the next step as the door number. If I start with the city, street, then I have the door number available. My example was 175 Route 393 South, La Sarre, Quebec. This is clearly a bug.

Bluetooth related problems:

1- The phone status box doesn’t show my battery level and signal strength. My phone has the capability of transferring that information since I had these informations with a Pioneer F900BT. My phone is a Samsung BlackJack II (SGH-i616). Seems to me that their firmware version is too old to support my phone but not a big issue.

2- In navigation mode, when I’m receiving a call, the call message box appears on the display for few seconds for me to pick-up the call and this is fine. The screen sensor makes this box disappear but when I re-approach my hand to the screen, the call massage box doesn’t reappear. The only way I can hang-up the call is by using my phone or the JVC remote control. Seems to me that the integration of the KS-BTA200 is not complete.

Information from the unit

Model : KW-NX7000(J)
Serial :
Software : 1.2.6.0
Map: 0.9.8.0
Voice : 0.9.8.0

KS-BTA200
Serial :
Firmware : HW200-SW192

Other than that, the JVC KW-NX7000 is almost perfect. Great unit!

An answer would be appreciated.


Thank you,

Charles

BTW, I have Tim Hortons!

Thanks for any help!

Regards,

Charles

[KrownLakeshore]

i guess i have replied on this tread earlier, so i got a reply by email,
i am sick of stupid manufacturers, and even worst installs,

i do not carry jvc, and i dont think we ever will, until they get their products straight, another one that bugs me its pioneer,
people please do your research, and stop throwing your money away, or simply going for a cheaper unit to save couple of hundred bucks,

also i read this email,
i am not sure who installed it, and if speed sensor is required with jvc products.

if it is, thats why you are having some of the problems, like speed showing and etc.

in my opinion we have tried every company on the market,
for nav/dvd, there is only 2 manufacturers that are awesome clarion and eclipse.

i hope that helps someone,
cheers,
Igor,