Nav System Roundtable

[esjones]

I’d like to start a discussion among those who have the factory-installed DVD Navigation system. As I’ve said here before, the manual stinks, and I think we might all benefit from each other’s experiences in using the unit. What do you like or dislike about it? Are you satisfied with the value this $1600 option gives you? Do you use it seriously for finding your way around, or just as a “gee whiz” gadget?As for me, I am overall very happy with it. I have used it for several out-of-town trips, and I enjoy being able to just start out on my trip without having to ask for a lot of directions, look at maps, and then worry about FOLLOWING those directions once underway. I just listen for the unit to tell me when to turn, and glance at the screen occasionally to see my progress and ETA. I wonder about how the thing finds its routes, though. I know it has a strong preference for Interstate highways, then US and numbered State routes. Also, it always seems to plot a route around a city using a bypass or loop where one exists, rather than going straight through. Case in point… I was going from Dayton, Ohio to Toronto, and of course that meant first going up I-75 to Detroit. The nav system wanted me to bypass Toledo instead of staying on 75. Also, it decided that it was quicker to Toronto if I crossed the border at Port Huron instead of the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. Can anyone more familiar with this trip than I am confirm the judgment of the nav system?I also think there must be an easier way of organizing the address database. If I want to go to an address on Cherry St, for example, I might be presented with choices like:N Cherry StS Cherry StCherry AveCherry RdCherry StreetI can enter the city, but it still seems cumbersome. What are your experiences? Have you explored all of the menus and features of the nav system?

[Yoda]

Hey esjones - thought I'd chime in even though I do no have the NAV system. I really would've ordered /bought one, but there was no way to order the NAV system and the sunroof together. The sunroof was a better buy for me. I'm responding because I have borrowed a Honda Odyssey with DVD NAV for about a week from my uncle. I also had the chance to see that the vibe system had the same functions during a short test drive. I can also vouch for the port huron advice that your NAV system gave you. Much less traffic most times and shorter route. If I understand the Toledo question right, the NAV system told you to exit 75 towards 280 and then get back on, staying south of Toledo, which also seems right - the other way takes you pretty far out of your way - it's good for 275, but not to stay on 75...The thing that makes me think that the nav system is not just a gee whiz thing is that there are plenty of occcasions where I got the chance to just drive to an open house, a doctor's appointment, a Christmas party, or a store just by typing in the address or searching through a list on the DVDNAV. What's really a lot of fun is the POI search, I've gone to Niagra and just picked up some travel brochures from a rest area. A lot of the phone numbers in there pop up the address on the Nav system. Even when I was just using the van on my way home, the Nav system could be set to show gas stations, italian restaurants, and all sorts of other things on the way. I'm not sure if the vibe has this, but the honda had an altitude lookup table. I think it's worth a lot more than the box of maps everyone keeps comparing it to because you just can't get lost and it's very handy for all sorts of things. It also would let me be a lot more spontaneous - I might go to mapquest about 3-4 times per month just to make sure I know where something is (local UPS depot, nearby post office, business address for a work trip, etc). Now, I have to get the map the day before, but when I had the van, just jump in and go. Take the cell phone just in case. And of course, like you've already seen, it's great for long trips. I got a GT so I don't think it's a long trip car. I'm still on the lookout for the hardware to add DVD-nav to my car...

[LeeFullenkamp]

I am considering getting a Vibe with Nav system. I was wondering if you could help me out and tell me if you can play audio cd's while using the nav system? Also does the unit play DVD movies as well?

[esjones]

The nav system comes with a 6-disc CD changer under the front passenger seat. You can play your CDs there while you are using the nav system. You can also eject the map DVD-ROM and play an audio CD in the head unit, but then you can't use the nav system if you do that (no maps, no nav!).You CANNOT play DVD movies. The unit is DVD-ROM (read only memory). I hope this helps.

[esjones]

Yes... first, you press the BAND button to select AM, FM1 or FM2 and select your station. Then you press NAV to go back to the map display. Even when in NAV mode, the seek UP/DOWN button will work to seek or scan the band you've selected. The system ALWAYS has an audio source active when it's turned on, CD changer or the radio. So, if you turn up the volume when in nav mode, you'll hear whatever the last audio source you selected. Put a different way, if you're in NAV mode and want silence, you have to turn the volume down.

[GT_03]

I actually had to use my Nav system for the first time today. It is very easy to use, because i never even read the directions and had no problem figuring it out.The directions it gave me were perfect. I'm so glad that i got it, or i might still be lost in Pittsburgh as we speak.

[Mayberry]

I have been away from the forums for a little while, so don't stone me too bad if this is a frequent question...Where do I get an updated version of the DVD Nav disc ? How often do these discs get updated ??I have been driving my Vibe now for over a year, and was wondering if there are updates available...

[Cidderiforous]

quote:You CANNOT play DVD movies. The unit is DVD-ROM (read only memory). I hope this helps.has anybody found a hack, or a chip, or any other way to make the system read movies???

[millster]

It would be technically impossible. The device simply does not have the circuitry to play movies.