Alright guys...I've searched it and I'm frustrated and quasi-confused.

I need one.
I would like one that has the built-in/stock look.
I do not use an ipod.
I have xm, but would not rely on it for traffic.
I may upgrade speakers and add power, but plan on keeping my bose head unit.
I do not need to watch movies in the car...nice perhaps, but not essential.
I like value, but plan on running the car into the ground, so I'll spend for a good/great unit.
I have seen a lot on the portable units, Mag 760 & Garmen 2720, but would really prefer built-in.

Please give me some direction.

Thanks,

Mike

 

If you have T-mobile or Sprint, you can buy their Treo 650 and download TOM TOM software and that works even better than a car navi. Try that out. Its the cheapest and best way to have Navi IMO. Also all promts are voice activated and also, you can use it where ever you go even if its a rental car.
Let me know if you have trouble finding a Treo.

 

where are we Tom Tom




goodluck man...



Navi is only for people who dont know where they are going!!!!

 

I've used the portable nav systems before in rental cars and they work great, but the screen is too small. If you want stock look, you're going to have to pay a lot more. What's your budget?

For the stock look, you'll need to do the double-din conversion and replace your bose unit with a double din nav deck. I don't know of any that does NAV but not DVD (only vice versa). Most of the newer models are satellite ready so you can tie into your XM service (mine doesn't unforunately).

 

So, you've never had to use mapquest ever?

 

hmmm....as if I needed another reason to throw away my sh!tty nextel....

Thanks CJ...I'll have to look into that.

I'd still like to hear about some stand-alone options, but you're right, if the treo got it done, I could save the $1K+ on the unit, and just swap the phone service.

Aznluder....budget is flexible. I don't spend for the sake of spending, but I hope to have the car a long time. $1500ish get it done??...In the back of my mind, I'd feel better if I spent less than I would have buying the 'option'.

Anyone else care to weigh in? Are the post ****** too busy calling eachother fehgs?

I'm afraid I have to go diving in Dominica for a week, but I'll check in when I get back.

 

I have been looking at te balckbird http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...model=PMD-B100

The cool thing is that it has a cradle that you can stealth mount in the car and integrate with one of thier new HU that has touch screen. Then if you travel in another car just pop it out and away you go.

Let me know what you think.

 

pretty nifty...music too! I'll have to find some reviews when I get back. I assume, through the cradle, you could patch it into the stereo for music and voice?

 

Your two main options are stand alone unit like the Garmin 2720, which fits nicely into the cubby where the stock unit goes (that's what I have) or go the double DIN head unit replacement route with DVD, etc.

It's easier and cheaper to do the double DIN replacement in your 06 than in the 03's and 04's but it isn't portable, like the stand alone units are. I switch my Garmin between cars and even take it with me on trips when I use a rental car. You can't so the with a double DIN head unit replacement. But, the DD head unit will be more integrated and "factory" looking. Plus you get the added benefits of DVD AND better control of your stereo and likely a little better sound.

If you go the head unit replacement route, also upgrade the speakers, add an amp, and add a sun while you are at it.

 

I wouldn't waste any money on getting nav on a Treo. You're not going to want to squint to read your nav while you're driving. You need something big enough so you can easily search/type in your destination even while driving. Eclipse came out with a new unit for 2006, so the older one for 2005 (AVN5435) you can get for around $1100. The double-din conversion will cost about $400 - $500 (i forget). So you're around your budget.

For those that like to play DVD's and IPOD, the new Eclipse is awesome because it has 2 DVD slots (AVN6600). One for your nav and one for playing DVD's so you don't have to swap them out all the time. I'm thinking about getting this and giving my "wife" the old one.

 

yeah when you place it in the cradle it goes lights out and is controlled completely via the HU. If you do not get the alpine HU then the sell an FM transmitter for to bcast from the blackbird to your HU.

 

Eclipse won't work with XM. The 5500 has a much better Nav database and it not much more. The DD kit is a little under $400 and you don't need the rear bracket, just the AC controls and the trim. I have installed kits in an 04 and 05 so my comments are based on those.

 

I originally planned to get a PDA and add navigation to it. There are quite a few Nav packs for PDA's, make sure you get one with BlueTooth so you can use a wireless BlueTooth antenna. I'd also try to get a PDA with Microsoft's latest OS on it... I think it's Windows Mobile 2005.

As I remember, Windows Mobile 2005 has some Navigation hooks built into the OS that will make it perform much better. HP has a PDA that's all set up for Cingular, so you might start there.

What I ended up doing was going to the dark side and swapping my head unit for an Eclipse AVN5435. The Eclipse head unit has good Nav, although I never had the Infiniti Nav to compare it with. IMO, nothing beats the Eclipse unit for in-car navigation. It looks factory with all the Skyline dash and A/C parts, and it has superior sound qualities if you plan to upgrade speakers and add a sub (like I did).

 

I have a Garmin Nuvi and love it. It fits in all my vehicles and is small enough to fit in a pocket (and still have full signal) while riding my bike. When I use it in my G, I place it inside the cubby or in the passenger cup holder.

I feel that Garmin has some of the best maps and have been using them for years

 

Good stuff guys...I appreciate the feedback.

You have me second-guessing the stand-alone. I do take my beater on weekend trips and what-not. So, in that regard, the blackbird or the garmen would fit the bill, probably more so with the blackbird if I ponied up the the HU. If I went with the HU, would I maintain the steering wheel controls?

The treo though.... Blue Tooth? Does the software give voice commands, and, if so, would it pipe through the blue tooth? Small display may not be as problematic.

Thanks again everyone, good food for thought.