Is the Navigation Worth It ?

81919 Views 130 Replies 44 Participants Last post by GARYD, Oct 5, 2011

G

Discussion Starter · Aug 17, 2010

I'm going to be buying an equinox shortly and am on the fence about getting the Navigation option. For you owners who have it was it really worth it?

Here in Canada the Nav option is a whopping...rediculous...$3345.

I mean what else does this thing do above a $200 portable Garmin that warrants the value in having it. Was it really worth the $3100 more than a portable unit? or could you have done without?

Also, has anyone found a crack to get around the touch screen being disabled while the vehicle is in motion...I'd hate to pull over and stop each and every time I wanted to change an address or search for something....I'd never distract myself and fiddle with it while driving

.....but maybe the passenger would like to.

1 - 20 of 131 Posts

SuperMat64

· #2 · Aug 17, 2010

I have personnaly opted for the Garmin Option with lifetime updates... and the nox/terrain have a perfect place for it !

mmarges said:
I'm going to be buying an equinox shortly and am on the fence about getting the Navigation option. For you owners who have it was it really worth it?

Here in Canada the Nav option is a whopping...rediculous...$3345.

I mean what else does this thing do above a $200 portable Garmin that warrants the value in having it. Was it really worth the $3100 more than a portable unit? or could you have done without?

Also, has anyone found a crack to get around the touch screen being disabled while the vehicle is in motion...I'd hate to pull over and stop each and every time I wanted to change an address or search for something....I'd never distract myself and fiddle with it while driving .....but maybe the passenger would like to.

IceMan

· #3 · Aug 17, 2010

SuperMat64 said:
I have personnaly opted for the Garmin Option with lifetime updates... and the nox/terrain have a perfect place for it !

We left out the Navigation option as well...and plan on doing exactly what you have done. It is definately a perfect place for the Garmin.
How about posting another pic of it here..!

SuperMat64

· #4 · Aug 17, 2010

2

For your viewing pleasure

Sorry about the dust

my terrain is due for a cleaning

See less See more

JohnEqui

· #5 · Aug 17, 2010

I don't have the Navi system, it's too expensive! I'd like the big screen display, but I survived this summer with the little TomTom budy anyway.

BTW, i'm not sure the place at the bottom of the instrument panel is right for the portable navigator, for 2 reasons:
- It's recommended to be placed on the upper side of the windshield for better connection.
- You have to turn your head and lower your sight to look at it which is never recommended.

I placed a permanent (glued) support on the horizontal part of the small storage compartiment door on top of the instrument panel. Like that it has a obstacle free range and it's right at your eyes level.

Terrain

· #6 · Aug 17, 2010

Where I live portable GPS units are stolen every night, by the dozens - even when the vehicle is parked in the garage!

I've owned Terrains with and without the navigation, and I will say that I will never buy another vehicle without a nav system. Although, maybe I didn't know what I was missing as I have never owned a portable unit. Either I researched and printed the directions, or used my Blackberry.

Agreed, it is a very costly option on these vehicles - especially if you are in Canada!!

gar187er

· #7 · Aug 17, 2010

a beanbag mount and a garmin is the way to go...if you have the $$$ get the nav, otherwise, way too costly IMO....factory is nice, but hell even an avic is cheaper then 3k....

SuperMat64

· #8 · Aug 17, 2010

No problem at all with connection. It's illegal to put the gps on the windshield, it block the vision and also you have the charge wire that makes it ugly. Where i put it, it's perfect and the Terrain/Nox have a power outlet just behind it so no wire at all... Most people that i carried were thinking that my gps is oem.

The law is that you must not see it when you look at the road, that' the main reason why they have vocal indication.

This is just an exemple... search google and you'll find a lot about illegal windshield gps install...

http://www.gpsreview.net/windshield-gps-installations-illegal-in-some-states/

And no i'll never purchase a car with nav... a way too expensive... hard to get updates for the maps and impossible to replace... impossible to connect it to your computer to prepare a trip... impossible to get your track journal out of it... and i pass a lot more uses...

That's my opinion.

By the way, the installation with the disc on the dash a more acceptable but i don't want to damage the surface and i don't want to have the wire always on the way...

JohnEqui said:
I don't have the Navi system, it's too expensive! I'd like the big screen display, but I survived this summer with the little TomTom budy anyway.

BTW, i'm not sure the place at the bottom of the instrument panel is right for the portable navigator, for 2 reasons:
- It's recommended to be placed on the upper side of the windshield for better connection.
- You have to turn your head and lower your sight to look at it which is never recommended.

I placed a permanent (glued) support on the horizontal part of the small storage compartiment door on top of the instrument panel. Like that it has a obstacle free range and it's right at your eyes level.

See less See more

NoobNox

· #9 · Aug 17, 2010

A few years ago I would have said no simply because most carmakers weren't implementing as well as the standalone units, and updating meant putting in a cd/dvd that may be outdated by the time you get it. These days it seems that bult in nav systems (and especially the unit in the Nox/Terrain) are full featured and very well integrated and easy to update. Of course paying over $3k isn't an easy thing to swallow when you can get a good standalone for around $200. Basically it comes down to the integration with the rest of the vehicle and how much that is worth to you....I opted out and simply pull my TomTom out of the console when I need it. (along with a beanbag dash mount)

SuperMat64

· #10 · Aug 17, 2010

Garmin Lifetime Updates / 4 updates per year : 85$

How much for updates for the nav of the terrain/nox and how many times per year ?

The including nav doesnt worth what they are asking for...3000$ more than the premium sound system... so at that price it worth 4000 or more $$ ???? never...

IceMan

· #11 · Aug 17, 2010

SuperMat64 said:
No problem at all with connection. It's illegal to put the gps on the windshield, it block the vision and also you have the charge wire that makes it ugly. Where i put it, it's perfect and the Terrain/Nox have a power outlet just behind it so no wire at all... Most people that i carried were thinking that my gps is oem.

The law is that you must not see it when you look at the road, that' the main reason why they have vocal indication.

This is just an exemple... search google and you'll find a lot about illegal windshield gps install...

http://www.gpsreview.net/windshield-gps-installations-illegal-in-some-states/

And no i'll never purchase a car with nav... a way too expensive... hard to get updates for the maps and impossible to replace... impossible to connect it to your computer to prepare a trip... impossible to get your track journal out of it... and i pass a lot more uses...

That's my opinion.

By the way, the installation with the disc on the dash a more acceptable but i don't want to damage the surface and i don't want to have the wire always on the way...

Well...I still think that this is a great idea and slick arrangement! I do like how it is setup. When we travel..I'll usually have a co-pilot anyhow. Thanks for the pics and detailing the advantages. I'm sold..!

djmodifyd

· #12 · Aug 17, 2010

I love having the factory nav. I just like how everything integrates with the vehicle.

For instance..the navigation shows route information in the DIC when a destination is entered, traffic and weather information is shown on screen and comes out of the factory stereo (not weather but traffic info does). Plus the hard drive on the nav is awesome (not sure if thats available without nav or not)

Having the rear camera on the large display is nicer than on the rear view mirror as well.

mainly, i just like how everything is integrated, and i don't have to worry about it getting stolen, having ugly cords all over the place and so fourth.

I've had nav on the last 4 vehicles i've owned, and will probably never get a vehicle without it again.

SuperMat64

· #13 · Aug 18, 2010

I prefer by far having it in the rear view mirror. It's a way more intuitive and we see in the mirror also when using it.

djmodifyd said:
Having the rear camera on the large display is nicer than on the rear view mirror as well.

ScLoJohn

· #14 · Aug 18, 2010

I have the nav. on my Lexus and it is the first and last time I will ever have it. Just like everyone else has said it is very expensive and you can't operate it when the car is in motion (I didn't know this until AFTER) I had it. Garmin is definitely the way to go.

John

TheCrow1994

· #15 · Aug 18, 2010

djmodifyd said:
I love having the factory nav. I just like how everything integrates with the vehicle.

For instance..the navigation shows route information in the DIC when a destination is entered, traffic and weather information is shown on screen and comes out of the factory stereo (not weather but traffic info does). Plus the hard drive on the nav is awesome (not sure if thats available without nav or not)

Having the rear camera on the large display is nicer than on the rear view mirror as well.

mainly, i just like how everything is integrated, and i don't have to worry about it getting stolen, having ugly cords all over the place and so fourth.

I've had nav on the last 4 vehicles i've owned, and will probably never get a vehicle without it again.

I couldn't agree more. I love having the larger back up camera screen (and guidelines), and all the integrated features.

G

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 18, 2010

Well, it seems most people are against the Nav rather than for. So I will stick with my Garmin and keep my songs on my ipod instead of uploading to a HDD and save myself $3400

For those of you talking about places to put your portable Nav and been bag mounts, try this. Pro Clip USA. They make vehicle specific and device specific mouting brackets. No screws or tape as the bracket wedge or clip in between trim seems. I know a co-worker that had one and it held secure and worked great.

proclipusa . com

Terrain

· #17 · Aug 18, 2010

mmarges said:
Well, it seems most people are against the Nav rather than for. So I will stick with my Garmin and keep my songs on my ipod instead of uploading to a HDD and save myself $3400

For those of you talking about places to put your portable Nav and been bag mounts, try this. Pro Clip USA. They make vehicle specific and device specific mouting brackets. No screws or tape as the bracket wedge or clip in between trim seems. I know a co-worker that had one and it held secure and worked great.

proclipusa . com

I would strongly suggest you take a test drive in a nav-equipped vehicle before opting not to buy one with it. You might see it and decide it is in fact worth it for you.

Roesterman

· #18 · Aug 18, 2010

SuperMat64 said:
Sorry about the dust my terrain is due for a cleaning

my garmin wont receive a signal when i try it in that cubby. I will try my wifes tomtom next.
I dont think that the built in nav is worth the cost, but i would sure love to have it!

SuperMat64

· #19 · Aug 18, 2010

Strange. Mine is working perfectly. What model do you have ? Mine is a 1490T.

Roesterman said:
my garmin wont receive a signal when i try it in that cubby. I will try my wifes tomtom next.
I dont think that the built in nav is worth the cost, but i would sure love to have it!

NoobNox

· #20 · Aug 18, 2010

mmarges said:
Well, it seems most people are against the Nav rather than for. So I will stick with my Garmin and keep my songs on my ipod instead of uploading to a HDD and save myself $3400

For those of you talking about places to put your portable Nav and been bag mounts, try this. Pro Clip USA. They make vehicle specific and device specific mouting brackets. No screws or tape as the bracket wedge or clip in between trim seems. I know a co-worker that had one and it held secure and worked great.

proclipusa . com

I wouldn't say "most people are against the nav"...simply that most of us think the price is too steep, especially those of us who already have standalone units.. I'm pretty sure that most of us would have a integrated nav in our Nox/Terrain if the asking price was under $1k.

1 - 20 of 131 Posts

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