Along with my BlackBerry, I have a Garmin GPS Maps 60CS. I have a generic mounting for that. It’s basicaly lead shot filled bean bags. The GPS snaps into a holder that swivels in all directions. Works pretty good.
I’ve used portable navigation devices for years. Fast, efficient and cost effective. My current one has a battery, plugs into the vehicle and sits on the dash. All my previous ones didn’t require batteries and sat on the seat next to me. Back then we called them maps. We still call them that today. I get them for free at my local AAA office. At $1,600 for an in-dash system that would buy me almost 29 years of free maps. Plus I get free towing. Does your in-dash model come with free towing?
(I have several portable GPS units.)
In my limited experience, the interface has been friendlier on my Garmin than with any in dash unit I’ve seen.
As GiantRat said earlier, updates are a PITA and apparently expensive. I’ve got the lifetime update package for my Nuvi for $90. Just hook the GPS to a computer with the USB cable and let it do it’s thing. Sure it’s a 2 gig download, but that can run overnight or on a weekend.
I go somewhere new for business every day, or at least a couple times a week, and I see no functional advantages at all to in-dash systems, and the only direct comparison I’ve made showed the database and signal-acquisition of the in-dash system to be noticeably inferior.
I struggled with the decision as well, but I am severely directionally challenged, so we have an in-dash navigation system in a 2010 Honda Odyssey and a 2006 BMW. Some of these are a stretch (IMHO some of these benefits are minor) but here are some advantages:
[ul]
[li]Nice big screen, that (from a dimming/brightness standpoint) is hooked into the vehicle’s dimming and headlamp controls.[/li][li]When you buy an in-dash NAV system, since they give you the big screen for the NAV, the screen is leveraged for other things, making your audio system, climate control, cell phone, etc. all a little more intuitive or easier to use.[/li][li]Better shading from the sun so the display doesn’t get washed out. [/li][li]To control the unit, I can use nice big tactile buttons and knobs. I had a portable unit, and the biggest frustration was trying to enter an address on the smallish touchscreen.[/li][li]I can also use voice control, and the microphone is mounted in the optimum place for theoretically better results.[/li][li]If you have the voice direction feature turned on, it will lower the volume of the stereo, and announce the next turn over the car speakers. It also adapts if you are talking hands-free on the phone.[/li][li]The external antenna seems to have a very fast satellite acquisition time, and in theory, it is in the optimum position - right at the top of the car.[/li][li]On the Honda/Acura system, you can enter a business’ (e.g. a restaurant or hotel) phone number and it will navigate you to that business. Maybe that exists on the portable units as well, but I haven’t seen it. [/li][li]Both systems are upgradeable. The operating system and maps are both located on a DVD that you put into the system. [/li][li]On the Honda, the big screen is also used for the backup camera. Also, that’s the only way you can get Bluetooth integration. [/li][li]You already look at the screen for other stuff (climate control, audio, etc.) so if you are navigating someplace, and the display has the radio up, but you need to turn right in 1/4 mile, an arrow will appear on a portion of the screen, so perhaps you will be more likely to notice it than if it was on a small portable unit, since you are conditioned to look at the in-dash screen for many things. [/li][/ul]
The built in navigation systems are way over-priced, but I liked the fact that by getting it, the center screen was leveraged for many other automotive telematics.
Some good points, aaelghat.
Here’s my take (some duplication of your points).
Advantages of in-dash unit:
- Neater. No cables to run, no brackets required. Dash is uncluttered.
- Bigger screen, easier to read. Some have nice split screens: Navigation, along with entertainment info, eg. song title and artist.
- In some cars, screen position minimizes reflections and wash-out.
- Probably better ergonomics. (Where are you going to put the portable unit?)
- Faster satellite acquisition. 10-15 seconds vs 1-2 minutes for some units.
- No need to pack up the unit to minimize the risk of someone breaking into your car to steal it.
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost.
- More difficult to update maps (if based on hard-drive) and, usually, more money.
- Have to be in car to set the route.
- Can’t take out the unit to move it to another car or to use it while walking.
- You might not like having a large screen in your dash.
- The displays on some in-dash units are ugly and difficult to read, compared to some portable units.
- Some in-dash units are more difficult to use than some portable units.
Rhythmdvl, is this the navigation package that you are looking at?
Wow, excellent summation; thanks.
That’s the nav package that’s drawing us. The other option package includes the you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-us overpriced DVD screens. If they dropped down from the ceiling, maybe, but the Toyota’s look no different from aftermarket systems. Plus, I’d much rather the Dudeling looked out the window and played games with us than watched television. Besides, at a year old, he’s more prone to passing out than babbling away. If anything changes, an aftermarket system is easy enough to install.
As for additional/bundled items mentioned upthread, the expanded backup camera views are nice. We drove the SE around for a weekend and it had the Bluetooth and expanded connections without the nav screen–something to look into to find out of the Limited has them by default as well. The CD changer is moot, as we’re moving away from discs all together.
Come to think of it, maybe the “value” is all in the backup camera views, and the nav system is secondary. Avoid one $1,600 garage crunch and it pays for itself. Hmmm…
My dad has an in-dash Nav cause he’s not technologically savvy. I’d say he’s better than your average 65 year old. My mom is 55 and is light years away and we’re getting her a portable one for her birthday next month. But really, in-dash is just silly.
I agree that the backup cameras are awesome.