Euro lux with sat nav?

[Type R Positive]

Any one got a lux with optional sat nav?

It is almost a definate that im going to Perth (got BHP contract sitting on kitchen table), the missus is keen on sat nav, and to be honest, so am I.

Anyway, is the honda sat nav system any good? How much does it cost? And is it worth paying for Honda sat nav over say a navman system?

Of course this is if I decide to get a lux over a base.

[mastcell]

Honda's SatNav is a 3000 option including GST.

It works very well, because I believe it has external antennae, and it also has dead reckoning, so that your car's movement is continually tracked, even if you have no satellite signals (e.g., if you are in a heavily build-up area, or in an undercover car park). This means that once the car is started, the GPS works almost immediately (after booting up) as it does not require time to lock onto satellite, which would be the case with portable unit.

Like most in-car system, Honda SatNav is also hard wired to the stereo/aircon/odometer/time clock(?) etc. The advantage is that when there is a navigational announcement, the front speaker mutes your music. The annoying part of this feature is that sometimes the navigational announcements really gets in the way of you enjoying your music.

The disadvantage of Honda SatNav is that operating aircon/radio involves extra push of the buttons. the LCD screen is not as visible as i like in direct daylight, and you lose some central console storage space as the result of having the DVD-rom there for the SatNav. Although it should be real easy to also link the LCD screen to a reversing camera, this option is not avaliable.

As for the navigational database, the data is 3 years old for Perth. so many major road upgrades are not included in the database which can be amusing/frustrating. And each new version cost a fortune when compared to the humble street directory, which is another sticky issue I have with Sat Nav.

Operating the SatNav is straight forward. Some operations like entry of street name can be a bit slow compared to modern computer because it is looking through the DVD as you type.

The display is 2 dimensional with a directional indicator on the right side. This is unlike most hand held models which are now using 3-D bird eye view with the directional arrow superimposed over the road. Compared to high-end portable SatNav units, Honda's unit is missing some whiz bang features like blue tooth connectivity, mp3 playing/ipod integration and traffic camera location etc.

Realistically, 3000 is a lot to spend on GPS, but you don't have to worry about dangling wires and theft as with portable GPS units. The convenience factor cannot be measured in money alone. Now that I have mostly forgotten how much it is costing me, I think I have made the right decision in getting my Euro with GPS.

cheers.
Caveat: I do not own a portable unit, so some of my comment about portable GPS may not be totally correct, please feel free to correct my opinion.

[Type R Positive]

Thankyou very much for the great reply Mastcell!
$3k is a bit much, I might just have to go for the portable option.
trying to make directions out of that street directory is not very amusing at all! Perth is easy to get around, I just end up going somewhere new everytime I go for a drive. I always end up where I want to go eventually......

3 years old for the nav database, does that include the portable versions too?

[mastcell]

...3 years old for the nav database, does that include the portable versions too?

Probably the same database is used for portable units too as they all come from Sensis. I have Sensis WhereIs Version 12 DVD (It was the latest last time I checked).

The information leaflet inside the DVD case says this: 'Incremental update to Perth 2003 UBD edition 45'.
The most obvious ommision, imo, is Roe Highway from Kwinana F'way to Albany H'way. This section of Roe H'way was built around end of 2003, which means that the database is at least 3-4 years out of date!!!

Also, main country roads are covered but many secondary roads are not. You should still carry a map for those areas.

Have a look at www.whereis.com

[stephen8512]

PM bustersonic12. he has the 06 lux with satnav
pretty cool if u ask me.

[jamchen]

we have a lux euro sat nav as well...
if you ask me.... i'd its worth of the money to have the sat nav...
its just a lot better than the hand-held one... in terms of accuracy, usefulness...
and as its DVD based system, it recalculates routes in very fast pace if compared with portable ones... (we have the uniden portable GPS as well)...

[Type R Positive]

Hmmmm. Plenty of deciding to be done......

[tony1234]

Hmmmm. Plenty of deciding to be done......
I'd look at a good hardwired aftermarket one installed in the centre console(where the cd holder is).Lot cheaper than $3000.A good installer in Perth should be able to advise you.

[mastcell]

I'd look at a good hardwired aftermarket one installed in the centre console(where the cd holder is).Lot cheaper than $3000.A good installer in Perth should be able to advise you.

I totally disagree with this approach. This approach will completely wreck the ergonomics and aesthetics of the central console.

If what you are suggesting is a way to save money, then please realise that Honda SatNav is reportedly one of the cheapest manufacture-install option available on the market today.

Secondly, buying a car through fleet company (instead of haggling with the dealer yourself) will save you around 3000. So everything is relative.

Reference:
1. http://www.autofleet.com.au/pages/home.htm
2. http://southgatefleet.com.au/ -->This is where I got my car, saved thousands and no haggling with dealer. Picked car up from local dealer as per usual.
3. If you are a Choice magazine subscriber, you can buy car through their 'Choice Shopper' service. Many happy customers, myself included. These days, I will only buy big ticket items through them. I also saved heaps with household items like fridge, washed, vacumn but that is a topic for another forum. :)
4. There are many other fleet car companies like these willing to accept your business, google it with keywords such as 'automotive fleet', 'salary packaging'....you don't have to salary package if you cannot do this through work (not always desirable anyway), most companies will still get the car for you, ha ha.

[mastcell]

I just end up going somewhere new everytime I go for a drive. I always end up where I want to go eventually......


Another advantage of SatNav not often voiced is that it will save a little time and a little money (petrol). Human are creatures of habit which mean we all prefer a certain route even if there are better alternatives, SatNav will suggest those routes as you are driving.

Even in a familliar enviroment, when the desired destination has not been entered into the SatNav, the map displayed onscreen is extremely useful in assisting the driver to think about which route he/she should take.

[TypeG]

gp fot TOMTOM ONE
it is very accurate and save a lot of $
at the end of the day, it is just sat nav.

[aaronng]

Between the pros and cons of the Honda's satnav and those stand alone ones... I'd get Honda's because:
- stand alones tempt thieves
- is very troublesome to use if you get an entry model unit that does not have a touch-sensitive screen
- Honda's unit just makes the car look good.

When you compare between a sat nav and a non-sat nav Euro, you'd probably prefer the look of the sat nav-equipped one.

BTW, sat nav is only a guide. If you know a shorter route, use your route and the sat nav will recalculate its route to suit the path that you take.

If you decide to purchase a sat nav-equipped Euro, remember to ask the dealer what version of the map that it comes with. If it is still 2003, ask for 2005 or 2006. If there isn't an updated version out, negotiate that they give you a free update to the map software when it comes out.

[kleung]

Nobody's mentioned that in-built SatNavs also have a much bigger screen than portable ones.

It's very true though, that in-built sat navs look the best...

But I'd still go for a portable one. Even if you get a top-of-the-line one, that's not going to cost you much more than $1200. That $1800 you just saved will buy a LOT of mods for your car. Or beer.

Also:

- It won't be any less accurate than an in-built one under almost all conditions.
- If anything, it is likely to use newer technologies than the OEM one (SiRF Star III anyone?)
- You can take it with you to any vehicle you happen to be in.
- Custom POIs are available for most portable satnav systems. Mine is set to warn me whenever I'm near a camera. You can get more at OzPOI (http://www.ozpoi.com/).
- You can take it indoors with you if you need to do any trip planning.

[jamchen]

every single person will have different views on the same thing...
but at the end its you have to make the decision...
my family never regreted of the additional sat nav... and be honest it does make the car look better... with seperate screen above the sat nav panel for aircon and time...
there are pros and cons for both the factory and aftermarket sat nav units... but at the end of the day you will have to make a choice base on personal preferences and budget...

[tony1234]

[QUOTE=mastcell]I totally disagree with this approach. This approach will completely wreck the ergonomics and aesthetics of the central console.


Not if it's done with a professional installer using brand name product.The guy that did my install won a comp fitting $60,000 worth of gear into a AMG Mercedes a few years ago.I've seen the pics.Very impressive.

[aaronng]

Nobody's mentioned that in-built SatNavs also have a much bigger screen than portable ones.

It's very true though, that in-built sat navs look the best...

But I'd still go for a portable one. Even if you get a top-of-the-line one, that's not going to cost you much more than $1200. That $1800 you just saved will buy a LOT of mods for your car. Or beer.

Also:

- It won't be any less accurate than an in-built one under almost all conditions.
- If anything, it is likely to use newer technologies than the OEM one (SiRF Star III anyone?)
- You can take it with you to any vehicle you happen to be in.
- Custom POIs are available for most portable satnav systems. Mine is set to warn me whenever I'm near a camera. You can get more at OzPOI (http://www.ozpoi.com/).
- You can take it indoors with you if you need to do any trip planning.
Do any of the standalone units use Sirf Star III? Last time I bought mine, only the small pocket BT gps units were using this.

The main downside of the standalone units (other than a PDA based one) is that unless you install it inside of the centre CD holder compartment, you're almost 100% likely to attract the attention of thieves and end up with a smashed window.

[tony1234]

Of course OEM is best.but $$$

[mastcell]

Nobody's mentioned that in-built SatNavs also have a much bigger screen than portable ones.
The Honda SatNav screen is much bigger, but I think it is no more useful because of the way informations are presented.


If anything, it is likely to use newer technologies than the OEM one (SiRF Star III anyone?)
Even if portable SatNav has Sirf Star III, this is irrelevant when compared to hardwired OEM unit like Honda SatNav because Honda SatNav does not just rely on Satellite signals alone for navigation. As mentioned before, Honda SatNav continues to measure the motion of the car whether you are a tunnel, a forest, a multi-storey carpark, or in the middle of Pitt Street in Sydney CBD. This is where you might need the use of SatNav and where portable SatNav is least able (more like unable) to delivery those navigational information. The transition between dead reckoning and GPS in Honda SatNav is completely seamless.


Custom POIs are available for most portable satnav systems. Mine is set to warn me whenever I'm near a camera. You can get more at OzPOI (http://www.ozpoi.com/).

You can program these POIs into Honda SatNav too, albeit by doing it manually and there is a limit to the built-in memory. However, the DVD does come with a lot of POIs that is listed on that website.


You can take it indoors with you if you need to do any trip planning.
You have to do this in the car by switching the ignition to ACC, set your route then the SatNav will take you there once the car starts and the SatNav boots up. I don't have any issue with it at all. You can also set a multi-destination route as well.

[Type R Positive]

Wow! Lots of good info here, keep it coming!
I wonder why isn't Honda satnav available on the base model?

[jamchen]

i think its kinda like supply and demand.. these base model buyers might just only have enough budget to buy the car and might not find it worthwhile to have the additional spending on SATNAV...
almost all car companies only offer SATNAV for upper range vehicles...

[Type R Positive]

Of course OEM is best.but $$$
Hmmm. From the sounds of it, I think the OEM sounds great, but is it really that much better? :confused:

I don't think I could really justify $3k on the Honda system, seeing as the top of the line portable models are like $1k.

[Type R Positive]

The main downside of the standalone units (other than a PDA based one) is that unless you install it inside of the centre CD holder compartment, you're almost 100% likely to attract the attention of thieves and end up with a smashed window.Can't you take them out of the car with you?

[aaronng]

Wow! Lots of good info here, keep it coming!
I wonder why isn't Honda satnav available on the base model?
Because the built in sat nav is a good attraction tool tomake you to spend more to get the Luxury. Same as for the 2005 17" rims.

[aaronng]

Even if portable SatNav has Sirf Star III, this is irrelevant when compared to hardwired OEM unit like Honda SatNav because Honda SatNav does not just rely on Satellite signals alone for navigation.
Also, Sirf Star III's advantage is extra sensitivity allowing to acquire lock indoors when there are windows. As a car stays outside all the time, you won't need that advantage.

A disadvantage of the Star III (and most portable pocket GPS units) though is that it needs about 3 minutes of being on and being stationary or moving in an area with high signal from at least 2 satellites in order to download almanac infomation after it has been off for a few hours. Portable GPS units don't have long term memory to store that almanac and needs to be downloaded quite often. Honda's sat nav should be able to keep that information and use it when first turned on to get a lock and then download an updated almanac as you go along your journey.

[aaronng]

Can't you take them out of the car with you?
Those standalone units are not small. About the size of a grapefruit.


Hmmm. From the sounds of it, I think the OEM sounds great, but is it really that much better? :confused:

I don't think I could really justify $3k on the Honda system, seeing as the top of the line portable models are like $1k.
Yes, it is better than the standalone units in terms of easy of use as well as security. In terms of planning your journey, even entry level standaone units don't have a trip planner feature. You'll only get that in PDA-based software solutions.

The plus side of aftermarket satnav is that you can take them out and use them in another car. If you have more than two cars that are used for long journeys, then you might consider the standalone system.

[Type R Positive]

I have been looking at the tomtom one unit, seems great for the $600 price tag.
http://www.ryda.com.au/TomTom-ONE-V2-GPS-In-Car-Navigation-p/one%20v2.htm

[kleung]

Do any of the standalone units use Sirf Star III? Last time I bought mine, only the small pocket BT gps units were using this.

Yup.
http://www.tomtom.com/products/chart.php?product=210
As well as several of the NavMan series.

They ARE fairly recent additions to the range though.


The main downside of the standalone units (other than a PDA based one) is that unless you install it inside of the centre CD holder compartment, you're almost 100% likely to attract the attention of thieves and end up with a smashed window.

That's only if you're stupid enough to leave it in the car when you park. :)


Those standalone units are not small. About the size of a grapefruit.

Again, depends on the model. You'd be surprised at how small they are. Most of the Navman ones are easily pocketable. This is one area that the Tomtom Go series really fall down though - big screen, BUT also bulky.

But at the end of the day, the decision is the OP's to make - both inbuilt and standalone/PDA have their advantages and disadvantages. It all boils down to what the OP's budget is, and what their needs/wants are.

For me, if Satnav was an option when I got my Euro, I probably would have optioned it in. But now that I have my PDA+BT GPS, I'm very happy with that too.

[mastcell]

Your car will still invite unwanted attention (and broken window) if you leave the suction cup on the windscreen, even if you take your SatNav GPS with you.

Also, unless you go everywhere with (1) a bag, or (2) you are a girl/woman and carry a handbag everywhere, or (3) if you take your girlfriend/wife/woman everywhere and politely request her to carry your GPS for you, I cannot imagine carrying the GPS with you to be a practical everyday solution. :p

[aaronng]

I use the PDA + BT GPS because there was no sat nav option in 2004 (but I probably still wouldn't get it since I would have had to get the Lux). And yes, I always bring the PDA out with me when I leave the car as well as hide the GPS unit in the CD compartment. Because of that reason, I don't use the suction cup mount but instead use the Arkon mount that fits nicely in the middle air cond vent (means the left side has less cold air LOL)

[king9]

Has anyone been able to hack the stock Navi yet?

I know they've done it for the Acura TXS's.. i tried to do it for my car.. but the files on the where is DVD is all different.

[aaronng]

Has anyone been able to hack the stock Navi yet?

I know they've done it for the Acura TXS's.. i tried to do it for my car.. but the files on the where is DVD is all different.
What do you want to hack? The drive safely message?

[kleung]

Because of that reason, I don't use the suction cup mount but instead use the Arkon mount that fits nicely in the middle air cond vent (means the left side has less cold air LOL)

Heehee...

Snap. I use exactly the same solution. :D

But I don't see how the vent-clip is better (from a security perspective) than a suction cup arm/mount, other than visibility?

[Adagio]

I have been using a Garmin sat nav for 4 years. I like the portable way because (A) it is cheaper around $900 for a top version, (B) It takes time to get the most out of a sat nav system with a portable one you can move it from car to car and really get to know how to use it over time. I believe they are making little safes for the Sat navs now which are installed in your car,however, the new Sat navs are so small that they can be carried in your pocket. Whatever one you choose it will be only as good as Senis can offer and they are owned by Telstra!!!! I have found country travelling can be quite inaccurate in some areas. City nav is usually 98% accurate.

[sendok]

I got the OEM satnav from Euro, i think it's quite good even sometimes it cannot show me secondary roads as told before... but sometimes it really helps me get a shortcut to save time. but... beware of speed humpz :p

anyway guyz, i saw this topic now.. if anybody know how to modify the DVD on satnav so we can use it for watch DVD movie as well, please help me :)

Thanks...

[aaronng]

Heehee...

Snap. I use exactly the same solution. :D

But I don't see how the vent-clip is better (from a security perspective) than a suction cup arm/mount, other than visibility?
When I get out of my car, I take off the PDA holder, but leave the clip in the aircond vent. From the outside, you don't really notice the clip. Different from the suction cup as you can see it very obviously, especially for a thief that is targetting cars with portable satnav.


anyway guyz, i saw this topic now.. if anybody know how to modify the DVD on satnav so we can use it for watch DVD movie as well, please help me :)

Thanks...
Not with the Euro's. You can't even hack it to play mp3 CD/DVDs......:(

[jamchen]

alright... here is the idea of what you might be needed to do the conversion...
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22889&highlight=DVD+conversion
bear in mind its the conversion done for MDX.. but as i said... its just to give u an idea of the process..
enjoy!

[kleung]

Regarding the conversion:
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15671

That uses the same concepts as the MDX conversion. I wonder if it will work with AUDM Satnav? It doesn't modify the existing DVD reader to allow you to watch video, but it allows you to connect other video sources to the screen.

[jamchen]

well.. i think its just like the same concept as computers...
like u get DVD-rom came with the purchase, but you have to get a DVD player software to be able to play DVDs...
so i'd say the module works like the software...

[Baddad76]

Any updates on this
I really want to be able to play a DVD on the screen

[Type R Positive]

I ended up getting a garmin 510 by the way, got it for $600.
It calls out street names and everything. It seemed to be better value than the tomtom's.

This thing is awesome, especially for when I was house hunting a fortnight ago. It takes you straight to the friggin driveway you want!