GPS solution, suggestions?

[jackyaudi]

Am looking for a GPS solution, tired of getting lost here and there. Should I just get a separate GPS module for $200 to $400 or should I get a radio replacement which will have GPS, DVD, MP3 player etc, something like the Audi Navigation unit with a big LCD. Are there after market units that will fit our cars and work without problems?

Otherwise, any suggestions on good and well priced separate GPS units?

I am planning to get something in the next 2-3 months though, so I got time to research and find a good price on it.

Thanks for any suggestions/Pics.

[DownhillA4]

I was going to go with a double din unit for weighed the cost and decided I really don't need all the fancy gadgets an extras like DVD's playing while driving, MP3 and all that... Ended up getting a Garmin Nuvi 200W ($200 shipped from Amazon) Simple, large enough screen, didn't break the bank, hasn't got me lost yet, voice feature. No real bells and whistles like the full radio 7" screen units but it does the job.

[ad03avant]

Avic D3 Ftw

[Condo]

Clicky click.

[B6driver]

my Nuvi works perfectly well for its purpose

[Exanimas]

Avic D3 Ftw

I have the D3 and love it, but sometimes it sucks ass at navigating. I'd say get the new F series, I hear they have most of the bugs worked out and supposedly it's a lot better than the D series was.

[ad03avant]

I matched my d3 against an iphone and the d3 smoked it. I heard about these new 2008 discs for the d3 I wonder how they help...

[italian a4 1032]

i was going to get the a d3 but i ended up with a portable garmin
what i like about the portable one is that i drive my moms car alot so i can just take it with me

[monkey323i]

bought D3 for both my civic and A4.

hooked up with I-pod Video + rear view camera.

what else can you ask for with 3000+ songs of database + movies in your audi?

[ad03avant]

yeah I have that review and its money. I hook my zune up to the front. Not quite as cool as the ipod but my blackberry syncs to the D3 and it is sweet. Answer calls on the road...

Oh yeah and Ive got the zune video run throught the back in the glove box. AUX inputs and the zune cords...

[AudiA4Turbo22]

The D3 is a failure get a D1 why should i have to put my NAV disc in calculate my route and then pull it out and put my CD in, that's ridiculous.

[ad03avant]

Kirk, sorry dude - get an ipod or a zune. Then run the DVD nav all the time...

[monkey323i]

The D3 is a failure get a D1 why should i have to put my NAV disc in calculate my route and then pull it out and put my CD in, that's ridiculous.

come on~~

30-80Gig of MP3 database nowadays that is 3000+ songs inside your D3 that is connected with your Ipod. You can control your ipod via D3's interface. You can even play video on D3 via Ipod Video.
really no need to touch the DVD-slot at all.



D1 with CD-slot of 22 songs per disc. I wonder how many times of swaping Music CDs you have to do on each road trip...

[jackyaudi]

Thanks for the replies.

If I go with the Avic route, I think I rather go with the F series, something like the Avic F90BT But those will run me around $700 + all the stuff needed for the car and shipping and tax = about $800 to $900, kind of over budget.

Can those Garmin units be charged while driving?? 4 hours lifetime is not long at all.

[Arclight]

+3 on the Garmin Nuvi. They come w/ a car charging cord (looks like a cell phone unit) and a suction mount.

[Ultra B6]

I have a Avic-Z2 and love it, so easy to use touch screen everything , plus a 10gig hard drive that burns every cd that you put in there(if you want)

but i guess it depends on if you use it alot!

[monkey323i]

in-dash unit -> Avic-Z2 / D3

portable unit -> Garmin Nuvi



yes, those portables can be charged while driving. In fact, that's what most of the ppl do.

[jackyaudi]

Thanks everyone.

Decided to go with Garmin Nuvi 255W, its around $300, fits my needs for what it offers and what I need. Thinking to wait for Xmass to snap a good deal on it.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

dude i have ipod integration and barely use it, i have tons of CD's and i buy a lot of Armenian music lolllll not available through itunes so like ya i like CD slots.

[Condo]

dude i have ipod integration and barely use it, i have tons of CD's and i buy a lot of Armenian music lolllll not available through itunes so like ya i like CD slots.

You do know you can rip the CD's and add them to your ipod, right?

[A4 TSCHUSS]

RNS-E FTW, nothing like a classy oem navi unit. And the SD memory card slots for putting your music on are bad ass, so much better than burning cds

[woofster]

Thanks everyone.

Decided to go with Garmin Nuvi 255W, its around $300, fits my needs for what it offers and what I need. Thinking to wait for Xmass to snap a good deal on it.

Good choice. I have the Garmin nuvi255 regular screen. I don't really look at it much so I like that it's small and compact. Instead of sticking it onto my windshield with the charging adapter all over the place, I simply open up the ashtray cover and place the Garmin unit w/the suction cup stand inside the ashtray (the base of it sort of wedges in). I can plug it into the lighter and still have minimal amount of power cord exposed. The unit never moves around and it's not messy-looking at all.

[jackyaudi]

RNS-E FTW, nothing like a classy oem navi unit. And the SD memory card slots for putting your music on are bad ass, so much better than burning cds

But then $1000+ for a unit like that...I guess it goes back to how much you are willing to spend.

I think that the Gramin Nuvi + Iphone will provide me with everything I need in the car.. and both can be in my pocket or in another car within minutes.

[jackyaudi]

You do know you can rip the CD's and add them to your ipod, right?

X2.

Rip CDs --> mp3/mp4 format --> itunes --> ipod/Iphone.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

You do know you can rip the CD's and add them to your ipod, right?

obviously i do have a 30gig video, but it would take decades to put all my CD's in there and sometimes u just wanna listen to that new CD, trust me the option i found has 2 SD card slots one for the Navi, 1 for me, Ipod integration, TV, DVD, MP3, etc. Bluetooth, remote, full 7in screen, all new for like $300

[jackyaudi]

Good choice. I have the Garmin nuvi255 regular screen. I don't really look at it much so I like that it's small and compact. Instead of sticking it onto my windshield with the charging adapter all over the place, I simply open up the ashtray cover and place the Garmin unit w/the suction cup stand inside the ashtray (the base of it sort of wedges in). I can plug it into the lighter and still have minimal amount of power cord exposed. The unit never moves around and it's not messy-looking at all.

Interesting.. do you have a pic of that setup? Only thing is it would not be a good idea if you have to look for directions, unless you stop for couple of minutes somewhere, which I think is ideal no matter where the GPS unit is.

[Four Play]

Interesting.. do you have a pic of that setup? Only thing is it would not be a good idea if you have to look for directions, unless you stop for couple of minutes somewhere, which I think is ideal no matter where the GPS unit is.

I just got my 255W not too long ago as well, and I couldn't be happier. I actually put my suction mount on the gauge cluster, and it doesn't obscure the speedometer or the tach all that much, and that way I don't have the power cord running down my center console when it's charging.


Good choice

[jackyaudi]

I just got my 255W not too long ago as well, and I couldn't be happier. I actually put my suction mount on the gauge cluster, and it doesn't obscure the speedometer or the tach all that much, and that way I don't have the power cord running down my center console when it's charging.


Good choice

Ya, it seems to be the best bang for the buck after researching for a while: Widescreen, Canada + US maps, voice option, "Where Am I" function, etc.

Do you have a pic of how yours look in the car?

Am hearing interesting ideas on where to put it, so I really hope I wont have to stick it to the windshield. My iphone is already stuck into one of the vents.

[Four Play]

I just went and took a few pics, but I can't find my USB cable to transfer them to my desktop

I'll get some pics up tomorrow ASAP...

[EYE4SPEED]

Make sure you get one that has "street announce". Definitely worth the few extra bucks.

[jackyaudi]

Make sure you get one that has "street announce". Definitely worth the few extra bucks.

Yep, for Garmin they called that "Speeks Street names"

[T0M3K]

If I had money I would invest in carputer. Unlimited options. There is all in one solution on mp3car, but it is close to $3000.

[Four Play]

It's not a big deal for me that I can't see part of the speedometer since I use the one on the GPS unit itself most of the time...

[quat]

If I could do it over again, I would buy a separate portable unit. But I went with the in dash eclipse unit. It's nice and all but I kind of feel like I should have gone with the RNSe



I'll sell it for half the price payed and a symphony 2 if anyone is interested.