Does anyone know where to get the factory GPS navigation system a 2003 maxima? The dealer told me they don't even sell it. It had to be installed at the factory. Can anyone help?

 

because of the integration with the climate control your best bet would to be to go with a Kenwood, Alpine or Pioneer flip out monitors w/ DVD navigation. More options, better displays, probably end up being cheaper.

However, anything can be done for money, so good luck.

 

There is someone on here that is in the process of trying to do that conversion. But he got his from a wrecked car I think.

 

that someone is me

i have been very busy and dont have anytime to get into the project and wont have time anytime soon

if you want i can sell you what i got

www.absolutjeep.com/max/navi

 

I understand that such a conversion is not worth while, given the work involved.

I'd go with what xtantmaxima posted: Kenwood, Alpine or Pioneer is def the way to go. Plus, they'll make for the heart of a good video/stereo system as well.

 

Yeah you replace the POS factory HU. I'm getting the Pioneer AVIC-N1 once the funds build up, hopefully by Christmas.

 

i heard the factory navi is not that good anyways, nissan HU always have problems.. go with the alpine, they sell them cheap at crutchfield, when i have the money, im getting them, for $1,200 they aint too bad

 

Other than the handicap of being CD-ROM based, I dont know how good/bad the 5.5G Max Navi is. But I can attest to having problems with the stock HU. My stock HU (non-Bose) had to be replaced last year (under warranty).

 

its a great navi unit, same one as in infiniti qx4's and q45's and some pathfinders, as far as i know there are no problems with the units to date

 

Yes, one of the drawbacks of this system is that it is CD based with 9 CDs covering the country. What this means is you can't set the navigation from one area to the other. For example, going from Boston to Washington, D.C. You can't just plug in the Washington address in Boston since it's not on the Boston area CD. You get out the map or pick a nav point on the edge of the Boston CD area towards Washington. Then when you near that point you have to switch CDs. There is some overlap in territories between CDs but you still have to switch for major cross country navigaion.

Also, when the car is supplied new you only get one of the 9 map territories. Other CDs and future upgrades run $120 each from the software vendor. This is frustrating since the same vendor sells the newer DVDs for $185 which covers the entire country plus parts of Canada. Even with discounts in buying multiple CDs, this same information on 9 CDs costs you over $700.

You can find these CDs on ebay but either they end up going for pretty close to list, are outdated versions, or are illegal "burned" copies.

I've also seen the entire navigation system for sale on ebay. However, as noted above it must be a bear to install. It replaces your climate control head unit, must take some feeds from your car computer for speed, and must integrate with the stereo system for the voice commands. I can't imagine it being worth the effort to install even if you are a fully qualified and trained electronic technician. All this to get what is less than a state-of-the-art system.

 

Good writeup Jred. I almost bought an 02 w/Navi but balked at the price @ that time.

Since then, I bought a Garmin Streetpilot III and havent looked back.