This is something i've been thinking about. You guys have been complaining about the screen getting scratched and or fog behind the screens. Obviously those are pretty inexpensive fixes.

Now since i'm in the market for a Maxima, and thinking about getting the Nav unit, I keep thinking about how expensive it would be to repair after the Warranty of the car.

Do you guys ever think about the expense involved in getting the Nav unit repaired after factory warranty? Is it still worth it to get the Nav screen instead of the standard info screen?

 

I believe that they've changed the design. My 04 with Nav (Feb 04 build date) has no "cover" over the screen. When I've removed the dash bezel, it's just a hole with no cover to get prints on or dust behind, just the sealed LCD which prints wipe off of very easily.

 

you have yours with Nav?

i'm just curious if people are having second thoughts about purchasing the Nav system.

 

I have the nav and I love it

 

I have it also and am so glad I got it. Haven't had 1 problem with it. The NAV has some nice features and is a great conversation piece. Even when your not using the map feature the color display looks so much better than the orange display.

 

I have the Nav system in my '04 and love it. It's far better than the two other brand Nav systems I've seen in friends' vehicles.

I do wonder how much the updates cost and where I can get them though. I'm sure that's going to be an ongoing expense.

 

On a different note, How about Garmin Street pilot? It is cheaper and can be carried to other cars too.

 

That looks a little light-weight for my tastes. The reviews I just read say that it really needs an external antenna and only comes with one city for free. The rest cost extra, and (if I read the specs right), you can only have one city loaded in at a time. Not good for long trips.

 

Regarding upgrading DVD software, this is from an earlier thread. If I remember when I look last year it was $200-$300 for a updated DVD.

New nav dvd coming out in Oct....

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http://www.zenrin.com/index.html

"Notice to Nissan and Infiniti DVD Navigation Systems owners: We are temporarily sold out of all navigation DVDs. The new updated version 6.3 will be available beginning October 1, 2004. We are sorry for any inconveniences this may cause. Please check back with us at that time. Thank you."

 

Ahh. Thanks for the information. I called Zenrin and they said the update will be $185 and available on October 1st.

Has anyone updated their DVD before that can tell me if it's worth the upgrade? Is it only map updates, or do they add more functionality?

 

I love this feature and would highly recommend it. It's one of the best currently being installed - friends who have BMWs and Audi's even comment on how better my screen system is than theirs. Lexus has a great system but I think the Nissan map is easier to read and since it's not touch screen you don't have the finger smudges you would otherwise.

I've not had any problems with fogging nor operations other than sometimes a street address isn't in the system but that's going to be typical with any brand.

 

I have Nav in my 04 Max, and now, I can think of a host of other features that I would go without before going without NAV. With the amount of driving I do, I love it. It's gotten me out of a lot of pinches. I no longer have to worry about getting lost on the way to appointments (or tee times).

This particular implementation of NAV is easy and intuitive. Has a great presentation that is clear and concise. I have seen a lot of other Nav products, and this one far surpasses those. Especially if you are considering a smaller "portable" model. The only upside to those is that you can carry them in other vehicles.

As for the updates, it is primarily maps, but also updates to Points of Interest (POI's: restaurants, gas stations, etc...), which is another useful feature. I plan on updating when it becomes available. I do a lot of Boston driving, where the Big Dig changes routes on a daily basis.

 

With the Nav system installed, is it always on? Can you shut if off to display radio data, date/time info, etc instead of the moving map?

Was it difficult for you guys to find a car with the Nav system in your areas. In in New Jersey, and I have yet to find a SL model car on dealers lots with the Nav system? Dealers can't locate the car within the entire Tri-state area.

I really don't want to get an SE model.

 

hmmmm think we can we burn these nav disc's?

 

To this day, I wish I would have gotten the Nav in my 04 SE. Has anyone checked into or found a place that will install the Nissan Nav in the vehicle? I wonder what the cost would be.

 

How large is the screen? How much does it cost? I was thinking of getting the Nav when I bought my 03 GLE, but it was only available in CD, not DVD, and you needed to buy six or seven CDs to cover the entire U.S.

I heard the Nav in the TL is very user friendly, has an 8-inch screen, and has voice recognition. Anyone compared the Max vs TL Nav?

 

i too have the nav system but i prefer touch screen like the tl's and lexus

 

I forgot to ask if the Map covers Canada as well?

 

yes, metro cities like Toronto, I have been there with the Navi.

The all-new 2005 Acura RL's Navi at first will have real-time traffic updates in limited metro cities.

this is my second in-car Navi (first one was dvd/touch screen). I like this one due to 2D and 3D (BirdView) and no finger prints. It's so true, once you own them, you can't go back without one. It's so different with portable GPS, but they are good in hiking, camping, etc.

If you don't hit the "Agree" button, it will return to radio/temp, etc depending on your settings. I always order new cars from the factories and waited 9 weeks back in June 2003 (delivered August 2003).

For example: If the software has a lot of updates on west coast, south, northeast like MA, It is not worth it to me, and I'll wait on a yearly basis.

It will cost more than the MSRP $2,000 option if you'd ordered from the factory.

 

i test drove the TL and the Maxima, and i can say that the TL navi is better due to touch screen an voice recogintion. Even though i got the Maxima due to many other stronger selling points (4 maximas in the family). I ended up not getting one with the navi, i am however thinking of installing a Pioneer AVIC-N1. I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes and what it looks like after being installed.

 

And if you want the full effect of using the nav system in Canada, switch the voice from English to French!

 

lol, we we.

Since there seems to be a good deal of Max owners with the Nav Package, i'm curious to see what you guys paid?

I was quoted $31.8K for a loaded 05 SL out the door, including dest charges. Can you guys post the prices you have paid for your Maxima's?

P.S. I was this close to buying a Maj Blue with Cafe Latte int. this weekend.

 

I purchased my blue 04 SE on Wednesday with the NAV system and just finished a 500+ mile trip this am. System is great. I had the old CD system in a 2000 infiniti and this is so much better, it's amazing.

Go for it.

 

 

Why people need such an expensive nav system? A local drive does not need that. If you drive in another city, most probably you will rent a car. in this case a PDA+CF GPS+ mapopolis will do the job. 350 dollars in all with a PDA.
Plus, a navi system could be a goal of theft since it stays in the car 24 hours.

 

At the risk of being contentious, I disagree with pretty much every one of your points.

1. How many people are intimately familiar with every street, route in their local are (within 25 miles). I have used my NAV extensively in the local area.

2. I do a lot of driving for my job in a 100 to 150 mile radius. I rarely rent a car, but use my nav to get to appointments, etc. It is important that I am on time.

3. I don't have a lot of experience with PDA based GPS systems, but what little I have seen, it seems like they are typically clunky, and not something that I want to be fumbling around with while trying to drive a car.

4. I'd like to see someone take the NAV system out of my car in the amount of time that I am away from it, and have it work in another car. If they can do it, then they deserve to have it.

 

Ditto what Jrussel said!!!

I use my nav all the time. It has come in handy finding places to eat as well as places to "play".

My favorite POI is "Casino"

 

I have an acura 04 TL w/ navi and now an 05 SE Maxima w/ navi.

I must say the TL throws Maxima's navi in a worldwind. Much more intuitive and user friendly. However the bird eye view in the maxima is really cool too.

I just bought the car last Saturday.. do you think they'll do the update for free on October 1st when it comes out?

 

you may have the new 6.3 version, check your dvd!