Since, I didn't waste the extra few thousand dollars to get the OEM navigation system, I am now in the market for a portable system.

Can someone let me know who how well the OEM navigation is with Points of Interest, maps, and trip routing? I was looking at the reviews on cnet.com on the Tom Tom, Magellan, Lowrance, Garmin systems. Pretty much all of them give problems with mapping a specific destination, or that the maps are not up to date. And sometimes the NAV doesn't give the appropriate turn, including routing to dirt roads or 5 miles out of the way of the destination. I am wondering if there is a worthy Portable aftermarket NAV system, or is the OEM worth the extra few thousand dollars to get a new Maxima?

Any thoughts? Any pros, cons and experiences (good or bad) would help.

Good lookin!

 

you live in NY... any nav system will have a hard time telling a location with all the different highways side by side out there like the Nj turnpike and the buildings being so close to each other..

but, I know of a truck driver that has the Magellan one, and he said it takes him to the door of the place he is going to.. I can't be sure if he has tried it out your way though..

 

would you consider trading your new car to get NAV on another? that's the only possiblity to get oem NAV. otherwise it's pointless to find out what a good thing you missed out on. You do need to buy expensive update DVDs to stay accurate.

 

i don't know about aftermarket nav systems, but i have an sl with the oem nav and went down to nyc last summer and was so impressed that my nav didn't take me through one-way streets. it actually found the right aways. and the roads were pretty good, space wise on the screen.

 

I had a Pioneer AVIC-N1 in my car and my mom's car has OEM navi (Volvo). I'd say the pioneer was better in terms of everything. Aftermarket units tend to be more extensive. I can't speak for the stand alone portable units, but the indash ones are great. Pioneer develops the software for most if not all aftermarket navis and then sells the software to other companies like Eclipse and Kenwood who put out more and less expensive units respectively.

 

I have a Kenwood 8017.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?p=4298945
It is wrong quite often.
But I guess the benefit to an A.M. unit vs. the O.E.M. unit is the ability to play DVDs, right?

 

I saw your forum. I think that is a nice head unit/Nav, but I don't have space like that in the 6th Gen max. I would have move the whole CD/cassette section of the dash. Not sure if that's the route I want to go. That's why I was checking the portable units, so I can put it anywhere. good look, though. It gives me alternatives.

 

i have the eclipse

its dead on, never had it go wrong yet, its the same navi that comes on all lexuses

my friend rode along with me and he said my navi is like night and day compared to the navi in his CL

 

Not all aftermarket navi's play DVDs, Pioneer AVIC-D1 for example. The main difference is usually price. You can get your hands on a new aftermarket unit for around $800-$2,300. The price range is huge and the ability to transfer the unit to different cars is a big bonus. OEM navis cannot be transferred from car to car and usually by checking that option box on a new car will run you usually between $1,800-$2,500.

 

I never said all did.

 

Eclipse GPS (last I checked) was used in Lexus'. Lexus NAV has some of the best ratings out there. There is a 2 DIN unit Eclipse sells for around $2k that would probably work VERY well. AND you could use it in your next car(s) as well.

 

Doesn't the OEM Nav require the same updates?

 

I bought my Kenwood 8017 in August of '05 and it came with an '04 disc.

 

That sucks!!

 

I've never tried a portable NAV system before. I was debating on a portable one or get a indash. I decided on the indash b/c I didn't want wires all over. I have the AVIC-N2... and IMO... its very accurate..... although, since i park my car in a garage, when i take it out its kinda lost but give it a few minutes, it picks itself up. I haven't gone on a road trip yet, so i dunno how accurate it is on LD trips but i tried it going from work to home and its very accurate. Sinces you got a 6th gen maxima, it'll require a lil more work to get a indash in ur center console. even for a good portable can cost you almost 1G but at least you can take it to whichever car you need it.

 

Who gave this MISinformation??

 

There is an aftermarket dash kit that will accomidate a double din unit available.

 

I thought I read it somewhere. I didn't know it was misinformation. My bad.

 

I just realized that the 6th Gen Nav does not have touch screen. It uses that little video game joystick below the screen, which currently doesn't get touched in my car. It is of no use without a navigation. Knowing that more than 50% of these cars will not have a navigation system, don't you think they could have put that thing to some use??

 

Pic. of what you are talking about?

 

that joystick that says enter on it, right in the middle...

 

Nice. So those of you guys without nav. still have a screen, huh? It just does other things like climate control, radio, etc.? I always thought when a car didn't have the nav. option, they just made it a storage pocket or the like.

 

yea, it comes with that screen for all the stuff mentioned.. it beats that pocket you are talking about..

 

If you have the Nav, you will still have the same screen. Only you can flip back and forth between nav and that screen.

 

Is it color? It looks monochrome.

 

I have the eclipse and I have yet seen it be off when I'm using it. It's dead on and accurate.

My bro liked it soo much that he got his own. Excellent unit and worth every penny IMHO