Comments on: Navigation System or a Map? http://iconnectdots.com/2007/05/navigation_syst.html Guidance, Insight and Ideas in a Time of Accelerating Change Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:45:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brad http://iconnectdots.com/2007/05/navigation_syst.html/comment-page-1#comment-689 Brad Mon, 14 May 2007 06:01:02 +0000 http://iconnectdots.com.s11974.gridserver.com/2007/05/navigation-system-or-a-map.html#comment-689 I have always been interested in navigation systems and i found in my search for the best system that the combination of a Kenwood Excelon XXV-05V (in dash dvd player) with the Garmin KNA-G510 (navigational unit) and the GXM 30 (traffic information from XM Radio) gives you the best map interface - touchscreen, simple menu system (courtesy of Garmin), and traffic information integrated with the navigation routing. Every car manufacturer who isn't using the Garmin software and providing a touchscreen is basically giving their customers a crippled navigation system. I have used both the Ford and Chrysler factory systems and they were both inadequate. They both had the same problems that you described in the Acura system. The Garmin interface looks a lot like Google Maps and works just as well. Garmin took the time to make the touchscreen interface work exactly how you would want it to. They give you the option to turn features on and off in such a way that if you find key beeps, or caps lock annoying you can banish them to electronics limbo. I have had nothing but a great experience using these products both from Kenwood and Garmin. I found their customer support helpful and informative and would recommend them to anyone. In response to the post by Ed, i think a map and compass is great, but you can even compare them to a navigation system like mine. The really helpful part of the system is the 6 million or so stored points of interest (POI), including gas stations, every type of shopping center or store you can think of, schools, post offices, and more. Almost every time i need to get somewhere i don't know the exact location i search the system and it has it stored. It obviously doesn't have everything business stored in it, but in the years to come i think the database of POI will expand rapidly. In addition to giving you the route to your location, my system updates me with traffic information and allows me to detour around traffic if necessary. This has saved me significant time in my daily commute. So, if you are willing to shell out the cash for the "real deal" so to speak you could have a much better experience. As with any technology i do agree that you have to be pragmatic regarding its limitations and know when to have a backup (paper map). I have always been interested in navigation systems and i found in my search for the best system that the combination of a Kenwood Excelon XXV-05V (in dash dvd player) with the Garmin KNA-G510 (navigational unit) and the GXM 30 (traffic information from XM Radio) gives you the best map interface – touchscreen, simple menu system (courtesy of Garmin), and traffic information integrated with the navigation routing. Every car manufacturer who isn’t using the Garmin software and providing a touchscreen is basically giving their customers a crippled navigation system. I have used both the Ford and Chrysler factory systems and they were both inadequate. They both had the same problems that you described in the Acura system. The Garmin interface looks a lot like Google Maps and works just as well. Garmin took the time to make the touchscreen interface work exactly how you would want it to. They give you the option to turn features on and off in such a way that if you find key beeps, or caps lock annoying you can banish them to electronics limbo. I have had nothing but a great experience using these products both from Kenwood and Garmin. I found their customer support helpful and informative and would recommend them to anyone. In response to the post by Ed, i think a map and compass is great, but you can even compare them to a navigation system like mine. The really helpful part of the system is the 6 million or so stored points of interest (POI), including gas stations, every type of shopping center or store you can think of, schools, post offices, and more. Almost every time i need to get somewhere i don’t know the exact location i search the system and it has it stored. It obviously doesn’t have everything business stored in it, but in the years to come i think the database of POI will expand rapidly. In addition to giving you the route to your location, my system updates me with traffic information and allows me to detour around traffic if necessary. This has saved me significant time in my daily commute. So, if you are willing to shell out the cash for the “real deal” so to speak you could have a much better experience. As with any technology i do agree that you have to be pragmatic regarding its limitations and know when to have a backup (paper map).

]]> By: PXLated http://iconnectdots.com/2007/05/navigation_syst.html/comment-page-1#comment-688 PXLated Thu, 10 May 2007 15:15:06 +0000 http://iconnectdots.com.s11974.gridserver.com/2007/05/navigation-system-or-a-map.html#comment-688 My experience has been similar to yours and I rarely rely on the GPS when in route, usually just use it when I get local. My experience has been similar to yours and I rarely rely on the GPS when in route, usually just use it when I get local.

]]> By: Ed Kohler http://iconnectdots.com/2007/05/navigation_syst.html/comment-page-1#comment-687 Ed Kohler Mon, 07 May 2007 20:13:58 +0000 http://iconnectdots.com.s11974.gridserver.com/2007/05/navigation-system-or-a-map.html#comment-687 It sounds like the navigationally impaired could successfully rely on the technology since it WILL get them to their destination . . . eventually. I've found the cheaper systems that don't speak street names hard to use in dense cities like Boston. A term like, "take a slight left," can have a lot of meanings with the intersections found there. And picking the wrong one may send you across the river and back as it recalculates, making the projected time pretty much worthless. It sounds like the navigationally impaired could successfully rely on the technology since it WILL get them to their destination . . . eventually.

I’ve found the cheaper systems that don’t speak street names hard to use in dense cities like Boston. A term like, “take a slight left,” can have a lot of meanings with the intersections found there. And picking the wrong one may send you across the river and back as it recalculates, making the projected time pretty much worthless.

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