Satnav Honda need to look and learn

[m4rky]

Hi All

With all of the threads surrounding SatNav I thought this may be of some interest. It would seem as though Toyota has stolen the edge with this one.

Sorry about the poor picture quality

[Kremmen]

I suppose it's one answer but what happens 5 years down the line if the unit breaks and the dedicated TomTom model is no longer available.

I would prefer them to design cars with a dash top mounted spigot or similar that any SatNav unit could easily mount to.

[Wander]

Originally Posted by Kremmen

I suppose it's one answer but what happens 5 years down the line if the unit breaks and the dedicated TomTom model is no longer available.

Well, that's easy, buy the next version, that slips right into the double-din slot .

[Bungle]

One major problem with this. Possibly.

I really would hope that an external ariel is used with this set up, because there is a lot of car blocking satellite signals to the device if there is not!

My first thought was the same as Kremmen's, it can only fit one mdel of sat-nav. Unless they make a range of devices all in the same chassis to allow easier upgrading etc.

EDIT TO ADD

I'm not a fan of this idea at all, to be honest.

[pcr]

I'm all in favour of all manufacturers providing purposeful places to put your satnav, phone, ipod, etc., and can't believe the current state of affairs where it is neccessary to stick things to the dash or windscreen, or even clip them into the air vents. Ridiculous.

It must be a good sales pitch to provide these facilities, I think it would sell cars.

Obsolescence may be a issue, but I would have thought less so than having the manufacturers satnav, etc. The car will be in the scrapyard in ten years anyway.

I think that Yaris has an ipod input as well, well done Toyota, come on everyone else.

[illegalhunter]

Now thats a great idea

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by m4rky

Hi All

With all of the threads surrounding SatNav I thought this may be of some interest. It would seem as though Toyota has stolen the edge with this one.

Sorry about the poor picture quality

not only Honda

[czechplastik]

I don't think thats a good solution at all, what if you don't have (or don't like) a Tomtom?

[m4rky]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

I don't think thats a good solution at all, what if you don't have (or don't like) a Tomtom?

It's an optional extra - if you don't want one you simply don't buy one. I for one would like the choice though. I guess if the manufacturers are going this way, upgrades would also be available too

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by m4rky

It's an optional extra - if you don't want one you simply don't buy one. I for one would like the choice though. I guess if the manufacturers are going this way, upgrades would also be available too

I know its optional, but what I said still applies, it's a little exclusive.

[Hartside]

And also nickable. Good thing about built in is that it is unique to the model

[john_lickman]

Originally Posted by Hartside

And also nickable. Good thing about built in is that it is unique to the model

I respectfully beg to differ.

The single most useful thing about my SatNav is that I can plug it into the interweb on a regular basis to get updates to my speed camera database.

I normally know where I'm going in the car, so don't need directions, but its very reassuring to be warned when you're approaching a speed camera. The annoying "ping ping" sound is a great aid to driving safety.

[TTDegs]

Now if they had gone for the whole hog, and built a PDA in, with ability to bluetooth a keyboard and mouse, and a wireless adaptor - THEN we would be talking

Chuck Tom Tom on it, park up at your local Maccy D's (which you would be able to sat nav to ), update the POIs, and jobs a goodun

And being built in, it would be fully integrated into the sound system, allowing you to use whatever bit of Win CE sound manager software you liked to control your playlists of MP3s.
USB jack for external HDD...


nice step in the right direction, but a ways to go yet...





PS - all the above is now copyright me - ok
I may share any royalties that now come my way with you all

[Kremmen]

Having had a TomTom before the Civic, the reason I opted for the built in was the annoyance of having to spend about 5 minutes connecting the whole thing up.

Plug into ciggy lighter
Attach to windscreen
Connect power cable
Route cable away from controls
Switch on

then.......
Unplug cable, hide it away
un-dock unit, put in pocket or case
remove sucker, clean windscreen, hide mount

What a palarva

As I said, the future must be a built in mount as standard so Mr thief has no idea whether it's in use or not. The procedure would then be just to put it on the mount.
I would favour the type of mount like the Braun toothbrush chargers that have no exposed metal contacts. That style of mount could be just a discreet black post on the dash.

[angie4m]

Then someone like me who doesn't use a phone while driving. Its kept in my bag in the boot whilst travelling.

I dont use a SatNav system. If I need to go somewhere I don't know I plan my route.

Jings I'm getting the iPod connector in the CTR, but i'll never use it! I have never used my iPod since I bought it in New York last November.

They would seriously have to have these as options as having these daft things built in would put me off buying the car.

[Pottsy]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

I don't think thats a good solution at all, what if you don't have (or don't like) a Tomtom?

Says the man with an ipod, where Honda only sell an ipod adapter...

[Pottsy]

I'd prefer a hole into which you can fit any satnav device. I put one of those GPS repeater aerials into the little compartment on the Z, and it made a great TomTom place (complete with closing lid). Note the maximum signal strength:

tomtomin350z.jpg

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by angie4m

Then someone like me who doesn't use a phone while driving. Its kept in my bag in the boot whilst travelling.

I dont use a SatNav system. If I need to go somewhere I don't know I plan my route.

Jings I'm getting the iPod connector in the CTR, but i'll never use it! I have never used my iPod since I bought it in New York last November.

They would seriously have to have these as options as having these daft things built in would put me off buying the car.

I don't use my satnav often now I am retired, but when I was visiting clients all over the UK until recently, it proved to be invaluable. Planning is all very well, but using the plan whilst on the move is often difficult and diverts attention from the road to some degree. This is particularly true when in built-up areas or city centres; information about which lane to be in for example, when in a strange place is a real plus.

The reduction in driving stress by using a satnav was palpable fo me.

So I cannot agree that they are 'daft things'.

Anthony.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by Pottsy

I'd prefer a hole into which you can fit any satnav device. I put one of those GPS repeater aerials into the little compartment on the Z, and it made a great TomTom place (complete with closing lid). Note the maximum signal strength:

Attachment 6037

not a great advert for Tom Tom though Pottsy!

[angie4m]

Originally Posted by Anthony

I don't use my satnav often now I am retired, but when I was visiting clients all over the UK until recently, it proved to be invaluable. Planning is all very well, but using the plan whilst on the move is often difficult and diverts attention from the road to some degree. This is particularly true when in built-up areas or city centres; information about which lane to be in for example, when in a strange place is a real plus.

The reduction in driving stress by using a satnav was palpable fo me.

So I cannot agree that they are 'daft things'.

Anthony.

Each to their own, but my CTR is used for driving pleasure.

My Dad bought my Mum her new 5 Series touring with SatNav, bluetooth and phone holder built in. She never uses it! He only ever uses the phone holder (for his phone only) and bluetooth. She has no need too.

Defo should be a optional extra....but then this would have to be generic wouldn't it, cause as mentioned above you might not like to use a tom tom.