So, I was at a Ford dealership today, and had a look at the Nav system that is in the current Explorer (the one that Brad and another Ford insider here said is showing up on the Stang for '07). If you think that Nav is the most useless and overrated accessory ever for a car - and especially a Mustang - then read no further.

If it's a feature you're interested in, I'll give you my impressions from the short time that the salesman let me play with it.

1) It has the Ford splash screen when launched (blue oval Ford logo + clock display in upper right corner of screen);
2) Even though it looks OEM (a couple of identical ***** to the Shaker) it doesn't FEEL OEM; that is to say, the ***** and controls have a more substantial feel to them than the Shaker systems. This extends to the touch screen, which similarly feels solid, and doesn't take much pressure to activate - all doubtless a result of the unit being made for Ford by Pioneer;
3) The screen is a good size, very visible and nice & bright;
4) The actual "voice" that guides you is pretty good, reasonably clear and doesn't sound like Stephen Hawking, though occasionally when it speaks street names at the end of the sentence, the street name itself can sound a bit robotic. Not quite as good as the Acura system (not voice activated), but certainly good enough;
5) There are a multitude of control functions for the audio system, which again, go past what the Shaker offers - stuff like digital signal processing and a full range of sophisticated, screen-activated control systems;
6) While there doesn't appear to be an MP3 plugin, it does play MP3 discs, according to the manual;
7) I don't know how much wattage it will pump out in the Stang version - I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Overall, it just has a higher quality feel to it than the Shakers, and the control functions are much more extensive. It also looks like it will add a touch of sophistication to the Stang's center console, and yet look OEM at the same time.

 

I guess I must be interested....I read the whole review. Nicely done! Thanks for taking the time to do that for us. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img] It sounds like a nice system. How much is that option in the Explorer?

 

Thanks for posting this info! I'm considering a GT/CS w/ Nav at the end of this year for a daily driver.

 

does it have drag race track locations pre-programmed?

 

I'd love to have a Navigation system in my 07 GT. What package does this come with, and any idea how much it will cost?

If its too much... I'll probably stick with the Shaker 500 and worry about navigation using old school methods: maps and asking directions from gas station clerks.

 

Last night the cops blocked off a major road where I live and I used my navigation to find a back road around it. It was a good thing I did because I would have been late to work. The navigation system in my car is by Pioneer and it looks like it was made for the stang.

 

I ordered my '07 and there was no mention of a Nav System. Is this an option that's coming out midyear?? Even last year when the 18" Bullitts weren't available until late, they were still listed on the order sheet as late availability. With my luck they'll make it available right after I take delivery of mine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(outdoorstom @ April 30, 2006, 6:01 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I guess I must be interested....I read the whole review. Nicely done! Thanks for taking the time to do that for us. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img] It sounds like a nice system. How much is that option in the Explorer?
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$1995 in the Explorer and other SUVs and cars. Ford is listing a DVD Nav system with Audiophile stereo system in the Edge for $2500. However the Edge pricing is for survey purposes right now and nothing is set in stone.

 

I wonder if it can retrofit into an '06 with Shaker 500 currently in the rack?

 

Wow, so much hate for Nav in that opening para, BC [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paris MkVI @ May 1, 2006, 10:36 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I wonder if it can retrofit into an '06 with Shaker 500 currently in the rack?
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I hope so [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

 

Well, all I know for certain is what was posted on these boards by Brad and one of the salesmen a few weeks ago: Nav will be available to order in the '07 Stang by December '06. Price is obviously TBA, but here in Canada, the same one in the Explorer goes for $2500 CDN.

I don't know if the Nav will be part of a package option on the Mustang - it may very well be a stand-alone option, because Ford already has several packages, and this would add significantly to their cost.

As to pre-programmed track locations, sorry Dustin, think you're out of luck there, dude. On the other hand, if you get the address of some new track from the phone book, or a friend (or some other way), you can just punch it into the system before you go, and it will take you there with turn-by-turn directions.

 

$2000-2500 sounds pretty darn steep to me for what you are getting. I was hoping to see it for about half that price or about what the Shaker 1000 costs now. At $2,500 that will add almost 10% to the price of GT!! Woudln't it be better to put that towards a Roush S/C and still keep your factory warranty!

 

Where are the specs? I hope it comes with a remote because I have an Alpine nav system now in my F-150 Harley Davidson truck. I input signals during a rode trip several hundred times a day and there is no way a touch screen monitor would take that abuse. . . plus my arm would get too fatigued.

 

So far there is nothing OFFICIAL in the order guides about the Nav system.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ISELLFORD @ May 1, 2006, 4:29 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
So far there is nothing OFFICIAL in the order guides about the Nav system.
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Since nothing is in the order guides, my guess is that we won't see the NAV system until Job 2.