Allright guys,

can you tell me what would be your fav choice for a GPS Nav sys. for the Mustang ?

(if you post a link to the manufacturer's website, it's even better...)

Thanks !

 

Pioneer. They have the worlds best 3D user interface. Wait for the D1 double Din LCD headunit and you'll be all set.

 

check out the AVN-2454 by Eclipse here

 

Thanks for the reply, guys !

 

The ones that were recommended to you are headunits that require a audio system change. If you want GPS and to keep your current stereo like I did (I got the Mach 1000, i don't need aftermarket) then u look for portable GPS units which are better than the built in ones anyway because you can take them with you. The 2 best out right now are the TomTom Go (this is the 1 i'm buying, its around $500 now with a $50 rebate, and it has a touch screen, color, with 3d mapping) u can find out more at www.tomtom.com) or the new Garmin C330 (which is a bit more expensive but is shaped much like the Tomtom go). The tomtom go by the way gets glowing reviews by just about everyone, and is quite possibly the best easiest to use Nav product I've ever tried. It is also 1/4 the price of those pioneer and eclipse headunits the others have told you about. Do some research into it.

 

Chris, I would be really interested in seeing the pics of your Tom Tom navigation system installed.
I really think its a great utility but I don't like the way the plug an go navigation systems look.
So please post some pics when you get yours.

 

Rand McNally Maps, best bang for the buck.

 

That's how it looks, touchscreen, so very few buttons. A long way from previous portable devices. Oh a couple things, there is no "plug and go" no plugs at all, it has a 5 hour rechargable lithium ion battery. If you want to plug it in the cigarette lighter you can, but it has an internal battery. It does EVERYTHING the headunit navs do except better, smaller, more portable, touchscreen, and with 3d maps which a lot of headunits don't have. It even has points of interest, etc. Some other features it has, changeable voices, it even has a valley girl voice which is the one i'm using (it goes "like OH MY GOD make a right turn like NOW" heh). It also has changeable faceplates, so those of you with the IUP interior can get a red frame for the video screen, you see a green faceplate above. All in all a much much better solution than the pioneer and alpine headunits, and I've done extensive research before I made my decision.

 

Yeah, I definitely think that I'll keep the Shaker 1000 and look for a portable GPS unit. That TomTomGo looks interesting, I'll check it out for sure.
By the way, what's your take on the Magellan 700 (I noticed no one of you guys mentioned it...) vs. comparable units from Garmin ?

 

It's not touchscreen and it's got too many buttons, the map isn't 3d. All negatives for me. I honestly believe the Tomtom changed the entire portable GPS genre, and the old standard Garmin has now introduced the only comparable product, the Garmin C330, which is the only other unit I'd consider but the price is considerably higher. Here is the Garmin, notice how much it looks like the tomtom:

 

Yeah, it definitely does.
Believe me, both the TomTom Go and the Garmin C330 really look good and for sure being less bulky it's a nice plus.
But what are my priorities in a nav.sys are:
1) it must get me from point A to point B hopefully all the time, with clear instructions.
2) it must have a quick route re-calculation in case I miss a turn.
3) it must give me the possibility to prioritize certain routes (example: most use of highways...avoiding certain roads...etc.etc.) or avoid others.
For me the rest are details: I am not saying they are not important, of course, but they are not my top priorities.
Therefore, I'd like to get the nav.sys. that performs the best in priorities 1, 2 and 3, described above (of course the more other features it has, the better it is...).
I rounded up 4 possible candidates that consistently seem to satisfy those priorities of mine: Magellan Roadmate 700, Garmin Street Pilot 2620, TomTom Go and Garmin C330.
Now, I tried to read as many reviews as possible and also I read all users comments+reviews everywhere I found them, and especially regarding the latter case (=users comments and reviews), I must admit they are quit confusing as for all of the above mentioned nav.sys. you find so many people so happy to have bought one of them and then you find so many other people so pissed off about having gotten it. And this happens for all these nav.sys. ... it almost seems, performance wise, that it's just pure luck wether it will perform good or not and this is a bit upsetting, thinking that they don't sell for a penny, I mean I woudn't like to get one and then find out that it's a crappy performer...
I wish there was a more consistent way to ascertain which system is the best...
Of course, I bet your opinion goes for the TomTom Go...do you find it very much reliable, with up to date maps, fast route recalculation ? In what way, excepted it's dimensions and good looks, do you find it superior to the other three nav.sys. I mentioned above ?

 

Of your priority list, I would agree with 90% of it, and I looked for the same. The one negative that the Tomtom has is that is DOESN'T do your #3. It is wonderful at point a to b, possibly one of the best, it does route recalculation very quickly if you get off track, but the one thing it's not known for is route prioritization. From what I've heard it always prefers freeways, and it has it's own quirks and you can't alter how it prioritizes roads. That might be a big negative for you, and something you might consider. For me, it's not a major deal simply because I live on the West Coast (Seattle), where the freeways are always my first choice anyway and the routes I prefer are almost always freeway based. To be honest with you, all things being equal, I might prefer the Garmin C330 because it's newer with a slightly better color screen and was designed after the tomtom go to specifically compete with it. The problem is the price. It's $900 and the tomtom is now around $530 SHIPPED. And the tomtom has some creative things that nothing else has like fun voices and color changing frames.

 

Chris,
Thanks a lot for the pics. Its great to know that there is no cord hanging out of the thing. That was my major concern.
I think I will have to look into TomTom more closely now.
Great Info, thanks again!

 

I have had a Garmin Streetpilot III for a few years... the maps are accurate and I never get lost! It is fast, has multiple mounting options, and easily moves from one car to another...

In my GT, I use velcro on the bottom of the unit and it is located in the valley between the two sides of the dash (conveniently located about 6" from the power point...)

 

Thanks for the info !

I believe I will get the Garmin C330, I think it fits my needs.

 

Thanks for the info guys! I will look into the Tom Tom as well since I do not want to change out the Shaker 1000 either. I like that there is no cord and you can change the faceplate to something that blends in a little more with your specific dash.

 

will the tom tom put the voice through your speakers?

 

i use the geosat2. it is fantastic.

Power supplied by car lighter
· Destination Search by virtual keyboard
· Quick search for the latest destinations
· High detailed street map database
· Trip Computer
· The unit is loaded with European high detailed cartography
· Points of Interest
· Recording and storage of Marks
· Ultra compact design
· Removable installation bracket


DESCRIPTION:


· Colour screen TFT 5,6"
· Voice guidance
· Easy to move navigator
· Easy to carry
· Best route planning
. Automatic route recalculation
· Arm9 200 Mhz Extremely fast processor
· Backlit keyboard
· Usb port for PC connection
· Speaker included
· 12 channel GPS receiver, continuously tracking and using up to 12 satellites
· Digital charts on 2 GB Memory Compact Flash

 

If you have a pocketpc - grab a socket gps nav kit - I just grabbed one for $260. Came with NAV software, maps for the whole US (may be canada too - sorry, didn't pay attention) and a bluetooth receiver.

The GPS receiver itself is about as big as a box of tic-tacs and sits on the dash sans-wire. It transmits 16 chanels of GPS data (I know only about 12 visible at a time) and has super fast startup times. Been working great.

Interstingly enough, my ipaq fits exactly in between the tach and speedo - making a very nice pseudo integrated solution.

Down the road I hope to get a copy of tom tom to try on my pocket pc and laptop - for now, I've used MS Streets 2004 as well as the Navteq stuff that came with this kit. Cheap, fast, works well if you have the pocket pc and/or laptop.

cheers

 

where did you buy your tom tom I've only seen it for $700 not the $530 you mentioned. Did you buy the motorcycle version? or the tom tom go?