GPS systems any thoughts

[Kris Guilbeaux]

I have been kicking around the idea of an onboard GPS system. What are my options. I want some thing that might be intergrated with my sound system and a monitor Head unit, that would be compatable with my CD changer.

However, I have not been able to find much on the internet.

Cost is not a factor...

 

[leebo]

I saw one at sema last year, but can't think of who made it off the back. I know they're out there though. You also might want to try Circut City or a place like that. I've seen sterios there with flip-up screens that I'm sure would include GPS.

 

[Smurfslayer]

I know of 2 integrated systems you can buy, one by Clarion, the other by Alpine. Since you've said cost is no factor, I'd go with the Alpine, it has a display that comes out of the days, it's color & about 5"x5", uses a 'cd changer' box to house the street level maps, etc... really trick. About $2400 IIRC.

That was just too damn steep for me, so I got a Garmin EMap hand held unit. Between the unit, a memory cartridge, & the CD for map uploads, plus the remote antenna, & cigarette lighter adapter, I've spent about $350 or so... It definitely is a HUGE plus if you use it on trips where your wife/GF/SO is...*AHEM*... navigating... Garmin is coming out with several large cap. memory cartridges in the very near future that will make the Emap & the fancy shmancy street pilot much more viable...

HTH.

 

[JTang]

Now where's Skipp when you need him?

Skipp!

SKIPP!

Okay, that'll get him here... Hehe...

I know he was heavily researching that to work with the Alpine monitor. Might ask him about it...

 

[Trckmagik]

I would go w/ the Alpine! I used to have this in my 92 Explorer and it was great! I also had it hooked up to a vcr and playstation. Really nice when all the friends are in the car.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Will the Alpine Control Other Brand CD changers? I dont want to buy a new Changer if I dont have to. Also does the Alpine have an internal Amp? I only have one amp in the car now...

I know This might sound dumb, but I am not sure. I really want to keep the system as Stealth As possible. I would like the posability of upgrade with a DVD Player.

And Skip if you have knowlage of this please dont hold back...

 

[JTang]

The Alpine won't control any other players, and the part that makes it most favorable to get an Alpine one is that it has Ai-Net capability, allowing it to seemlessly integrate with all the other Ai products. If you don't use the Alpine changer, you could use another, but I think it would have to be RF, or at least one of those changers where you have to have that little extra LCD things attached to your dash. You wouldn't get to utilize the cool Alpine monitor to control the CD player.

I think that you have to get another amp too, I don't believe it has its own internal amp in it, just RCAs.

If Skipp isn't around here often, try somehow getting in touch. He was going to do the monitor and GPS thing with a connection for cellular phone too.

 

[Skippman]

I'm around, I'm around! My proxy server at home is freaking out. It wont let me post! I'm working on the project tommrow, hope to fix it then. I'm doing this from work right now. If I dont get it fixed tonnight/tomrrow I'll bring in what I type up to post on a floppy and post it from here.

 

[Skippman]

OK! OK!

Sorry, just got a promotion at work, was getting used to the new position. Sheash!

Back to the topic at hand...

GPS...

<ahem> G.lobial P.ositioning S.ystem ... A great addition to any system. Heres your options.



1.) Portable GPS (Magellan, Garmlin, DeLorme, ect.)

Pros: Cheap, Highly Portable, Small footprint
Cons: Cheap, Small Screen, Limited Maps and storage space.
Bottom Line: Good if price and space are an option.

2.) Laptop GPS (DeLorme, Rand McNally, ect.)
Pros: Up-To-Date Maps, Excellent Detail, Portable
Cons: EXPENSIVE if you dont have the laptop.
Bottom Line: Great choice if you already own a laptop. Average cost for a GPS reciever is only $150

3.) Intergrated System (Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion)
Pros: No Configuration, Ease of use, Excellent Screens. Usually concealable.
Cons: Most HAVE TO BE USED WITH THIER OWN EQUIPTMENT. Expensive. (DVD Nav by Alpine is $2000 for the GPS unit alone w/o screen)
Bottom Line: If you want to be stealth and have the cash, great choice.


WHATS ALL THAT STUFF MEAN:

Ok, Ok! Information overload. Heres the skinny. Portable GPS units are great if your worried about money. I myself am looking for one that interfaces with a laptop for my system (Onboard PC). However thier map's tend to suck, so dont rely on them. Laptop GPS units are killer, my personal favorite is the DeLorme Earthmate. I'm probably going to end up getting that as my GPS unit for the onboard PC. Interfaces via USB. The maps are the best your going to get, and your not stuck with only one map program. (DeLormes USGS Topo maps are gonna rock in Colorado) Intergrated systems are probably the best your going to get, with the exception of the map versitility. They tend to be expensive. To do the Alpine system correctly you need:

IVA-C800 $2,000 - $2,500
or
CVA-1000 $1,000 - $1,500
DVD-NAV $2,000

So right there your already looking AT LEAST $3000. Mind you, the CVA has no CD-Player but has controls for a changer. Alpines ideal setup is:

CVA-1000 $1,000 - $1,500
DVD-NAV $2,000
DVD-ROM $1,000

So your looking at $4,000 for a system that will play DVD movies, CD audio, GPS navigation, and CAN be made totally stealth. Mind you the DVD-ROM and CVA each eat a DIN slot.

Whew... hope that answers all the questions. If not, let me know. And sorry I took so long to respond. Hope you didn't do somthing rash like buy a <gulp> paper map.