Any good navigation system suggestions??

dmorlow · #1 04-23-2005, 02:32 PM

I have a 2004 Impala. I am really good at getting lost. So I am seriously thinking about putting in a navigation system in my car. Does anyone have any good suggestions? When it is installed, it has to look like it is meant to be in the car (professional look to it like it was installed in the factory). I'm looking at one stereo replacement and it is the Pioneer AVIC-N2. It has a fold out screen that gives me on-screen navigation. But the unit costs $2,000!!! Has anyone installed any navigation system in their 2004 (or similar year) Impala? Which ones do you suggest? Also, things you like and don't like about it would be great!! Anywhere to get a navigation system that isn't so expensive?

Shelbrain · #2 04-23-2005, 09:46 PM

Check out www.mp3car.com....you will be amazed as I was the first time I reviewed it. There is a member there who is making a custome bezel for our Impalas. The "Show off Your Projects" forum on mp3car.com is equally outstanding.

MCO_Death · #3 04-24-2005, 02:48 PM

I cannot imagine this would be a cheap thing to do regardless of how you went about it. Navigation systems are not very cheap and if you want it to look like it came with the car will cost you even more. In that sense, the $2,000 doesn't sound too unreasonable.

dmorlow · #4 04-24-2005, 04:31 PM

I'm not that worried about the price. I understand $2,000 for a radio in my car that has a DVD player and a navigation system isn't that unreasonable of a price. But money doesn't exactly grow on trees for me either so I would like to try and find a less expensive of one if someone happens to know of a system that is similar and less expensive. Like I said, money doesn't grow on trees, yet for how often I get lost, it would be money well spent if it prevents me from getting lost ever again.

Shelbrain · #5 04-24-2005, 09:08 PM

If you are looking for the least expensive route, then a laptop with a USB GPS Receiver ($50) will get you where you need to go.

dmorlow · #6 04-24-2005, 09:21 PM

It really has to look like it's mean't to be in the car. A laptop will look out of place. I think, when it comes down to it, what I need is a navigation system that replaces my radio. I think I'm pretty much set on getting the Pioneer AVIC-N2 unless someone else knows of some other choices that have worked out well that were a little less expensive.

ogre73 · #7 04-25-2005, 07:15 AM

Something like this http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GZXunML...50&I=150IQ3600 with something to hold it (available anywhere, but here a few options: http://www.arkon.com/pdamount.html) would be fine, as you could keep it in the glovebox or console or even your pocket until you needed it to get *un*lost, but it is functional for other things all the time. Replacing your factory stereo with the Pioneer leaves you with (1)having to find some other way to shut off the damn Change Oil Light and program your keyfobs or (2)relocate the radio to the trunk.

dmorlow · #8 04-30-2005, 09:37 AM

Well, I think I'm set on the AVIC-N1 by Pioneer. It will replace my radio. The installation shop says they have a new kind of wiring harness for these cars that they said you don't need to use the factory radio anymore and there are alternate ways of resetting everything.

dmorlow · #9 04-30-2005, 08:05 PM

Well, I bought the AVIC-N1 today. I'm scheduled to have it installed next Saturday. I opted to have the factory radio installed in the trunk, rather than risk having something not work right with it not there. I'll keep everyone posted on how it works out.

dmorlow · #10 05-29-2005, 02:59 AM

Ok, an update for everyone. The AVIC-N1 is installed completely in my car now. I can't imagine getting around without the radio now. I zip through streets I've never been on before and some how, no matter what I do, I end up where I want to end up. I swear the car drives itself... almost.

Shelbrain · #11 05-29-2005, 09:21 AM

Can you post pictures of your setup in action? I would love to see them. Did they have to relocate the factory radio or did you completely remove that?

dmorlow · #12 05-29-2005, 09:58 AM

I'll have to take pictures someday and put them online. It's not that impressive looking. It just looks like a normal din radio that is in place of the factory radio. And there's a little cubby hole below the radio that I can use to store stuff now (because the new radio is so much smaller than the factory radio). But the factory radio is completely removed from the car. I'm going to hold on to the factory radio for a few weeks or so to make sure that everything works fine without it. Then I guess I'll sell it on ebay or something like that. They installed a chime maker "thing" in my car so I still have my door chime when I start the car, leave keys in the ignition, etc. It sounds a tad cheasier than the factory chime did. But supposedly you can reset the change oil light and the low tire inflation light by using the gas and the brake pedals. I don't even have 3,000 miles on the car yet so I haven't even seen the change oil light yet. So someday when I have to reset it, I'll have to try the trick with the gas and the brake pedals. (I forget which one does which.) And yesterday I got my steering wheel controls hooked up so my controls work with the aftermarket radio. They did it a really interesting way. They installed the infrared transmitter in the dash pointing at me. They say what happens is it transmits out, bounces off the driver and then goes back and controls the radio. I was a little skeptical, but it works perfect. I was driving around about a week without my steering wheel controls so it feels nice to have those back too.

MCO_Death · #13 05-29-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorlow

I'll have to take pictures someday and put them online. It's not that impressive looking. It just looks like a normal din radio that is in place of the factory radio. And there's a little cubby hole below the radio that I can use to store stuff now (because the new radio is so much smaller than the factory radio). But the factory radio is completely removed from the car. I'm going to hold on to the factory radio for a few weeks or so to make sure that everything works fine without it. Then I guess I'll sell it on ebay or something like that. They installed a chime maker "thing" in my car so I still have my door chime when I start the car, leave keys in the ignition, etc. It sounds a tad cheasier than the factory chime did. But supposedly you can reset the change oil light and the low tire inflation light by using the gas and the brake pedals. I don't even have 3,000 miles on the car yet so I haven't even seen the change oil light yet. So someday when I have to reset it, I'll have to try the trick with the gas and the brake pedals. (I forget which one does which.) And yesterday I got my steering wheel controls hooked up so my controls work with the aftermarket radio. They did it a really interesting way. They installed the infrared transmitter in the dash pointing at me. They say what happens is it transmits out, bounces off the driver and then goes back and controls the radio. I was a little skeptical, but it works perfect. I was driving around about a week without my steering wheel controls so it feels nice to have those back too.

Lights on and off 3 times for tire pressure.
Gas Pedal for Oil monitor.

bermis519 · #14 06-05-2005, 10:25 PM

You know something.....we probably look like complete retards stomping on the gas pedal, rapidly turning the key on and off and turn lights on and off in our cars....what do you think someone in a parking lot watching you would think.....do you have to flash the high beams three times and push the brake once to get the trunk to open...LOL.....

mike

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