When will Navus Navigation be available?

[willie47]

Frank29,

The display size is not a distracting. For example, if you are traveling on I 95, the display will show I 95 and major connector roads. This is what I would call the "Zoomed Out Effect". Local street information is not available. However, once the direction change is required, screen resolution occurs giving detailed information. With my old eyes I can see all information quite clearly.

[frank29]

Wille47, you're about to push me off the fence (onto the Navus side). Let me ask you four more things:

The pictures of the Navus look pretty good....it seems to blend in to the dash much better than the aftermarkets that use a bracket or such; but, that's just looking at a picture. What's it like in person? Are you pleased with the visual aspects, i.e., looks good, doesn't interfere with driving view, etc. It seems like its positioning would be better for referencing when driving than the o.e.m. dash unit.

From one of your previous postings, I believe you opted for the national card. I have a concern with the amount of detail on this card: please see PLM Rob - Navus and DVD rear seat information Does your card have detail down to side streets and such?

One of the features guys with the o.e.m. unit like is the "points of interest" options (food, gas, ATMs, etc.). Does the Navus have this?

And last, with the limitation of not being able to change parameters without stopping in mind: How are unexpected detours handled? If I learn the road is blocked, can I just turn at any given street and expect the unit to route me back to the highway I just left? (It's probably obvious this will be my first nav unit)

Thanks for your help.

[willie47]

Frank29,

The system blends well with the dash. I am 6 foot and my wife is 5 foot tall and we both prefer the line of site provided by NAVUS. I’m very pleased with the unit. As for the visual aspects, most people who are not familiar with 300C’s would assume it was originally built with the vehicle. There are no issues regarding driving view. Matter of fact, after a few days you don’t even notice it.

Keep in mind the local/regional cards only have 256 Mbytes of information while the national card has 2 Gbytes. I drove to Philly last night and was able to find any location and street with detailed mapping information down to street name as well the block numbers. For example, 300 block of west 3rd street. As you drive the information updates quickly. I also could find any restaurant I required with its grid location.

To route plan your destination, all you have to do is start from current location (No matter where) or place such as you home to an end destination point. The system takes less than 12 seconds to calculate and complete its procedure. Then your first voice prompts you as well as a visual display of driving direction and street information. If you want to find your way home from any location, all you have to do is “Find Way Home”

Points of interest are also provided by NAVUS. The “Find Command” provides you with a multitude of information. Let’s say no need to find gas. Simply use the “Find gas command” and you will be provided with stations nearest to your location. Use the same procedure for restaurants etc.

Detours are automatically re-routed with driving commands. The system always knows your location. “I love this system”.

[frank29]

Thanks again

[willie47]

Having used the system for a few days now, I thought I'd give an update regarding the NAVUS system with "National memory card". In a few cases, when sorting via “Name Mode” some sites where not listed unless you locate them via “Street Address” mode. This has worked 100% of the time for me.

I also found the NAVUS system is well tied to the system bus. This feature allows auto display dimming when head lights are turned on and sets the display for night vision. (Sets the normal color/black on white back ground to white/color on black background) This provides a more defined visual appearance with less distraction and eye strain. Off course, if you have a preference, you can further reduce the light effect by turning the display panel dimmer control wheel. The system also displays speed, distant to turn and time to reach destination among other items.

The few days I enjoyed this system I still haven’t had the chance to explorer all of the features provided by NAVUS. For example, the "Recording Route" features.

Stay tuned.

[frank29]

Well, I'm getting to order the Navus with the national chip. I was surprised there is a remote control available. Before I discount it as just totally silly, can anyone attest to any added funtionality or anything?

[willie47]

Frank29,

I’m still very happy with the Navus. I’ve used it from Key West to Boston finding every street in major cities as well as rural areas. For example, returning from a Key West trip on I-95, all traffic on the interstate was halted due to an accident. I simply jumped off at the exit and recalculated the route to the next interstate entrance bypassing the congested area. (The system even knew the names of all the local streets and roads.)

My wife depends upon it on every trip she makes. As a matter of fact, my daughter switches cars quite often to navigate to her perspective customers. Not once did the unit fail to find an address.

The only problem I had was a loss of satellite communications. (Six months ago)
I logged a call the manufactures tech support and they walked me through the reboot process.

[frank29]

Thanks yet again.