ALpine vs Factory NAV
 

Well As I previously mentiuoned, the dealer promised me that they could install the factory NAV post delivery. Of course we found out that this was impossible. The dealer tried to stick me with a BS Audivox CD-based system....I wasnt having it. I really wanted the Kenwood touchscreen system, but settled for the Alpine w/ 6.5" screen.

It came out really great. Pictures will follow. The greatest thing about it is how FAST it calculates and how many POI there are.

My question to the guys with the stock NAV are.

1. How big is the Stock screen (I thinkl its 7"?)

2. How many POI are there?

3. Do all these DVD systems use the same database? (smartnav pro??)

4.How fast does it calc and re-calc

5. How much voice assitance do you get


6. How do you like it??


L8R!

Re: ALpine vs Factory NAV
 

The screen is 7", yes. (According to specs).

Sorry I cannot answer your questions... my Z w/nav arrives Friday!

I have seen the Alpine in the store. It looks very good.

Todd

how do you like the alpine 6.5? How's the picture quality and fitment? any cutting to make it fit? Did they use a FM modulator to connect to the factory stereo?
thanks

If you are asking me, I saw the Alpine at the local SoundTrack a number of months ago.

The screen was awesome, but it wasn't separate. It was a screen that retracted into the unit. When expanded and folded up, it would cover up the vehicle gauges.

The display was good,
Todd

The Alpine looks AMAZING!

This is not a combo unit. Its a separate screen that is installed in the place the factory NAV would be.
The screen is really sharp.

They did cut 1/8" off one side but it looks so completely stock (excpet the lack of buttons on the front).

The installer told me that the alpine doesnt send a signal to the head unit, but it will do it w/ alpine stuff. Instead the screen has a speaker in it. The advantage is that you dont hear the voice over the speaker constantly. However, at louder volumes it can get drowned out.

I STILL have to get those pictures.

qirex: So your setup doesn't provide any input for additional video/audio source?

Wondering if there is any way to pip the nav audio through the stock head unit? Is this Alpine specific or is this the same with the pioneer nav too?

Well the Alpine monitor will Accept Three Video Signals. If I wanted the audio with said siganls over the stock headunit, i'd need an RF unit. However, by the time I do that I'll prolly go get an Alpine head unit and some amps anyhow for the 5.1...in another car. Realistically, the only thing I plan to add is a revers cam (the monitor has a wire to switch to designated channel when reverse is engaged) and a TV tuner (to check on bad traffic etc...not to watch while driving).

okay guys...sorry for the blurry pictures, but Its dark out and I had to use a slow shutter and NO flash to avoid over-saturating the pic.

But hopefully, you get the idea.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/qirex/350z/IMG_1717.jpg

looking pretty good there, qirex. very clean install

nice pics... any posibility to take some during day time? I just want to see the fitment of the Alpine.
thanks

Okay Papi,...you want da pctures!!!
 

Here goes...I took my camera to work with me for you guys.

Enjoy



http://mywebpages.comcast.net/qirex/350z/IMG_1759.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/qirex/350z/IMG_1745.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/qirex/350z/IMG_1760.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/qirex/350z/IMG_1762.jpg

whoaaaaaa....


I just noticed that the time on the sec to last pic is 4:20.....



duuuude!!

How did they hook up the nav adio to the Bose system? Do the nav commands heard with the stereo or do you have to be on some special radio station?

the monitor has an amplified speaker in it.

It certainly could be louder, but at normal stereo volumes you can hear what she is saying. There's an external amplified speaker available - but i like my setup. The installer told me that it was not possible to send the audio to the bose headunit, but that any future alpine heads would accept it.

Looks good. Maybe I'll spend my bonus money on this.
Is this screen a touch-screen? If not, then how do you program it? With a remote?

quirex,

Wow that looks neat! I also did not get the OEM Nav unit and considering adding an aftermarket one. I have not started doing my reasearch yet. Do they still go for approx. $2K for the aftermarket nav units?? How much was yours including installation? if you don't mind my asking.

no its not a touch screen,

you use an alpine remote. I thought it would be a big deal using a remote vs stock controls but its no issue as you cant program while you're moving. in addition, the remote is always much closer than the dash.

In terms of cost...it cost me NOTHING (kinda). I ordered my car w/ Navigation which I guess is a $1700-$2000 option.

However, I drove a HARD bargain and got the cap cost at $35,400 (6 spd touring w/ supp airbags, NAV, kicks, splash, mats, nets etc)

So apparantly I "PAID" closer to $1200 for the NAV.

Now when they found that they *couldnt* put the stock NAV in there, they offered me a BS Audiovox which I raised a stink about. This is a new car and Nissan wants the customers happy, so the GM told me to tell him what I wanted....it came down to Kenwood vs Alpine.

the DVD nav itself is ~ $1600 and the screen is ~$600. The install prolly took 4-6 hrs.

I actually called them back today b/c I found out that there is a cable that will send audio to a source....

I dunno whether it will mute the system (alpine doesnt have wiring details on the Z yet) but louder is usually better.


Either way, I like the system. I'm told its faster and has more POI than the stock system - unfortunately It seems that ppl with the stock system arent responding....