For those of us 350Z owners who now have second thoughts about not ordering the Nav system or for those who thought it was too expensive, I just purchased the Garmin StreetPilot III deluxe with auto routing and voice for $899.00 from Amazon. I downloaded the mapping software and installed it within 1 hour and used it for a trip to a distant hospital to visit a relative and then to Boston to vists freinds and take in the Patriot game. I used it for all destinations and it performed flawlessly. The good thing bis that you can move it from car to car and it just fits in the cubby for the Nav system using the sand bag non skid mount. Check it out if you are thinking now about a Nav System at www.garmin.com. under outdoor usage.

 

does it have an NTSC video output??

 

I don't know. I suggest that you call Garmin directly at 1-800-800-1020 and then post the answer for all similarly interested.

 

Hate to say it, but you got ripped off. I checked these out a couple weeks ago and you can order these elsewhere on-line for $769.99 https://gpssignal.com/streetpilotiii. Check it out, maybe you can get the difference refunded.

On another note, where did you mount it? Doesn't it have to be mounted on top of the dash for the GPS signal? That would look like a$$. If you could stick it in the nav. hole and have it still work, it might be ok.

 

I've also been doing research on the Garmin Street Pilot III. I'm interested to know how well it works if operated from the empty nav space. Also, it would be nice if you had some pictures.

 

To respond to your comments:

1. It almost fits in the cubby with the friction base; May fit completely with the base removed, but then you must purchase the window antenna.
2. When getting a quote be sure it is the deluxe package which includes all the necessary accessories and CD for uploading map data.
3. with just the empty Nav it works great indicating the road your on, the direction and each cross street that comes up.

 

The link I provided above is for the Deluxe edition. I do like the Nav in that it can be taken out and placed in any vehicle you wish. It's certainly not as convenient as a built in system, having only basic maps saved in the unit itself. You have to download street level maps for the area you want to a memory card, so you can't just look up anything anywhere, though they do have larger cards available to fit as much as possible, I guess. I'm interested in seeing pics when you get it; I'd really like to know if it will fit in the nav cubby. Not sure how to do the window antenna though. Is it just something that would sit up on the dash for a line of sight through the windsheild, or does it have to be mounted on a window? Wiring might be a pain if that is the case. At any rate it is a good option for those of us that aren't willing to shell out $2000 for the factory or aftermarket nav. Won't be able to play DVDs or video games, but that's not what a sports car is for. The main reason I didn't order the stock nav (other than the cost) is that I didn't want the added distraction; I like to just get out and drive.

 

Sorry, bad link. Here's the good one:
https://gpssignal.com/streetpilotiii.htm

I have also seen a $99 add on for Palm Pilots that turns it into a GPS nav system. Not sure how good it is, though.

 

The other thing I just noticed about the Garmin system (aside from the tiny 3.4"W x 1.8"H screen) is that the speaker is part of the cigarette lighter adapter. Guess hard wiring is out if you want the voice. Oh, and I found the remote antenna. $74, 8ft cable and suction cup mount for window. May be able to run it to the rear, but cable might not be long enough for clean install. If the cords are long enough and it actually fits in the nav hole, it would be nice to run the power cord under the center console to the back of the nav compartment and run the remote antenna to the rear window. This would keep the voice right by your head and keep the cords hidden. You'd just have to buy another power cord to pop out the nav and move it to another vehicle and dash mount it.

I still wonder why they can't install the stock nave at the dealer. The wiring may be a pain, but all the removal and installation instructions are in the service manual.

 

"Page cannot be found" on any of your links. This fly-by-night has already gone under!

 

Second link is good. Try it again:
https://gpssignal.com/streetpilotiii.htm