I have a question for people purchasing a navigation device:

Why would you purchase a DVD or HDD based navigation device instead of a ROM based device?

--Spike

 

its simple, most of the rom based deviceds for car only has one slot, meaning when you wanna listen to your cd, you gotta take the navi disc out, and then wnen you wanna program a route, do it again, the constant switching is what is not as good as in the HDD based navi units.

second of course, is the ability of some HDD units, to copy your music onto its HDD, so you put in one cd, once, and thats it

b

 

Bing… I see that my question is not phrased very well.

I’m asking about GPS devices that use ROM/RAM, and do not use a DVD player or loading to a HDD for navigation. GPS devices using ROM often have a DVD player, but the DVD isn’t necessary or used at all for the navigation component.

Navigation devices that are DVD based (or HDD based) depend upon loading application software and map data from the DVD player. My point is that navigation devices that are ROM/RAM based have no moving parts, are more reliable, and cost less. Of course this type of device is easily integrated with a DVD player, but never depends upon the DVD player for any of the navigation functions.

--Spike

 

is it the eclipse that has a seperate DvD slot and a CD slot, so you can still have your music in while adjusting your route? Plus more and more folks are hookin up the ipod to the HU anyways

 

Gosh… Obviously I need to work on my precision when asking a question.

Most of the high-end DVD based and DVD/HDD based navigation devices provide simultaneous use of the navigation component and the DVD/CD player.

My question was why anyone would choose a DVD based or HDD based navigation device when there is a much better solution for the navigation side (a ROM based navigation component).

--Spike

 

Spike - you're probably learning the answer first hand - they didn't know better or know the difference in the first place.

 

Up until recently, I'd think that the ROM/RAM solutions would be more expensive to build. The pricing on flash-type memory has dropped so much in the last year or two that maybe there'll be more devices using that type of storage. Updating of maps would probably be a whole lot easier with the DVD type systems too.
In my experiences with computers, hard drives tend to crap out a whole lot less often than memory.
I may be way off base, but I'm with you. I'm not a big fan of having to have a disc in to use the GPS. That's why I've got an portable.

 

Or maybe they just can't read!

 

Dave,
You are the master of “cut to the chase.” You are correct here, again.

I’m mostly asking this question to see if people even understand the difference, and as you point out, many do not.

What I’m looking at: I’m considering an investment in the navigation business. The digital map makers (NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas) have this side of the business wrapped up (device manufacturers are bidding for these two companies). But there is plenty of room on the application and device side for development opportunities. The majority of high-end automobile GPS devices are double-din units using DVD based or DVD/HDD based. That’s old technology that exists because it is still marketable (i.e., people continue to buy this type of device).

Some device and software application companies (e.g., TomTom, Megellan, Garmin, and others) are developing (and already have) ROM based devices and application software for this structure. So far they have been unable to present the advantages of their products. Certainly ROM based navigation products will soon replace the disk-based devices.

Investing $$’s in this game is risky, and it’s all about timing.

--Spike

 

Spike - I believe it was a thread posted by you that first opened my eyes to the differences in the various navi units along with some of the advantages and disadvantages. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have known what to look for as much as I did. For me, research and information a critical before making a big purchase - it probably took me 3 or 4 months before deciding on the DNX7100.

 

Yeah the gps in the kenwood was a huge factor in my decision too. I knew i wanted to go and meet more z guys all over and wanted a good gps to do it with.

 

I actually think this thread you speak of was Spike explaining the difference to me. The last unit I bought was the very first double DIN unit that Eclipse had out that had a DVD navi slot and a CD slot. It was the very first unit available of its kind. So I haven't researched anything since then.

I think many people purchase dvd or hdd based units because they are available for purchase, and usually at a lesser cost (at least right now). Not everyone is as **** as me or Spike or many others here and don't put in the research time needed to make the best decision possible. It could also be that some people aren't buying the unit primarily for the navi features but rather for the double DIN screen that just looks cool (bling factor).

 

I believe the two factors are as mentioned above. Not correctly informed and price point. Kenwood will address the price point issue this year with a Flash Drive Double Din unit for a MSRP of $1000.00. I know it looks like the Pioneer D3 because that is what it is made to compete against, but will use a flash drive for the Navigation. As far as being informed hopefully people will get tired of taking map disc in and out and ask themselves there must be a better solution.

 

Spike, I think the operative word missing in your posts was "flash". People don't always know what ROM/RAM means when it comes to navigation. That said, yes, flash-based storage is always superior to HDD/DVD storage no matter what the data might be; navigation or not. And for in-car navigation, flash-based systems make even more sense since they are not prone to a "query lag" regardless of the quality of surface being driven on. Heck, even laptop HDD manufacturers are trying to move to flash-based HDDs as their capacity is finally starting to increase to a level where that's now a viable option for computers.

 

In 09 when all analog stuff changes wqill this effect gps at all?

 

No. GPS receivers have always been digital, and all models will continue to operate.

What will stop working is older OnStar units (nothing to do with GPS) since the older units depend upon analog cellular signals.

--Spike

 

Everyone with TV tuners in the car will also stop working.

 

Ditto.

I also bought a 7100 based largely on what I learned about the differences between Nav technologies from Spike's posts.

Thanks, Spike!

 

Guys… Thanks for kind words… It’s nice to hear the efforts of members to provide information on my350z.com/forums are helpful and appreciated. I honestly believe that contributing here (on my350z.com/forums) has a huge payback because you always receive more information than you can possibly contribute.

There is no website for the Z that has the participation you see right here on my350z.com, and this site has certainly enhanced my enjoyment of owning and driving a Z. Member participation is huge to the success of a Forum/Site. But, I believe the reason my350z.com is so large is the fact that we have great Moderators here who actively participate in our discussions. This (good Moderators) is a common characteristic in any active and better Site/Forum.

But… enough of this sentimental crap… back to the subject

Usmanasif…I believe you are correct. Had I said “flash” drive more people would understand my question. Thanks for refining this. Hopefully with this better definition there may be some additional responses.

Something else that may be confusing the issue (and my question) is manufacturers continue to use DVD-based and DVD/HDD-based GPS devices because the devices (double-din devices for this argument) already have DVDs (and HDDs in the high-end devices) in the unit. In this case it would be a less costly solution to use the existing drive, and load the navigation part (application software and digital maps) using a DVD. But then again the cost would go up when a unit provides simultaneous GPS and A/V functions since this requires either two DVD players (maybe a CD player and a DVD player in the case of a really lame configuration), or a DVD player and a HDD to upload either or both music and navigation function for simultaneous operation.

No wonder people are confused.

--Spike

 

Spike. I'm hoping that I can chime in and give you a little bit more info regarding flash based navi systems. I think the biggest issue right now is cost. Computers are slowly using the flash based hard drive also known as "solid-state" hard drive. I just did a quick search on a 16gb solid-state hard drive and it cost $479.99 (see link for reference). Until the prices start to drop, I anticipate it will take a while before they will be widely adopted.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820609270