Does anyone here have experience with both the stock nav unit and any high quality aftermarket units like the Alpine dvd nav unit?

I'm basically wondering how they compare. Road/map coverage and detail, routing speed, accuracy, features, etc.

I was reading on Alpine's site that not all cities have turn-by-turn routing capability, and this struck me as very odd. It said most cities will have at least street-level detail on the maps, but not necessarily turn-by-turn coverage. I have a small, portable Garmin Streetpilot III and it's got turn-by-turn coverage *everywhere*. If it shows the road, it can route through it. Sure, it might be missing some things, but it'll route over anything it knows about.

I'm basically wondering if the 350Z stock nav unit will do the same. I just find it silly that, even if a nav unit knows about the roads, it can't always route over them.

Thanks.

 

You will have the same issue with the factory Nav. The software is still the limiting factor on Nav units. I installed the Alpine Nav with TME 760 display. which I believe is the best aftermarket solution. However, this is because I have a Track model and I redid the entire sound system with the Alpine 9878 head unit, JL audio amp and sub plus MB Q's all around. If they had a Track model with factory Nav I would have gone that way. Factory Nav is just a better solution.

 

But you *can* get the Track with nav. I believe all models but the Base and Enthusiast can have nav.

On that note, why would you choose the factory nav over the Alpine nav? I was thinking the Alpine would be a better, more capable unit. I was actually considering *not* getting the factory nav so I could get the Alpine unit. Do you feel the factory nav is just as capable, including things like coverage, routing speed, etc?

 

You should do a search on the factory nav. I have read a bunch of people say that it has several problems routing to the correct destination. So far, I have had no problems with the Alpine unit. Everything has been pretty much dead on. Good luck with your decision.

 

Thanks for the tip. I did do a bit of searching before I posted originally, but didn't turn up anything on actual routing problems. Yuck... I'll definitely look into that further.

By the way, in your sig, shouldn't your nav unit be the 852, not the 825?

 

MonkeyBoy, did you install the Nav yourself? If not, how much did it cost you to do it?

 

I have heard that the Alpine is the best unit....does anybody else have any recomendations?

 

I did the install myself. Was more of a ***** than anything else. Identifying all the wires was a mess. The reverse light was the worst, while the speed sensor is the easiest to get to. All in all, it was a learning experience.

 

Thanks for pointing out the error of my sig.... I guess I should go off and change it!

 

Keep in mind that almost all nav units use the same database, made by Navtech. Check out their webpage, it lists all the companies. I know the stock Nissan Nav, along with my Pioneer nav, use essentially the same database.

No problems with my Pioneer. Admitedly, I haven't brought it anywhere other than the Eastern seaboard, but I haven't had any problems with coverage or directions. Well, I have had some issues, but those you would experience with any nav system. For example, if the road you're on has a parallel road nearby, the system has some difficulty distinguishing which one you're on.

I did a lot of research into the systems, ended up with Pioneer and have been satisfied. I'm sure the Alpine would be fine also.

 

My Alpine performed flawlessly in the east coast (NY/NJ). It performed INCREDIBLY when we took opur 2812mile move from JC to sand diego. Imagine that! road trripping with no map!!

However, here in SD its made a bunch of boneheaded mistakes. I think its b/c there's SO many ways to go the same way, the presence of canyons and geographic feautures and well...I dunno. SO I grade it 88% here, 98% in NJ. I was thinking of doing a recalibration.

The unit is certainly snappy. I drive pretty quick and one time it went through SEVEN reroutes in 20 sec to keep up with me (I knew where i was going).

 

For anyone that has gotten either a pioneer or Alpine Nav system can you hook it up to the factory radio to watch DVD's as well or do you also need to get a new radio?

 

You have to get a FM modulator to hear it through the stock radio. If you get an aftermarket head unit, look for one that has some sort of auxiliary input.

 

The Alpine NAV system does not play DVD's. I think the pioneer does.

 

Yes, the Pioneer does. I did not know that about the Alpine.

 

Thanks for the help, I will look into the pioneer.