Is the factory navigation system really worth $2K? I'm thinking of getting this, instead of ordering my car with the factory nav. I was wondering if anyone has the iQue 3600 - and what they think about it. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

the hand held navs dont work very well. Small memory.
better off with an after market nav installed. cheaper than the
2K Nissan charges, and you can get DVD and a better stereo.
I use to think that the NAV was neccesary but not anymore. It looks cool to have but I dont feel like I am missing anything and I saved some $.

 

I don't know how well it works, but being able to take it with you and into other cars seems like one possible advantage.

 

my dad has his on his Ipaq. the hardware/program itself is kinda lame, takes forever to find the satelite, but I think that is only his hardware software pack, not too great. but all together it was like 600 for the ipaq and 200 for the GPS equipment. its good enough for less than half the price, with all the other features of having a nice PDA. along with the fact that you can take it into other cars and all.

 

A friend of mine got his yesterday, and he was giving me a quick demo, and it seemed to find the satellite in less than 5 seconds. I totally agree that it being portable is a huge advantage. I've seen this one as low as $490, then another $130 for the software, and another $50 for the dashboard holder. So for about $700, you get a portable navigation system and a PDA.
I'm really considering it and saving myself $1,300.

I'm going to wait a month or so to checkout the user feedback on it, since it just came out recently.

 

Here is a forum where they discuss the iQue quite a bit. Should be able to find answers to most of your questions there. I myself looked at getting a car nav system but didn't want to fork over the ~2k for one so ordered a iQue and a mount. Should be getting it in today in fact.

PDAStreat iQue 3600 Forums

 

Thanks a lot!!

 

do you reaaly want to look at a tiny pda creen while driving?

The stock system is good...but the Alpine NV82a w/ tme650 screen (do a search..a bunch of guys here have it) is way better.

fast, easy to use...no complaints.

I used to think nav units were toys...until I got one. Cant live w/o it now. Kinda like memory positions on your phone...

 

I understand the screen is smaller, but I won't always have to look at it, I'll just listen up for the voice commands on when to make a turn. Also, with the auto kit, you can have the voice command flow through your car speakers. I don't doubt that Alpine is superior system, but I'm sure I would be saving myself I good amount of money, which I would be pretty happy about - even if I have a smaller screen.
Either way - thanks for your opinion.

 

I have a NAV system on my Acura TL. I don't use it much. After all, I know how to get to work and home now. But it has worked really great in the big city when I'm not sure how to get somewhere. It's never perfect because it somethimes doesn't know about road changes, one, way, etc. And there is the small fact that it looks very cool. :-) Recommended.

 

I have been using the iQue for about 1.5 weeks now. Its great. WELL worth the money. You just need a memory card if you plan on going anywhere long distance. I drove from FL to NJ and I fit it all on a 256 MB card. It figures out everything about your route, and has all the restaurants, hotels, rest stops, etc along the way. It made the drive a lot easier. I bought it for about $350 at ecost.com. The maps come with it, you don't need any extra software. You definitely need the car kit though. As far as the small screen...its not problem. When you compare the fact that you can take it from car to car to home to office, use it for a PDA, and it cost a quarter of what an auto nav costs, its really great.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me.

 

Keep in mind that the iQue is also a PDA and a MP3 Player, so that's 2 other things you don't get with the DVD NAVs.

Victor

 

Finally got a mount (Proclip) for my iQue works pretty good. Only bad thing in it is little harder to insert/remove your key. Pictures attached.

 

From the side

 

Finally the mount empty. When I know I am not going to be using it for a while I will remove the mount takes like 10 seconds to remove.