I didnt get the navigation option on my car. Can I have it added by Nissan? If not, does the aftermarket one fit in the compartment? I would really like the stock one though.

 

They say it's a factory option. Meaning it can only be added at the factory. But I think I've seen people do it. U might as well do an aftermarket system. No use getting ripped off by the dealer for labor. I'm sure U can get a system with a TV tuner and PS2, etc added on.

 

This is from www.zcar.com:
Author: JimmyNoles (---.aby.bellsouth.net)
Date: Jul 7, 2003 7:08pm

I bought a base model 350Z, PPW, M/T. I found a totaled touring model with NAV, removed it, and installed it in my car. It works flawlessly. I simply removed the screen, DVD drive, GPS antenna, and the cover lid assy, being sure to cut all connectors for future use. Then, using the service maual, I constructed my own wiring harness, and installed it using power suplies and lighting switch inputs from the radio and cig lighter. The only thing I had to buy new from Nissan was the two piece antenna feeder cable from the antenna mast in the rear to the GPS antenna in the front. And, 'just so ya'll will know' I wouldn't want to do it again. I also grabbed the steering wheel with cruise control buttons and am in the process of making it work.



Post Edited (Jul 10, 3:29am)

 

Word!

 

wow how much did it cost you ?

 

Taliaz,

you cant add the stock one aftermarket.
No nissan dealer would do it.

However, You're in luck b/c compared to the alpine in my car - frankly the stock nav sux.

My wife has an FX35/tech which uses the same system.

Compared to the alpine - its really slow and clunky.

If you do a search you'll see exactly what the diff is.

ah well ladies choice...il'll paraphrase.

No daily trip mode.
slow to boot up
non-intuitive menu screens
jackass address book (takes 1 button press to add a location to the alpine nav...12 for the nissan)
and many more

in the nissan's favor
the stock nav is integrated really well with the cars computer. In the FX virtually all of the cars features (auto lite off, keyless entry distance, lite dimmers/timers, windows, cruise control, tire pressure, mpg, temp...and other crap.) can be controlled via the screen and input buttons.

In addition it has a reminder page (no more than a timer and counter) that tell you when to rotate your tires (really?) and get your scheduled maintainance.

Now for an equivocal feature - the remote vs fixed controls.

I'm pretty sure that the Z doesnt have most of the (forgettable tech) functions that the FX does so.....


There you have it.

Get an Alpine (or pioneer) system.
A 6.5-7" LCD will fit perfectly in there.
Installed...$2K or less.

Some will say get a carputer and run a NAV prog on there. I appreciate the simplicity and ease of use that a dedicated system offers – but know that the option does exist.


/rant off

 

Talia;
Service departments all seem to get stupid when asked about adding factory NAV systems. It stands to reason that if they manufacture the car with it, you can add it later. The labor involved however makes it prohibitively expensive. I have the Nissan system in my FX, and had and early Alpine aftermarket system (CD rom based) for 4 1/2 years in my ML. Each system has unique features and faults. The key issue however is the coverage. The Alpine CD based system had very limited coverage where I live (rural VA), and I had to buy 2 CD's - I live on the VA/NC border and had to use one CD if I went south to NC, another if I was going north. The DVD based system in my FX has awesome coverage - even some rural dirt roads are on it. Quirex thinks you can add an aftermarket system for less than $2K installed, and I don't agree with that. The NAV computer is ~ $2K, the screen ~$750 and up. Then there is installation. You can't cut corners there.
rich
'04 350ZR, SS/BO on the way

 

I think I made my post a little confusing. I found that post from someone else on zcar.com. I asked the possibilty of it and that was someone's response.

 

I added the Garmin streetpilot 2610. I put in rubber weather stripping in the nav compartment. The garmin fits in there perfect. Its easy to put in and pull out. It is portable, so i also have it mounted on the dash of my ranger. If i ride in a friends car, i can also bring it with me. Way more economical. 950 bux from best buy. Works flawless.

Only issue is that reception is so so in the 350 because the internal antannae gets blocked. GPS SAT antannae need a clear aim at the sky. So i purchased the external antannae from the garmin website for another 100 bux. It now works flawless!

I posted about this in the NAV section.

If folks are interested, i can post pix..

 

first of all...

the alpine Nve852a is DVD based - so comparing it to 8 year old alpine technology is moot.

I had mine installed for $2K by the dealer. Nobody...I mean NOBODY pays list for electronics - especially if its been out for a couple of years.

Tal, i suggest you go into a stereo store and play with the alpine and check out the stock nav. Its a great option as the Zs cubby is waiting for a screen and there isnt that much integration going on with the car. I wouldnt do it with th FX simply b/c the car uses the screen for so much.

Its really a sad thing really - my wife is in real estate. We were psysched for the nav (b/c I thought it would be the same as mine)

There's a feature in the Alpine where you feed it 10 addresses and it'll plot a course that hits all the spots (great for house hunting).

The infiniti otoh will have you backtracking for miles as it doesnt do this.

Another thing I hate about the infin nav is the address book and info screens. On my alpine I can easily look up phone numbers and add locations - whilst in the infin its hard to add locs and once a loc is in the address book - you CANT SEE THE INFO!!! how dumb is that?

Oh yeah, even though the infiniti is a newer DVD database, theres still a bunch of restaurants I *cant* find that are easily accessible on the alpine.

take your pick and like it.

BTW - if the dealer tells me that the cost of of installing the nav is prohibitively expensive - thats it no dice. The cars with nav have a different wiring harness and are prewired diff from the factory. We've all exhausted this point over the last year - lets not revisit it.

 

Am considering a 2610 too so I would really like to see how it fits in the nav compartment.

Thanks.

 

Love my Alpine nav... VandyZ and I installed it before I had 10k miles on the Z.

 

I have a Pioneer nav system in my car. Plays DVD movies too. The touchscreen was removed from its stock case and was fitted perfectly in the nav cubby hole. About $1400 installed.

 

Which model Alpine / Pioneer is best for retro fit ? Or any other sugestions.

I can't live without it .

 

Yes. Invite Rand McNally to be your passenger on all of your trips.

 

Sorry , I should have put sensible suggestions.

 

Others are right. Yes, you can do it. Yes, the dealer can order the nav. Yes, they can install it too. But no, it is NOT worth the cost.

Along with Alpine and Pioneer, Eclipse also makes excellent Nav+A/V All-In-One units.