Oh goody, a navigation post so I can rant post.

You are missing nothing with the OEM unit; the only reason I got it the second time was because it was already installed in this truck. The features are great but the nav is absolutely horrid.

• Driving through metro areas, it will route you off the interstate because why? No idea. Why in the world would any nav system route you off the interstate when you are going through the area?
• Despite telling it to stay on interstates, it will insist you take two lane roads. Re-programing does nothing. Telling it to stay on interstates does nothing.
• Inaccuracies are too numerous to list. We're not talking 5 year old businesses either; apparently to this nav unit, close enough is good enough. We're talking McD's and the like.
• Not updated from the get go.
• Pay $200 to update it???? Why???? I can buy a more accurate Garmin for $100 and stick it in my windshield. I can buy a fantastic truckers GPS for $200.
• No qwerty keyboard? If you're literate and you know how to type, have fun with entering addresses in the non-qwerty keyboard.

I drive a lot and I drive in some remote areas so I depend on accurate maps (I carry detailed state maps for backup) but I also depend on accurate directions and for what this unit cost, it should be able to do that. Last week it failed me 4 times. When I know where I am going, I admire how this unit takes me to where ever for whatever reason. I think one of the oil companies hacked it so that we would use more fuel. The solution is to either replace it or add a dash GPS (which for now, is what I am leaning towards).



The built in features are cool. Too bad some of the features don't work all the time such as the weather map (sometimes it won't pull up for five minutes, even after trying to force it to) or the traffic patterns. You have to pay for this option through Sirius so I suspect it's the satellite link.



In my '08, I installed a Kenwood nav unit that I bought on clearance for $600; was excellent. The Pioneer units that have been referred to are excellent as well. I installed the Kenwood myself and it took a bit because getting your hand back behind the dash is not easy. If you're mechanically/electronically inclined and buy the install kits, it's easy enough. This site is a great tool for information as well.



End of rant.



Good luck.

 

I went with kenwood in mine due to it having the garmin Nav in it.

I already knew pretty much how to use it already since I've had multiple Garmin stand alone units.

 

I have an appointment later this week with the stereo shop to look at a few options for me. All the comments have been very helpful.

 

You can change the keyboard to qwerty in the menu somewhere.

 

I have a Kenwood DNX6980 with Garmin in my 08. That is what I would do.

 

Slipp'n, frick'n, pick'n, pitz-n, frickl'n, popl'n, poop.

I surely didn't miss that after all this time. But yes, after all the attempts to get the routes to properly work to my preferences I missed that!!

So many thanks for pointing that out. I just fixed it and much better.

Cussing rant now resuming....

 

Clarion sucks and their customer service its worse.

 

^^^ agreed ^^^

I'd stay away...


biz

 

Anyone know who the manufacturer is of the Ford Nav? I know it has the Naviteq database in it, but who makes the box?

Also, wasn't Clarion the OEM for Ford for a bit?

 

Good news is the guys at the car audio shop seem great and are very comfortable doing the install. The bad news is the total bill out the door is $2000.00 for a Pioneer Nav AVIC-Z140BH ( 7 inch screen) with the adaptors to make my Sync and steering wheel controls work. The break down is 1750.00 material and 250 labor. I advised them i would take a week and think about it.

 

Does that include XM/Sirius tuner?

 

I "think" its Sony.

 

Good question I'm not sure.

 

should be built in all or most newer head units.on pioneer.I am looking at getting a pioneer unit also.If I do choose will be pioneer no exceptions IMO.

 

No, they don't build them in on the z130 or 140 or other high end units yet. Pioneer is probably making too much money selling them as seperate units. For some dumb reason the Sirius tuner comes in two parts for these and there are no station icons. Not sure why.