In-Dash GPS/DVD flip out?

[Go4Lo]

i tried searching for info on in-dash DVD/GPS but could not find much.

so i picked up another DII last weekend - 2K SD. This DII will be my build project going forward and the SE7 is going to the wife/DD.

anyway i'm thinking about going with an in-dash Single DIN flip-out screen GPS/DVD system for this DII. SInce this DII is an SD i don't have the H/K stereo but i do have an oem changer that the PO put in.

here is why i'm leaning towards the in-dash:
i like the clean look of the in-dash units and want turn by turn nav. as well as the ability to add Topo Maps. I don't need it to be removable. Larger touch screen and ability to play DVDs.


I'm looking at these 2 - http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...n-Dash/AVIC-N4
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert..._Video/KVT-512

Using this adapter:
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=89-9400

This harness:
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=70-9401


- What else am I missing?
- What in-dash set ups are you running?
- Will either one of these allow loading of Topo Maps? - the Kenwood has a SD slot and from the pics the GPS "Brain" is a Garmin which is a plus

 

[mountainpete]

I did a bit of research on this a little while ago. Although not specific to topo, if the GPS unit is the G510 add-on this might help: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/8032

So far, I have not found any online reference of someone getting topo working on it.

Pete

 

[Go4Lo]

I did a bit of research on this a little while ago. Although not specific to topo, if the GPS unit is the G510 add-on this might help: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/8032

So far, I have not found any online reference of someone getting topo working on it.

Pete

Pete,

thanks for the link. that thread made it seem like if you were running maps from a SD card then you could run any maps?

 

[mountainpete]

Pete,

thanks for the link. that thread made it seem like if you were running maps from a SD card then you could run any maps?

Well it has to be Garmin maps for one. The unit was designed to work with the City Navigator series and I just haven't seen anyone load topo.

In theory, you should be able to even purchase on of these Gamin maps on microSD, use an SD adapter and be good to go. But I just haven't heard of anyone actually doing it. You may want to call Garmin to ask them.

Pete

 

[Go4Lo]

Well it has to be Garmin maps for one. The unit was designed to work with the City Navigator series and I just haven't seen anyone load topo.

In theory, you should be able to even purchase on of these Gamin maps on microSD, use an SD adapter and be good to go. But I just haven't heard of anyone actually doing it. You may want to call Garmin to ask them.

Pete

i'll definately give garmin a call before pulling the trigger on buying one.

 

[mountainpete]

i'll definately give garmin a call before pulling the trigger on buying one.

Be sure to post up the results

 

[Go4Lo]

Be sure to post up the results

will do!

anyone else have any info?

 

[Rob O]

I've heard from several folks used to Garmin portable/handheld units that they prefer the Kenwood because it's got "garmin inside" and the usability is very similar. I shopped the Kenwood 7100, which gets unanimously good reviews, but ultimately went with the Pioneer AVIC Z2 for it's built-in 30GB HD, which has 10GB free for music and is upgradable (e.g., when the Z3 is introduced). The AVIC lacks SD slot and isn't as iPod friendly as the Kenwood (neither of which mattered to me). I also have XM (with XM Traffic) and back-up cam hooked up to it and will soon mount a monitor for back seat passengers (kiddies).

See my build thread for more info/pics

 

[Go4Lo]

I've heard from several folks used to Garmin portable/handheld units that they prefer the Kenwood because it's got "garmin inside" and the usability is very similar. I shopped the Kenwood 7100, which gets unanimously good reviews, but ultimately went with the Pioneer AVIC Z2 for it's built-in 30GB HD, which has 10GB free for music and is upgradable (e.g., when the Z3 is introduced). The AVIC lacks SD slot and isn't as iPod friendly as the Kenwood (neither of which mattered to me). I also have XM (with XM Traffic) and back-up cam hooked up to it and will soon mount a monitor for back seat passengers (kiddies).

See my build thread for more info/pics

that looks really nice! great job!

i think i'm going with the Kenwood when i get ready to buy, i have a Ipod touch so i will store all my music on the Ipod and keep it in the dash and control it from the touch screen of the kenwood. the kenwood has a usb port and a/v jacks that will accept the kenwood back up camera. also the SD card slot is the big selling factor, hopefully i can load Topos on it.

 

[Go4Lo]

FYI -

i found this on the Garmin website regarding the GPS unit that comes with the kenwood in-dash GPS/DVD referenced in the opening post on this thread:

Question: Can I download other types of mapping to the Kenwood® unit?

Answer:
It is possible to load use different mapping products on your Kenwood device. Many of our mapping products are sold on preprogrammed data cards that would simply be inserted into your unit's SD card slot.. Click the following link to view all available mapping products:

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/ontheRoad/

Note that any mapping information that is loaded into your unit's SD card slot will override the preloaded mapping information. To restore your mapping content to the originial preloaded information simply remove the memory card from the SD card slot.

according to garmin tech support it seems like any sd card maps could be uploaded.

 

[scatter]

So, from what I'm reading here, no one has been able to put topo maps on an in-dash unit? If so, any details??
Scatter

 

[TScout]

So, from what I'm reading here, no one has been able to put topo maps on an in-dash unit? If so, any details??
Scatter

Anxiously awaiting the release of the azentek cpc-1200 car computer myself just for this purpose :drool:
Until then, its the laptop :mixed-smiley-030: .

 

[Ric]

that looks freakin awesome :clapsmile you said you have XM, could you post a pic with the XM on ? Id like to see the display, I have sirius but kind of in the market for a unit like yours.

 

[scatter]

Wow, TScout, that azentek looks to be just what the doctor ordered. And ONLY $2700. Oh, you wanted installation? And maps too??
Might have to wait a bit and see if any competition brings down the price a bit. Trouble is, at my age, instant gratification and long range planning are getting to be the same thing....
I guess I'll have to head to the store and get a hands on look at the Lowrance and Garmin topo maps. Not too impressed with what shows on their web pages though.
Thanks for the heads up though - Scatter

 

[TScout]

I have it on good authority that they will have a model out under $1k before the end of the summer, and most people that use a gps already have the software, just add a $50 receiver and you're in business.

The other stuff is just icing:
Voice navigation/commands/Radio/DVD/mp3/TV/email/wifi/dvd/tv
and a whole range of satallite/wifi services that are still being dreamt up.
I think Mapquest was the whole reason why Microsoft was so hot to buy Yahoo.