GPS all in 1 Head Unit advice please

[me3@neuralfibre.com]

I want to replace the stock Double Din head unit in the cruiser.

I would like to have

a) Navigation (Turn by turn)
b) Real GPS functions (waypoints, co-ordinates etc)
c) MP3 Playback off some type of media
d) Bluetooth so I can use the phone without getting booked

I know there are some on evilbay

Can anyone outline their experiences and tips on buying, or is there an "ideal" unit?

The Hong Kong ones concern me for map updates, and for reliability / getting it fixed. I know most of this stuff is never worth fixing, but the more complex stuff does break down more often.

Thanx
Paul

[festy]

Most of these ebay ones use CE 4.2 core for the nav functions, and a hideous on-chip operating system for radio/tv/dvd/bluetooth functions. They have 2 SD slots - one per system.
You can usually replace the GPS application with one of your choice - Tomtom, Igo, Destinator, Mio etc, and you can add OziCE for raster based mapping, as the CE core means it's pretty much just a big PDA.
Because of the two distinct operating systems, some functions don't work in certain modes, and the interface for radio/dvd can't really be changed like it could if it was running on CE.

[TheOtherLeft]

Yeah I was looking into a double din unit too. I think Polaris do one and then there's the VMS system, which is very exxy.

I'm thinking it's cheaper to buy a double din screen that has USB input and then plugging in a laptop. If the screen is a touchscreen then that would be even better. Bit more fiddly but I tihnk more versatile because of the lappie.

[macca81]

get a computer, and whack a touch screen into the dbl din spot

[brendolux]

look into pioneers range, i think they have some fairly up market ones.

and if i were you i would buy from a store if i were going to spend that kind of money, and by that kind i mean what you are looking for your looking at paying 500-600 minimum for a head unit that does all that.

you would almost be cheaper buying a 200 dollar head unit and a 200 dollar tomtom.

[JWB]

I want to replace the stock Double Din head unit in the cruiser.

I would like to have

a) Navigation (Turn by turn)
b) Real GPS functions (waypoints, co-ordinates etc)
c) MP3 Playback off some type of media
d) Bluetooth so I can use the phone without getting booked

I know there are some on evilbay

Can anyone outline their experiences and tips on buying, or is there an "ideal" unit?

The Hong Kong ones concern me for map updates, and for reliability / getting it fixed. I know most of this stuff is never worth fixing, but the more complex stuff does break down more often.

Thanx
Paul

Paul,

PM "Scrun"off here!
He will have user experience of what you might be after

cheers

[me3@neuralfibre.com]

get a computer, and whack a touch screen into the dbl din spot

I work in IT - gawd, not another damn computer, that's the last thing I need.

Paul
www.neuralfibre.com/paul has enough stories of computer pain.

[vanbox]

My father has a Polaris double din. As yet, Im not aware if it can do the proper gps (co ordinates, waypoints etc). It does everything else, reverse camera as well.

was exy.....about $1300 from memory


http://www.polarisgps.com.au/

[dar_sbb]

im running one of the china brand ones... got it on ebay 200 bucks. (eonon)

does everything. I changed the software on the gps and i now have 3d maps and stuff.

I havent had any real issues with it atm... once the screen opened for no apparent reason while driving... but has been fine ever since.

for 200bucks... and for what it does... cant go wrong. Plus i dont have the heart to put in a $1000 unit and then fill the whole thing with dust and mud.

p.s. i wouldnt spend over $350- $400 on one tho.

Daz

[sdf]

im running one of the china brand ones... got it on ebay 200 bucks. (eonon)

does everything. I changed the software on the gps and i now have 3d maps and stuff.

I havent had any real issues with it atm... once the screen opened for no apparent reason while driving... but has been fine ever since.

for 200bucks... and for what it does... cant go wrong. Plus i dont have the heart to put in a $1000 unit and then fill the whole thing with dust and mud.

p.s. i wouldnt spend over $350- $400 on one tho.

Daz

I payed a bit more for my china brand one cause i bought it from a ebay shop in Melbourne
when i eject the disks the screen stayed down and wont come backup unless i lift it backup manually
any way i sent it back and he said he would send another one

What other gps software did you get on there? i have tried designator and copilot live
I have got ozi on it and it works ok

Steve