Most new cars either come with pre-installed factory navigation units or give you the option to add one. Stock navigation is fine enough for the standard "I don't know how to get to this restaurant" kind of use, but if you want anything beyond that, we suggest going aftermarket.
There are about 236 million vehicles on the road in the United States. In 2005, OEM nav grew by almost 30 percent (that's 1.1 million cars). In the portable segment, there was 34 percent growth, which is 738,000 units. Aftermarket nav grew the most with 40 percent. A smaller part of the market, that percentage represents 110,000 units. You can see from the numbers that there's huge potential for manufacturers to make a lot of sales. It explains why just about everyone and their cousin is getting into the game.
The sudden explosion of portables has made it difficult for consumers to decide what to buy. Aftermarket in-dash components have the most value, in that you get the very latest technology and more options in terms of the unit as a multimedia source. But, it's still a little mind-boggling for most people to troll all the models available to decide what is best for you and your budget.
Let's get some basic tech stuff out of the way. When researching in-dash units, you might run across terms like "double DIN" or "single DIN" (often written as 2 DIN or 1 DIN). Despite sounding like a complicated moniker for something terribly industrial, it is actually just a delineation of size, a basic tool to understanding what your car can handle: If your car's in-dash audio space is less than roughly 3 inches, it is probably only suitable for 1 DIN units. If you have 3 inches or more available to cram in some audio pieces, then you can safely go with a 2 DIN unit. It is always best to do your homework on your model and consult a professional audio installer to be sure you are getting the right type of navigation product.
Navman iCN 750MSRP: $799.95Specs: Portable, 4-inch-wide screen displayCompatible Platforms: All
What we like:*The price is great. You can have nav and still have cash left over.*Built-in digital camera.*NavPix technology lets you save photos as your locations; you can also share the photos with other NavPix peeps.*Decent-sized hard drive stores 4 million points of interest.
What we don't like:*There's that whole portable thing, again.*Lacks Bluetooth, satellite radio, and MP3 playback technology.*Runs on batteries, which only have a two- to four-hour life (the Garmin has an eight-hour life).
Eclipse AVN7000MSRP: $2,699.99Specs: 1 DIN, 7-inch touch-screen displayCompatible Platforms: MINI, some Mercedes-Benz models, and any model that accommodates the larger, 2 DIN units.
What we like:*Quite intuitive to use; you can easily change settings and sources.*Lots of interface options, including iPod, Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio, two CD changers, and TV tuner.*Best-looking and most detailed map screen on the market.*Offers a split-screen display.
What we don't like:*It doesn't have a Bluetooth cell phone interface.*There isn't any voice activation, which is a huge bummer.*The manual is less than informative and does not cover certain features of the unit.
Pioneer AVIC-Z1MSRP: $2,500Specs: 2 DIN, 7-inch motorized touch-screen displayCompatible Platforms: Audi, VW, Porsche, Saab, Volvo, and most Mercedes-Benz models.
What we like:*Amplifier is built right into the unit.*Holy Toledo! It has a 30GB hard drive, which holds all the nav info so you can skip the disc!*Get this: It has "learning capabilities." It remembers frequently traveled routes for you and suggests them again.*XM NavTraffic tuner option allows real-time traffic reporting straight to your unit, and it will actually re-route you around nasty hold-ups.
What we don't like:*The price is high. Sure, you get tons of cool stuff, but you spend a lot.*To add interface technology, you will need an army of accessories (iPod or Bluetooth adapter, NavTraffic tuner, satellite radio, TV tuners, and so on).*There are so many features, the learning curve is high, plus the manual is more than 200 pages.
Blaupunkt TravelPilot EX-VMSRP: $2,000Specs: 1 DIN, 6.5-inch displayCompatible Platforms: MINI, some Mercedes-Benz models, and any model that accommodates the larger, 2 DIN units
What we like:*Very easy to operate and the menus are easy to follow.*Can be outfitted with an automatic traffic congestion avoidance function (accessories required).*Has a variety of displays, including directional functions and zooms on highway junctions.
What we don't like:*It's a bit pricey for not too much functionality.*We wish it had a nicer looking map display.*It actually has a "speed warning," and it will alert you if you are speeding. Could be useful when driving the in-laws, otherwise we say scrap it.
Garmin StreetPilot c550MSRP: $857.19Specs: Portable, 3-inch displayCompatible Platforms: All
What we like:*That it's portable. You can take it anywhere, just in case.*Includes Bluetooth interface technology with dual speakers.*The anti-theft device disables the unit until you punch in a PIN.*Integrated traffic receiver.
What we don't like:*That it's portable. I can't think of a situation where I would remove it.*The screen is tiny, and I mean really tiny. What can you really see on a 3x3-inch screen?
Peripheral PNAVEMSRP: $1,099Specs: Portable 2 DIN, 5-inch displayCompatible Platforms: Audi, VW, Porsche, Saab, Volvo, and most Mercedes-Benz models. With portable option, it can accommodate all.
What we like:*So far, the best price for an in-dash unit.*It has a unique styling to it that is different from other options. We like the button functions along the left side, closer to the driver.*Uses a USB option for updating the embedded maps.*All-in-one monitor comes with a one GB flash card that has a Microsoft operating system on it. Neat!
What we don't like*Little to offer as far as neat functions. It lacks traffic reporting and Bluetooth capabilities.*The LCD screen is a bit small for a full, in-dash unit.*It touts being portable as a plus, but once you install it in your dash it's as permanent as the rest.