Some friends have their old BMW's with the CDrom based GPS nav system.
And their kids have TomTom's for xmas.

I have a Garmin nuvi 260 -

SO... I was wondering, with all the tech being built into cars,
with MP3 players, internal drives, along with the nav systems,
how does a "builtin" system compare with a handheld PND ?
Aside from the physical logistics or simple builtin vs slapping it on the
windshield...

What else can you do with the builtin systems
with things like software & map updates, custom POI's, and all the other
expanded feature sets ?



--
----------------------------------
"If everything seems to be going well,
you have obviously overlooked something." - Steven Wright

Here is my 2 cents:

Pluses:
1) Much bigger display, easier to read text, better contrast, colors, etc.
2) Better view of the satellites, due to roof-mounted antenna
3) Ability to 'dead reckon' in tunnels, underground garages, or simply when
losing track of satellites when tall building obstruct the sky. They do that
by reading the speedometer and the reverse switch + simple built-in
gyroscope.
4) More computing power, not limited by the size of the tiny portable case
power dissipation or batteries
5) Much better sound - uses the vehicle's audio system
6) It knows to switch to night mode when the headlights are on, rather than
guessing by time and latitude
7) Automatic muting of radio or CD player when the GPS has something to
announce
8) No obstruction of windshield and no legal issues due to that (some
states - CA is one - do not allow anything to be mounted on the windshield)
9) Much lower theft risk. The better ones (perhaps all) are useless without
a personal code once disconnected, so it takes a very sophisticated thief.
Yet, even if you remove the portable GPS, the mount is still there, and
someone may be tempted to smash a window and look for it in the glove box --
happened to me...
10) Esthetics, obviously

Minuses:
1) Horribly expensive. Not sure about the OEM version, but aftermarket units
run $1500-$2000 - plus installation. And when they fail - at least the OEM
ones, repair cost will be easily as much as buying two new portables.
2) Map/software upgrades similarly more expensive than for portables.
3) Map/software upgrades more complicated, because you can't just hook them
to your PC -- everything needs to be on a DVD.
4) Some (perhaps only OEM) won't let you change destination while the
vehicle is in motion -- even by a passenger. You have to pull over and
stop -- liability fear.

My personal experience is with only one of those - in a rented Cadillac.
Cute, large screen that folds out of the way when not in use, large
selection of night and day color schemes that you can fine-tune, etc, etc.
Several more routing options, compared to the basic four in my humble
Magellan 4040. Didn't drive anywhere with obstructed satellite view, so
can't say anything how good is the dead reckoning in practice. Otherwise saw
no advantage in navigation accuracy. The POI list was no better than on my
handheld, though it did provide several more ways of searching. Unlike the
intuitive handheld, the interface was extremely complicated. Hopefully they
fixed that with a software upgrade later on.

"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:MT4Tj.1405$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Some friends have their old BMW's with the CDrom based GPS nav system.
> And their kids have TomTom's for xmas.
>
> I have a Garmin nuvi 260 -
>
> SO... I was wondering, with all the tech being built into cars,
> with MP3 players, internal drives, along with the nav systems,
> how does a "builtin" system compare with a handheld PND ?
> Aside from the physical logistics or simple builtin vs slapping it on the
> windshield...
>
> What else can you do with the builtin systems
> with things like software & map updates, custom POI's, and all the other
> expanded feature sets ?
>
>
>
> --
> ----------------------------------
> "If everything seems to be going well,
> you have obviously overlooked something." - Steven Wright
>
>

I would never have a built-in GPS, primarily because of the theft problem.
My Garmin 2730 uses a beanbag mount, which can be stowed behind my right
heel before I park...there is nothing to indicate that I have a GPS,
certainly not a roof antenna.

My second problem is with service. I have had three Garmins, and when I had
to call tech service I was always treated well and had my problem (usually
self-inflicted) solved. If my built-in system comes up with a hiccup, and I
don't know who made it, do I go to the dealership and explain the symptoms
to the clueless service writer? And leave the car behind while they research
their sources No thanks.

My 2730 does everything I want it to do, and could do more...it has bells
and whistles that I am not interested in and would not purchase if given a
choice.


Bob Gardner

"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:MT4Tj.1405$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Some friends have their old BMW's with the CDrom based GPS nav system.
> And their kids have TomTom's for xmas.
>
> I have a Garmin nuvi 260 -
>
> SO... I was wondering, with all the tech being built into cars,
> with MP3 players, internal drives, along with the nav systems,
> how does a "builtin" system compare with a handheld PND ?
> Aside from the physical logistics or simple builtin vs slapping it on the
> windshield...
>
> What else can you do with the builtin systems
> with things like software & map updates, custom POI's, and all the other
> expanded feature sets ?
>
>
>
> --
> ----------------------------------
> "If everything seems to be going well,
> you have obviously overlooked something." - Steven Wright
>
>