Has anyone had the 02' dvd nav system

[Stu in Oregon]

My dealer wants $4100 (US) to do it and has not done one. Probably because of the price they want plus they make it quite clear they do not want to do it. The only other Volvo dealer in our city has done four of them and wants $3200 (US) to do it. Inclusive pricing of course.

I am wondering how invasive the procedure is even though it is listed as a dealer installed option in addition to being a factory orderable option. And is the system slick enough to warrant the rather large cost. I had a NAV system ($1800 US FYI) in the 01' BMW I traded in on the Ocean Race and had become rather fond of it. I miss it terribly for my work in particular.

I'm hopeful someone has had it dealer installed and can answer some of my concerns.

[Big]

Just a thought ...
An option that works for us and costs less than $500 is a Garmin V GPS receiver with MapSource (http://www.garmin.com/products/gps5/). They also have a larger unit called the StreetPilot. Not as convenient as a built-in unit but we take it with us for geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com) and other outdoor activities as well as point-to-point street routing. It mounts on a cradle and special beanbag and requires only a power cord for extended use in the vehicle.

http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/Lucys-Bear.jpg

[Stu in Oregon]

Thanks for the thought Big,

I already have zeroed in on the Garmin Street Pilot as an alternative. Garmin clearly has the best software on the non automotive OEM GPS market and has for some five years. Especially in the marine and aviation applications.

But I really liked the OEM install with the large color screen coupled with the software and button navigation sequences designed around the car and the act of driving. It was rather easy to utilize. But is $3200 too much for the "factory feel"? I can not decide. I might try some other Pacific Northwest dealers to see if I can get a more reasonable price. But I doubt it because of the labor cost.

[MichaelF]

I've been wondering about the same thing - I would now love to have the DVD navigation installed into my 2002 cross country, but the dealer wants a fortune - especially compared to the after-market solutions available from a variety of vendors.  Unfortunately, with the exception of the StreetPilot III they all require me to replace the factory stereo, and I just don't like that look.

That said, I bought the StreetPilot III and love it - with one exception.  Basically I can't stand the cables running all over the car.  In order to make it truly functional for my use, it has to be plugged in to the cigarette lighter and then I have to dangle the cord down the dash - not a very elegant solution.  Unfortunately, I can't imagine that $3200 would be worth the money.  On a side note, I also checked into the integrated cell phone and the dealer wanted $1500 for that, installed.  Fortunately, an aftermarket solution was available (although not integrated nearly as seamlessly) for about $250.

Ohh well, would love to know what you decide - or if you want to buy a StreetPilot that's been babied.

Michael

[barrysharp]

I agonized over this Nav System after having bought wife/me our S80 T6 MY2000. I looked at the various after-market options and could not find anything that came close to the factory installed system and so I gave up. Now that we are in market for a new XC70 I'm definitely having the factory installed DVD Nav System -- especially so, given that Volvo is throwing in my Premium package for free.

The only advantage I can see with the after market Nav systems is that they can be moved from one car to another and preserve one's investment -- and also one can move/roll with the technology changes. In 2000 the Volvo system was CD-ROM based and today it's DVD based, and tomorrow who knows what the base will be.

I'm not sure about the resale value of the factory built-in Nav System -- possibly adds a few hundred to the market value but nowhere close to the original price -- but then it depends on who's buying and their need for the Nav System because not too many Volvos have that option factory installed.

I have to say the factory installed Nav System is very well integrated and friends who have it are very impressed.

Regards... Barry Sharp

[Art]

Thought this might be an interesting nav link (http://www.destinatorsales.com/en/why_destinator.html) for those of you that travel with PDA's. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

http://www.destinatorsales.com/en/images/iPAQondashboard.jpg

[MichaelF]

Art,

I've tried the iPAQ based GPS units out there, and not one of them touches on the StreetPilot functionality.  It's a decent interface, matched with mediocre graphics, including great directions, a simple addition for more maps, and a voice that guides you wherever you want to go.  The iPAQ offers many of the same features, BUT the reception is terrible and I found it constantly losing connection.

Ohh well, saving my pennies for the Volvo system...

Michael

[Art]

Thanks for the feedback Michael. I've also heard great things about the Streetpilot III. The ipaq's monitor, on the other hand, does seem a bit on the small side for street navigating. I've got a hand held Garmin Map76 but find it more useful for outdoor pursuits. As the saying goes, "Use the right tool for the job". http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[coastal]

Is there not a GPS device available on the market that could plug into the PCMCIA or USB port of a laptop? I've always assumed such a device was available, but once I started the search, came up empty handed. Haven't done a ton of research yet, but is such a product available at a reasonable cost?

In fact, this is actually the reason I gave for not getting the Volvo Nav system... instead preferring to buy a good laptop (which I now have), mapping software, and this (seemingly) fictitional GPS module. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

For me this would be the perfect solution, as directions would come in handy for business and road trips and we always travel with the laptop for both.

Any ideas here? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[MichaelF]

Coastal,

I've got the Garmin notebook GPS system, and while I'd love to tell you that it's perfect in every way, the reality is that it's not.  There are actually a few different models out there, from a variety of different vendors, and I found the quality all too be very mediocre.  Either they didn't have an easy to use interface, didn't have talking directions, or offered mapping that was sub-par for good point-to-point directions.  Anyway, let me know if anyone has found something different, and in the meantime I'll just drive around lost.

Michael

[wiz]

I have a Magellan GPS Companion that is a Springboard expansion module for my Handspring Visor. After waiting a LONG time for the technology to mature, and doing diligent research, I have to say I was very disappointed in it. It had real problems (in the city) seeing the satellites - kind of a basic issue... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Maps were OK, display was marginal, area coverage was limited because although the maps came on a CD, they had to be uploaded into the 8MB of RAM in the Visor - you get a limited number of maps in 8MB...

Anyway, I got a Handspring Treo last year so the whole thing is moot.

[Mr_Westlake]

Coastal could this be something?

Destinator (http://www.destinator1.com/newfeatures.emb?id=)

Here is the answer to your question, coastal, about using your laptop.

From FAQ:

"14: Do you have a Destinator version that supports laptop?

Yes, we have a laptop version of Destinator software that will run on Windows 2000 and XP."

Review (http://www.destinator1.com/news/Destinator%202%20Review.pdf)

Cheers

[coastal]

ok cool.. guess I was just using the wrong keywords in my initial searches... thanks for the heads up!

Mr. Westlake, yes it does looks like Destinator's system supports laptops. Originally thought it was just software but now I see the product includes the software and the receiver.

Michael... does Garmin make a GPS receiver for laptop? I searched their site up and down and came up with nothing. I get the impression they're one of the leading brands in the consumer GPS market... correct?

Products I've since found include:

DeLorme Earthmate GPS Receiver (new model coming soon)
Big name, but looks like the product is made only for DeLorme software products, and requires batteries.
http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/default.asp

Navman GPS e Series
Looks OK.
http://www.navmanusa.com/land/e_series/

Deluo™ GPS for PC/Laptop (USB)
Think they're a general eletronics mfr with no specific expertise in GPS.
http://www.deluo.com/Merchan....Code=GR (http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=GPSU&Category_Code=GR)

[stevel0923]

I believe I have significant information to add to this thread since I have been a longtime GPS user for 5 years having tried a number of different solutions whenever I travel on the road for business or vacation. Here 's a quick ranking of the best to the worst solutions with their pros and cons.

1. Intergrated OEM GPS
PRO - Great Interface with Excellent Display, Fast Route Solution, Voice Navigation, Seemless Integration with the Car Decor, Ties into Car Motion and Steering for Greater Accuracy, Map Updates through CD or DVD, Factory Installed, Adds Resale Value
CON - Expensive, Non-transferable to another vehicle

2. Third Party GPS/Stereo System
PRO - Good Interface with Excellent Display, Fast Route Solution, Voice Navigation, Map Updates through CD or DVD, Can display onto Car TV system
CON - Relatively expensive, Requires professional installation, Not Easily Transferable to Another Car

3. Garmin Streetpilot III Deluxe
PRO - Decent Price ($700), Good Interface with Excellent Display, Fast Route Solution, Voice Navigation, Map Updates through CD, Transferable to Other Vehicles (including planes), Usable in other Countries with Proper CD Maps, Laptop Computer Integration for Mapping Software (Delorme Street Atlas)
CON - Wires dangling on the Dash, Unit May Fall if not Properly Secured on Dash, May Require Amplified External Antenna for City Driving, Requires Preloading of Detail Maps for the City onto Memory Card

4. Garmin GPS V Deluxe
PRO - Decent Price ($500), Simple Interface with B&W Display, Fast Route Solution, Map Updates through CD, Transferable to Other Vehicles (including planes), Usable in other Countries with Proper CD Maps, Laptop Computer Integration for Mapping Software (Delorme Street Atlas)
CON - Wires dangling on the Dash, Unit May Fall if not Properly Secured on Dash, May Require Amplified External Antenna for City Driving, Small Display, Limited built-in Memory for Details Maps

5. Laptop Computer w/ GPS Connection
PRO - Relative Inexpensive if You Already Own a Laptop, PC Map Software Comparable to OEM Car Units (Delorme Street Atlas), Very Portable, Most Garmin Units Can be Hooked Up to Computer via Serial Port
CON - Lots of Equipment and Wires, Require Power Inverter for Long Usage of Laptop

6. PDA GPS Units (Palm or Ipaq based)
PRO - Very Inexpensive ($50-$100), Integrates with PDA Unit, Portable, May have Near Real-Time Routing
CON - Very Poor Reception, Limited Map Upload Due to Memory Limitation, May Need to Upload Routes, Questionable Display and Slow Update Depending on Amount of Data, Drains Battery

RECOMMENDATIONS:
OEM GPS unit if you can afford it otherwise a Garmin Streetpilot III Deluxe. Wires dangling may be an issue but considering the portability to other cars and other cities, its well worth it. I've owned two other Garmin units in the past and this is best by far! Good user interface with excellent voice prompting for navigation. Unit will auto route best solution if you go off the beaten path. Unit will also calculate estimated time of arrival to different way points and final destination based on current speed. BTW, BMW now offers the Streetpilot III for their Motorcycles with the BMW badging.

[Art]

Taylor, could this be what you're looking for?

Garmin GPS 35 Series (http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/35.htm)

....more here. (http://www.garmin.com/products/gps35/index.html) http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Big]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (stevel0923 @ Jan. 08 2003,10:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I believe I have significant information to add to this thread since I have been a longtime GPS user for 5 years having tried a number of different solutions whenever I travel on the road for business or vacation. Here &#39;s a quick ranking of the best to the worst solutions with their pros and cons.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Excellent summary. I use a Garmin V handheld GPS receiver with a beanbag dash mount. The unit is designed for outdoor navigation so it does much more than just street routing. How flexible is the Volvo or similar system? Specifically:

1. Does it work well in tree cover or downtown among tall buildings or with a canoe mounted on top of the vehicle? With the Garmin, I can attach an external anrenna amplifier to overcome these obstacles.

2. How is the database stored and how big of an area does it cover? Can it be updated or switched to a different area easily? As you noted, the Garmin has limited memory.

3. Does it have any waypoint features like handheld GPS receivers? For example, can you add a waypoint to the database, specify a destination with the lat-lon coordinates rather than an address, and calculate distance and bearing?

4. Can the display show compass direction instead of roads? We frequently travel on low-level roads that are not on most maps.

5. How easy is it to see in glaring light or at night?

6. How quickly can you input a destination and get the driving directions? I find the Garmin to be slow.

Thanks for anything you can answer. I&#39;d like to try the Volvo system but my dealer doesn&#39;t have one in a demo.

[stevel0923]

Here&#39;s an interesting Volvo GPS Accessory offered only in Israel.... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

http://www.volvocars.co.il/pics/volvo.swf

[stevel0923]

Oh BTW, in case you didn&#39;t know it, Volvo GPS Navigation systems are manufactured by Alpine Electronics. &nbsp;Here&#39;s a little blurb from a auto website.

With North American operations based in Torrance, Calif., Alpine Electronics is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality car-audio systems in the world. In addition to its own brand, the company builds OEM systems for Rolls Royce, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Honda, Toyota, Volvo and Chrysler.

[MichaelF]

Coastal,

I think that Garmin used to make a notebook based navigation system and found instead that their solution of creating a stand-alone unit was better for most people. &nbsp;Fortunately, they do make the mapping software and technology in a lot of the systems on the market. &nbsp;Unfortunately, that doesn&#39;t necessarily mean that they&#39;re any good.

Similar to Steve I&#39;ve tried just about everything out there, for a variety of different applications, and with few exceptions I haven&#39;t found something that I love in a system that could be easily added to the Volvo. &nbsp;In other cars the built in navigation or after-market guidance systems can be great, especially if money is not an object. &nbsp;Heck, even in my car I would have bought the GPS if I could have had it RIGHT NOW, but I would have had to wait and I wasn&#39;t willing to do that.

Where I find all the notebook/PDA options lacking is simply reception. &nbsp;I don&#39;t understand why the StreetPilot is so much better than anything on my iPaq, but it is. &nbsp;Even the units that I&#39;ve tried on my notebook (Delorme&#39;s is probably just about as good as anything out there) don&#39;t seem to have the same quality of reception and they can be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle if desired. &nbsp;It doesn&#39;t make sense.

In response to what I&#39;ve found to answer Big:

1. &nbsp;I don&#39;t think that any of the GPS systems on the market offer great inner city reception. &nbsp;I know that even the BMW built in system loses out in San Francisco, and XM radio even cuts out there. &nbsp;It&#39;s just a fact of life. &nbsp;Some parts, of course, are great, but it&#39;s not universal coverage - even with an additional amplifier (really just a longer antenna) on my StreetPilot. &nbsp;I can&#39;t envision that Volvo would be any different.

2. &nbsp;My research has showed with few exceptions that the continental US can fit on a single DVD, even with the new 3D units that are coming online. &nbsp;Of course, that doesn&#39;t me that YOU can access that information, but it can fit. &nbsp;I&#39;m not sure what Volvo does, and frankly as long as I can get around my day to day area, I&#39;d be okay.

Not sure about the Volvo specific questions, but I think I&#39;m going to order one this week and I guess I&#39;ll be the little piggy for everyone to learn from. &nbsp;Hopefully the handsfree kit that I just added for my Motorola won&#39;t have to be replaced.

More to follow when I have it installed.

Michael

[Buzz]

I was very tempted to get the OEM Nav system, but I couldn&#39;t bring myself to pay the &#036;2500 Volvo was asking in &#39;01. Espescially since the BMW nav system was only &#036;1200. In retrospect, I should have just paid it.....

I use a Palm Vx with a GPS and TomTom software to drive around Europe. It is great for me in the country, and I can even use it in the city pretty consistently. But it is too much for my wife to use if I am not there to help her.

Live and learn,
Buzz http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[stevel0923]

GPS Navigation is only &#036;1800 if you order your car through OSD. &nbsp;Cheapest price I&#39;ve seen so far.

[RickXC70]

I&#39;ve had my 2003 XC70 with navigation &amp; On Call Plus phone for two weeks now and I absolutely love the navigation system - the remote control (like a tv remote) is very easy to use. It is fast and has the entire US on one DVD. So I won&#39;t be driving like I was at Xmas and all of the sudden loose detail ( I was using a Garmin streetpilot which is great too, but I had forgotten to download Indiana prior to my trip...so only main highways showed up.) I think it was worth the money. You can set the Volvo nav system to male or female voice, it knows where all the banks, gas, resturants, hospitals, etc. are and will give your their phone #s and address or guide you there. It will store waypoints, and has a compass. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[JayJay]

Hi. I live in Holland and had the Mobility Line installed by my dealer. I didn&#39;t choose for the factory installed option because the catalogue price would be higher and I had to pay more income tax that way.
The Mobility Line has Volvo Guard III, HU803 with 4CD changer, RTI DVD navigation, integrated GSM, all controls in steering wheel. As a factory option it is aprox. 6800 euro but when installed afterwards by my dealer it&#39;s about 1700 euro more expensive. As said before, it was cheaper for me to have it installed afterwards because of the income tax. The car is registered on my own company&#39;s name.

[thomaslally]

thanks to all of you, especially Stevel. &nbsp;You provide us a tremendous amount of very pretty useful information.

I had checked in on every now and again. &nbsp;I would have liked Garmin to include Canada maps. &nbsp;Unfortunatly, in Canada, a Garmin, except for aviation, is almost useless - in a car - because only &nbsp;highways across the country are included. &nbsp; Only 4 or 5 major cities, such as Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto are - supposedly - fully covered. &nbsp;That&#39;s very lickely to be false as I doscivered shortly thereafter I bought the GPS (I downloaded the latests maps, latests firware, it does not matter)

I use GPS in various situation, flying, outdoor and car. &nbsp;Actually a Garmin 196, the most advanced portable GPS ever produced by Garmin, is used to log a track.

Of course I use this GPS to fly, because 1000&#036;US (1500&#036;CAD) is expensive for the use.

So, if you live in Canada, please don&#39;t consider Garmin, they don&#39;t cover much in Canada. &nbsp;However, the Volvo factory installed navigator system can even locate and drive you to a new street in a small suburb. &nbsp;

frankly, for canadian people, I will not recommand the Garmin to be used in a car. &nbsp;Garmin build the best GPS in the world I guess, but the maps are just not ready yet. &nbsp;

As far as I understand, they must pay a fee &nbsp;in Canada to get the right to produce any given map. &nbsp;The market is smaller, so I guess Garmin had choosen to wait. &nbsp;This is what I was told.

A word about the Ipaq system. &nbsp;Not bad. &nbsp;Some do quite a godd job, even in Canada. &nbsp;

hope this will help

Thomas Lally

[littlewaywelt]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (thomaslally @ Feb. 08 2003,14:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So, if you live in Canada, please don&#39;t consider Garmin, they don&#39;t cover much in Canada. However, the Volvo factory installed navigator system can even locate and drive you to a new street in a small suburb.

frankly, for canadian people, I will not recommand the Garmin to be used in a car. Garmin build the best GPS in the world I guess, but the maps are just not ready yet. [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You need to get the Canadian CD to download street level mapping. &nbsp;it&#39;s available and easy to use. &nbsp;I love my streetpilot color and the level of detail is amazing. &nbsp;It is accurate all the way down to getting on and off the onramps. &nbsp;If anyone is in the market for one, make sure you get the usb data card programmer and a card of at least 32mb. &nbsp;i only have the 16mb without the programmer and it takes an hour to load 16mb of maps. &nbsp;16 mb is only enough space for your locality within 50 miles or so. &nbsp;If anyone has garmin street pilot q&#39;s i&#39;d be happy to help out. &nbsp;i&#39;ve been using it for 2+ years and bought it because it was about 800 compared to 3k from the factory.

[JayJay]

I&#39;ve tested the Volvo RTI system today and I think it&#39;s an excellent add-on to the car. It&#39;s nice to have the display dissapear in to the dashboard when you don&#39;t need it and the controls are very easy. It&#39;s a very intelligent system too. It tells you exactly where you need to go. You can select several important builldings in the neighborhood too. Like library&#39;s , gas stations, stadiums, golf courts, parking lots, ware houses, hotels, police stations, and so on and so on. It even brings you to the front door of your destination because you can add the address house number of your destination point.
It&#39;s not a very cheap system, but when you can afford it, BUY IT&#33;