Magnum RT Navigation System

[w5blt]

I'll be picking up my RT in a couple of days. It will have the NAV SYSTEM installed. I was wanting to read up on it on the internet, but, I don't know who them manufacture is or anything else. Can someone clue me in or give me a URL to CHECK it out?

If you have it, I'd also be interested in knowing how "user friendly" it is. It seems that there is a disk that is installed that it gets it DATA from. Does this need to be updated FROM time to time? Is there any kind of monthly "fee" for this?

How easy is it to switch FROM the Nav System to the radio and then to the car DATA systems?

Thanks,
Bob

[tonyt]

Biggest problem with it is that you can't hardly do ANYTHING when you are at speeds over 10MPH!

[Blanchman]

Wow w5, you seem to be a pretty excited little boy... LOL.

You will be blown away by ur RT, you just wait !!

Nav system is done by Alpine. The user interface is pretty well done, and gets really good reveiws by the magazines. These guys should know better than most, because they get to experience all the different brands. So far, they all say it is one of the better interfaces.

I'm still learning it, and have never had one before, so don't really know what to compare it to. So far, i wish it was a touch screen, because entering DATA is fairly cumbersome with the "virtual" keyboard. But then again, not haeing a million smudges on the screen is nice too, which a touch screen would inevitably have. And I'm really anal about this !! So, maybe that ain't too bad.

Yes, the Nav DVD will need to be updated FROM time to time. I've heard $150 on the boards here, but I've also heard that the DVD's go for sale on the internet for about $30. These are probably old versions thou. The DVD is also the method used to UPDATE the software in the Nav unit itself, so for software updates, you might be forced to pay for the upgrade DVD.

Yes, its very easy to switch between the Nav and sound system. If you get the steering wheel buttons, it can be done FROM there. I have all the options, so basically, you can switch to the Sound system, and this will rotate between Sirius, CD, FM, and AM. The Nav rotate between the MAP, and user options. All of this, so far for me at least, are simply a button press away using the button surrounding the MAP display.

The Steering wheel buttons can get a little messy because you have so many options to choose from. Especially when trying to operate the EVIC system, the sound system, and the Nav system fairly frequently..

[Bobs05RT]

I would have liked a touch screen also but I've used the navigation system in a new Honda Accord and the Acura TL and while the touch screen is easier to use, especially with the on screen keyboard, all those finger prints on the screen when the system is off does look terrible. I guess I would have to clean the screen each day to remove the fingerprints to avoid that messy look. And the Acura/Honda also have voice recognition for the nav/radio/climate control, and while it sounds good on paper, in reality it doesn't work well in the real world. I guess when I get my RT, I'll just have to play with the thing a while to get used to the joystick input.

[Pablovision]

My TV remote control is a touch screen and it's always filthy, don't worry about it if your a clean freak.

Paul.

[Nomad0374]

Ok, ironically I actually traded in an '03 accord V6 coupe on my magnum..... Both were NAV enabled so I have had a little experience with both systems.

The nav system in the magnum has a far higher resolution than that in the accord, largely due to the fact that it is a higher qaulity display only LCD. The touch screens usually operate at lower resolutions, not sure if it is a hardware limitation or a way of enlarging the hot-spots on the screen to increase the ease of use on them.

The speed limitation on the dodge nav system is annoying at best..... It makes no sense what-so-ever to LIMIT this in a center console nav system. I cannot tell you the times I had my girlfriend riding shotgun in the accord looking up destination info for me while I was driving. That is impossible in the magnum unless you are stopped..... and if you are in the middle of looking something up and the light turns green, guess what buddy, you will start over FROM scratch at the next red light unless you confirmed a destination!!! Now dont get me wrong I have ridden in a Nav enable pacifica with the driver gauge mounted display and can completely understand a speed limitation on that system, its ONLY intended for driver operation. With the Magnum, the control stick (think mouse meets joystick) is mounted on the passengers side of the screen, it's like they are taunting you!

All-in-all HAVING a nav system is a wonderful thing, it takes a lot of stress out of travelling to towns you have never visited.... and you will never have to man up and ignore your wife, girlfriend, mother, etc's repeated calls that you "pull over for directions". Aside FROM a few interface problems, which when it comes down to it only bug me b/c I was spoiled on the honda/acura flavor; I am nothing but pleased with the dodge nav system....

CD costs are almost equal as well.... if anything the honda nav disc's are a bit more expensive at $175

[Spider X]

On the subject of Nav CD upgrade. I didn't NOT have the upgrade coupon and I have AB version CD.

Asked my dealer to ORDER me a certificate to get an upgrade and he told me that they opened a new Nav CD FROM a 300 and the certificate wasn't in it. He then told me to call the number that's on the CD (haven't looked yet to see if there is one) and see what they could do for me.

Any thoughts?

[snickle]

The story I get is this:

Only people with the AA CD, go the upgrade coupon. The AB and the AC version have identical data, just a couple of bug fixes for a different version of the radio.

The next DATA realease is not due until mid 2005.

[Spider X]

Called Alpine to get a list of the fixes between AB and AC - the tech I talked to said he has also tried to get this list and can't.

Anyone know the list of fixes?

_________________
08/05/04 Ordered
08/06,13,20/04 BX
09/17,29/04 NOT yet BX ??
I Give up!

10/01/04 Bought Cool Vanilla Magnum RT 100% Loaded (Minus: Roofrack & Tow)