Aftermarket Nav System for my Sonata

[DMAG]

OK Ok...its not an LX...but its my daily driver.

I just picked up a nice little new loaded Sonata LX (leather, Auto Temp Control, power seats, heated mirrors, etc etc) for a paltry sum of $18K for my daily driver in the hell that is NY traffic.

Anyway, the one thing that was not available on this car was a Nav system (which I really want).

The Sonata has a double din radio opening. I would like an in-dash system that still has radio and CD functions (though I would add a changer if neccesary).

Any recommendations? I'd like to keep the price as low as possible, but I realize that these are not the cheapest things around either.

Thanks!

Here's what the center stack looks like with the factory radio (this pic shows it with manual HVAC controls, I have the Auto HVAC controls)

[BlackMagnum]

It's not in-dash, but for a few hundred dollars, you can get a Garmin StreetPilot Color GPS that would mount on your dash. It gives verbal instructions, plus you can attach it to your computer for uploading new and different maps.

[DMAG]

Hmmm...I'll look INTO that. I'll gladly save a grand to not have an indash.

[BlackMagnum]

I had this dilemma in my last car. For $1800 I could get NAV in my BMW 330i. I figured for that amount of money, I could buy a laptop, a GPS receiver and a ton of software and have something to use when I wasn't in the car. That's exactly what I did. Now I'm spending the money for Nav on the Magnum -- I figure I'll give it a shot once in my life.

Hmmm...I'll look INTO that. I'll gladly save a grand to not have an indash.

[DMAG]

Well, I do have a laptop. What can I do with that? If I just want Nav every so often, can I turn my laptop INTO a GPS receiver? Software?

[DMAG]

Like this?

http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/configlaptop_info.asp

[BlackMagnum]

Exactly.

Like this?

http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/configlaptop_info.asp

[DMAG]

Funny how I went FROM $2K to $150 in a matter of minutes? :D

BTW, is that a decent setup (above link)? I'll consider ordering it if so. (I don't know anything about Nav / GPS systems)

Thx.

[BlackMagnum]

Check out this review: http://gpsinformation.net/delorme/sa...eearthmate.htm

Funny how I went FROM $2K to $150 in a matter of minutes? :D

BTW, is that a decent setup (above link)? I'll consider ordering it if so. (I don't know anything about Nav / GPS systems)

Thx.

[DMAG]

Hmmmm.... How about a "car-puter"?

Damn, I really want to make one.

Xenarc Direct Car PCs

Though, I'm sure I can build my own just as easy. Now If I can get the touch screen figured out and the GPS...I'm all set!

[BlackMagnum]

I have a friend intent on building one. I'll believe it when I see it.

Hmmmm.... How about a "car-puter"?

Damn, I really want to make one.

Xenarc Direct Car PCs

Though, I'm sure I can build my own just as easy. Now If I can get the touch screen figured out and the GPS...I'm all set!

[DMAG]

I see alot of them on www.mp3car.com

Not too expensive, but to make it look factory, there's plenty of hacking involved. I love it!

In the meantime, it looks like I'm going with the Delorme system for my laptop.

[snickle]

Go with the Garmin StreetPIlot 2610. Great little unit. I have the older version I use now. Looking forward to the built-in on e in my new Magnum (If it ever gets built)

[Glazeworld]

Like this?

http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/configlaptop_info.asp

I have the DeLorme Earthmate with the DeLorme Street Atlas. It's a decent setup, but I only use it when I go INTO the bowels of Beaver County, PA. The reciever works pretty well, but gets a bit of a weaker signal than in-car nav systems. This package has a voice command module that will allow you to interact with the system without taking your hands off the wheel. The only major drawback to the system is HAVING a laptop propped up in your passenger seat. Other than that, I only have 2 complaints about it. Entering destinations is not quite as intuitive as in-car systems, and the speakers on my laptop were rather quiet, making it hard for me to hear the directions.

For the price, it's a great tool for the occasional roadtrip, and I in no way regret my purchase. I will never use this setup for daily driving though....too cumbersome.

If you want a daily use GPS, I would go along with the suggestions of the Garmin or Magellan dash-mount units.

[DjPiLL]

For what its worth... the GPS software (Mapopolis) works great on my iPaq. I have my iPaq mounted to the mopar cellphone holder. Its not the prettiest thing in the world... but its not bad either.