Nissan offers top-quality navigation system for low price
Just a few years ago, I would question the value of any navigation system. The cost didn't justify the benefit. Why would anyone pay a few thousand dollars for a digital map -- especially when you could buy a high-tech, hand-held system for a few hundred dollars or a paper one for 99 cents?
Now, Nissan Motor Co. will begin offering a navigation system for a few hundred dollars this January on some of its high-volume, low-price cars. Call it Navi for the masses.
During a quick test of the system in a Nissan Sentra, I found it on par with some of the most expensive systems available. The 5-inch touch screen and intuitive instructions meant I could do everything I needed without ever consulting the owner's manual or calling Nissan's public relations department on how to connect the phone or find a specific function.
The system, developed by Bosch and Nissan, mounts directly into the dash and comes complete with a host of features such as Bluetooth connectivity for your phone, USB connections for your personal music device, easy operation of your iPhone, XM satellite and XM Traffic NavTraffic. It's complete, simple and 400 bucks.
This thing changes the equation completely on weighing costs and benefits. When it's priced on par with some of the top-of-the-line hand-held navigation systems, I would much rather have it mounted directly in the dash. Sticking something to my windshield can only lead to it falling off and the annoyance of cords mucking up the clean lines of the dash.
Better yet, the system was easy to connect with my iPhone and tuck away in the center console and jam tunes. Additionally, when you arrive at your destination, you can disconnect a fully charged iPhone and head out. If you choose to leave the device in the car, it is out of the way. Other windshield mounted devices have to be stowed and that takes a few minutes. Today's savvy crook also may know a few things about cars and could still bash out your window if he sees that tell-tale suction cup mark on your windshield -- even if the device is out of sight.
The Bluetooth connection with the phone also works very well. A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to answer and hang up, and connecting the phone to stereo means when the phone rings, you don't have to reach for the volume before answering the call. Actually, the moment the volume drops on the stereo, you know a call is coming your way. Additionally, the system downloads your phone's contact list and call register to make finding the right number on the touch screen very easy.
Perhaps the only serious drawback is the screen's size, which at 5 inches gets very crowded with information.
Source: Nissan offers top-quality navigation system for low price
Now, Nissan Motor Co. will begin offering a navigation system for a few hundred dollars this January on some of its high-volume, low-price cars. Call it Navi for the masses.
During a quick test of the system in a Nissan Sentra, I found it on par with some of the most expensive systems available. The 5-inch touch screen and intuitive instructions meant I could do everything I needed without ever consulting the owner's manual or calling Nissan's public relations department on how to connect the phone or find a specific function.
The system, developed by Bosch and Nissan, mounts directly into the dash and comes complete with a host of features such as Bluetooth connectivity for your phone, USB connections for your personal music device, easy operation of your iPhone, XM satellite and XM Traffic NavTraffic. It's complete, simple and 400 bucks.
This thing changes the equation completely on weighing costs and benefits. When it's priced on par with some of the top-of-the-line hand-held navigation systems, I would much rather have it mounted directly in the dash. Sticking something to my windshield can only lead to it falling off and the annoyance of cords mucking up the clean lines of the dash.
Better yet, the system was easy to connect with my iPhone and tuck away in the center console and jam tunes. Additionally, when you arrive at your destination, you can disconnect a fully charged iPhone and head out. If you choose to leave the device in the car, it is out of the way. Other windshield mounted devices have to be stowed and that takes a few minutes. Today's savvy crook also may know a few things about cars and could still bash out your window if he sees that tell-tale suction cup mark on your windshield -- even if the device is out of sight.
The Bluetooth connection with the phone also works very well. A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to answer and hang up, and connecting the phone to stereo means when the phone rings, you don't have to reach for the volume before answering the call. Actually, the moment the volume drops on the stereo, you know a call is coming your way. Additionally, the system downloads your phone's contact list and call register to make finding the right number on the touch screen very easy.
Perhaps the only serious drawback is the screen's size, which at 5 inches gets very crowded with information.
Source: Nissan offers top-quality navigation system for low price
