Thread: D4 tech pack

Originally Posted by Dingo Charlie

I have a my12 d4 with the navigation upgrade but find it so slow, to enter in an address I have to wait between every key press....... Is this normal?

You think the D4 is slow?

I've got a new Merc and just drove a new Volvo XC 90 around the UK for three weeks.....both have integrated GPS. They both have a completely different system to each other.....but unbelievably slow and clunky would be how I'd describe both of them.

I believe the Audis and BMW's have a similar system to my Merc. Even with voice command (which the XC didn’t have), its painful….faster but painful!

MIght be far from perfect but I prefer the touchscreen in my D4 anyday!!!

Cheers,

Kev.

I've gone the new sat nav.

I've had a factory Subaru one, VW (Audi) one and a Lexus one.

VW system was the best for speed. Land Rover for ease of use and 2nd on speed.

Subaru and Lexus were DVD based and both old and slow.

[QUOTE=Stuart02;1603910]
Dunno about upgrading maps - it should be free but I suspect not.
QUOTE]


ahhh why should it be free?? why dont they jsut give the cars away then if the navs gona be free

I've had built in systems in a number of cars now.

The Toyota factory system was quite good for 2004. An aftermarket Denso (Eclipse) is still humming along in my son's RAV. Maps are reasonably cheaply upgraded, directly from Sensis.

The RNS510 in my Golf was a wonderful system. Pity that I had two of the units fail.

The very expensive system in my Audi is quite disappointing. The ergonomics of the entire centre dash/console area are poor. Maps are dramatically out of date, but updates don't even seem to be available.

Due to what I thought was a worsening experience, I passed on it for the LR. I'm now very keenly awaiting the arrival of the mini iPad...which I think I'll mount right over the top of the unused LR radio.

I think including product support for something that's redundant before you even leave the showroom, at least for 5 or so years, isn't unreasonable.

Do you pay for every security update on your computer?

Originally Posted by Stuart02

I think including product support for something that's redundant before you even leave the showroom, at least for 5 or so years, isn't unreasonable.

Do you pay for every security update on your computer?

It's not an unreasonable comparison.

If, and only if, the mapping were up to date, maybe up to two years out of date from current real world, then I might be prepared to pay a premium for the updates.

I'm not expecting miracles here, I know it takes a little while to collate and publish the latest mapping data but expecting people to pay a premium for something that is properly obsolete (4-5 years old) is just not right.

Before someone points out that you have to pay for paper maps, yes, I know that. Yes, they are often even more out of date than the GPS digital ones.

Street directories actually tend to be very up to date. You can get one of them for an entire metro area for less than $50. Most of this cost is the material (paper). So why am I paying $300+ for digital equivalents, that don't need to get printed and bound, and are less up to date. This last surprises me still, since they come from the same source data typically.

Let's also not forget that unlike most normal computer applications you're not paying for support as part of whatever price. If your car GPS doesn't function properly you're still gonna get charged for someone to diagnose (and hopefully resolve) your problem.

As an example, look at computer antivirus software, I don't pay directly for the virus definitions and updates that happen on a very regular basis. I pay annually to ensure I have the latest software (and the definitions are part of that). I'd be happy to do that, having made the initial investment but I don't perceive value for money in what I get when it comes to GPS mapping.

Just my 2c worth.

Cheers,
Iain

Originally Posted by Stuart02

I think including product support for something that's redundant before you even leave the showroom, at least for 5 or so years, isn't unreasonable.

Do you pay for every security update on your computer?

I agree.

Why is it that can you can buy an a portable Navman GPS with lifetime updates for $150? Even if the updates weren't free, $150 every fee years for a NEW device with up to date maps is much cheaper than updating factory nav.

Anyway, that said, I love the nav in my D4. I don't actually use it that often because most times I know where I am going (use the car for work mostly, visit the same clients week in week out) but when I do I think it is quite good.

Worth $4K? Probably not, but come resale I know people will want factory nav. Won't get me an extra $4K, but should make for an easier sale on a comparable car without it.

Cheers

Dan