Looking for in Dash Radio/GPS

lynndiwagon wrote:
I can't imagine looking over at the radio screen for GPS navigation. IMHO a smartphone running Google Maps, or a stand alone GPS mounted to a windshield bracket is the way to go as far as safety is concerned. My smartphone is directly in front of me just to the left of the dash so I don't have to take my eyes off of the road. I also run another android app, Car Home Ultra, for speed, weather, heading, etc., while driving. I don't think apple has a comparable app. Good luck with your decision.

I for one don't want to look at a small phone screen as I think that would be dangerous especially if it is right in front of you.

In researching units, I have found that some Kenwood models will pair with an iToy or Android phone so the Google maps can be used instead of built in maps.

Still looking.

I can't imagine looking over at the radio screen for GPS navigation. IMHO a smartphone running Google Maps, or a stand alone GPS mounted to a windshield bracket is the way to go as far as safety is concerned. My smartphone is directly in front of me just to the left of the dash so I don't have to take my eyes off of the road. I also run another android app, Car Home Ultra, for speed, weather, heading, etc., while driving. I don't think apple has a comparable app. Good luck with your decision.

I have one of these. It is better than a TomTom stand alone if you are going to buy an all in one.

http://riverparkinc.com/product/xite-x2s/

p220sigman wrote:
We have a Kenwood unit in our van (older one and I don't have the model # handy) and I will never do a combination unit again. Ours has worked fine, however, we have been unable to get it to update so the maps are way out of date. I've been in contact with Kenwood and they basically don't know what is going on, but it is out well out of warranty so there isn't anything they will do to help other than tell me what to try. We will have a standalone GPS from now on.

If you're trying to use map updates from Garmin, they won't work. The map updates need to come from Kenwood for some reason. I think it's because Kenwood pares down some of the information so it will fit on the internal memory of the Kenwood.

The only way I found to use a Garmin map update was to run it thru the Garmin utilities and create a custom map download which I then place on a MicroSD card for the Kenwood. This updated map can't be transferred to the internal memory of the Kenwood, but it can be accessed and used off the MicroSD card.

We have a Kenwood unit in our van (older one and I don't have the model # handy) and I will never do a combination unit again. Ours has worked fine, however, we have been unable to get it to update so the maps are way out of date. I've been in contact with Kenwood and they basically don't know what is going on, but it is out well out of warranty so there isn't anything they will do to help other than tell me what to try. We will have a standalone GPS from now on.

My RV (Roadtrek) came with an in-dash radio/GPS that was based on TomTom. Prior to that I always used Garmin. Never could get used to the TomTom, so I replaced the in-dash with a Kenwood DNX571HD that has the Garmin GPS. The Kenwood also does HD radio and I added SirusXM. Much happier now as I have been able to load all my POI files from my old Garmin handheld units.

Map updates on the Kenwood are not free and they're not updated as frequently as they are on pure Garmin GPS units. The Garmin desktop applications like Base Camp for trip planning don't work with the Kenwood/Garmin GPS. The DNX571HD does support both iPhone and Android connections, but the iPhone requires a special cable. There is a USB connection on the rear of the unit that MUST be used for things like POI file installation; the MicroSD slot on the front of the unit only works for map and SW updates, although it is possible to also use it for alternative maps. So when installing the unit it is almost mandatory that one bring the USB port out to the dash with another cable.

Garmin offers free updates for life. Built in can cost you a couple hundred dollars for the upgrade CD. Your choice, but for my money a stand alone Garmin is a better deal.

Be careful when "combining" everything into one. You "lose" one feature, you lose them all. My OPINION: go separate.

Check Crutchfield!