nav Archives | AutoDepot

Automakers, let my wife use the nav

Filed under: Technology

My wife and I have been shopping for a house in the Bay Area for the better part of a month (if you’re selling in Oakland, hit me up) and, as you’d imagine, that means entering a lot of addresses into a lot of different navigation systems. Since I’ve got the directional ability of a brain-damaged opossum, the proliferation of in-car GPS (and mobile map apps) has moved beyond a convenience to an absolute necessity.

But there’s a problem..

About half the vehicles block out destination entry while the car’s in motion – a serious PITA when you’re bouncing from one fixer-upper to the next..

Now we’re fully aware that voice control is the future and the public shouldn’t be fiddling with touchscreens and all-in-one knobs while driving through a school zone, but what if you’ve got a perfectly capable passenger sitting in the seat next to you?.

There’s a simple solution..

Continue reading Opinion: Automakers, let my wife use the nav

Continue reading Automakers, let my wife use the nav

Automakers, let my wife use the nav originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Automakers, let my wife use the nav”

Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Navi Lock – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has come up with an unconventional solution for a rash of navigation thefts afflicting Dutch vehicle owners. From what we can gather, thieves are particularly fond of the company’s RNS 310 and RNS 510 navigation systems, resulting in an apparent break-in epidemic. To help get the situation under control, VW is now offering its customers an RNS Navi Lock. The system locks a large metal plate over the entire navigation system, theoretically obscuring the hardware and making it more difficult to steal in the process. When owners are ready to use their nav screen, they simply unlock the plate using a key and go about their business.

The system is available for the Golf, Passat and CC in Europe, but it’s not exactly cheap. Buyers hoping to protect their precious navigation systems can expect to shell out around 219 euro for the armor plating. Pricey? Sure, but it’s likely less than the cost of repairing break-in damage and replacing the whole system.

Gallery: Volkswagen Navi Lock

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad”

Video: Volkswagen developing Terminal Mode for full smartphone control through nav screen

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Volkswagen

Volkswagen and Nokia’s Terminal Mode – Click above to watch video after the jump

Bluetooth connectivity is getting better all the time. No longer content with just connect your phone, new systems also allow you to wirelessly stream music to your car’s speakers. Volkswagen is working on a system which takes the idea of pairing a phone to your car, and brings it to a whole new level. The system, called Terminal Mode, allows VW’s touchscreen display to become an extension of the your smartphone – weather, GPS, music, phone and text messaging are right at your fingertips in a highly visible location.

Currently, the system is still under development and promises to get better as Volkswagen upgrades its infotainment screens. The current units use resistive touchscreens which can be slightly slower to respond compared with the capacitive units, which will make their way into VWs in the near future.

The Terminal Mode system opens up a potential Pandora’s box of opportunity. Developers could build a whole slew of apps designed for use in automobiles and phones could be built with this integration in mind. There are many pluses to this concept, however this easily falls into the distracted-driving discussion. How soon before we see anti-Facebooking-while-driving laws? Hop the jump to watch video of the system in action.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Video: Volkswagen developing Terminal Mode for full smartphone control through nav screen

Video: Volkswagen developing Terminal Mode for full smartphone control through nav screen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Volkswagen developing Terminal Mode for full smartphone control through nav screen”

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Technology, Porsche, Design/Style

What if you could update your classic car with modern tech, without losing the style that you’ve come to love? Porsche now has a solution for owners of old 911s. Starting in October 2010, owners will be able to retrofit their cars with the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System (Part # 911 645 910 00), which packages a display screen fitted into a form factor that is an exact fit for the original factory radio’s location. Round knobs keep appearances in line with that classic Porsche aesthetic, but the technology is purely 21st century.

The unit will retail for €595,00 plus VAT (around $776 USD before taxes at current exchange rates). Considering what Porsche gets for some of the options on its modern cars, the neo-retro nav unit’s price seems pretty good. We understand a desire for modern conveniences in older cars, and the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System may be an answer to the prayers of some 911 enthusiasts since it obviates the need for a less desirable aftermarket solution. (Of cource, one could always just stick a portable GPS unit on the windshield…)

According to MotoBullet, the Classic Radio Navigation System is designed to fit Porsche 911s from from model years 1963 to 1977 (it might also fit the Porsche 914). They go on to suggest that this nav unit may also work with firstgeneration Porsche 912s, but those guys are already going too slow to care where they’re heading. (We kid, we kid… out of jealousy.)

[Source: Porsche via MotoBullet]

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios”

Nissan joins overheating Garmin sat-nav recall

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Technology, Nissan

2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan is recalling a number of models due to overheating Garmin navigation units. Cars, trucks and SUVs equipped with Nuvi 750, 760 and 765 GPS devices are at risk for a vehicle fire due to overheating batteries in the devices. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects Nissan’s Altima, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue, Sentra, Versa and Xterra models sold with the Garmin devices between 2008 and 2010. NHTSA does not say exactly how many vehicles will be effected by the defective batteries.

Garmin technicians will make the necessary repairs to the GPS units by replacing the battery with a new, less-toasty unit and adding an additional spacer between the battery and the rest of the device. The repair won’t cost owners anything other than a little time and a trip to the local dealership. Nissan will notify owners directly about the recall, which is scheduled to begin sometime during this month. Suzuki is facing a similar recall, as well – these Garmin navigation units are fitted in the SX4, Grand Vitara and Equator.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback

[Source: NHTSA]

Nissan joins overheating Garmin sat-nav recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Nissan joins overheating Garmin sat-nav recall”

Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara and Equator for overheating Garmin sat-nav units

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Technology, Suzuki

Suzuki SX4 Sport with Garmin navigation system – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Garmin issued a recall on its Nuvi portable navigation system a couple of weeks ago, Japanese automaker Suzuki informed us that it would need to issue a follow-up recall for a few vehicles in its lineup. After all, Suzuki offers dashboard-mounted Garmin GPS units in its Equator, Grand Vitara and SX4 models, and unfortunately, the Nuvi navis supplied to Suzuki are among the ones that need repair.

Approximately 20,692 Suzuki vehicles are affected by this recall – specifically the 2008-2010 SX4, 2010 Grand Vitara and 2009-2010 Equator equipped with Garmin Nuvi 750, 760 and 765 navigation systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the batteries in these nav units can potentially overheat which could result in a fire.

Garmin technicians will replace the existing batteries free of charge and owners will be notified within the next few weeks. The official recall notice from NHTSA is available after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport with TRIP

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara and Equator for overheating Garmin sat-nav units

Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara and Equator for overheating Garmin sat-nav units originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara and Equator for overheating Garmin sat-nav units”