Head unit decision based on gps and map tracking.

[VoodooVyper]

I've asked around in a few other threads but haven't really been too specific. Basically, I'm in the market for a new head unit. I've done a good amount of research and have picked the dash kit that I like, but I'm having trouble with the head unit selection. Most users have trouble making their decisions based on sounds quality, but I'm mostly for GPS.

90% of the time I will be having the screen display a top-down view of the map in a "follow-me" type of setting, with no particular route specified. I have not been able to find a video of ANY head unit showing this. I found a few videos of people using the navigation but having the view at an angle, so to speak. Most of what I have seen has been a laggy, unimpressive, dated navigation. Random pop-in, 1 second refresh rates, and an over-all distracting display.

What's most important to me is the smoothness of the tracking and map scrolling (think iPhone and higher-tier droid map tracking). As mentioned, this will be top-down view. If anybody has a video of their head unit showing this in action, it would be greatly appreciated. I can't justify shelling out a thousand bucks if I can't see whether or not the main reason I want it is laggy or not. Can anyone speak from experience about their head unit's ability to display a map smoothly? Thank you!

P.S. I also would like to maintain functionality of the USB port, if not for everything including music, then at least for charging. Also, steering wheel controls are important.

[VoodooVyper]

Sorry to bump, still looking for any more information on this as it's the only thing holding me back from making a purchase. Thanks!

[Pur3vil]

Since you mentioned iPhone or high end Android mapping capabilities and that you weren't really interested in sound quality, have you thought about just using an iPhone or Android phone with a car dock, or getting an iPad or Android tablet and mounting it over the radio?

I've seen some photos of others who have done similar things, and they look OK, in my opinion. It would probably cost you about the same amount of money as a head unit with the capabilities that you're looking for.

Or you could wait to see what the MyLink Nav unit will do, and what it will take to retro-fit it into the existing Camaros.

[tjbtexas]

just a couple of comments:
using a top down view normally equals a 2D view. most current units should provide a lag free view. most people choose the 3D view (hence the angled perspective (rendering takes more effort). related to lag - some units install with a speed sensor, if the unit is designed for it , but not installed (result = lag). if "Follow Me" is your primary use case, having a head unit with Live Traffic would provide you some meaningful information to this view. I know I use it this way to commute to work. I can determine if anything is happening on my route. I have the Pioneer AVIC z140 with the scosche kit. Live traffic is included in this model (no subscription service required). There are a number of "good" head units out there. I have been happy with mine. As a general rule, you get what you pay for. all of them have pros and cons and we find ourselves living with the little odd behaviors that each model presents.

[camarograna2]

Originally Posted by tjbtexas

just a couple of comments:
using a top down view normally equals a 2D view. most current units should provide a lag free view. most people choose the 3D view (hence the angled perspective (rendering takes more effort). related to lag - some units install with a speed sensor, if the unit is designed for it , but not installed (result = lag). if "Follow Me" is your primary use case, having a head unit with Live Traffic would provide you some meaningful information to this view. I know I use it this way to commute to work. I can determine if anything is happening on my route. I have the Pioneer AVIC z140 with the scosche kit. Live traffic is included in this model (no subscription service required). There are a number of "good" head units out there. I have been happy with mine. As a general rule, you get what you pay for. all of them have pros and cons and we find ourselves living with the little odd behaviors that each model presents.

good post

I'll throw in kenwood 9990HD. Comes with live traffic, i guess it has the speed sensor because its always on point on where i am at.

[Pace]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...one-car-stereo

You wont be happy unless you get this -

[camarograna2]

Originally Posted by Pace

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...one-car-stereo

You wont be happy unless you get this -

[VoodooVyper]

Originally Posted by tjbtexas

just a couple of comments:
using a top down view normally equals a 2D view. most current units should provide a lag free view. most people choose the 3D view (hence the angled perspective (rendering takes more effort). related to lag - some units install with a speed sensor, if the unit is designed for it , but not installed (result = lag). if "Follow Me" is your primary use case, having a head unit with Live Traffic would provide you some meaningful information to this view. I know I use it this way to commute to work. I can determine if anything is happening on my route. I have the Pioneer AVIC z140 with the scosche kit. Live traffic is included in this model (no subscription service required). There are a number of "good" head units out there. I have been happy with mine. As a general rule, you get what you pay for. all of them have pros and cons and we find ourselves living with the little odd behaviors that each model presents.

Thanks for the info, so I'm assuming your z140 is lag free in 2d mode? Also, when I'm referring to lag, I generally mean screen lag, not accuracy of the tracking itself.

[VoodooVyper]

Originally Posted by Pur3vil

Since you mentioned iPhone or high end Android mapping capabilities and that you weren't really interested in sound quality, have you thought about just using an iPhone or Android phone with a car dock, or getting an iPad or Android tablet and mounting it over the radio?

I've seen some photos of others who have done similar things, and they look OK, in my opinion. It would probably cost you about the same amount of money as a head unit with the capabilities that you're looking for.

Or you could wait to see what the MyLink Nav unit will do, and what it will take to retro-fit it into the existing Camaros.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm not too fond of the idea of mounting a tablet. It's cumbersome and inconvenient, I would much rather have something built in even though the tablets set the bar high for gps tracking. Not to mention with the tablets, I would need a 3g/4g signal which comes at a cost per month. Sure, phones can have a wifi hotspot, but that drains the battery like nobody's business which adds to the overall inconvenience.

I have been keeping my eye on the MyLink Nav unit, haven't been able to find any videos of that gps in action either (in 2d mode).

[VoodooVyper]

I decided to go with the Pioneer Avic-Z140BH. I learned about it's Advanced App Mode today and saw that you can use a multitude of iPhone apps with it including "Maps" and other 3rd party map apps.

I realize I could have purchased the P8400BH which appears to have the same features sans the gps receiver. I figured for a couple hundred bucks more it was worth it for the next model up. Plus I like the look of the Z140 a bit better. I ordered the Scosche dash kit along with it. Thanks for all the info guys, it helped a lot.

[SSCamaroKyle]

Check out some hight end Kenwoods they use garmin for the GPS. And have seen them in action and they perform very well. I mean if aviation is using them then that would be good enough for me.

Im conteplating this one

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...tion/DNX7190HD

[Caddyroger]

Originally Posted by VoodooVyper

I decided to go with the Pioneer Avic-Z140BH. I learned about it's Advanced App Mode today and saw that you can use a multitude of iPhone apps with it including "Maps" and other 3rd party map apps.

I realize I could have purchased the P8400BH which appears to have the same features sans the gps receiver. I figured for a couple hundred bucks more it was worth it for the next model up. Plus I like the look of the Z140 a bit better. I ordered the Scosche dash kit along with it. Thanks for all the info guys, it helped a lot.

I have the same set up but have not used that much to give a review. So for it is working good. The Bluetooth work good for one test call. The sirius radio works good. I have a 4 gig usb thumb drive it works ok. I mainly use a sd card. Now to find a better back up camera then the one i have now.