What's the difference between a a 2013 with navigation and without?

[nbostaph]

I've come across a number of 2013 2SS models that don't list navigation, and I can see from Chevrolet's original marketing material that navigation was optional and not standard. However, all of the photos make cars without nav look the same as those with navigation.

Does the nav option include different hardware, or just some software activation? In the case of the latter, can navigation be 'activated' by Chevrolet on a car that wasn't originally purchased with it?

[DvKillar]

my understanding is the radio looks similar, but it is different hardware for nav model.

[600hp-lpe]

can't be activated via dealer - it's a different headend unit for NAV.

[SquawkVFR]

The ones without probably get lost more often.

[Splat]

Originally Posted by DvKillar

my understanding is the radio looks similar, but it is different hardware for nav model.

Originally Posted by 600hp-lpe

can't be activated via dealer - it's a different headend unit for NAV.

+1

But...... it can be added.

[nancygrl]

They look the same, but they are different HU's, but I'm pretty sure it's plug n play.....

Same as in the new 6th gens...mylink units look the same, difference in sticker price was just under $500

[nbostaph]

So if I buy a car without I would need to buy a nav unit and install it, which probably isn't going to be cost effective. That adds another restriction to an already difficult car search. :(

I did contact Audio Designs & Custom Graphics to see how they did it, though. Maybe there will be some help there.

Thanks all.

[silversleeper]

And the different GPS antenna and wires. Carefully research aftermarket options before you go that route, as the car's buttons don't normally work anymore and other issues.

[SkunkJunk420]

Gen5DIY has them for easy plug and play I believe

[nbostaph]

Originally Posted by SkunkJunk420

Gen5DIY has them for easy plug and play I believe

I may be missing it, but it only looks like they have the kit to convert a non-Mylink radio to the nav system. Or maybe that's what you need even if you have a Mylink radio already. But $1500 plus install costs seems pretty steep to me; I'm better off just looking for cars that have nav already.

[nancygrl]

If you have a smart phone then you already have navigation.

[fif_gen_powa]

Originally Posted by nancygrl

If you have a smart phone then you already have navigation.

Exactly my car actually has nav but only used it once and just use my phone every time now

[The Wanderer]

Don't you have to subscribe to onstar in order for your nav. to work?

[nbostaph]

Originally Posted by nancygrl

If you have a smart phone then you already have navigation.

We tried that when we bought our sedan. It works great...until it doesn't.

The battery runs down quickly, or you have a cord attached to your phone getting in the way. You need to use up a hand to hold the phone instead of having that hand on the wheel. You turn your head farther from the road to look at a phone than your dash, or you have your phone up where a cop could see it and pull you over. And outside the city and suburbs we occasionally lose connection, with any carrier...and that's when we most need the GPS.

I'd much rather have the reliability, and larger screen, of an in-dash GPS.