GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Stiggy on 05 November 2006, 11:58
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I'm deciding the final spec for my 30th edition gti - final hurdle is whether to have sat nav or not. Are there any advantages of paying approx. 1800 for the sat nav, over a portable one for a few hundred? Thank you.
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To state the obvious, integration. A Tomtom is much more user friendly, portable, and has the ability to download the speed camera database.
Sat nav is one of the better options in regards depreciation, but you will still be waving good bye to at least £1k come re sale.
Sat nav is essential in a £40k car, but not in a £20k car.
Tomtom all the way :wink:
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Agree stick with a TomTom or you'll just be throwing the cash away.
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Haven't those with VW sat nav criticised it in other threads? I ws under the impression it's not very good esp considering the cost.
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I specced it because I like a few toys in my car and I could afford it. I agree however, that the factory unit has limited functions (eg only partial post code search, the software disc isn't fully up to date (version 3) and the graphics are a bit flat/one dimentional. That said, I like the display in the dash and the audio system works well with the iPod option. Some portable units are the dogs with much better 3D graphics and speed camera alerts, however they are easily spotted by thieves and you need to also remove the fixing mounts every time you leave the car, as these may well put you car at risk from the criminal element.
Cass
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tom tom increases the likelyhood of your car getting broken into, even if youve removed the device from view, police still report car break-ins where theyve hunted the glove box etc etc. that would then put up your insurance premiums. where as the sat nav is paired to your cars ecu, wont fit in most offer cars nor sell well at a Car boot, keeps your car investment higher the other gti models without. think 1st mate, tom tom is better, portable but is it worth the risk
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Buy the car without it and fit it your self for around £750 :wink:
Its not the bset navi out there but it is accurate and gives the dash a much needed lift over the standard set :nerd:
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Thanks for the good advice guys - much appreciated. I have been worried about the risk of getting a portable sat nav with respect to theft. On the other hand, VW sat nav is pricey and looks like i can get a portable one that's much cheaper and does a better job. I think i will skip getting sat nav for now, especially if i have the choice of purchasing and fitting a VW one after i get the car. Where can i look for the vw sat nav unit after getting the car, Doc?
While on the subject, has anyone heard of a collaboration between VW, Google and nVidia for the next gen of sat navs?
Thanks again for the help :smiley:
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Are there any double din head units that can do navigation?
A seven incher would be nice (..as the Mrs says :shocked: )
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Hi Doc, I was seriously considering buying the sat nav unit - after discounting the possibility of me being competent to fit it and the aerial... but your comment got me thinking again - and saving £1k in the process which will buy me a carbon bonnet :evil: :evil: :evil: How easy is it to fit as one seller on ebay said that the units are very sensitive and can be easily damaged if installed by an incompetent - like me :rolleyes: Ansd how easy is it to fit the aerial? Finally, how come these units are being sold so cheap on ebay - is there a catch? Thanks in advance Doc :grin: :grin:
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Are there any double din head units that can do navigation?
A seven incher would be nice (..as the Mrs says :shocked: )
Am thinking of getting in this (http://www.alpine-europe.com/content/cms/index.php?p=2467&language=english&details=1) in my GTi (which finally arrives on Tuesday) and adding in the sat nav option (about 1500 UKP in total), should work with the multi function steering wheel and also with an iPod...
;-)
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Buy 'em from Ebay!
The unit is a straight swap as the wiring is already in place!
Antenna is a doddle to fit - you put it under the dash!
If you want the cd changer I would advise you to get the factory fitted cd changer with armrest.
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Buy 'em from Ebay!
Was originally thinking that, but now I like the look of the alpine kit, much more cash, but it looks nice (also had the alpine iPod kit in my old car (single DIN)) and gets the traffic info and other stuff.... ;-)
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ok Doc...gulp.. I'll fit the sat-nav myself and sell the sh!tty cd player that comes with the car :evil:
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Its sooo easy - childs play!
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Hello Guys,
Following some great advice from Doc, I bought a VW sat nav off eBay for £450 which was nearly new. The antenna was placed on the dashboard next to the door pillar. The next purchase was a navigation disc which cost £80. Total cost including fitting £640 :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Works perfectly and used it to travel from London to Poznan, Poland. Did not miss a beat :smiley: An interesting feature was that the unit showed all traffic and roadworks on route and tried its best to avoid them. Something the UK does not transmit via radio!? I had a portable unit before but nothing compares to this. It looks pukka and works extremly well :wink:
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Advertising a brand new unit!!!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110051997202
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If you retro fit the sat nav will it also link up to the ipod doc. Also what is displayed on the nav unit screen when using the ipod/radio. Do you get all the track data?
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Hi,
The nav display shows just the track number. Mine works the same as when the standard radio was fitted. My ipod was fitted with a cradle (similar to mobile phone cradle) to the left of the unit so that i could see the track name etc from the ipod display. I have also a motorola bluetooth phone kit connected. Both systems work perfectly as does the sat nav :smiley:
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So no change versus having facory fit?
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The only thing is that my car has the midline MFD whereas factory fit systems include the highline version. Apart from that it is exactly the same. Just PLUG N PLAY
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Docs advice is sound and you can get it cheaper on ebay but I am wondering whether there is any change from the factory fit and my suspicions are that there may well be.  I have costed it and it would cost me the following to get it sorted via ebay:
£650 for the version C DVD unit - ultimate velocity in Leicester seem to have a few units
£265 for the factory fitted iPOD option and front centre armrest
£100 - £150 to get it fitted
so all in all around £1000 which is an £850 saving over factory....
however:
- you don't get a warranty with the ebay unit - 3 years with factory
- if the antenna is installed under the dash then does that mean you are stuck with the bee-sting aerial (sat nav fin looks nice - petty, I know but I am planning to keep this car)
- is there any difference between the UK units and foreign ones?  From what Deva says, there is... although it seems to be an improvement over the UK unit.  However, if there are differences then maybe there are certain things the UK unit can do that this other one can't?
- Does everything work as the factory installed one, i.e. multifunction wheel etc..?
I am already spending around £26k so am thinking should I try and save £850 - still a lot of money - and go the ebay route?  Really depends on answers to the questions above.
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Hi,
I think that all systems are the same. I bought mine form a guy in London. The difference I found was the extra traffic data that started to appear when I was driving across Europe. The extra info appeared when driving through Belgium, Holland and Germany and stopped when I drove into Poland.
:smiley:
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With stating the obvious - Whats wrong with a map?
I think they are about £12 in your local petrol station. :nerd:
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£12 for a map :shocked: :shocked: thats a rip off... you can get them for £1.99 at my local petrol station. :grin: :grin:
Anyway, thats not the point, maps don't come with nice pretty TFT screens to decorate your car and you need a brain to use them which rules me out :laugh:
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:grin: :grin: :grin:
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And they look crap on your dash!