Factory Nav alternatives?

[am1w]

Within the next year or so VW will be bringing out their new Predictive Sat Nav Systems. All present VW Sat Nav systems will be instantly outdated. So spending ridiculous money on the DNS Pro would seem a bit wasteful. But the big screen does look very nice.

I don't know how good the DriveAudio system is. It would be interesting to find out if it integrates seamlessly into Golf Mk7 electronics. But it could also be a case of buy cheap, pay twice. But then again, the DNS and the DNS Pro, I am given to understand, are made in Taiwan. Nothing wrong with this, but you can imagine how cheaply VW buy-in these units and then charge us a fortune. 

Anyone on here willing to take the plunge with the DriveAudio unit?

[monkeyhanger]

You first am1w, as you'll likely be in your R sharper than me. 

There's one thing I don't like about that nav unit. On the main pic, the lower end of the enclosing fascia looks incomplete/missing - are those 2 screw/hook tool holes there also? The way that behind 1/2 of the 2 main knobs (volume and the other one) is uncovered just looks a bit wrong. Maybe we'd need to buy a replacement Nav Pro fascia to correct that if we bought one of these?

[am1w]

Even the DNS Pro looks the same without the facia. See link below:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-Golf-VII-Mk-7-Discover-Pro-Multimedia-Navigation-HDD-System-5G0/261700856691?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083358%26meid%3Df810766003e3463ab4b0446be7910add%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107083358%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D261674078410

Regarding trying the DriveAudio unit, I will give it a pass. So it's over to you MH.

[monkeyhanger]

I think as there's a lack of reviewers out there, you'd definitely have to try before you buy, checking out a demo version in some display. I've got by without Nav until now, and if I was after one for occasional treks into the unknown, I could live with one of Tomtom's finest. Following my recent shunt in the GTD I will definitely be looking to invest in a front/rear view dashcam with a tidy semi-permanent wired option.

[p3asa]

Even the DNS Pro looks the same without the facia. See link below:

The facia on the OEM unit covers those holes though.
The facia on the 3rd party doesn't cover them and leaves them exposed.

£800 is a lot of money when you aren't getting that much over the standard Sat Nav for £750. Bigger screen and DVD. Or am I missing something that is obvious? Plus its 3rd party so won't appeal to everyone.

Within the next year or so VW will be bringing out their new Predictive Sat Nav Systems. All present VW Sat Nav systems will be instantly outdated.

You make it sound like instantly it will be useless  which is nonsense. It will still do the job.

Have you any links to VW's predictive Sat Nav as I can't find anything on it.

Cheers

[am1w]

p3asa:

A facia fits over the DNS Pro to cover it and the same facia, I presume, can cover the DriveAudio unit.

Regarding the VW Predictive Sat Nav Systems, I read about it in the January '15 Issue of Car Mag on page 30.

[mcmaddy]

The nav pro is made by Panasonic I think but it certainly isn't made by some cheap 3rd party Chinese/Taiwan company. Am1w I think you need to do some detective work first before commenting on it.

[p3asa]

p3asa:

A facia fits over the DNS Pro to cover it and the same facia, I presume, can cover the DriveAudio unit.

Regarding the VW Predictive Sat Nav Systems, I read about it in the January '15 Issue of Car Mag on page 30.

The picture MH was referring to with the holes showing is the one with the facia already on so it won't cover it. In fact looking at it again, the facia overlaps the unit next to the holes. Not ideal.

Thanks re predictive sat nav. I'll take a look.

[am1w]

The nav pro is made by Panasonic I think but it certainly isn't made by some cheap 3rd party Chinese/Taiwan company. Am1w I think you need to do some detective work first before commenting on it.

I am most impressed with your detective skills.

The DVD Player is made in Germany by Harman. Panasonic do have factories worldwide, so in Taiwan also. Nothing wrong if it is made in Taiwan. In fact, I was under the impression that the Nav unit was made by Samsung.

Does it matter? Not a jot as long as it is reliable and works.

[am1w]

p3asa:
A facia fits over the DNS Pro to cover it and the same facia, I presume, can cover the DriveAudio unit.
Regarding the VW Predictive Sat Nav Systems, I read about it in the January '15 Issue of Car Mag on page 30.

The picture MH was referring to with the holes showing is the one with the facia already on so it won't cover it. In fact looking at it again, the facia overlaps the unit next to the holes. Not ideal.
Thanks re predictive sat nav. I'll take a look.

A whole page was devoted to this. Very clever bit of tech.