Navigation/Sirius questions

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]447805[/snapback]</div>

I got my unit from Sirius Prius prior to it being offered by the dealer. I did however have them install XM, in my 07 prior to buying. I am guessing they are not being upfront with you, I doubt that they already have the tuner in the car, that would be a huge waste of $$ on thier part to have it in each car already, so that would need to be installed. The radio's i believe are all sat ready, just need to plug in the satellite tuner box and run the wires. I only get 8 characters of the song and title, not sure if they fixed that yet.

Also make sure you ask them where they are going to put the antenna if you get it from them, they put mine on the inside of the windshield about 4 inches from the top side of the passenger side of the car.

My advice would be to buy it after from on here and install yourself, unless they are going to give you a good deal.

Don't know about the nav, sorry, and good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]447805[/snapback]</div>

If you already have a Nav system, then I don't know how much extra value will be added by buying the integrated system. One big advantage my older '05 system, and your portable unit, is the ability to make adjustments while the car is moving (by your passenger, of course!) You can't do that with a current system (someone correct me if they've since figured out how).

On the integrated side, the built-in system is integrated with your Bluetooth phone, so you can call a restaurant or hotel using a POI icon on your map (touch the Hotel, touch 'Info', touch call). You also don't have to remember to bring the system, it is always there and available.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]447805[/snapback]</div>

Caveat: Remember I'm answering these questions based on an '05 with a v5.1 DVD, but I doubt much has changed.

In my experience, the system does not call out street names, unless a highway is involved. Example: "Next left, then left onto I-69 South."

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]447805[/snapback]</div>

The distance varies -- I believe it is more time-related. At slow speeds, or very short stretches of road, it may be 1/10 of a mile. On the highway it is always 2 miles. It varies in between.

It also beeps when it is about to instruct you on an upcoming turn, and beeps twice at the turn. Example: "In a quarter of a mile left turn. Pause. Beep. Next Left. Beep, Beep. Proceed about 7/10 of a mile. In half a mile, right turn..."

Also, I have my display set so the next 3 turns are displayed on the right half of my screen. In that area it shows you which way you will be turning, what the road name is, and how far it is between each turn. It even has a countdown to the next turn.

When you get close to the turn, that section changes to a close-up of the intersection, and shows a constant countdown in tenths of miles, along with the position of your car, and the marked route.

The system gives you quite a lot of feedback. The typical end of a route goes something like this: "Proceed about 1 mile to your destination. Pause. Your destination is ahead on the right. Pause. You have arrived at your destination."

It will also automatically re-route you if you miss a turn, or take a road that you prefer.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 22 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]447805[/snapback]</div>

I've never had any other impression than satellite lock is instantaneous. Maybe the circuit stays powered on, I don't know. I got in my car a minute ago and tested this, and didn't get any different indication. The 'GPS' indicator that it displays when it's using satellites was there as soon as I powered on. My '05 has a secret screen where I can engage override so I can make adjustments while the car is moving, and one of the menu options there is to look at the satellites. I looked at them as quick as I could get there (just 15 seconds or so), and the satellites were all locked and being tracked. Like I say, that circuit may remain powered on between uses, I don't know.

The car also uses the position, speed, and direction of the front tires to do fine adjustments to your location, like showing you just turned from facing north to facing south in a parking lot. A non-integrated system can't do that, but my point is the car saves your last known position, and even without an immediate lock can use the speed and direction of the tires to keep track of your location until the satellites come on-line. Since I think the satellites may always be on-line, this might only be useful in a parking garage, or some other location where the satellites may be blocked.

Hope that helps!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drum4Him @ May 23 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]448489[/snapback]</div>

Actually, I was pointing out the car can handle a temporary loss of satellites.

Your system should be able to handle changes in direction, but not turning around in a tight circle in a parking lot. Unless you go a hundred feet or so at a reasonable speed, say 5 MPH, your system will not be able to distinguish that you simply turned the car around.

But again, I was really just talking about how it would handle satellites if they were not there for a couple of minutes.