Re: Nissan GPS: Compare with Street Atlas/Laptop?

Hi Chuck,

Many thanks for the reply and thoughts.

As someone who has had the Nissan/Infiniti CD based NAV system and
currently has both the DVD based system (in a Q-45) and a Garmin
StreetPilotIII, all I can tell you is, go for the Garmin SPIII.
Current street price is around $700-750 with a full unlock of the
entire USA. It's portable, has a great color screen (not quite as
large as the Nissan built in) and has voice prompts for turns.
Compared to the $2000 (retail) Nissan system, the only thing you lose
is the "Birdview" screen display. Both have to be turned on manually
(the Nissan system requires a keypress after it boots, the Garmin
requires you to manually turn the system on). The major advantage to
the Garmin is that it can be used fully while the vehicle is in
operation, while the Nissan system keeps you locked out of many
features unless parked, or at a complete standstill. The Garmin has
a better database of POI's, especially restaurants and will a LOT
cheaper to buy the updated DVD's. The major advantage to the factory
system is that is IS built in. but that also means you lose when you
unload (sell) the vehicle (or are in another car, ie: rental, 2nd
vehicle, boat).

When my current Pathfinder goes away in December, the Armada I'm
replacing it with will be ordered without the factory NAV system. I
actually prefer the Garmin, and it's paid for.

Your points all seem quite valid and worth considering.

Other than the function lock-out, how well does the Nissan system actually
work (in and of itself, or relative to your SPIII)? I realize that the
SPIII would be a significantly better value, but let's assume I'm willing to
pay a somewhat steep penalty for the convenience of having it built-in. I
keep my cars for years, and have the Laptop/Earthmate to use when I travel,
so those aren't issues for me.

Have you used Street Atlas with GPS? If you have, how does the Nissan
compare in terms of basic function and navigation, accuracy, routing, etc.?

One thing I like about using my Laptop for this is the ability to fairly
quickly input data and navigate using the keyboard, and wonder how
frustrating that would be with either the SPIII or the Nissan units.

Thanks again.

--
Don
Photo Website at:
http://www.dlcphotography.net

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