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Bigdrinks Occasional Visitor
Joined: 26/07/2003 07:41:45 Posts: 10 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject: Vauxhall Sat Nav ? |
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Anyone know what sat nav software Vauxhall are using in their factory fitted units ? |
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DavidW Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: 17/05/2003 02:26:21 Posts: 3747 Location: Bedfordshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Most if not all of the Vauxhall factory-fit systems are Siemens systems.
I have the manual for one of the older ones (the one that was current in the Zafira when I bought mine in 2000) - and it's pretty basic, seemingly with no on-screen map. I'm not sure whether the more recent ones have any greater functionality.
One big gotcha I could spot is that you apparently need the navigation CD inserted to reroute if you drive away from the planned route. This means that you can't reroute if you're listening to an audio CD unless you have the optional audio CD changer on the navigation unit (I think this has been solved on the more recent Double DIN units used in the more recent models - on at least some you can have the CD changer built into the dashboard). This is certainly worth looking in to, though I believe the latest systems are of a later generation (I believe the manual I have is for the NCDR 1000, not the NCDR 1100 currently being used) and may have solved this limitation.
If it really matters, I may have access to NCDR 1100 documentation; I haven't checked (I have access to a 53 registered Astra, and there may be navigation system instructions in the manual for that car).
The map CDs are also rather expensive - the cost of those is certainly worth looking in to if you're thinking of buying one of these systems.
I wouldn't consider one of these systems - even though I don't pay full retail price for Vauxhalls (my father is ex-GM Europe staff, so I am nominated as a Vauxhall Partner). The list price for the navigation system on even the more expensive Zafira models (that have a factory fit CD player as standard) is 1000 pounds - with an additional 400 if you want the CD changer (though that's also the price of a CD changer system in place of the standard single CD player).
Your 1000 pounds does get you a trip computer and check control system thrown in, but only a monochrome display. You also can't have cruise control with the navigation system on the Zafira. However, there may be some inertial navigation capabilities, and there is a roof mounted GPS antenna, so the positioning side of these systems is potentially more robust than a Pocket PC based system. That said, I find a good Pocket PC system perfectly adequate even in Central London.
I'd rather have my TomTom Navigator 2 system than the Vauxhall system in my Zafira. I think it's a better system - and cheaper as well. That said, it would pay to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the system in the precise Vauxhall model you're thinking of.
David |
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swing Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Nov 04, 2003 Posts: 2225 Location: Bedfordshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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I think the even earlier units (separate unit with display) were Philips Carin units, and then they moved to Siemens. You can (for some models) also now get colour screens with maps.
Steve |
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Bigdrinks Occasional Visitor
Joined: 26/07/2003 07:41:45 Posts: 10 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. The issue is now resolved as I have now picked up My new Vectra (Well 2nd hand, but new to me)
It has the Siemens system using Navtech software. I have the 2013 model with autochanger and colour screen ( Factory price of £1800 as optional extras)
First impressions are good. Not as good as Tomtom but what the hell. I've already got a buyer for my Tomtom set up so 'happy days'. :D |
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