SmithChart

how much will it be priced?
just wondering...

thanks

MAT

"SmithChart" <SC@barpk.com> wrote in message
news:i_fLe.71$UI.26@okepread05...
>
> how much will it be priced?
> just wondering...
>
> thanks
>

I bet the baseprice will be around 20.5. There are two options, upgraded
wheel/summer tire package and navigation. I bet it it's 22.5 with these
options.

MAT

"SmithChart" <SC@barpk.com> wrote in message
news:i_fLe.71$UI.26@okepread05...
>
> how much will it be priced?
> just wondering...
>
> thanks
>

I bet the baseprice will be around 20.5. There are two options, upgraded
wheel/summer tire package and navigation. I bet it it's 22.5 with these
options.

jim beam

MAT wrote:
> "SmithChart" <SC@barpk.com> wrote in message
> news:i_fLe.71$UI.26@okepread05...
>
>>how much will it be priced?
>>just wondering...
>>
>>thanks
>>
>
>
> I bet the baseprice will be around 20.5. There are two options, upgraded
> wheel/summer tire package and navigation. I bet it it's 22.5 with these
> options.
>
>
what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where
i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on
earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less
than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i
don't get it.

jim beam

MAT wrote:
> "SmithChart" <SC@barpk.com> wrote in message
> news:i_fLe.71$UI.26@okepread05...
>
>>how much will it be priced?
>>just wondering...
>>
>>thanks
>>
>
>
> I bet the baseprice will be around 20.5. There are two options, upgraded
> wheel/summer tire package and navigation. I bet it it's 22.5 with these
> options.
>
>
what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where
i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on
earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less
than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i
don't get it.

Michael Pardee

"jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
news:vsSdnQezyKWsYmDfRVn-rw@speakeasy.net...
> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where i
> live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on earth do
> i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less than 3
> days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i don't get it.
>
I think it is mainly for people who travel a lot. I'm more like you - the
times we go to unfamiliar places I Mapquest the markets, restaurants,
laundromats, etc and navigate while my wife drives. In earlier times we did
find ourselves spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to get to the
hotel we could see on the other side of the canal in a strange town at night
when we couldn't find a place to buy a map - things like that.

At work we bought a Lowrance iFinder GPS and matching MapCreate software. We
often have to go to wild places in all sorts of weather, and saving one
misadventure in our Sno-cat at night will easily pay for it. Anyway, the
software has selectable details that can be loaded into the GPS. We rely a
lot on the topo stuff and the back roads. It even has every two-track dirt
road on the rez - without a GPS the only sane thing to do out there at night
is to pull over and wait for daylight. We can also selectively load
restaurants, hotels, etc, into the GPS. Not bad for about $300 US total, but
like a map it is not something a driver alone can use without pulling over.

Mike

Michael Pardee

"jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
news:vsSdnQezyKWsYmDfRVn-rw@speakeasy.net...
> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where i
> live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on earth do
> i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less than 3
> days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i don't get it.
>
I think it is mainly for people who travel a lot. I'm more like you - the
times we go to unfamiliar places I Mapquest the markets, restaurants,
laundromats, etc and navigate while my wife drives. In earlier times we did
find ourselves spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to get to the
hotel we could see on the other side of the canal in a strange town at night
when we couldn't find a place to buy a map - things like that.

At work we bought a Lowrance iFinder GPS and matching MapCreate software. We
often have to go to wild places in all sorts of weather, and saving one
misadventure in our Sno-cat at night will easily pay for it. Anyway, the
software has selectable details that can be loaded into the GPS. We rely a
lot on the topo stuff and the back roads. It even has every two-track dirt
road on the rez - without a GPS the only sane thing to do out there at night
is to pull over and wait for daylight. We can also selectively load
restaurants, hotels, etc, into the GPS. Not bad for about $300 US total, but
like a map it is not something a driver alone can use without pulling over.

Mike

Brian Stell

> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where
> i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on
> earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less
> than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i
> don't get it.

If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
mapquest since it's free.

I may just be different but I go to lots of
places other than work/local-stores all the time.
The nav is great for getting me there.

But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
a different story).

The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
It has address/type/phone info on a million
businesses in the US. This and the ability to
search these adds tremendously to the value.

Here's why:

Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
and needed to know where the nearest gas station
is?

Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?

Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
restaurant this way.)

Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
drugstore / grocery store was?

Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
phone number of the nearest gas station so you
can call them to send someone out?

Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
wanted to find the nearest post office / police
station? Or hardware store / stereo store?

For me these features make the Honda nav unit
worth the money.

The newer nav units have real time routing
around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.

On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
really like the fact that I don't have to keep
referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
of routing.

I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
$1k).

Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
(~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
(Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
Alpine after market units and they have more
features and about a $3k price.

I will never consider another car without a *good*
nav unit.

Brian Stell

> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know where
> i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why on
> earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use less
> than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally? i
> don't get it.

If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
mapquest since it's free.

I may just be different but I go to lots of
places other than work/local-stores all the time.
The nav is great for getting me there.

But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
a different story).

The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
It has address/type/phone info on a million
businesses in the US. This and the ability to
search these adds tremendously to the value.

Here's why:

Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
and needed to know where the nearest gas station
is?

Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?

Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
restaurant this way.)

Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
drugstore / grocery store was?

Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
phone number of the nearest gas station so you
can call them to send someone out?

Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
wanted to find the nearest post office / police
station? Or hardware store / stereo store?

For me these features make the Honda nav unit
worth the money.

The newer nav units have real time routing
around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.

On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
really like the fact that I don't have to keep
referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
of routing.

I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
$1k).

Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
(~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
(Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
Alpine after market units and they have more
features and about a $3k price.

I will never consider another car without a *good*
nav unit.

jim beam

Brian Stell wrote:
>> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know
>> where i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why
>> on earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use
>> less than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally?
>> i don't get it.
>
>
> If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
> it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
> mapquest since it's free.

that's my point - the vast majority of people don't go that far afield.
personally, i live only 15 miles from work, don't use the car for
work, yet i do about 25k per year. and i manage without nav. don't
think that makes me extroardinary. if i have long distance travel to
do, i fly & rent. can't say i've ever had a problem getting free maps
from the rental company.

>
> I may just be different but I go to lots of
> places other than work/local-stores all the time.
> The nav is great for getting me there.

better than a free map?

>
> But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
> ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
> did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
> a different story).
>
> The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
> It has address/type/phone info on a million
> businesses in the US. This and the ability to
> search these adds tremendously to the value.

how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination? if you
have destination, route is merely a planning exercise which has a
trivial extension to incorporate all that you list.

>
> Here's why:
>
> Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
> and needed to know where the nearest gas station
> is?

no. they're all over the side of the road.

>
> Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?

they're in gas stations, malls, stores, etc.

>
> Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
> specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
> American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
> restaurant this way.)

no. they're all over the side of the road.

>
> Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
> toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
> drugstore / grocery store was?

over the counter painkillers are at gas stations.

>
> Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
> phone number of the nearest gas station so you
> can call them to send someone out?

no. i have aaa for that.

>
> Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
> other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
> wanted to find the nearest post office / police
> station? Or hardware store / stereo store?

no. you've posted this message, so presumably you have access to the
net. if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!

>
> For me these features make the Honda nav unit
> worth the money.

that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other end of the spectrum to
you when i say that.

>
> The newer nav units have real time routing
> around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.

so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going anywhere as there's no
alternative routing. now what? send out for pizza?

>
> On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
> for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
> that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
> really like the fact that I don't have to keep
> referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
> and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
> attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
> of routing.
>
> I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
> because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
> really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
> $1k).
>
> Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
> been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
> (~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
> route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
> with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
> (Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
> Alpine after market units and they have more
> features and about a $3k price.
>
> I will never consider another car without a *good*
> nav unit.

i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems /utterly/
ridiculous to me. just like people that buy cars based on the quality
of the stereo. but hey, i'm told that some people worry about the color
of their toilet paper too.

jim beam

Brian Stell wrote:
>> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know
>> where i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why
>> on earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use
>> less than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally?
>> i don't get it.
>
>
> If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
> it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
> mapquest since it's free.

that's my point - the vast majority of people don't go that far afield.
personally, i live only 15 miles from work, don't use the car for
work, yet i do about 25k per year. and i manage without nav. don't
think that makes me extroardinary. if i have long distance travel to
do, i fly & rent. can't say i've ever had a problem getting free maps
from the rental company.

>
> I may just be different but I go to lots of
> places other than work/local-stores all the time.
> The nav is great for getting me there.

better than a free map?

>
> But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
> ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
> did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
> a different story).
>
> The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
> It has address/type/phone info on a million
> businesses in the US. This and the ability to
> search these adds tremendously to the value.

how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination? if you
have destination, route is merely a planning exercise which has a
trivial extension to incorporate all that you list.

>
> Here's why:
>
> Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
> and needed to know where the nearest gas station
> is?

no. they're all over the side of the road.

>
> Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?

they're in gas stations, malls, stores, etc.

>
> Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
> specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
> American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
> restaurant this way.)

no. they're all over the side of the road.

>
> Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
> toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
> drugstore / grocery store was?

over the counter painkillers are at gas stations.

>
> Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
> phone number of the nearest gas station so you
> can call them to send someone out?

no. i have aaa for that.

>
> Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
> other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
> wanted to find the nearest post office / police
> station? Or hardware store / stereo store?

no. you've posted this message, so presumably you have access to the
net. if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!

>
> For me these features make the Honda nav unit
> worth the money.

that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other end of the spectrum to
you when i say that.

>
> The newer nav units have real time routing
> around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.

so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going anywhere as there's no
alternative routing. now what? send out for pizza?

>
> On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
> for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
> that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
> really like the fact that I don't have to keep
> referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
> and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
> attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
> of routing.
>
> I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
> because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
> really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
> $1k).
>
> Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
> been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
> (~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
> route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
> with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
> (Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
> Alpine after market units and they have more
> features and about a $3k price.
>
> I will never consider another car without a *good*
> nav unit.

i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems /utterly/
ridiculous to me. just like people that buy cars based on the quality
of the stereo. but hey, i'm told that some people worry about the color
of their toilet paper too.

Elmo P. Shagnasty

In article <5NednevsnINIWGPfRVn-vA@speakeasy.net>,
jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote:

> Brian Stell wrote:
> >> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know
> >> where i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why
> >> on earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use
> >> less than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally?
> >> i don't get it.
> >
> >
> > If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
> > it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
> > mapquest since it's free.
>
> that's my point - the vast majority of people don't go that far afield.
> personally, i live only 15 miles from work, don't use the car for
> work, yet i do about 25k per year. and i manage without nav. don't
> think that makes me extroardinary. if i have long distance travel to
> do, i fly & rent. can't say i've ever had a problem getting free maps
> from the rental company.
>
> >
> > I may just be different but I go to lots of
> > places other than work/local-stores all the time.
> > The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?
>
> >
> > But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
> > ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
> > did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
> > a different story).
> >
> > The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
> > It has address/type/phone info on a million
> > businesses in the US. This and the ability to
> > search these adds tremendously to the value.
>
> how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination? if you
> have destination, route is merely a planning exercise which has a
> trivial extension to incorporate all that you list.
>
> >
> > Here's why:
> >
> > Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
> > and needed to know where the nearest gas station
> > is?
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?
>
> they're in gas stations, malls, stores, etc.
>
> >
> > Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
> > specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
> > American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
> > restaurant this way.)
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
> > toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
> > drugstore / grocery store was?
>
> over the counter painkillers are at gas stations.
>
> >
> > Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
> > phone number of the nearest gas station so you
> > can call them to send someone out?
>
> no. i have aaa for that.
>
> >
> > Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
> > other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
> > wanted to find the nearest post office / police
> > station? Or hardware store / stereo store?
>
> no. you've posted this message, so presumably you have access to the
> net. if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!
>
> >
> > For me these features make the Honda nav unit
> > worth the money.
>
> that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other end of the spectrum to
> you when i say that.
>
> >
> > The newer nav units have real time routing
> > around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.
>
> so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going anywhere as there's no
> alternative routing. now what? send out for pizza?
>
> >
> > On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
> > for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
> > that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
> > really like the fact that I don't have to keep
> > referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
> > and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
> > attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
> > of routing.
> >
> > I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
> > because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
> > really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
> > $1k).
> >
> > Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
> > been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
> > (~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
> > route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
> > with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
> > (Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
> > Alpine after market units and they have more
> > features and about a $3k price.
> >
> > I will never consider another car without a *good*
> > nav unit.
>
> i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems /utterly/
> ridiculous to me. just like people that buy cars based on the quality
> of the stereo. but hey, i'm told that some people worry about the color
> of their toilet paper too.

I'm amazed that people were able to exist even 10 years ago, given what
they consider an absolute necessity of life today.

Elmo P. Shagnasty

In article <5NednevsnINIWGPfRVn-vA@speakeasy.net>,
jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote:

> Brian Stell wrote:
> >> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know
> >> where i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why
> >> on earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use
> >> less than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally?
> >> i don't get it.
> >
> >
> > If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
> > it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
> > mapquest since it's free.
>
> that's my point - the vast majority of people don't go that far afield.
> personally, i live only 15 miles from work, don't use the car for
> work, yet i do about 25k per year. and i manage without nav. don't
> think that makes me extroardinary. if i have long distance travel to
> do, i fly & rent. can't say i've ever had a problem getting free maps
> from the rental company.
>
> >
> > I may just be different but I go to lots of
> > places other than work/local-stores all the time.
> > The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?
>
> >
> > But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
> > ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
> > did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
> > a different story).
> >
> > The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
> > It has address/type/phone info on a million
> > businesses in the US. This and the ability to
> > search these adds tremendously to the value.
>
> how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination? if you
> have destination, route is merely a planning exercise which has a
> trivial extension to incorporate all that you list.
>
> >
> > Here's why:
> >
> > Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
> > and needed to know where the nearest gas station
> > is?
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?
>
> they're in gas stations, malls, stores, etc.
>
> >
> > Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
> > specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
> > American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
> > restaurant this way.)
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
> > toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
> > drugstore / grocery store was?
>
> over the counter painkillers are at gas stations.
>
> >
> > Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
> > phone number of the nearest gas station so you
> > can call them to send someone out?
>
> no. i have aaa for that.
>
> >
> > Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
> > other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
> > wanted to find the nearest post office / police
> > station? Or hardware store / stereo store?
>
> no. you've posted this message, so presumably you have access to the
> net. if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!
>
> >
> > For me these features make the Honda nav unit
> > worth the money.
>
> that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other end of the spectrum to
> you when i say that.
>
> >
> > The newer nav units have real time routing
> > around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.
>
> so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going anywhere as there's no
> alternative routing. now what? send out for pizza?
>
> >
> > On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
> > for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
> > that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
> > really like the fact that I don't have to keep
> > referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
> > and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
> > attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
> > of routing.
> >
> > I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
> > because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
> > really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
> > $1k).
> >
> > Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
> > been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
> > (~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
> > route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
> > with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
> > (Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
> > Alpine after market units and they have more
> > features and about a $3k price.
> >
> > I will never consider another car without a *good*
> > nav unit.
>
> i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems /utterly/
> ridiculous to me. just like people that buy cars based on the quality
> of the stereo. but hey, i'm told that some people worry about the color
> of their toilet paper too.

I'm amazed that people were able to exist even 10 years ago, given what
they consider an absolute necessity of life today.

Brian Stell

>> The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?

Yes, way better. The nav is there in the car all
the time. Mapquest requires internet access. In
the past I've always had a full set of local maps
and had no problem using them. But the nav is
much more convenient and it pays attention to the
routing so I can focus on the driving.

>> The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
>> It has address/type/phone info on a million
>> businesses in the US. This and the ability to
>> search these adds tremendously to the value.
>
>
> how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination?

No one proposed driving at random.

> if you have destination, route is merely a planning
> exercise which has a trivial extension to incorporate
> all that you list.

So if you are out and want to go to a store but don't
have the address how do you plan the trip? Sure, stop
call information, call the store, write down the
address and then pull out the maps.

>> Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
>> and needed to know where the nearest gas station
>> is?
>
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.

There are lots of place where they're not "all over".
Having had the nav for a while it's really amazing
how many are near by but not visible.

An I acknowledge that it's certianly possible to
wander around long enough and find one.

>> Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
>> phone number of the nearest gas station so you
>> can call them to send someone out?
>
>
> no. i have aaa for that.

Good for you.

>> Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
>> other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
>> wanted to find the nearest post office / police
>> station? Or hardware store / stereo store?
>
>
> no. you've posted this message, so presumably you
> have access to the net.

The advantage is when I'm in the car. If I'm at
home or work I have phone books and the web.

I don't know many people that carry phone books
or have internet access in their car.

> if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!

Sure you can ask strangers on the street for
directions. People have done that for years.
However, it is my preference not to have depend
on the knowledge and kindness of strangers. And
there are lots of times when there is no one
around to ask.

>> For me these features make the Honda nav unit
>> worth the money.
>
>
> that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other
> end of the spectrum to you when i say that.

What do you me by "i'm coming from the other end of the
spectrum"?

>> The newer nav units have real time routing
>> around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.
>
>
> so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going
> anywhere as there's no alternative routing. now what?

Uh, the point is to avoid the problem in the first
place. Sure once you are there you are stuck on the
bridge you are stuck. But depending on where you
are heading taking the San Mateo bridge might be a
lot faster. And of course one can listen to the
radio to try and figure this out.

>>
>> I will never consider another car without a *good*
>> nav unit.
>
>
> i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems
> /utterly/ ridiculous to me. [silly comments snipped]

Isn't it great that we both can choose?

Brian Stell

>> The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?

Yes, way better. The nav is there in the car all
the time. Mapquest requires internet access. In
the past I've always had a full set of local maps
and had no problem using them. But the nav is
much more convenient and it pays attention to the
routing so I can focus on the driving.

>> The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
>> It has address/type/phone info on a million
>> businesses in the US. This and the ability to
>> search these adds tremendously to the value.
>
>
> how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination?

No one proposed driving at random.

> if you have destination, route is merely a planning
> exercise which has a trivial extension to incorporate
> all that you list.

So if you are out and want to go to a store but don't
have the address how do you plan the trip? Sure, stop
call information, call the store, write down the
address and then pull out the maps.

>> Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
>> and needed to know where the nearest gas station
>> is?
>
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.

There are lots of place where they're not "all over".
Having had the nav for a while it's really amazing
how many are near by but not visible.

An I acknowledge that it's certianly possible to
wander around long enough and find one.

>> Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
>> phone number of the nearest gas station so you
>> can call them to send someone out?
>
>
> no. i have aaa for that.

Good for you.

>> Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
>> other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
>> wanted to find the nearest post office / police
>> station? Or hardware store / stereo store?
>
>
> no. you've posted this message, so presumably you
> have access to the net.

The advantage is when I'm in the car. If I'm at
home or work I have phone books and the web.

I don't know many people that carry phone books
or have internet access in their car.

> if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!

Sure you can ask strangers on the street for
directions. People have done that for years.
However, it is my preference not to have depend
on the knowledge and kindness of strangers. And
there are lots of times when there is no one
around to ask.

>> For me these features make the Honda nav unit
>> worth the money.
>
>
> that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other
> end of the spectrum to you when i say that.

What do you me by "i'm coming from the other end of the
spectrum"?

>> The newer nav units have real time routing
>> around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.
>
>
> so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going
> anywhere as there's no alternative routing. now what?

Uh, the point is to avoid the problem in the first
place. Sure once you are there you are stuck on the
bridge you are stuck. But depending on where you
are heading taking the San Mateo bridge might be a
lot faster. And of course one can listen to the
radio to try and figure this out.

>>
>> I will never consider another car without a *good*
>> nav unit.
>
>
> i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems
> /utterly/ ridiculous to me. [silly comments snipped]

Isn't it great that we both can choose?