Do you prefer factory nav or aftermarket?

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Sep 16, 2013 | 02:11 PM
  #1  
Hi everyone, first post here as a future potential G owner - looking specifically at 06-07 coupes, and been doing a bunch of research here, but have one question. In this day of (relatively) inexpensive double-din all-in-one navigation units and smartphones with built-in GPS, how much should I care about finding a used G with OEM navigation?

In comparing the interiors, it seems to me like the storage space that non-nav cars have is more practical than a non-touchscreen nav unit, especially when I can replicate the functionality with an aftermarket double-din deck or my smartphone or TomTom mounted on the windshield. So for you owners with OEM nav, how valuable is it to you? And if you had the option (cost and effort notwithstanding), would you keep your OEM setup if given the option to have a double-din nav unit in place of your factory head unit?

One other question while I'm here - I still haven't quite figured out the options packages, but are there any very desirable options I'd be giving up by getting a car without nav? Or was navigation a standalone option and not bundled in with other technology options (bluetooth/etc)?

As an OCD engineer and former stereo installer, these small details matter to me

Thanks all!
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Sep 16, 2013 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
Quote: Hi everyone, first post here as a future potential G owner - looking specifically at 06-07 coupes, and been doing a bunch of research here, but have one question. In this day of (relatively) inexpensive double-din all-in-one navigation units and smartphones with built-in GPS, how much should I care about finding a used G with OEM navigation?

In comparing the interiors, it seems to me like the storage space that non-nav cars have is more practical than a non-touchscreen nav unit, especially when I can replicate the functionality with an aftermarket double-din deck or my smartphone or TomTom mounted on the windshield. So for you owners with OEM nav, how valuable is it to you? And if you had the option (cost and effort notwithstanding), would you keep your OEM setup if given the option to have a double-din nav unit in place of your factory head unit?

One other question while I'm here - I still haven't quite figured out the options packages, but are there any very desirable options I'd be giving up by getting a car without nav? Or was navigation a standalone option and not bundled in with other technology options (bluetooth/etc)?

As an OCD engineer and former stereo installer, these small details matter to me

Thanks all!
OEM navigation is worthless. The only thing it's good for is tracking miles since last oil change.... oh I guess I use the screen as a backrest to hold up my smartphone as well.

Smartphone navigation is worlds better than the factory navigation or any DDin with built-in navigation.

The factory bluetooth is barely passable too, so no, you do not give up any worthwhile option by foregoing the navigation option. The only option package that is a definite necessity is the journey package, with the sport package coming being almost as good. The bose system is worse than the non-bose system as well.
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Sep 16, 2013 | 07:23 PM
  #3  
Factory nav blows. Google maps is much better. Even with factory nav, I usually plugged my phone in and used it as my nav.
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Sep 16, 2013 | 07:26 PM
  #4  
Factory nav sucks. It's not up to date and don't show live traffic unless you pay for it. On my phone i look at the flow of traffic.
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Sep 16, 2013 | 08:16 PM
  #5  
I like the factory nav just for the fact it tells me what road im on but i use my phone nav for everything else..
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