I'm ordering a new F150 on Monday, I've got all my options figured out but I'm unsure about the navagation system. It is a little under $2000 which would make it the most expensive option I got. What does the "dvd based" mean, the best I can figure is that you put in a dvd that is loaded with all the street information and the system uses that rather than GPS. Is that right or am I toally out in left field? Also does that mean that I can watch dvds on it?

Anyways I just can't decide what to do and I thought if I had some more information about it, making my desision might be easier.

 

DVD contains street level details and other info (like shops, etc) It still has GPS.

 

Your gps is there, it just works with maps that are stored on a DVD instead of being loaded on a hard drive. Just the North American maps alone would require a huge hard drive.

 

so compared to a aftermarket install is this system worth the 2000 bucks, and do you know if it can play a dvd movie?

 

The Ford system can not play a DVD movie, IIRC.

 

I got a dvd based navagation unit that came in my Town & country and i love it! I will never buy another car/truck again without it. One time i was in Chicago and this guy blocked me from my exit, i just jumped off at the next, and it recalculated and directed me instantly back on to where i was heading. So if you can afford it, i say do it. I know i will....

 

For close to 2 grand it should play Blu-ray. Guess they need to make some margin somewhere, why not the "new" NAV system.

 

It's not my buck but, I'd probably keep that in my wallet and spring for a nice aftermarket unit...

I have an Eclipse AVN5435 that is a DVD-based Nav as well but, it also plays DVD movies and, in my opinion, looks just as good (if not better) than the available optional DVD system... in fact, I've been told by countless people that 'it looks stock'.

Here's a couple of pics:







The 'off the shelf' price for this unit was $1300 I believe. I installed it so I can't attest to the installed price but, I wouldn't expect it to be terrible. One thing that you'll have with an aftermarket unit is a GPS antenna (mine is on my dash -- it's about a 1.5" square with wiring totall concealed -- if I don't point it out to people, they NEVER notice it).

One other thing to think about is if you want to go a satellite radio route. Yes, I know Ford has factory Sirius now but, I added it to the Eclipse unit that I have for an additional $100ish (plus monthly charge obviously). That, in turn, added another antenna to the roof that I ran out of the 3rd brake light. Again, it's so low profile and concealed that you'll almost never notice it but, it's there. It doesn't bother me though...

Oh yeah, other perks for an aftermarket include better output to the speakers, more EQ settings typically, most have 'touch screens' which adds to the simplicity in use as well as the 'wow' factor... and there are several other perks to aftermarket...

If you're like me, I wanted high performance with DVD in something that looked stock -- for me, I found what I wanted.

I hope this helps!!

RP

 

hey rock, does that give voice commands as well? I had an RX8 which i traded for my truck and it had built in nav that worked off a dvd and it gave voice commands, ie, Turn Slight Left, or exit 3.8 miles away, etc........does this do it as well?

and can u ground the Ebrake wire in it to allow for DVD Playback while driving?


also how would one be able to play a CD & use the nav? the one in my car had a seperate dvd drive in the back for the nav unit, adn then my cd head unit was available, would i theoretically be able to hook it up to a 6 cd changer and then have the nav disc in the DVD tray & control the CD simultaneouslly? how would taht work, thats kinda odd to think about, hope you can clear it up.

 

dont know for sure on that model but most have 2 slots one for the nav the other for your dvd/cds

 

yup you're right, found that at crutchfield, but my only question now remains, can i ground the ebrake wire so i can watch DVD's while driving & ok a 2nd quesiton, if my truck has a factory sub will it still work with the new head unit?

 

Yep. It's a female's voice. It only plays through the driver's side front speaker -- obviously, the one nearest the driver. When you are almost immediately to the 'turn', you'll also get an audible 'tone' signifying that this is your street.

Yep. I did that. It works perfectly well while driving.


The picture posted by Higgs is exactly how mine looks when the screen folds down. Two slots. The bottom is the Nav-DVD. The top is the CD/MP3.

Obviously, you can't use NAV and watch a DVD at the same time... it's one or the other. The next model 'up' from the one I had included an internal hard drive rather than a DVD slot for the Nav. In short, you could have both a the same time I suppose... To me, that seemed useless though -- especially for another $400 or so (if memory serves me correctly).

I hope that helps out...

RP

 

sorry, but one last question, idk if you have it but i have the factory sub installed & if i get this will the sub still work? I hav 2 tens i'd love to install but i don't hav the money for a box for them yet, especially if i plan on getting the dvd/nav system, and also, where did you install the Antenna for the Nav?

sorry for all the questions, but you've been such a gr8 help so far & before i dive in & spend the 1300+ i just want to know what i'm getting myself into, especially if i plan on installing this myself lol

thanks again RP

 

RP that looks great I'm just stuck with the factory unit.

I have the rail DVD. I'm hoping the 07 Nav system from ford will also work the 04 rail DVD system. That would be very very nice.

 

not useless if the dvd portion was hooked up to moniters in the back seats for the kids and the driver still wanted to use the navi. just saying diff people need diff things so useless to you but not useless.