Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:28:32 EDT
Reply-To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject: Some Comments on GPS Systems and Audio Electronics (Not Short)
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Well, basically I'm frugal and sneaky when it comes to investments in the
Westfalia. After all, the family bank account is closely scrutinized by She Who
Must Be Obeyed.
Nonetheless after several navel introspection's, I have come to convince
myself that there are at least two critical accessories to maintain the quality of
life as I have come to know it. The first of these is a thumping, brilliant
and diverse sound system and the second of these is a GPS system.
For years, I have traveled the civilized world in rental cars using the Hertz
Neverlost nav system. This included the massive first and second generation
trunk mount Magellan systems and continues to the current 800/900 derived
portable system. At first, I looked at the early generation systems and was stunned
to find refurbished and hard used systems going for $1200. So I purchased
(eventually) a DeLorme Earthmate Bluetooth system , used the Bluetooth to
interface it with my Mac Powerbook (then G3) laptop, purchased the early beta version
of Route 66 GPS software with maps for Europe and North America. Worked fine,
but for two minor problems. The sun glare on the laptop screen and the detail
in the Route 66 maps sent me on many an unanticipated tour. Then there was
the near collision with the beer truck near the Hofbrau House in Munich. And,
secondly, this era of Mac Nav programs did not include the option for voice
prompts and direction. With the Vanagon, the problem was exaggerated by the
tendency of the laptop to launch upon braking and acceleration, not to mention
turns. I experimented with mounts, but the best put the laptop too far away to read
(bad eyes!).
So I have watched with drool as the prices of GPS systems dropped - at first
slowly, then more rapidly until many worthy units got to the $400 retail
level. During this window, our primary family transportation went from a Ford
Expedition to an Audi A4 CVT (love that transmission) to the current BMW 330i. The
BMW (2005 vintage) is equipped with the Factory Nav system. As the eyes got
worse (cataracts) and the print of unfamiliar roadsigns went away, the BMW nav
system became a treasured member of the family - and SWMBO willingly drove to
more exotic places. So, I determined that it was time to add discursive GPS to
the Westfalia.
So began the study of available goodies. At first, I examined the single DIN
combo stereo and GPS units that flipped a screen out of the unit to rest at 90
degrees to the radio GPS combo face. Alas, they broke easily and were too
pricey to slip past the family ruling class. I then looked at the portable units
and proceeded to devour all the reviews both by experts (read in the business
of selling GPS units or magazines or both) and by amateurs. Too quickly I
found that the so-called professional reviews closely followed the factory press
kit and the amateurs offered little factual substance. The user reviews
generally ranged from "unit X is wunnerful, buy it now" to "biggest POS I ever wasted
my money on, gave it to the dog for teething stress".
Now at the lab three of my colleagues are the very guys who designed and
built most of the world's satellite GPS transmitters and radios. We had a few
discussions about receivers, decoders, antennas software and maps and I walked
away with a few pointers for experiments to separate the men from the mammals (to
turn a phrase). So I embarked on a low dollar anecdotal study of GPs portable
units to find something adequate for my needs. Of course my needs are not
your needs etc. etc.
I decided that the performance of the final unit must be at least as good as
the classic Magellan 800/900 series, but substantially cheaper and better
looking. Finally, my wanderings settled on the Pioneer AVIC-S1. This unit was
designed around 2005/6 and was to be retailed at $1200, discounted to $900. The
unit now is in its next sales generation as the AVIC-S2. The differences are a
more updated Map set and a library of about 5x more points of interest.
The unit is available as a refurbed unit out of ebay and several internet
retailers for $199 with free shipping and no tax if you don't live in NY. (Why
would someone want to live in NY when NJ is so close?). OK, so many of the
reviews (users) were bad with specifics. But the tech specs were excellent. Liked
the look. Comes with dash and windshield mounts, AC and 12 vdc power supplies,
USB cable, DVD software disk, carrying case, internal antenna, internal
battery with a few hour lifetime, AND bluetooth. Now the Bluetooth goodie lets one
use the AVIC-S1 as a hands free telephone if your cell supports Bluetooth. Mine
does, I like it. Holds its one phone directory, etc, etc. Good.
So I got one. Looks good. Uses NavTeq map database in the US. Has a 2005
version MAP. Pioneer says 2007 Map upgrade by end of summer. They probably lie.
But it so happens that the BMX was delivered with the identical 2005 map
database. By nefarious means, I also have Navteq DVD's of their 2006 and 2007 updates
and am currently running 2007.2 in the BMW. Now, it turns out that I can
report that in my travels with the BMW across the lands west of the Rockies, I
have found no difference in the Maps (2005 vs. 2007). I tend not to examine the
Points of Interest feature because I never found anything I needed save a gas
station anyway. My primary test case is the campus of UC Santa Cruz. Isn't
there!
So I proceeded to test, twixt Death Valley and San Diego, Malibu to Palm
Springs, the attributes of the AVIC-S1. Including the specific negatives raised
by previous reviewers. Bogus. Turns out that they were just ignorant or tried
to use it in the tried and true Mac Fashion (Manual, who needs it!). It fact
the thing performed superbly. According to my GPS friends, resolution is a
biggie. Lots of access roads parallel to freeways in this part of the world.
Factory BM W messed up a few. The Pioneer got em dead on. The second issue is a
combo of software algorithms and microprocessor power. Namely, if you miss a turn,
how quickly can the Nav system give you a calculated detour to get you back
on track. Here the BMW is worth a few blocks at LA street speeds along with a
few softly uttered expletives. The Pioneer, over the same course, was like a
damn machine gun. Spits out a new route for every street passed. Impressive!
Finally, does it get lost in concrete canyons of high rise buildings. Answer in
downtown LA --- BMW lost lock several times, but the dash mounted Pioneer
never skipped a beat.
OK, the point of this ramble is that I think the Pioneer AVIC-S1
(refurbished) is a steal at $199 shipped. I bought the 3 year warranty (only comes with 90
days) for $20 additional.
Now for those not yet sleeping, a paragraph on sound. As described in the
archives, I have a substantial sound system in the Westfalia including BA
speakers(8) headphone jacks aplenty, power amplifiers for all speakers and a powerful
subwoofer system mounted under the driver's derriere. It includes cassette
(!) capability, a CD changer and auxiliary inputs. But times have changed. In
the BMW I listen to CDs (rarely) Sirius radio and my iPod all through the BMW
sound system. Well, out with the current head unit, and out with the CD changer.
I have now added a JVC KD-HDR1 head unit that include the traditional AM and
FM tuners along with a CD player. BUT it also includes a full HD radio tuner
for AMHD and FMHD. It also has an optional Ipod interface that is controlled by
the head unit or the remote control, displays selections on the head unit
while charging the ipod. The JVC head also has an optional Sirius radio tuner
that is controlled through the head unit. The line-outs are controlled through a
built-in graphic equalizer. The refurbed KD-HDR1 head is $115 plus shipping.
The ipod adapter KS-PD100 is $25 plus and the Sirius tuner SIR-JVC1 kit is $70.
So for $210 plus shipping one gets the current collage of broadcast,
satellite and custom music sources. So I blew $460 and change for a complete
modernization of the electronic care package!
Hope somebody gets something out of this missive,
Frank Grunthaner
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