| Pioneer AVIC-N1 - 12volt Tuning
In the days before navigation, planning a long trip with multiple stops was a taxing proposition. You could do it, but you haf to study maps, plot courses, make phone calls to see about places along the way where you could sleep, eat, and visit little tourist sites to break up the monotony of driving. Then, you'd still wind up lost because of a missed sign or turn. Try getting your folded map to re-route for you.
When you think of how tedious and frustrating getting around was with printed maps (and asking for directions from ignorant locals), any nav system is a huge improvement. We've used some fairly simple systems. Even those are better than the old analog way. But the three units we're looking at in this comparison are some of the best aftermarket GPS navigation systems you can buy. Pioneer's AVIC-N1 has a flip-out monitor and has a touchscreen unit. Eclipse's AVN2454 is a double-DIN unit that is perfect for a vehicle with the dash space. And the Alpine is a stand-alone unit without as many features but offers great performance.
We set up criterion based on what we as consumers look for most in a nav product. Our purpose was to evaluate the systems against those criterion and one another. We looked at: ease of use, ergonomics, guidance routing/re-routing speed, visual guidance lead-time, graphic features and usability, as well as the add-on features of each.
With only a few exceptions, the systems from each of the companies functioned almost flawlessly. We entered addresses in various ways: by address, intersection, point of interest and phone number. There was some discrepancy between the three in terms of routing and accuracy of mapping, but basically everyone got to the destination without the mental hassle of searching out street signs or stopping at a gas station for help.
The three systems are truly comparable and picking one over the other is as difficult as finding your way through an unfamiliar state without the aid of navigation technology. But we did anyway. Read on to find out why we liked a particular product best.
Pioneer AVIC-N1 MSRP: $2,200"Maybe we should have called it the All-N1." That's how Pioneer's ad reads for the AVIC-N1. After evaluating the unit, we have to agree. The AVIC-N1 uses a standard DIN-size chassis that incorporates a fully motorized, 6.5-inch touchscreen monitor and AM/FM tuner. It even plays DVDs, CDs and MP3s. A small hideaway unit connects to the display unit via a 30-pin umbilical cord. While we are not sure of its complete contents, we do know it contains a gyro and electronic compass for features found in the Vehicle Dynamics Display. Pioneer also offers accessories for the AVIC-N1 such as a CD-VC1 voice recognition kit, CD-RV1 rear seat mini-remote, ND-BC1 rear-view camera and a satellite-fed GEX-P910XM XM Radio receiver.
Two Tele Atlas map DVDs are provided with the system, covering the USA and parts of Canada, separated into east and west. The discs are broken down into areas the user selects based on his destination or current location. Once selected, the user can enter the Navi Menu and choose from eight options to locate his destination. Selections include: address search, return home, go to, vicinity search, address book, telephone search, freeway search and over 12 million points of interest. A quick trip to the Settings and Route Options menus gives the user several ways to customize his navigation route and information display depending on his preferences. Some examples are designating areas to avoid, choosing fastest or shortest routes, avoiding freeways and toll roads, language selection, KM/Mile setting and average speed adjustments (to better calculate your ETA, just to name a few). Additionally, Pioneer included Connection Status in the menu to check that the navigation unit is installed in the vehicle correctly-a nice touch, indeed.
The AVIC-N1 offers no less than four types of map displays and three additional view modes for mapping your route. The Map View is the most generic, depicting a broad view of the immediate area surrounding your location (map size is adjustable). Next up is the Driver's View, offering a split-screen with a 3D look from the driver's viewpoint and map view. The remaining two supplementary displays, Guide View and Route View, combine variations of turn-by-turn instructions along side a map view. As mentioned, there are three additional view modes: AV Status, offering split-screen with information on the current audio source and a map view; a Rear View that displays live video from the optional rear view camera; and a Vehicle Dynamics Display. This last display function really sets the AVIC-N1 apart from its opponents. While not a navigation display, the Vehicle Dynamics Display offers a speedometer and two selectable displays from voltage, acceleration, angular velocity, slope, clock, side acceleration and direction (compass) available for viewing.
One of the nicer features and, to our knowledge only available on the AVIC-N1, is the navigation memory. Once the destination is entered and the route mapped, the nav disc can be ejected and a CD or DVD inserted. All of the nav information is stored in the built-in 64MB of RAM. The user can use as many as three zones of operation, such as radio, DVD (with the external output while the vehicle is in motion), and navigation.
Pioneer's AVIC-N1 not only delivers navigation, but entertainment, performance information and fun. For additional information on the Pioneer AVIC-N1 check out www.pioneerelectronics.com or www.avic-n1.com.
Eclipse AVN2454 MSRP: $2,299It's always nice when someone breaks the mold. That is exactly what Eclipse did with the AVN2454. Knowing there are millions of vehicles on the road that come from the factory with double-DIN head units, Eclipse decided to use that as a base. The AVN2454 is an advanced navigation unit that has both a built-in CD and DVD player and multi-source receiver. It also contains a 6.5-inch TFT touch-panel, widescreen display. For those of you who have used flip-out monitors, you know they often get in the way of items such as the climate controls. The AVN's display is prominent all of the time, assuming the position of the faceplate of the head unit; it does not flip out or up and makes for a clean, integrated look. Unfortunately, it will not fit every car. Bummer, since Eclipse did a wonderful job incorporating everything in one unit (there is no hideaway unit), making for a favorable installation.
The AVN's controls are easy to use and intuitive. There are a total of 12 buttons to the left and right of the screen that allow the user to access different sources or menus and operate the general controls of the unit. This includes the tilt button that, when pushed, tilts the display in 5-degree increments with a maximum of 30-degrees. The remaining menus and adjustments are done through touchscreen operations.
Navigation is launched using Denso mapping software that covers the United States and portions of Canada with over 11 million points of interest. Unlike the other units in this review, the AVN's software contains all of the mapping information on one disc, but a search area must be chosen before entering your destination. Destinations can be found by using one of the following search features: address search, POI (point of interest) name, map search, memory search, emergency, previous destinations, coordinates and home. Users can choose between three route options labeled Quick 1, Quick 2 and Short. Routes are limited to standard map viewing with the option of a split screen that zooms in on the vehicle's location. Once selected, there is also an option of displaying a turn list for route preview or viewed while driving. Eclipse also added a section where detours and route preferences are added and changed.
While driving, voice prompts keep you well informed of upcoming directions. The voice prompt has two welcome features: first, directions are prompted out of the driver's side front door only while audio continues to play through the remaining channels; second, along with voice level control for the prompts, there is also a choice for adaptive volume that self-adjusts while driving.
Users have the option of listening to either CD or AM/FM channels while the navigation is in progress and make any audio adjustments necessary. However, if movies are your thing, DVDs can be viewed only when the navigation is not in use or by passengers using a secondary video system while the vehicle is in motion.
Eclipse did a wonderful job incorporating everything into one unit. While it may be lacking some of the special features of the N1, AVN makes waves with its ease of use and smooth integration. More information on the AVN2454 can be had at www.eclipse-web.com.
Alpine NAV-200 MSRP: $1,800Not everyone wants to upgrade their car stereo just to incorporate a navigation system, and Alpine knows this. The NAV-200 stand-alone navigation package incorporates Alpine's NVE-N852A DVD-based PowerNav system with a high-resolution 5.8-inch widescreen monitor, the TME-M850. Also included is the new Smart Map Pro Version 2.0 DVD-ROM software delivering full map coverage of the continental United States and parts of Canada. It has over 11 million points of interest, such as ATMs, restaurants, shopping malls and even hardware stores and garden nurseries.
The NAV-200 is the only unit in our review that does not include touch-panel controls. Instead, Alpine includes a wireless audio/navigation remote control. While not as easy to use as a touchscreen, it is fairly intuitive and gets the job done. We should note the NAV-200 does not connect with your audio system, so you need an external speaker for voice prompts. However, there is an audio interrupt circuit that mutes your radio while voice prompts are played. But, as written in the manual, this option may require additional parts and labor.
Destinations on this system are chosen by: address, major intersection, recent destination, address book, selecting location from map display, origin of route, today's planner and POI. Within the POI, additional selections are made using place name or type, phone number, and latitude and longitude. Additional POI such as gas stations and restaurants can appear as icons on the map. Alpine offers several route options including alternative route/detour settings, maximize/minimize freeway usage, toll roads, and a simple quickest route. If for some reason there is a problem with the connections, the GPS Status option confirms the navigation unit is installed correctly-we like self-troubleshooting electronics!
Alpine includes two viewing displays when mapping your route. The Map View is the standard screen with zoom in and out features of the area surrounding your location. Split Screen display shows the Map View on half of the screen and a close-up view on the other. If desired, turn-by-turn instructions are viewed using the Street list in the Route Options menu.
The NAV-200 performs exceptionally, but could be upgraded to keep up with full-featured touchscreen units now available. But, if our intuition is correct, we should see something along those lines soon from our friends at Alpine. For more detailed information regarding the NAV-200, check out www.Alpine-usa.com.