How's the Nav system?

SteveH · 05-14-2008, 03:34 PM

I'm a longtime BMW owner and love their Nav. How's the Subaru system? I love Nav but if it's no good I'd rather just go with an aftermarket unit (I have a Nuvi 660 as well). Also is there bluetooth?

Should I get it or skip it?

Wales Garage · 05-14-2008, 04:37 PM

skip it, was my decision. i just dont see a point when there are better systems in the aftermarket world. heck, advance autoparts is selling a gps from china for $130. if the gps was bluetooth and had voice command for the HVAC and radio i would have gone for it

STUKA · 05-14-2008, 04:42 PM

You can get a garmin dirt cheap now. I don't know why people pay so much these days?

stiboost21 · 05-14-2008, 04:50 PM

yea but they also make navs which fit right in your console, consider those as i have a pioneer w/ blue tooth, touch screen, dvd, cd, mp3, and voice command. Also has the back up camera option but i don't really need that. Bought it used for 400 from my sisters boy friend before he sold his 06 sti, still had the nice seal on it and it does an amazing job.

HRCboy · 05-14-2008, 09:52 PM

In Canada, we only get our STI in one way - loaded. But if I had the option I definitely would not opt for it. I find it not very user friendly after using the Garmin. There are way better options aftermarket.

The DVD screen quality is dim and low grade. the one thing that bugs me the most is the TILT function is useless! It seems like the NAV/DVD was made for mounting below eye level. I think Subaru got a good deal from Kenwood and decided to put in STI and sell it for $2000. It was not made for the STI that's for sure.

Stedenko · 05-14-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I'm a longtime BMW owner and love their Nav. How's the Subaru system? I love Nav but if it's no good I'd rather just go with an aftermarket unit (I have a Nuvi 660 as well). Also is there bluetooth?

Should I get it or skip it?

In case you want yet another opinion: I'm in Canada as well where it's the only option. I love using it and I'm glad I have it, but I agree that the interface is pretty hard to get used to.

So, I'm happy I have it, but I wish it were better. So go aftermarket if that's an option. Plus, people haven't been happy with the stereo head unit anyway, so you can kill two birds with one stone.

YeloFva · 05-15-2008, 05:05 AM

Does the OEM nav unit have any kind of gauge read-out(i.e. boost, egt, oil temp)? Like the GT-R?

JuggernautTCW · 05-15-2008, 05:23 AM

i had a 2004 BMW 330ci w/ nav and I honestly did NOT like the BMW OEM nav at all... it just felt really really outdated and hard to use... it didnt have a touch screen. either the new one in the 08 STi is way better.

Stedenko · 05-15-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeloFva

Does the OEM nav unit have any kind of gauge read-out(i.e. boost, egt, oil temp)? Like the GT-R?

It does, but no boost. It has a average fuel use, current real-time fuel use, and accelerator %. Not super useful.

Spork · 05-15-2008, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stedenko

It does, but no boost. It has a average fuel use, current real-time fuel use, and accelerator %. Not super useful.

Wow did they just throw darts at a spinning board while blindfolded to pick the things the Nav would display?

kts262 · 05-15-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Also is there bluetooth?

Subaru does have a Bluetooth options, I've seen it in the accessory brochure but didn't see it listed on the website in the quick look I did. It comes with a mic that connects to the navi unit and then you can set the Bluetooth stuff up in the Navi unit.

I remember seeing a few posts about it on here but can't find it at the moment.

supermarkus · 05-15-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork

Wow did they just throw darts at a spinning board while blindfolded to pick the things the Nav would display?

It would seem so. after 6 months of stewing on it, I'm still angry you cant get nav independent of the bbs package. Stupid stupid stupid.

scoopman · 05-15-2008, 09:19 AM

Yeah Subaru lost $2000 or so from me -- no OEM navi isn't a big deal, there are some very decent aftermarket choices. For example, Kenwood has Garmin navigation built-in to its 7120 and 8120 decks...

Scoobie08STi · 05-15-2008, 10:16 PM

I have a TomTom and it works well for me

DGMSTIenroute · 05-16-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork

Wow did they just throw darts at a spinning board while blindfolded to pick the things the Nav would display?

Not at all. They spent that time devising 39 ways to display how #$%^y your mileage is when you're having any fun.

That said, coming from a Tomtom, it isn't a very intuitive system, and definitely would have more value with some more useful gauges built in (psi?, oil temp? Oprah's popularity rating?).

However, that said, once you get to know you're way around it (don't lose the manual, you'll need it) it's functions pretty well, and for my money, was a good addition to the car, considering: It's integrated (no wires hanging around your console), a seamless part of your dash (won't pop into your lap on a cold day at 80mph near a crucial exit), and works well when juggling around between nav, radio, satellite etc. with steering control on mode/volume/etc.

If they are smart, they'll add the above gauges and a good, direct iPod sync for 09. But I'm still glad I got mine. Besides, it makes a point of reminding me I have a Subaru each and every time I start the car. I'm sure that will become more important the I'm older I get.

05-14-2008, 03:34 PM	#1
SteveH Lurker Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 6 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	How's the Nav system? I'm a longtime BMW owner and love their Nav. How's the Subaru system? I love Nav but if it's no good I'd rather just go with an aftermarket unit (I have a Nuvi 660 as well). Also is there bluetooth? Should I get it or skip it? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

05-14-2008, 04:37 PM	#2
Wales Garage Junior STI Driver Car: 08 OBP STi Fav Mod: Boobies........oh, for a car Boost Location: Hunting DrewBears<3 Posts: 165 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? skip it, was my decision. i just dont see a point when there are better systems in the aftermarket world. heck, advance autoparts is selling a gps from china for $130. if the gps was bluetooth and had voice command for the HVAC and radio i would have gone for it

05-14-2008, 04:42 PM	#3
STUKA Senior STI Driver Car: Black 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: AP Location: Barnesville PA Posts: 339 Join Date: Feb 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? You can get a garmin dirt cheap now. I don't know why people pay so much these days?

05-14-2008, 04:50 PM	#4
stiboost21 Junior STI Driver Car: 07 STi SWP Location: Medford, NJ Posts: 136 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? yea but they also make navs which fit right in your console, consider those as i have a pioneer w/ blue tooth, touch screen, dvd, cd, mp3, and voice command. Also has the back up camera option but i don't really need that. Bought it used for 400 from my sisters boy friend before he sold his 06 sti, still had the nice seal on it and it does an amazing job.

05-14-2008, 09:52 PM	#5
HRCboy STI Driver Car: 08 STI and 07 R6 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 230 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? In Canada, we only get our STI in one way - loaded. But if I had the option I definitely would not opt for it. I find it not very user friendly after using the Garmin. There are way better options aftermarket. The DVD screen quality is dim and low grade. the one thing that bugs me the most is the TILT function is useless! It seems like the NAV/DVD was made for mounting below eye level. I think Subaru got a good deal from Kenwood and decided to put in STI and sell it for $2000. It was not made for the STI that's for sure. Last edited by HRCboy : 05-15-2008 at 12:55 AM.

05-15-2008, 05:05 AM	#7
YeloFva Spec C Club Car: 06 WRB/Gold STI Fav Mod: Sticky-icky Tires Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 1,311 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? Does the OEM nav unit have any kind of gauge read-out(i.e. boost, egt, oil temp)? Like the GT-R?

05-15-2008, 05:23 AM	#8
JuggernautTCW Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 05 WRX Sedan Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 378 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? i had a 2004 BMW 330ci w/ nav and I honestly did NOT like the BMW OEM nav at all... it just felt really really outdated and hard to use... it didnt have a touch screen. either the new one in the 08 STi is way better.

05-15-2008, 09:19 AM	#13
scoopman Junior STI Driver Car: 08 Spark Silver STI Fav Mod: getting rid of my RX-8 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 58 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? Yeah Subaru lost $2000 or so from me -- no OEM navi isn't a big deal, there are some very decent aftermarket choices. For example, Kenwood has Garmin navigation built-in to its 7120 and 8120 decks...

05-15-2008, 10:16 PM	#14
Scoobie08STi Junior STI Driver Car: Dark Gray 08 WRX STi Fav Mod: Cobb Accessport Posts: 63 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How's the Nav system? I have a TomTom and it works well for me