My RANT after 6 months with the OEM NAV system...

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[Architect]

Okay, we purchased our '10 CXL-2 Enclave summer of 2009, and my wife wanted the convenience of a navigation system.  I was passively aware that it wasn't the greatest system in the world, but it did it's job.  And to make a long story short, it does seem to perform just fine.  However, my gripes are with the implementation and interface gaffes of the system:

1 - You have to zoom WAY in to get the system to even BEGIN to label any city names...it's ridiculous.   

2 - When it FINALLY is close enough to display names, THEY'RE entirely random!  It's like there's absolutely NO hierarchy to listing major cities first.  So, even when you do zoom in, it's listing arbitrary towns of 500 people instead of the next sizable town of 10,000 clearly located within the frame of view.   

3 - WHY oh WHY must the system place the vehicle in the CENTER of the screen!  Who the @#$)!!!! cares what's BEHIND ME!!!!  This may be a typical issue with other systems, but it's such a waste of screen real estate.  When you force the stupid view to one side or the other, it places the dumb pointer on the screen and hence supplants the ACTUAL destination arrival to that of the pointer.   

The newer systems (new LaCrosse for example) are WORLDS better than this, both in sophistication, graphics resolution and features.  I'm really surprised Buick didn't upgrade this system in the '10 Enclaves.  Oh well....

[rockyp]

I'm curious - in the '08, there is no way to sort the address book. What a stupid choice that was on some designer's part!! Have they improved that? Can you sort addresses on your 2010 NAV?

[Architect]

I'm curious - in the '08, there is no way to sort the address book. What a stupid choice that was on some designer's part!! Have they improved that? Can you sort addresses on your 2010 NAV?

rockyp - I'm not sure.  I haven't checked.  So far, that hasn't been a noticeable issue.

However, the fact that you can't SCROLL down lists is mind-boggling!!!  So I can use NINETY-FIVE of the functionality, but somehow disabling FIVE percent is suppose to be prudently safe?  I think it has ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT to do with forcing you to use the One Star Service (which is admittedly nice, but not nice enough to pay through the nose).

[GoldEnclave]

rockyp - I'm not sure.  I haven't checked.  So far, that hasn't been a noticeable issue.

However, the fact that you can't SCROLL down lists is mind-boggling!!!  So I can use NINETY-FIVE of the functionality, but somehow disabling FIVE percent is suppose to be prudently safe?  I think it has ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT to do with forcing you to use the One Star Service (which is admittedly nice, but not nice enough to pay through the nose).

I'll admit it: I am an OnStar fanatic. I like the way the system works, and am willing to pay the price. 

[newtobuick]

I too share the frustration with the Enclave nav system ... but it is WAY better than the systems of just a few years ago! One of the biggest problema is that it is DVD based. 
The new Ford system is hard-drive based and is light years ahead of my Enclave's.
We tried one in a Lincoln MKS before we ordered a 2010 model and were astounded by it's capability.
Technology marches on! 

[cableguy]

Archi, you can always replace it with a nice Kenwood, Pioneer or Rosen unit and put your's on eBay...it will sell

I have the Kenwood in my Diesel VW Jetta and LOVE it!  Built in Garmin GPS and Parrot Bluetooth...the two world leaders in their fields.  I know Rexster has the Kenwood too in his Clave.

[goochman]

If it makes you feel any better Mazada has the same system in the CX-9 line but the interface is even worse.

[Architect]

Archi, you can always replace it with a nice Kenwood, Pioneer or Rosen unit and put your's on eBay...it will sell

I have the Kenwood in my Diesel VW Jetta and LOVE it!  Built in Garmin GPS and Parrot Bluetooth...the two world leaders in their fields.  I know Rexster has the Kenwood too in his Clave.

cableguy - as an early adopter of tech, I'm tempted.  But that'd just be too much money down the drain for relatively minor inconveniences, since I've already purchased the OEM system and would take a substantial loss on the resell, and of course the cost of a "new" system.  I regret not doing more research on the NAV options before bringing home our '10 CXL-2!   

[aztransplant]

I'm tired of "big brother" dictating what we can and cannot do.  A nav system that does not allow input while the vehicle is in motion is just another example of big brother protecting us from ourselves.  Personally I'm smart enough to know that I should pull over if I want to use the nav system; however, my spouse is almost always in the car with me -- why can't a passenger use the nav system while somone else drives???  You can use a Garmin product while a vehicle is in motion, so why can't you do the same with in-dash systems?  Just does not make any sense.  I, too, wish I had done more research before buying a 2010 CXL-2 with the navigation system.  I could have (should have) saved a lot of money and simply moved my Garmin into the Enclave.  Of course, GM does this because they want more On-Star subscribers, but they are going to have to get a better price point if they want to keep my business when renewal time comes.  I predict a lot less navigation systems will be sold with cars as more and more people become aware of the limitations of the newer systems. 

End of rant!

[goochman]

It also shouldnt be too difficult to enable all options if someone is detected in the passengar seat - they need to do this for Airbags anyhow - if someone over 60 lbs is in the seat presume the passenger can operate while moving.

[wait4me]

It also shouldnt be too difficult to enable all options if someone is detected in the passengar seat - they need to do this for Airbags anyhow - if someone over 60 lbs is in the seat presume the passenger can operate while moving.

Great idea... This just may be an option worth pursuing... 

[GoldEnclave]

+1 Maybe GM will read this.

[Architect]

It also shouldnt be too difficult to enable all options if someone is detected in the passengar seat - they need to do this for Airbags anyhow - if someone over 60 lbs is in the seat presume the passenger can operate while moving.

VERY good idea!

And, I do think the On-Star navigation "destination" assist is fantastic...but there's no way I'm paying THAT much for it.  Good thing it's free for the first year.