[bug2323]

is navigation worth the cost when with buick you get onstar that can tell you directions :help:

 

[mss42]

is navigation worth the cost when with buick you get onstar that can tell you directions :help:

You only get onstar free for one year and I believe the turn by turn nav is a separate cost from the reg onstar. not sure if anyone researched it but it was mentioned in earlier posts that onstar was teaming up w/mapquest for the turn by turn. dont know bout you but many people expressed the dislike of mapquest because they give wrong directions. i can personally say that mapquest sucks and they are behind the times of updating their information. Plus w/the blind spots behind the vehicle w/o the nav system you will not have the back up camera.

 

[GreginMD]

I think it is if you have the budget. GM's nav system works well and has several cool features. The auto re-route and route preview modes are fantastic. It's simple to use and very precise in it's directions. The street names and exit numbers I've heard called out so far have been pronounced perfectly.

OnStar, at $200, a year is probably the better value compared to the $3k nav system. You could also buy one of the many portable (stick to the windshield) type of navs for just a few hundred dollars.

Hope this helps,

Greg

 

[cyclops]

I think it is if you have the budget. GM's nav system works well and has several cool features. The auto re-route and route preview modes are fantastic. It's simple to use and very precise in it's directions. The street names and exit numbers I've heard called out so far have been pronounced perfectly.

OnStar, at $200, a year is probably the better value compared to the $3k nav system. You could also buy one of the many portable (stick to the windshield) type of navs for just a few hundred dollars.

The Onstar directions pkg is actually $299 to renew. With the 3k nav you are also getting an updated speaker and radio as well as the backup camera. Also, the nav system includes 2 free annual updates on the street/POI info.

Does this make it worth $3k? I guess it depends on how much you will use it. We have found a system like this very helpful on long road trips to see what is coming up at exits and how long we will need to wait if we don't stop now. In addition, it gives us an idea of arrival time, etc. Also, we are fairly new to the area of country we live in and have found it useful for finding new ways around town and on day trips. The camera is very sweet too!

 

[fenwah]

I was dead set against a navigation unit until last weekend when my neighbor's five year old daughter was partially run over by another neighbor backing out of his driveway in a large SUV. The girl's mother was preoccupied with her two year old son throwing a fit and the girl rode off on her bike not waiting for her mother. Luckily the girl only suffered a broken leg.

I could not live with myself if I ever did that to anybody. Therefore, I will get the navigation system just to get the backup camera. Our neighborhood is full of children who ride their bikes on the sidewalk. Therefore, a navigation system with a backup camera is the most important option that I need on the Enclave (or 2008 Acadia)...depending on what we decide on.

 

[shappy]

The camera is a must have feature for me. Check out this "test" I did for the rear camera of my Murano: http://www.nissanmurano.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7088&highlight=camera

 

[netmag]

I have designated the NAV system as a must have. It's really convenient to not have to worry about getting lost. We have used my PocketPC as a GPS system and my wife now sees the benefit of having a NAV system. Having a built in one will be nice.

It can allow you to be more adventurous as far as going some place you haven't been before. Sort of the "well since we're out here maybe we can shoot over to someplace and check something out" type of thing. It doesn't matter if you didn't already print out directions or if you're not sure where it is, it's not as big of a hassle to just go somewhere on a whim.

The On Star stuff can probably achieve that sense of freedom as well but we're still set on getting a NAV system.
That being said it does seem a bit overpriced but the the rear-camera and upgraded sound system add even more justification.
Also, you can then give voice commands for certain things as well.
I wish they had the option for traffic too and also built-in hands-free bluetooth communication would be nice as well.

 

[GoTerps]

As one who is directionally challenged, the nav system is a must. I have one now, and I carry a Garmin portable GPS when I travel. Go for it; you won't be disappointed.

Go Terps!

 

[Gator]

Let's face it, the NAV system is just "bling". A back-up camera is important. On the Today Show a little while back they were able to put 12 toddlers behind a Volvo XC90 SUV without the driver being able to see them until the back-up camera went on. I believe that sensors and back-up cameras will be standard features on all SUVs one day soon. After market wireless cameras cost only a few hundred dollars, but if you can afford the "bling" on your Enclave with the Nav - at least you can justify the added safety although maybe not the added cost:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18789538/

 

[mss42]

well "bling :sunny: bling" baby!!!!! :woot: :woot: :banana:

 

[jcflorida]

Here are a couple of thoughts on Onstar vs. nav.

For the directionally challenged, Onstar may be better. Talking with a real person and then getting turn by turn instructions will work best for some people. For those more comfortable with maps, the nav system will be more appealing and having a map displayed to provide geographic context will suit some.

The nav system costs $2000 (above the speaker upgrade portion) and after two yearly updates it will cost to keep the data current. The Onstar will have a yearly fee after the first year. It will take several years before the total cost of Onstar will equal the cost of the nav system. You may replace the vehicle long before the Onstar costs equal the nav costs.

The Onstar database is updated throughout the year. The nav database will be updated once per year.

 

[axiama]

Maybe I"m old fashioned, but I can buy a road atlas for $19.95.

 

[mss42]

lol axima, then you will have to stop to read it.... i like the road atlas on the dash hehehehehe.

 

[netmag]

yes, technically I think the OnStar is probably a better deal financially over the amount of time that you would have the vehicle. I'm sure GM priced things so that would be the case because they want to push OnStar. Also, the maps would probably be more up to date on OnStar. I assume you could also probably just ask them something like "where's the nearest someplace" too.

However, there are some people (like me) who really don't want to talk to a person. I would rather punch in an address or look something up from a black box with a screen than speak to "big brother" in the sky. For me it's more effort to explain to someone where I want to go than to just ask the computer. If I'm feeling lazy that day and forget an important detail, I'd rather just re-punch it up on the NAV than talk to someone again to get the updated directions. That's just me though. I want to have the control and the maps. And I definitely don't want to ask somebody "how do I get home from here?" type of stuff. Maybe it's just my ego.

 

[Static]

Another thing to keep in mind is the added value when you sell the vehicle. You will recoup some of the cost of the Nav. I have the Nav and backup camera on an '06 Nissan Armada (Trading it in on Saturday for our new Enclave!) and you learn to appreciate seeing what is behind you. For those that never had nav before, you will find that you never want to go without it again.

 

[coopermine]

I want it simply due to poor visibility when backing up. $4000 Entertainment Package 4 sure is alot of money for a little bling. I do not need navigation since I am a MAN and don't need directions but i need the backup camera.

Since I am planning to lease, Ent pack 4 only add $33/mo on a 39 month lease. Or roughly $1300 overall, not a bad deal, therefore I am planning to get it.

If you do not care for Nav and planning to buy the vehicle then you can install some after market backup camera. Someone at Acadiafourm has mounted one on his Acadia, it does the job.

 

[mss42]

I want it simply due to poor visibility when backing up. $4000 Entertainment Package 4 sure is alot of money for a little bling. I do not need navigation since I am a MAN and don't need directions but i need the backup camera.

it figures w/the price gas you men should be the first in line for the nav system always driving around in circles cause ya dont wanna ask for directions.... :angryfire: really gets on the ladies nerves hehehehehehe ;D hno: :sosad:

 

[coopermine]

Oh I forgot to mention the other reason for getting nav is that, the Enclave will be my wife Car ;D nothing much to say.

I get a call almost once a month to find an alternate route, when she gets stuck on the freeway. I hope the Nav system will be easy enough for her to use, otherwise I will be just wasting money :banghead:

 

[mss42]

Oh I forgot to mention the other reason for getting nav is that, the Enclave will be my wife Car ;D nothing much to say.

I get a call almost once a month to find an alternate route, when she gets stuck on the freeway. I hope the Nav system will be easy enough for her to use, otherwise I will be just wasting money :banghead:

:rofl: my sons are my gadget men... they can work any electrical item i bring around hehehehehehe they are 13 and 9.

 

[coopermine]

Here is the link for the after market backup camera system from Acadiaforum.net

http://www.acadiaforum.net/forum/index.php?topic=674.0