OT: Navigation System - With familiarity, contempt or respect? (Long)
07-05-2000, 10:57 AM
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OT: Navigation System - With familiarity, contempt or respect? (Long)
Here's a positive review I found, assuming it's the same model in the TT...
Navigation system proves its worth in Vancouver tests
Easy to program, easy to use and accurate even on tiny streets, Audi's GPS is the obvious wave of the future.
Tony Whitney
Southam Newspapers
Until recently, all my driving experience with automotive navigation computers had been in Europe -- notably with upscale German sedans. I drive a lot of new models for the first time overseas, but never make a final decision on their merits -- or otherwise -- until I've driven them over familiar roads around BC -- and the same goes for navigation systems.
A couple of weeks ago, I got my first "home roads" taste of a global positioning system (GPS) based navigation computer with Audi's 2000 A8, a top-end luxury sedan with a unique five-valves-per-cylinder V-8 engine. T
Navigation systems differ from car to car and the one in my Audi proved to be the simplest I'd ever tried. Basically, it uses a small screen right in the middle of the instrument panel that's really easy to scan without looking too far away from the road ahead -- an important safety feature.
The screen provides a directional arrow and, amazingly enough, the name of the street or highway you're driving along. You also get an estimated time of arrival, which turned out to be surprisingly accurate, considering that the computer can't compensate for unexpected traffic holdups.
In actual use, you don't really have to look at the screen at all because all the information needed to complete a programmed journey comes via a pleasant female voice issuing from a speaker somewhere on the dash. You get warnings of upcoming turns and even forks in the road. When the voice says "turn right in 100 metres" it means just that. If you miss a turn, the voice tells you to take a series of turns to get back on track. If you carry on regardless of the instruction, the computer plans another route altogether if this is feasible.
Programming was easy -- it had to be because my test car didn't come with any nav system operating instructions. I managed with the help of my 13-year-old computer nut son.
To set up the navigation system, you first need the right CD in its slot. This software is available for most of North America and Europe now and each one covers a very wide area.
Using a mouse-like **** on the central console and using the little screen, you select the town or city you want to get to and then work through a list of streets. You can even input a specific house number. Even the smallest street in the area you're operating in is listed -- and shows up on the screen when you get there. Also listed in the "menu" are key destinations like airports, sports facilities and hotels.
The accuracy of the navigator proved almost uncanny. GPS systems take continuous readings off several satellites and the vehicle is pinpointed almost to the metre. I tried several test routes that might have caused confusion, but never once fooled the computer. On one trip I drove from West Vancouver to Annacis island, by no means a straightforward journey.
Even the mish-mash of roads and ramps around the Queensborough Bridge in New Westminster was taken care of safely and accurately.
Right now, navigation systems are only available on luxury cars, but it's my belief that within five years you'll be able to get one with almost any vehicle -- and not for too much extra money, either.
The hardware is really quite simple and you can buy a decent (non-automotive) GPS unit at an outdoors store now for $250 or so.
If you're planning to buy a luxury car and a navigation system is an option, my advice is to take it.
Once you've used one, there'll be no going back. It's also worth considering that these systems enhance safety (no groping through traffic and trying to read a map) and save fuel (no getting lost looking for an elusive address).
Tony Whitney is an award-winning auto journalist and host of the popular TV show Driver's Seat. He writes here on behalf of the BC Automobile Dealers Association.
Navigation system proves its worth in Vancouver tests
Easy to program, easy to use and accurate even on tiny streets, Audi's GPS is the obvious wave of the future.
Tony Whitney
Southam Newspapers
Until recently, all my driving experience with automotive navigation computers had been in Europe -- notably with upscale German sedans. I drive a lot of new models for the first time overseas, but never make a final decision on their merits -- or otherwise -- until I've driven them over familiar roads around BC -- and the same goes for navigation systems.
A couple of weeks ago, I got my first "home roads" taste of a global positioning system (GPS) based navigation computer with Audi's 2000 A8, a top-end luxury sedan with a unique five-valves-per-cylinder V-8 engine. T
Navigation systems differ from car to car and the one in my Audi proved to be the simplest I'd ever tried. Basically, it uses a small screen right in the middle of the instrument panel that's really easy to scan without looking too far away from the road ahead -- an important safety feature.
The screen provides a directional arrow and, amazingly enough, the name of the street or highway you're driving along. You also get an estimated time of arrival, which turned out to be surprisingly accurate, considering that the computer can't compensate for unexpected traffic holdups.
In actual use, you don't really have to look at the screen at all because all the information needed to complete a programmed journey comes via a pleasant female voice issuing from a speaker somewhere on the dash. You get warnings of upcoming turns and even forks in the road. When the voice says "turn right in 100 metres" it means just that. If you miss a turn, the voice tells you to take a series of turns to get back on track. If you carry on regardless of the instruction, the computer plans another route altogether if this is feasible.
Programming was easy -- it had to be because my test car didn't come with any nav system operating instructions. I managed with the help of my 13-year-old computer nut son.
To set up the navigation system, you first need the right CD in its slot. This software is available for most of North America and Europe now and each one covers a very wide area.
Using a mouse-like **** on the central console and using the little screen, you select the town or city you want to get to and then work through a list of streets. You can even input a specific house number. Even the smallest street in the area you're operating in is listed -- and shows up on the screen when you get there. Also listed in the "menu" are key destinations like airports, sports facilities and hotels.
The accuracy of the navigator proved almost uncanny. GPS systems take continuous readings off several satellites and the vehicle is pinpointed almost to the metre. I tried several test routes that might have caused confusion, but never once fooled the computer. On one trip I drove from West Vancouver to Annacis island, by no means a straightforward journey.
Even the mish-mash of roads and ramps around the Queensborough Bridge in New Westminster was taken care of safely and accurately.
Right now, navigation systems are only available on luxury cars, but it's my belief that within five years you'll be able to get one with almost any vehicle -- and not for too much extra money, either.
The hardware is really quite simple and you can buy a decent (non-automotive) GPS unit at an outdoors store now for $250 or so.
If you're planning to buy a luxury car and a navigation system is an option, my advice is to take it.
Once you've used one, there'll be no going back. It's also worth considering that these systems enhance safety (no groping through traffic and trying to read a map) and save fuel (no getting lost looking for an elusive address).
Tony Whitney is an award-winning auto journalist and host of the popular TV show Driver's Seat. He writes here on behalf of the BC Automobile Dealers Association.
07-05-2000, 11:01 AM
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Most of it should be down to the quality of the streets database
my CA one managed ok on its first outing today, better test will be the run to LA airport tomorrow. If it works (i.e. gets me there) then I agree fully regarding the maps...<p>225Q TTR Silver - All options bar the phone.
07-05-2000, 11:24 AM
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Optional discs
I have ordered my TTR with the navigation feature on it (although I won't get to use it till Sept.) But one problem that I see is that you have to buy different regions on CD. Thats fine and dandy but at a price tag of about $170 each, I'm not going to go out and buy the whole US map 
Plus, how often do you have to update the CD's?
Plus, how often do you have to update the CD's?
07-05-2000, 12:47 PM
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Re: Hmmm. Methinks a CD burner could play a role here...
Only hitch is I'm in Europe! I'll bet tho' there'd be a bunch of people interested in the US; I'm going to ask the UK crowd via their forum because you're right, these things are definitely spendy...
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07-05-2000, 07:24 PM
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Not so lucky w/NAV
I've got the NAV on my 180 roadster - California edition. Seems the GPS is continually about 300-500 feet behind where I am. Anyone know if this is a software issue or is my receiver in need of a tweak (if possible...). If it were more accurate, I'd use it more - right now it's only dependable function is for amusement...
Thanks,
Craig
2001 180 FWD TTR - Silver/Ebony/Zaino
Thanks,
Craig
2001 180 FWD TTR - Silver/Ebony/Zaino
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