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Will GPS system be standard for entry level family sedans in the next few years, just like A/C was a decade or two ago?
For example, you have to get Camry XLE or Accord EX-L AND pay over $2K just to get the GPS. What's up with that? The last time, I check, GPS are not that expensive.
They're not and I refuse to get a built in GPS because I could get a Garmin for much cheaper. Also, I can take that Garmin and use it in any car that I wish, it's not stuck in one vehicle.
At least for GM, I haven't heard great things about the built in GPS systems.
You can get a Garmin for $100 these days with lifetime map updates. Why pay many times more than that just so something is built in?
Unless they become super cheap I'm thinking it is going to start to go the other way. You could just as easily use your smart phone which everyone pretty much has anyways. I certainly wouldn't pay what they are asking for a built in one.
They're not and I refuse to get a built in GPS because I could get a Garmin for much cheaper. Also, I can take that Garmin and use it in any car that I wish, it's not stuck in one vehicle.
At least for GM, I haven't heard great things about the built in GPS systems.
You can get a Garmin for $100 these days with lifetime map updates. Why pay many times more than that just so something is built in?
Bingo! I've also got a Garmin with lifetime map updates (and traffic updates too). It is way less expensive than anything an auto manufacturer is going to sell you, can be taken out of the car so it isn't stolen, transferred to use in another vehicle, and very easy to update. How exactly do you update those built-in GPS units in a car, anyway? Do you have to bring your car into the dealer and then get charged their hourly labor rate to update it?
The biggest issue for smartphone as GPS is that I frequently find myself where there is no cell coverage. I can get GPS coordinates, but have no map (because there's no cell coverage to provide that map). Sure, I could fill the storage space with off-line maps, but then you're stuck with Only those areas, and I don't tend to do well in the "you can only go here, not over there" department.
The Second biggest issue? Cost. I paid less for both of my GPS units than what you smartphone owners pay for a single month of service. Since I don't (won't) own a smartphone, that's a MASSIVE cost difference.
But yeah, for people who already succumb to the smartphone fad and never leave the beaten path (because, OMG, you can't go without your 'spacebook' updates every 3 seconds), it probably IS a viable option. Me, I'm happy with my standalone PNDs (even if one is 6+ years old and the other closing in on 2 years)
I wouldn't want a built in on one, as others have said it cost to much and is cheaper just to buy one and have it for many years. If you rent a car you can take it with you where ever you are going. I don't even know why they still have them in cars because you can buy them so cheap and also have them on a smart phone. My guess why they still do is to have the cost of the car higher.
month of service. Since I don't (won't) own a smartphone, that's a MASSIVE cost difference.
But yeah, for people who already succumb to the smartphone fad and never leave the beaten path (because, OMG, you can't go without your 'spacebook' updates every 3 seconds), it probably IS a viable option. Me, I'm happy with my standalone PNDs (even if one is 6+ years old and the other closing in on 2 years)
With the price of new electronic devices becoming increasingly affordable, it's interesting how the in dash GPS units haven't followed that trend. And the ones that are out there, are all high end units that do everything except cook dinner. I don't see why they can't integrate a basic Garmin with the radio, and make it standard equipment.
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