[BiturboS4] Navigation system: dealer installable?

[Ti Kan]

quk at isham-research.freeserve.co.uk writes:
> > Totally agree w/ Mark- the Alpine DVD nav system is one of the best out
> > there.
> > It also makes a great head unit for a killer stereo. About $2k for this nice
> > toy.
> 
> Also check out the Blaupunkt TravelPilot RNS 149.  Radio, CD player and
> satellite navigation in a standard DIN-format package - even fits in an
> ur-quattro.

FWIW, the 2000/2001 Audis (at least all models sold in the US except the
TT) have the Symphony radio which is a large unit that dominate the
center console.  It is not standard DIN size any more, and it's going to
look ugly to hack a DIN unit in there and use a filler panel or
somesuch.  Moreover, the Symphony unit is actually quite good, so there
is really no reason to replace it, if only just to add a navigation
system.

Anyway, I thought I'd provide a quick review of the factory Audi navigation
system for those who are considering it for their new Audi.

The system is a Blaupunkt, but seamlessly integrated with Audi's
instrument cluster multi-function display (where the auto check and trip
computer display is, and you can toggle between them).  The CD-ROM
reader/computer unit is tucked away in the trunk, and simple,
easily-read directions are displayed in the instrument cluster, directly
in the line of vision, and there is voice audio output that tells you
to make turns and such.  The system also takes input from the car's
speedometer signal, so it could more effective communicate to you when
to turn, etc.  For example, it would give you more time to respond if
you're traveling fast on a highway, by telling you to bear right before
an exit.  On short city blocks it works much differently and in all
cases tries to provide 2 pre-turn notices, and one as you arrive at the
intersection "Please turn next right".  It's so well integrated with
the car, it even reduces the stereo's volume when it talks.  You can
adjust its talking volume, as well as the amount of stereo volume
reduction.  The voice is a female, and there is no way to change
that. :-)

No CRT screens and maps to read here, which would be distracting while
driving.  Just a simple, bold arrow showing which direction you should
be going, and a bargraph showing how close to the next turn when a turn is
near.  It also shows you the name of the street you're on, or the name of
the street you're about to turn to, and distance information.

The controls to enter destinations are simple to use once you figure out
how the system works.  There are only 4 buttons and a rotary knob, all
next to the handbrake lever on the console.  There are many ways to
define a destination (town/street/no., or just a street or intersection
of streets, or highway exits, or from a list of interesting
destinations, such as airports, parking, hospital, restaurants, police,
car rental, shopping center, gas station, etc., or by a GPS location, or
"here").  You can even define a stopover, or tell it to re-route a alternate
detour if you encounter a traffic jam.  You can store destinations
(including your home, so you'd never be lost!) and assign short names to
each for easy recall.  You can change the route options (fastest, shortest,
avoid toll booths, avoid freeway, etc).

If you ignore its commands, it instantaneously figures out a new way to
get to your destination.  You'll never confuse it, and it doesn't get
mad at you :-).

The system takes a moment to start once you activate it, but the
calculation of route just takes a few seconds.  In all I think it's a
very effective system and have now used it several times to take me to
known and unknown locations with no problems.  It is also interesting to
find out what route it would take you, because I have "discovered" new
ways to get to places with this system that I had ever known before (and
in most cases better than the route that I had been using).

I don't have any experience with aftermarket navigation systems, but
seeing how well integrated the Audi system is with the car, and how well
it actually works, I'd recommend it to anyone who is buying a new Audi.
It's not a cheap option ($1280), but I am happy with it, and I no longer
need to bother with maps any more.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
96 A4 2.8 quattro (sold but not forgotten)
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    ti at amb.org
 //////  http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/
///