[cowzrul]

Thank you all for the feedback. After reading many reviews and considering my needs, I have decided to buy the modest Garmin Nuvi 350 and not get factory navigation.

 

[Blackbeauty]

As others have said, the additional features that the NAV system provides in the truck are nice. Trip computers, tire pressure display, etc... I love the NAV as well. Use it often. Worth it? IMO, yes. But the aftermarket ones are nice too. Portable and vehicle interchangable. Good luck!

 

[JennaSys]

I've got the the factory nav in my 05 KC and while it's not the best compared to other GPS units out there, I've got no regrets about shelling out the bucks for it. The extra tie ins to the truck that you get with it (tire pressure, mileage, radio, AC system, maintenance, etc) were worth it to me. The nav system is useable, but no frills. That said, if you're looking at it strictly from a GPS standpoint, unless they've made major improvements in the 07, go aftermarket. As far as using it, I played with it a little the 1st six months or so, then went for about year without touching it. But now I use it all the time. I guess it takes some getting use to if you've never had one before.

 

[HudsonValleyTitan]

For what Nissan charges for their nav, you can get the much better TomTom, aftermarket exhaust, and a full tank of gas!

 

[wiskers]

\I love mine. The best part is points of interest. If I'm driving in an unknown area. I can pull up all the restaurants in the area. Then pick out the one I wish to go to and it automatically routes me there. That being said if you never leave your area, it probably isn't the best investment.

Last time I checked my OEM Nav system does that too. When I was out of town for car shows in Dallas and in LA and wanted to find a nearby fast food joint, it guided me straight to one. Plus it usually gave me a list of different nearby selections. I don't know if any of you peeps have actually dug into the OEM Nav system but it has A LOT of different types of POI's w/ phone numbers.

 

[Blackbeauty]

Last time I checked my OEM Nav system does that too. When I was out of town for car shows in Dallas and in LA and wanted to find a nearby fast food joint, it guided me straight to one. Plus it usually gave me a list of different nearby selections. I don't know if any of you peeps have actually dug into the OEM Nav system but it has A LOT of different types of POI's w/ phone numbers.

That's true! I love that feature. It's got restaurants, service stations, emergency info, parks, museums, and all kinds of various locations listed. I've found some really nice restaurants that way that I never would have found any other way!

 

[wiskers]

That's true! I love that feature. It's got restaurants, service stations, emergency info, parks, museums, and all kinds of various locations listed. I've found some really nice restaurants that way that I never would have found any other way!

Even night clubs! :blueblob: Heck, there's a HUUUGE list.

 

[Floating-Traction]

:banasex0r Sorry to burst all your bubbles but all NAV systems work on the same principal. And if not updated these restaurants and the like that people find are by more luck than anyting that they were still in the database. Quite simple anything factory is always more expensive.....take for example DVD players. The factory option is like $2500 for one flip down screen in the middle. I can buy 2 DVD players at Walmart for way less than that and both of my kids get to watch different things. An aftermarket GPS is the only way to go because it is portable from vehicle to vehicle or boat or camper or whatever and it easily removable for updates. No one has mentioned UPDATES..... they are constant and needed to keep your GPS up to date. Who gives a $hit about POIS if they arent there anymore due to lack of updates. Aftermarket GPS can be easily removed and updated right on your home comp. Its like anything else...if the factory puts it in it looks better and it out does the Joneses as far as mine has GPS and "oh mine doesnt" and the sticker price. Honestly if anyone tells you anything else....they just got ripped with the factory system...unless they can constantly keep it updated...and yes I have an aftermarket Garmin Unit that I can xfer from car to car and to my boat and to my jetski and even GEOCACHE....and anything else...and I guarantee it works better than any factory GPS unit.......:banasex0r

 

[rphowell]

I'm not sure how an aftermarket would work "better." Maybe have more features, yes, but not better. To work better it'd have to give me better directions and my OEM doesn't have a problem with that. The bottom line is that you can likely find more features on an aftermarket and it can be portable. The OEM ties into your truck's other systems and gives you data and control over things that no aftermarket can do. There are pros and cons to each option and not a clear cut "better" choice. It's what you want. I'm very happy with the OEM because it is integrated into the truck's systems and "embedded" into the dash instead of being temporarily mounted somewhere.

One other nice feature to most any GPS system is that even if you know where you're going the GPS will tell you how long you've been traveling and how much further you have to go. It helps when the kids are asking "how much longer dad? 27 minutes to go!"

 

[chunko]

factory nav system. I figured I wouldn't use it so why bother. But the OTHER stuff it's connected to and that it can control would have been well worth it IMHO.

I'm kinda sad I didn't get it for this reason...It's a lot more than just NAV.

It's like a view into your Trucks brain....muah ha ha ha

 

[Titanequipped]

Thank you all for the feedback. After reading many reviews and considering my needs, I have decided to buy the modest Garmin Nuvi 350 and not get factory navigation.

I have the Garmin C550 and it's great. I bought it for myself for a Christmas present HEHE.... I just order an alpine in dash navagation so I'll sell it if you haven't already bought. PM if your interested.