Programming for NAV Unit

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Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche

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Chevrolet Forums >> Brand Review >> Audio/Visual Electronics >> Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche

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Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche - 11/25/2007 8:37:17 AM

tdturk

Posts: 2
Joined: 11/25/2007
Status: offline

I need to complain.

I have an '07 Avalanche with NAV. I have previously owned several Garmin Nav units, and a built in Nav unit in an '02 Land Cruiser.

I must say that the programming for the GM Nav unit is AWFUL.

One of my major complaints centers around the display DURING navigation to a destination. There are so many various information windows that the map itself is rendered too small for use! When on an interstate, the window for the upcoming exits takes up HALF the dern screen! On top of that, it does not inform you how long you have to go before you need to exit the interstate... only the next upcoming three exits. To compoud the frustration, they chose white fonts on a blue background...not very readable. And try panning around when trying to locate a destination... the info windows get painfully in the way of the map.

Secondly, what if you want to actually display the lat/long of your current position. Can't do it. You can ENTER a lat/long to go to, but you can't display the current position of your vehicle.   You can save it as a POI, but you still can't see the lat/long.   Extremely frustrating.

Here's another complaint.. when you zoom out far enough to see what is going on with your situation, the secondary roads DISAPPEAR! I guess some guru thought this would be safer or something, but it is a stupid idea. When you zoom in close enough to see secondary roads, you can't see the bigger picture.

OK..here's another one. When the system calculates your navigation route, it ignores many secondary roads that are perfectly fine to get to a destination.   Why is this..even when I choose the shortest route? The road is on the map, but the software chooses not to use it!

Also...why are the maps so "cryptic"? They look like some kind of stick drawings done by a 1st grader.   I just think in general the maps look pretty cheesy, even when compared to a 400 dollar Garmin unit!

I really like the backup camera function, very nice for hooking up trailers. I'm sort of wishing I had opted for an aftermaket nav though.

Sorry to complain so much, but I'm really disapppointed in my GM NAV system. Is there any way to get a better DVD and/or replace the programming with better software?

Trent

Post #: 1

RE: Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche - 12/6/2007 7:24:20 PM

Doug_Rodgers

Posts: 4
Joined: 12/4/2007
Status: offline

Wow, I'm going to have to agree with EVERYTHING you just said! I've been using the Acura TL navigation system since 1999, and although it is old, I think it is better than this 2007 system.

I really like how the aftermarket displays look. For example the Tom Tom. I don't know how to explain it, but instead of the map view being from directly on top of the map looking down, it looks sort of what your view of the roads look like when you look out your windshield. All the roads seem to converge to a center point way out in front of you.

The other night I was driving and looking at my nav, and decided to push the 'N' button to switch to the mode where the car is always pointing forward and the map rotates around. I thought maybe I would like that more than the 'North is up" mode. After 3 minutes I decided I didn't like it, so I hit the 'compass' button again to switch back to North is up... and wait... it switched to a third mode I didn't even know about. It is the mode that is similar to a driver looking out the front of the windshield. All the roads seem to converge to a point way out in the distant. It still doesn't look as nice as a Tom Tom, but I really like this new mode. I don't know why I never found it in the past. I even read the owners manual, and I don't remember reading about three modes.

(in reply to tdturk)

Post #: 2

RE: Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche - 1/16/2008 12:03:27 PM

Mississippi_lonewolf

Posts: 11
Joined: 1/16/2008
Status: offline

Wait till it finds the adress and navs you to a point and tell you to use the pointer to get there. It tell you it does not have all the data to give you turn by turn nav but all the streets are on the screen with all the names.

(in reply to Doug_Rodgers)

Post #: 3

RE: Programming for NAV Unit - 07 Avalanche - 2/10/2008 5:03:24 AM

tedco21

Posts: 34
Joined: 12/8/2007
Status: offline

No question, they are behind the times with this nav unit!

(in reply to Mississippi_lonewolf)

Post #: 4