To Sat nav or not to sat nav that is the question

There has been a recent growth in the number of people that choose to tick the option box for built in Satellite Navigation systems in their cars, trucks and SUV's. The question is still present, is it worth it to pay 2000+ dollars to do what a device thats costs 100-200 dollars? It really depends on how integrated it is into the car. Cars like the Honda Fit and Civic have a Satellite Navigation, but all it does is be a Satellite navigation and a radio. Honestly I am not catching on. Sure it is there on the dash and it looks cool to have a square screen on the dash, but really? I am spending 2000 dollars on a square box. When it is worth it is in cars like the BMW 5 series and Audi A8, these cars have fully integrated systems. Sure they cost more to add, about 3000-4000 more to the price, but what it adds to the driving experience is priceless. Not only does this system work with Satellites and the radio, it controls car controls, such as suspension, A/C, window lights, and even how long lights will stay on in the cabin. You see, that is what the real purpose of having an integrated system.

The systems in the lower cars can be added by yourself for half the money. A top of the line Pioneer system can be had for about 1000 dollars. Now that is an in dash satellite Navigation system. Now that is the better bargain.

Another application for a navigation that actually works, would be in a hybrid. I am no way a fan of a hybrid car, but if I were to get one, I would NEED a navigation system. What is the point of owning one if I can' visually see how my systems are checking out.

I bet your thinking "Hey Andrew, what if I need a back up camera?" Well listen, its called learning your car. You've driven long enough, you should be able to get used to it by now. Also, it may look cooler to have one built in, but you have to remember, isn't it cooler to have one that pops out of the dash, than one that is built in?

So heres a summary: unless you can control everything in the car through that screen, it is not necessary.

Cars that do it right!

BMW I drive system
Audi interface
Any car or 40,000
Land Rover
Honda Accord
Toyota Avalon
Suzuki SX4 (its actually standard!!)

Cars that do it wrong
Toyota Corolla
Honda Fit/Civic
Toyota Corolla

This is in no way, all of them, they are just some of the ones that stick out.

Where did those pics come from???
well a friend told me to be sure to put a place where I go them, so here it is:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/honda/2009-honda-fit-sport/honda-fit-sport-2009-navigation-system.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rsportscars.com/honda/2009-honda-fit-sport/pictures/&usg=__XN4UxyPe8ulUKyFznkeB89vbq0w=&h=1067&w=1600&sz=285&hl=en&start=0&sig2=XHNp7GyQRtNtOibDebYJ1A&tbnid=j3PtkDqvc8kqhM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=232&ei=5HhfTOb2NYXGsAO3j9ipCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhonda%2Bnavigation%2Bsystem%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D683%26tbs%3Disch:10,160&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=373&vpy=341&dur=1935&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=116&ty=61&oei=5HhfTOb2NYXGsAO3j9ipCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&biw=1280&bih=683

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://0.tqn.com/d/cars/1/0/d/2/2/11a8_8screen.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cars.about.com/od/audi/ig/2011-Audi-A8-photo-gallery/2011-Audi-A8-display-screen.htm&usg=__H4_4PqE8dFazOmLhsKp9z8Wq8TI=&h=853&w=1280&sz=198&hl=en&start=39&sig2=BiS6Yn5-GKqtfkj7-Wd1Zg&tbnid=Qtke8VSLCwMCoM:&tbnh=165&tbnw=217&ei=nXhfTOqJJY7EsAP0g5CqCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAudi%2Bscreen%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D683%26tbs%3Disch:10,1137&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=106&oei=i3hfTODXNIKgsQPr07ipCw&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:39&tx=211&ty=48&biw=1280&bih=683

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bmw.com.my/com/en/newvehicles/3series/convertible/2007/allfacts/ergonomics/_shared/img/ergonomics_idrive.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bmw.com.my/com/en/newvehicles/3series/convertible/2007/allfacts/ergonomics/idrive.html&usg=__y66MalScQlH1JqC7s09fZmcrEDY=&h=303&w=802&sz=41&hl=en&start=0&sig2=vSqRV0JQALqwPkNdd5IfKw&tbnid=ZoE4HBGvxkKIcM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=258&ei=xXhfTI2kOYnQsAOSl6mqCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBMW%2BI%2Bdrive%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D683%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=382&vpy=239&dur=682&hovh=138&hovw=366&tx=226&ty=55&oei=xXhfTI2kOYnQsAOSl6mqCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.goautotechs.com/imgrep/Image/295503034AVIC-N3_Map_Med.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.goautotechs.com/index.php%3Fpage%3Drender%26LinkId%3D1412&usg=__RFOv5l209D-6oMaQKbCHuD69sCE=&h=450&w=513&sz=70&hl=en&start=0&sig2=0lZfeRh-pcktr6-ybMvC_A&tbnid=56awVkH_x1rQVM:&tbnh=115&tbnw=131&ei=bIFfTIbvFIz6sAOt2tGpCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpioneer%2Bnavigation%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D640%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=394&oei=bIFfTIbvFIz6sAOt2tGpCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=69&ty=54