GPS Nav system on '06 Ram 3500

[mlewis73]

I've been hearing lots about GPS systems such as the Tom Tom "Go" product lately, and have been considering the factory GPS on the '06 Ram I plan to eventually order.



Unfortunately, factory literature on the details of this system is scarce and my one-on-one time with the system at a dealership a few weeks ago wasn't enough to learn how to use it.



At $2000, the option is very pricey. The thing I like best about it is that it is built-in. I also like the stereo controls and large display--very nice feature. No fuss, no muss. But I don't know anything about its options. For instance, can I program in a route step by step? Does the screen help provide clues on how to program in a route? How good are the maps? Are there voice prompts that are provided through the stereo system?



Just trying to learn how good the system really is and if it is worth the money. I know the Tom Tom system is taking heat because of poor-quality (less expensive) maps than the Garmin systems use. Not sure what maps come with the factory system.



Another concern is upgrades and obsolescence. I don't want this system to be useless or unsupported in 5-10 years.



I wish Dodge would provide more information about this system.





Thanks for any info,





Mike

 

[mberry]

I don't know how much help I will be but here goes. I have the NAV in my truck and I use it quite often. It is an extremely valuable tool to have when going new places. It does not have the maps, but does have turn by turn voice prompts just like the new one's but with a different voice.



I have seen the new system. It is a generation ahead of what I have now. As far as mapping routes goes, I do not know. But I can tell you the unit I have is made by Alpine and I think the new one's are also but don't quote me on that. If it is Alpine, you can get updates from them directly, ebay, another member perhaps, or possibly from your local 5 star dealer.



The maps are very good and within a few feet depending on reception of the satellite signals.



In 5-10 years this technology should be mature enough that should the need araise, that a replacement unit will be a fraction of the cost of this one and perform the functions you want and more.

 

[MKeliher]

GPS by Mopar

RB4 Navigation Radio from Mopar, (Harman/Becker Automotive Syatem) additional info; www.rb4navigation.com. You can see it, spec it, and print a 130 page manual. This unit was in my 05 when I made the purchase. I'm note a real tech guy. I've figured it out?? The rb4 comes ready with 2 CD's for the USA. Other stuff includes blue-tooth hands free cell capable, single or 6 CD/MP3 DVD, and Radio AM/FM. You can operate the nav syatem while using the other stuff. I just found operational buttons for the nav system on the back side of the steering wheel. This all comes out 8 speakers. I hope this helps.

 

[JMingledorff]

The 06 has a different navigation than the RB4. I haven't used one but I do know that the display is signifigantly larger and it does show maps which the RB4 does not. Personally I think its worth the money. Its integrated into the truck and not an aftermarket radio unit that is difficult to operate, also your steering wheels controls still work. Dad put a Garmin, similar to Tom Tom, in his Chevy. It works fine but the screen is too small to really be able to read while driving down the road.

 

[TowRig]

I have it in my 06 3500 and love it, you can also have it display where all the nearest ATM's gas stations etc are along your route. One thing that is kind of cool is, lets say your hungry, you can choose resturants and then from there choose italian, mexican etc. and then choose from a list of resturants in what ever distance from you that you like then select navigate and it will lead you to the destination, even display phone number and address. I kind of get into the tech toys so I had to have it. 2,000. bones is a lot of money, but I figure I was spending 40,000 anyway, might as well get exactly what I want.

 

[TEaton]

I'm with TowRig. It's well worth the money... . I used it today to drop off paperwork for the wife. Just program in the address and Maria takes care of the rest... . Since it is from MEXICO!!!! As far as the different legs of the address or trip, I'm not sure. In my opinion it is well worth the money. I have used it several times. It has moving map that shows where you are or you can program in several different things to get you to your destination.

It does come out the factory speakers but it seems like it is only the front left for you. The volme is controllable so you can hear it when the SATELLITE BLUEGRASS is blarring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are ordering it as I did, just go for it! This will be the last one I can ever afford to buy so get it just like you want it!!!!!!!!!!

Troy

 

[KWinterborne]

I went through this same debate when I ordered my truck. Opted to not get it and instead bought a StreetPilot 2720. Granted the factory built in model is more convenient and the display is bigger, but I figured the option to move it between vehicles was nice to have. Plus it was under $1,000. Either way, a good GPS rules. I've only had mine for about a month and I love it.

<O></O>

Ken

 

[KennethS]

My 2004 has this system

When I got the truck no one at the dealership could help me to learn how to use It. My Chrysler 300 has a better system which shows a map. I guess It what you are use to. It can be hard to understand for some. I have not taken the time to play with It In the truck. I don't drive the truck that much. It only has 7000 miles on It now and my brother has put half of them on It.

 

[CMullen]

I didnt get nav on my 05 but i got a magellan roadmate 700 and it rules. Took me to orlando from philly and back with a top off at amelia island, no sweat.



Got have one!

 

[walmor]

Gps

If you are looking, then look at the Lowrance IWAY 500. It comes with all maps of US and Canada installed, it has voice commands for all turns if you get off course it tells you how to get back on course, it has restaurants, gas/diesel stations, stores anything you would want to see. It has a fairly large screen that will display in an overhead or 3d format and is very easy to read while driving. HERE IS THE BEST PART: It holds 4000 mp3 songs so you don't have to take along all of those CD's to have ratteling around inside the truck. I had it wired into the truck stereo so all of the controls work with it.

I can move it into other vehicles also. It really works good on a M/C because you can listen to the music without the Cd's. Now the best part. With the $1350. 00 you save over the OEM (uninstalled) you can take a nice trip and get some use out of it. Oh one other thing, FREE upgrades on their website and it comes with all wires to hook it to your computer also. It also comes with a good swivel mount.



My two cents

Walt Morton .

 

[kernen]

I have the new factory unit, Mopar markets it, but made by Alpine. an excellent unit imo. Itakes you turn by turn and if you deviate from course recalulates new course. It tells you how many feet to next turn and voice command are almost intuitive, i. e. hard right, slight right, etc. I bought mine from dealer and had them install @ 1595 dollars, less than factory install if not mistaken

 

[JimmyFL]

First post. .

I've used just about every NAV system out there. The Dodge NAV is

actually an Alpine system. Very user friendly, and better than Garmin anyday.

( I own three Garmins) The Alpine system is also offered by Honda and Acura

to name two more. A nice feature is being able to find a destination then

be able to call the destination using the U-Connect feature. (great for finding

and ordering pizzas)



Tim Whitby



2006 2500 Megacab/Cummins

 

[GFriesen]

I believe the Garmin 2720 is the first unit to actualy speak the the street names. Have one and love it, reduces stress between me and wife (navigater) when traveling.

 

[Jeremiah]

Aftermarket Garmin v. built-in

I can't comment on the Dodge built-in, but if my Garmin Street Pilot and the built-in in my 2004 Honda Pilot is any judge, I will never buy another built-in. The built-in (brand unknown) cost more than $2,000 and won't do a third of what the Garmin will do for $750 street price.



If I had to guess, Garmin has a reputation to protect, while whoever makes the Honda's built-in GPS does it to make money for the dealer.



Garmin makes GPSs for cars, boats, airplanes, hikers, etc. I wonder how many uses the built-in has?



To give you an idea of how strongly I feel about this, I mount the Garmin on the dashboard of my Honda and turn the built-in off - unless I want a good laugh at how long the d**n thing keeps trying to run me back to an Interstate.



Do I sound like I'd like to have my money back on the built-in? Oh, yeah! Oo.



"Louise" is the name of the woman in my Garmin and she has never failed me. The woman in the build-in is Louise's retarded sister. She failed me all the time until I took the Garmin out of the truck and put it in the Honda. :-laf

 

[GFriesen]

My Garmin, named her Susan, knows the roads in rural Saskatchewan, that was first indication of quality, also took me to North Carolina and back. very pleased. Have not tried other brand, but have been told that Garmin has the best maps for Canada.

 

[viper700]

I have an 04. 5 with the RB4 POS. I was going to go to a Garmin 2610 when I discovered a Garmin GPS18 USB. I purchased a Averatec 3200 series Laptop with a 12" screen. I made a table that swivels between the driver and passenger up against the dash board and a little higher than the center consol. Now this is a GPS you can see clearly, the unit is a the size of a snuff can and hooks into the USB port on the side of the laptop. It can be used in any vehicle and any place you want to. The factory unit is there to stay for ever. The gps cost me $150 but were on sale this last month at Circuit city for $99 as my brother in got one there. This is a Garmin and has all the features. I am typing on it now and can sit in the 5er and set up trips in comfort.

 

[CMullen]

sounds neat, at least the laptop part. Are you using wireless or something?

 

[Jeremiah]

Yep, Mr. Friesen, you are correct. Louise and Susan both know those backroads. I was in Maine and set mine to go back to Connecticut the direct route w/o using toll roads or Interstates. Louise took me through city streets and back alleys and country roads like a champ. I saw country I never would have seen had I been using Louise's retarded sister.



The built-in must have limited memory and therefore likes to keep the driver on the Interstates. That's fine to a point but there are many times when the direct route is better, shorter and faster. Plus, I absolutely HATE that gong sound and the warning from Louise's retarded sister that I am entering "unverified" territory. For her, unverified territory means anything not on an Interstate.



Garmin rules!

 

[viper700]

CMullen

I have wireless capabilities in the laptop but it is not needed for the GPS function. The whole GPS is about the size of a snuff can and hooks to your USB port and your Laptop displays all the functions. The Name,distance and time to your next turn is shown in 1" high display at the top of the screen. Then when you within 1. 6 miles Louise tells you to get ready for a change. It "snuff can" has a mount that suction cups to the windshield and easily removable from the vehicle. The "route to it" and "find places" functions are super and easy to work. If you remove the small unit from the windshield and take it in the house and stick it in the window it is easier to set up your trips and determine the distance of the legs for your daily running. The Computer has such a large hard drive space you have the whole US at your finger tips, Not just sections of the US. It was almost 2 Gigs for the program. When you have the whole thing in your Computer and go on line you can instantly update the program with the latest changes to the version you have. This is the neatest thing since sliced bread. My wife does not do well with this so I do my trip programing changes in the evening or if she drives for an hour or two I can sit in the jump seat and update my daily trip parameters. In the "Status" screen as your running you see your Compass heading, Speed, distance to next turn and exit,time to turn and next to it is the distance for you whole day's trip and the time you will arrive constantly updated by your ground speed. The daily "trip Computer" will also tell you your highest speed your current speed and how much time you were at idle also your over all MPH average based on stop and run time. There is more but you can get an idea from this. Using your + and - keys you can scroll in to 80 feet or out to 1500 miles quickly. I really have a ball with this.

 

[CMullen]

Viper700,

Soundslike a really slick tool. I especially like taking the laptop with you, if i had my way i would do something similar just to have my laptop in the truck. Where i live Verizon has a pc card that will give me broadband wireless for $50 a month unlimited useage.



Add that to what you have and it would be sooooooo cool Oo.