In dash navigation system

[exfuzz01]

Has anyone seen the in dash navigation system in the 2004 CTD's. I see it listed as an accessorie in the brochure. Does anyone have any experience with this system or would it be better to buy a stand alone one that sits on the dash ?

 

[vagabond]

I love it,others hate it. Do a search and you will see many opinions

 

[RustyJC]

Not to hijack the thread, but are there any GOOD aftermarket in-dash NAV/CD/AM/FM units that would replace the factory radio/tape/CD player in my 2002? I have an OEM DVD-based navigation system built by Alpine in my 2003 Acura 3. 2TL-S and love it - I'd like to find something comparable for my 2002 Ram. I'm assuming none of the 3rd generation systems will work as a retrofit.



Rusty

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Some discussion on this issue has pretty much focused on the adviseability of a dedicated, single-vehicle system - or one that can easily be transferred from one to another - personally, for an expensive item like this, I think I would want to get as much value out of it as possible, and have it transferrable - a VERY good setup can be had in the vicinity of $500 - and you can use it anywhere ya want. .

 

[klenger]

The RB4 navigation system is a factory option, and does not display maps. Most reports from members here are that it is pretty lame for the price.



The RB1 is a dealer installed accessory, and has full map capability, and reports are that it is a very nice unit. Problem is, you need to order a truck with a radio, and then pull it out to install the RB1. If you want an Infinity system, you need to order a $900 radio upgrade, just so you can throw away the radio and install the RB1.



Can anyone explain why Dodge doesn't offer the RB1 with infinity sound as a factory option? They must be smarter than me, but I sure can't see it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by klenger



Can anyone explain why Dodge doesn't offer the RB1 with infinity sound as a factory option? They must be smarter than me, but I sure can't see it.

Can anyone explain the logic Dodge uses? No true 4 door. No more CAD or hubs. No Suburban type vehicle. No F-450/550 chassis.



Have you seen the new Durango's? YUC. Looks like a 4wd PT cruiser toyota copy. I havnt met anyone who likes the new look.

 

[exfuzz01]

navigation

I have the in-dash navigation system in my 2004 VW Touareg...

It does not display the names of streets. . only major roads etc.

When you put in a destination, it takes you turn by turn right to it.

As far as the map goes... you can see streets and your location on the map... but not street names.



Definately not worth the $2000. 00 it cost.

 

[BillH]

I went with a portable GPS so it can be used in more than one vehicle.



The one I have is a Megallan 700 and it is one sweet unit. Megallan has a web site, and it gives you all the info. on it.



BillH

 

[zari]

GPS

I'm using a Garmin GPSMAP 196 with a suction cup type mount. Works like a charm, even when I'm too lazy to plug the external antenna in.



The unit is a little pricey, but considering it has roads, water, and air capabilities, I can use the same unit in the truck, the boat (as if it were needed on the mini lakes I frequent ), the copter/airplane, as well as for hiking. With the MapSource software, and Garmin's various CDs (e. g. Roads & Recreation, Topo, etc. - get a memory stick too), this little unit beats many an in-dash set-up I've seen...



Alain.

 

[viper700]

I just purcased a 2004. 5 AT DRW Turbo Diesel in Kellogg Idaho to drive back home where I live in Anchorage, Alaska. I was so excited when ordering the truck that a GPS option was available. As soon as I got the truck I fired up the GPS and was in shock that it did not have Alaska in the data base and was very weak in all that it did have. You cannot program up a route yourself by highways. It has a weak lower 48 data base, some Canada and Hawaii. Hawaii, come on give me a break. I tried to get info on it from the dealer earlier but none was to be had. I went on the net to Mopar.com and could only find a reference to the NAV system. I am still waiting to hear from the dealer on this. Right now I have wasted $900. 00 on this option and it is totally useless,and I am really upset about this. The truck is great but the GPS is a waste.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by RustyJC

Not to hijack the thread, but are there any GOOD aftermarket in-dash NAV/CD/AM/FM units that would replace the factory radio/tape/CD player in my 2002? I have an OEM DVD-based navigation system built by Alpine in my 2003 Acura 3. 2TL-S and love it - I'd like to find something comparable for my 2002 Ram. I'm assuming none of the 3rd generation systems will work as a retrofit.

Just an update - I wound up ordering the Garmin 2620. It was delivered to the house today (so says my wife). We'll see how it works this weekend.



Rusty

 

[rweis]

Rusty,



I would be very interested on how the Garmin 2620 works for you and how you mounted it in your 2002.



Bob Weis

 

[p-Bar]

The problem with the Garmins and Maggellans are the screen are too small. I bought my wife the Sanyo Nev-7000 great unit and it is portable can play dvd's. Very large screen.



Don

 

[RustyJC]

Bob,



We used it all weekend, and it's great. Yes, the screen is relatively small, but the Garmin 2620's color screen has excellent resolution and they've utilized text sizes, etc. so that it's easily readable for both driver and passenger. The map database is much better than the OEM Alpine unit in my Acura 3. 2TL-S, the voice directions are quite good. It will do everything the Acura's OEM unit will do, and more. My wife loves it - she's appropriated it for her Durango!



We use the "beanbag" mount that comes with the 2620 and set it on top of the dash - it works just fine.



Rusty

 

[MMead]

Rusty,



I know it's been a while since you made this post - but I was thinking about buying a Garmin 2620 and was wondering if you still liked yours, or if you had any pics or suggestions on where to install it in the truck. Does the auto dimming feature work very well? Thanks for the help!

 

[RustyJC]

Yes, I'm still very pleased with the Garmin 2620 although I seldom get to use it - my wife has appropriated it for her Durango except when we're on a trip in the truck! I use the beanbag mount that comes with it (since we move it between vehicles) and put it on top of the dash. It stays in place just fine. The auto-dimming feature works off the satellites - the Garmin knows what time zone you're located in and knows when sunset and sunrise occur and dims and brightens accordingly (actually, it changes the display. The night display has a black background with lighter features, while the day display has an amber/yellow background with mainly darker features) - it works fine, but you have the capability to override it if you want.



Rusty

 

[viper700]

After being really unhappy with the RB4 installed in my rig I did some checkind around and the Garmin 2610 looks like it should work pretty good. You can use flash cards and store info and trips on them when you need more room then the one card can store. The 2620 has all the info already in its data base. Garmin has come up with an updated CD NV6 or something like that that now has real good info on Canada and Alaska and more info on the lower 48. You can check with "GPSCITY.com" and they have a much lower price than the local stores where you are. In my being not pleased with the RB4, I sent out some letters and Email to Dodge. Finally last week I get a call from some guy in Dodge and he had gotten one of my letters and he explained that when they had an idea a few years back about a NAV system for the trucks and decided to put one in. Evidently a lot of thought was not expended on the project. It should have been a moving map display and programable by the user for a specific trip with streets and numbers. I was told that they realized they dropped the ball and are working on some more software for the RB4. Also they were not sure how popular an option it would be to put on the market. But as you can read in TDR there are more and more Dodge trucks hauling 5th wheelers and trailers on the road with lots of vacationers and retired people behind the wheel. If you want to get in your rig and drive from Seattle to Dallas on the interstate it might work for you. In 4 weeks my wife and I are getting in our new 3500 DRW 48RE 4WD CTD in Anchorage and heading to Yuma, 4000 miles, to pick up our 36' King of the Road 5er. Then spending winter in the southwest and heading back here in late February leaving the 5er in Yuma. It shoud be an interesting winter.