I am just wondering. I have been looking at getting a Navigation system. Is there some aftermarket system that will give me voice directions. Something without a screen might be nice so it does not clutter up the cabin. Anything out there available?

 

One of the new NAM vendors - advnavles - is peddling just such a device I believe. Check the vendor announcements forum for their Vcom unit.

 

Yes, there is a solution. Vcom by Vcommand Inc. It is a state of the art completely voice interactive, voice recognition, gps nav system that has every nav feature other screen based systems that sell for $1600-$2k have; but Vcom sells for under $1000. What is really cool is that it uses on a 20 gig military combat laptop hard drive unit. The unit is the size of a cd case and about 3/4 of a inch thick. Other features include: Free maping/software upgrades for 1 year, including parts/labor warranty. A 3 year warranty including mapping upgrades is avail. The whole US map is stored in the system including 2 million points of interest, gas stations, resturants, hotels etc, automatic re-routing. Next up-grade will increase points of interest to 6 million. It comes standard, with 3 mapping systems, Navteq basic, Navteq Tiger(this allows street level mapping down to towns of 500 population); this is a extra cost feature on most other nav systems, but not Vcom. Also it includes Zenren, a data base of every freeway/interstate/toll road sign in the US exactly as you would see and read it when you drive. Finally, even in it's hardwired configuration(which will not clutter the Mini cockpit since it needs no screen) it has portability! It takes 60 seconds to detach Vcom from it's harness and transfer to it's glove leather bag, which contains it's own gps antenna, Microphone and cig lighter power adapter for use in a aux vehicle. No danger of voiding your Mini warranty either, Vcoms are offered by some BMW, Benz, Ferrari, Lambo dealerships as a aftermarket install(but they charge 2k for it). I am a sponsor of NAM and you can visit our site: www.advancednavigation.com/mini for a video demo, we also have bluetooth and Ipod connectivity products made by Vcommand.

 

Thank you EVERYTHINGSABLUR for letting him know.
Les

 

Most any portable auto nav unit today gives voice directions. Check out Garmin and Magellan units. The maps are better because you can "visualize" whats going on (e.g., see how strong your GPS signal strength is, "see" the turn coming up.) As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words"

 

Okay, time to come clean. I should have put about a million in my post as I meant it as a sarcastic comment. There is currently no way anyone could come here and not realize there is a system like that since in every single post that mentioned NAV, it is there.


Sorry, these are not the droids you're looking for, move along.

 

A picture (screen) and other distractions cause a lot of accidents on the freeway...and prompting you to turn right or left is a very limited way of giving you voice directions...I know my competion's functions ,Garmin, Megellan, etc. very well, and there is no comparison....the screen is not nessessary with Vcom...but screen and DVD based units, versus fully featured voice interactive/voice recognition Nav for safety, is a personal choice...I would think having the option to choose a screen based or non- screen based Nav, is what it's all about....
Les

 

...and have the protocol droid's memory wiped.

Cherry of a 'new thread my friend!

 

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You know, I was going to get into this and started to write a long response ... but have decided to take the high road. Say what you want ...

Whatever ...