[ngiovas]

Does anyone have any pictures of the nav system/radio screens? How is the functionality on this unit? I assume it is a touch screen. My dealer has 25 Outlooks in stock, but none of them have the nav system. I currently have nav on my STS, but it looks like this is a different unit. I wanted to see how the two compare.

Thanks in advance,
NG

 

[admin]

Here are a few pics from Acadiaforum.net, so obviously it's the same NAV system...

Here's one showing the backup camera from an 08 model...

 

[gbshuler]

Since I know what an effort it must have been to get these pics -- thanks Admin! I would love a video.

 

[czar97]

Pioneer Avic Z1

Installed $2025.00

-7” display screen (all touch screen controls with a few manual push buttons for common tools)
-Watch DVD’s while going down the road (passenger not driver obviously)
-All voice command phone calling
-All voice command navigation mode
-Control your ipod with touch screen controls (never have to touch your ipod, just leave it in the glove box)
-Store addresses and phone numbers right on the unit
-Comes with integrated 30 GB hard drive so no discs are ever needed to run navigation system
-Store music on the hard drive if you’d like (copies right from the CD that you put in – unless you tell it not to automatically copy).
-Also keeps use of factory steering wheel controls on Outlook
-XM ready with XM nav traffic (very cool if you do a lot of city driving – I’ve seen it work and it’s worth the $13 per month).

I’m so glad we didn’t pay for the factory nav system. The features you get with aftermarket for less money is simply crazy.

The wife and I were looking at the Acura TL (her brother has one) and that was the only vehicle sold in the US that I would pay for factory navigation. That system is just too integrated in the vehicle (temperature control is voice activated and so is the tuner for the radio). However, even with that one you can’t play movies while going down the road.

 

[scotted73]

Here are some shots from my recent trip showing Points of Interest (POI) selection, POIs displayed onscreen, 3-D lane guidance and music/NAV dual mode with turn-by-turn & voice guidance selection. If not under turn-by-turn, then the split screen displays a regular NAV map along with the audio source.

The factory system also has voice recognition/command in three languages for the Navigation in addition to FM/AM/XM and CD/DVD.
Destinations can be entered via the following: POIs, direct address entry, address book, previous destination (20), directly from touching the map, map coordinates and from 5 user set Presets.
The NAV screen automatically switches to night mode when the auto headlights detect darkess. The system has the ability to distinguish when the auto headlights come on for the windshield wipers and keeps the daytime mode on.
Overall the system is really good and very detailed. I like the fact that it does not need to first come out of the dash and motorize into position. I've noticed some of the installations of aftermarkets tend to block the center airvents and/or other controls when the screen is in the unfolded position.

 

[czar97]

Does the factory nav unit have integrated Bluetooth?

For me that would be a very big feature. I want my wife to keep her eyes on the road at all times (me too for that matter). It’s pretty nice to be able to place and receive phone calls even when her phone (or mine) is packed away in the back or in her purse.

After reviewing the features of factory installed nav units (for almost all manufacturers), the price still seems very high. Right now it’s a novelty. In a few years I bet the option for factory nav will have a much more reasonable upcharge and a few years more and it’ll be like A/C… not everyone will need it, but it’ll be pretty much standard equipment.

My advice, if you do decide to go with an aftermarket nav unit, is to purchase and have it installed by a reputable car / audio specialist. I’ve had many run-ins with Best Buy and Circuit City install department while in college and high school. I really didn’t know that there were aftermarket people who did such a professional job on install. They even routed the mini microphone behind the A pillar cover and under the headliner and fabricated a mounting bracket to keep it between the rearview mirror and headliner. You can’t even see it. When we pulled in to get the estimate, we were introduced to the 4 employees that work at this shop. Not one of them was younger than 30 years old and none carried their tools in their back pocket.

Anyhow, sorry for running on and on. Hope this information is useful.

 

[gksintx]

There is no Bluetooth on the Nav System. GM wants you to purchase cell phone minutes from OnStar which are expensive. Is this what everyone else understands? Gk.

 

[scotted73]

No, Bluetooth is not a feature of the NAV system or GM cars in general. I believe some of the upcoming Cadillacs may include Bluetooth. You do not have to purchase minutes from GM. But, OnStar minutes can be added to an existing Verizon plan.

I think the availability of Bluetooth in cars for phones isn't an important factor. I would rather use my Bluetooth earpiece and not be tied to the car. My phone has the option of utilizing the AUX input on the radio if I choose to have everyone in the car to listen to my phonecall. Besides, not many people use Bluetooth, much less a hands-free headset while driving.

 

[pepsikid]

I added our Outlook as a third Verizon phone in my family share plan. So far my wife loves it, all you have to do is press the blue button and say the phone number you want to call, or say the name (previously programmed) that you want dialed, as much as i love Bluetooth in my Audi, at the end of the day this On-Star/Verizon system is much more convenient.

The only two drawbacks to it that i see are 1) the 9.99/month you pay for an additional line on your Verizon plan and 2) you have to pay the On-Star subscription fee to keep this feature (obviously you get all the other On-Star features though). Since On-Star is free for the first year we figured we'd try this feature out and see how we liked it.

Let me know if anyone has any questions about it.

 

[ngiovas]

Some of the Cadillacs have bluetooth. My STS has it and my wife (who hates gadgets) loves it because she can leave her phone in her purse and when she gets in the car the radio automatically detects it and it will ring over the stereo system. She can then take the call hands free. Once she leaves the car, it is ringing on her handset again. She is going to be bummed when I tell her that the Outlook doesn't have this.

Using the OnStar hands free calling and a verizon plan essentially gives you the same experience as bluetooth with regards to safety/quality of the call. That may be the route to go.

With regards to the Nav system, can you set up any of the vehicle personalization through this screen? On the STS you can go through and customize vehcle settings on the screen (such as which doors to unlock with remote, seat positions, etc.).

 

[scotted73]

The Driver Information Center (DIC) is used to customize most of those functions (approach lighting, mirror tilt, interior lighting, etc.). Afew of the other functions (seat memory) are done locally at the door.

I prefer not having everything grouped together in one area and having to scroll through various menus to find what I need.