OEM navigation worth it??

[Hybrid93Hatch]

Really leaning toward an EX sedan with navigation. Never been in a car with navigation. Would like to here opinions on the 06 civic navigation unit. Is it worth the extra $$$$? Anything you don't like about it?

Thanks!

[skittleslegend]

This is an on-going debate here. If you can find one, yes. If you can't, just get the base EX sedan and go aftermarket. I have Navi in my Legend and I'll be transferring it to my Si soon. I actually use it and I find it EXTREMELY helpful. If you think you'll use it, you'll enjoy it.

[Hybrid93Hatch]

We plan to do a lot of traveling so I am thinking the navigation is the route to go. It's going to be OEM all the way. I don't want to deal with installing anything or have Best Buy screw anything up. I'm going to check with the dealers to see how long the wait is......

[skittleslegend]

Installing the Navi really is no big deal. I've done it and it's similar to the install of a CD Player. They'll use a wiring harness that plugs directly into factory harness, and probably splice the reverse wire and VSS (vehicle speed sensor) wire from the ECU. UNLESS both of those wires are in the wiring harness. which would make it a plug-and-play affair. I've also worked for Best Buy and I know that, at least all the Best Buy's I've gone to, are competent. You sound like you've had a bad experience or have a grudge...

Also, some dealers will install aftermarket Navi's. If you can't get an OEM, it may a choice to ask for an aftermarket. You'll get the same warranty, (no company, not even OEM's, offer a warranty on the LCD screen) and a higher quality unit. The OEM is just a rebadged Alpine unit. No big deal.

But back to your original question. Now that I understand you're talking ONLY OEM Navi, for it's price and apparent rarity, no, it's not worth it. We all have personal reasons why, but as an installer, I'd have to say, FOR IT'S PRICE, you could do better. But if you can find one with relative ease, which hasn't exactly been the case for many people here, then go for it. But you should know going in, only a few have

[Hybrid93Hatch]

Every time I deal with someone (shop) messing with my car something would go wrong. From scratched panels, to bad install, to not putting everything back (screws, clips, etc)...... This was at both Circuit City and Best Buy.
Since the car is for "family type use" I'd rather not hack anything up.

That is why I have the EG

[GhostOp]

I have an OEM Navi on my 8th gen and I love it! I have found it very useful. I was concerned about getting a regulat non-Navi Civic and getting shoddy workmanship with the install. If you can find a Civic w/ an OEM Navi, I say get it. If not, the regular Civic will do and get a Thomas Guide.

[Jaranath]

I respect the DIY/aftermarket lifestyle, though in this case I haven't seen much suggesting that an aftermarket nav comprable to the OEM nav costs much less. But neither have I seen much on such aftermarket installs, period.

There is also something to be said for OEM vs. aftermarket anything.

Musings on aftermarket vs. OEM aside: Yes, I love my OEM unit. I find it very easy to use and very accurate, and as I'm hopeless with directions, very helpful. I also like the integrated audio controls and display.

But if you want one, keep in mind you will probably have to wait a long time (possibly months) or pay too much, while an aftermarket can probably be had right off the shelf. I can only imagine the meetings that were held at Honda and Alpine over this little problem...

[Silver8th]

IMO...not worth $1700+! I am so glad I didn't get the OEM nav. I heard some people are having trouble with software issues also.

[Hybrid93Hatch]

Originally Posted by Silver8th

I heard some people are having trouble with software issues also.

Any links? First, I've heard of this. Thanks

[jasonandre]

Here's what I want to know...

Can someone buy a similar aftermarket navi system WITH voice activation? Because if not, then the OEM navi has a leg-up on aftermarket, for the time being.

I personally love my OEM navi and I'll never go back.

[leviathan18]

if you want a good job done by any aftermarket installer you have to go to the place and stay with the installer watching him...

[blackSI06]

I;ve actually always had great work done at bgest buy or circuit city. They have been great with head units. Thats the only thing il let em touch. but they have always done a clean job. i tried to get navi on mine but the on eordered for me has no navi and the lady offered for an aftermarket for like 1400 extra, rofl i can get a panasonic 7" wide screen dvd player for 699 :P

[Maceboy1]

The navigation sold me on purchasing my 06 Civic EX Sedan! The system is awesome.

[basmoq]

another note on the OEM navi unit. Map upgrades are both hard to get, and EXPENSIVE AS CAN BE. Aftermarket can save you both now and later. Just something to consider... I personally spent only $150 to get a bluetooth GPS and software to run on the PPC I already owned. Why pay so much for something you cant take out of the car and use in another one??? Heck, I can use mine for geocaching and while walking on vacation in big cities (going to DC next week).

[2RotorMotor]

I dont know, but nothing beats oem. I mean sure it doesnt play dvds and shit, but if navigation is what you are looking for, then there is nothing better than the oem navi... That voice activation is just damn cool. Nothing beats saying "go home" and then having it guide you to your home from wherever you are at... If I didnt have to wait a trillion years, I would've gotten the damn navigation.

[sonitex]

I know this is an old thread, but just got a HRP Si with Nav last week. Been studying the book about it and getting to like it every day. Here are the reasons I like the OEM (I had a Garmin 2720 I gave it to my son):
1. The steering voice command button.
2. Also the Back button that returns you to a previous screen.
3. I drove into Boston to a specific address and had no problems getting there.
4. When you press the talk button on the wheel it automatically mutes the stereo speakers.
5. When it gives you a voice prompt, it mutes the front speakers and tweeters. The voice prompts are transmitted through the stereo speakers. At Max Prompts, it also names the street to turn into.
6. It has a calculator function and conversion tables. If you select the "Automotive" conversion it will give you your MPG, or metric equivalents and much more. Still finding out new things.
7. Command of "Display Audio" works off any screen.
8. Display Set-up, and voice adjust everything on the screen (brightness etc.)
9. Clock display can be set up to match the Red Si gages. Can be an analog clock, or digital clock with day and date.
10. Voice commands for PC card player, CD player, XM, FM or AM radio.
11. I prefer the male voice over the female (selectable). Much clearer pronounciation. Female must be from Boston.
12. In any mode, when you voice command help, it will display or tell you the list of commands available for the function. So you really do not have to memorize the commands.

I could keep going. This is my first OEM car with NAV. Build date is 08/06 and the latest version DVD software 6.11C. I will not buy another car without an OEM Nav system. The Garmin 2720 was fine but not as good as the OEM.

Correction on item 7: The command "Display Audio" does not work as stated in the manual. It only works if you reverse the command, as I found out yesterday. The command that works is "Audio Display". And it works from any mode.
Correction on item 10: I was happy to see that in the Audio screen, it integrated controls for the optional 8 disc CD Changer I bought with the car. It shows up along with "FM1, FM2, AM, XM1, XM2, CD, PC, and CDC" CDC is the 8 disc changer.

[mdkohm]

sonitex - well put.

I bought my '05 TL w/ NAVI mostly for the display size for the CD changer, XM etc., but soon found out how nice the NAVI is. I don't use it a ton, but it is really nice when you need it. I sold the TL last week and bought an '07 EX Sedan w/ NAVI. Basically the same system but the Civic system is upgraded and actually nicer (except for the smaller screen).

I would say to anyone on the fence - get the NAVI.

[rmfa]

I'm not having any problems with mine. I love it and would not have it any other way. Its way too handy. The voice commands are awesome.

[rmfa]

This is my first car with any type of navigation. The day I got it, I was headed to my mom's new place and I missed a turn. It sure was nice to automatically get re-routed to the desired location.

[sonitex]

Bump. See my editing on Post #16. I made two corrections at the bottom of the page which might help other would-be Nav decision maker and also those who might have been having problems with voice commands, especially "Display Audio".