In article <5NednevsnINIWGPfRVn-vA@speakeasy.net>,
jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote:

> Brian Stell wrote:
> >> what value do you get from navigation? personally, i already know
> >> where i live, where my work is, where the local stores are, etc. why
> >> on earth do i need to spend $1k+ for a navigation option that i'll use
> >> less than 3 days a year and can be "simulated" by a $10 rand mcnally?
> >> i don't get it.
> >
> >
> > If one only goes out of their area 3 days a year
> > it makes no sense. In this case I'd recommend
> > mapquest since it's free.
>
> that's my point - the vast majority of people don't go that far afield.
> personally, i live only 15 miles from work, don't use the car for
> work, yet i do about 25k per year. and i manage without nav. don't
> think that makes me extroardinary. if i have long distance travel to
> do, i fly & rent. can't say i've ever had a problem getting free maps
> from the rental company.
>
> >
> > I may just be different but I go to lots of
> > places other than work/local-stores all the time.
> > The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?
>
> >
> > But would I pay $1k for this. Hum... No, when I
> > ordered a Mini last year I didn't because all it
> > did was navigation (the deal fell thru but that's
> > a different story).
> >
> > The Honda nav has a lot more than just navigation.
> > It has address/type/phone info on a million
> > businesses in the US. This and the ability to
> > search these adds tremendously to the value.
>
> how? who would drive at random and have no idea of destination? if you
> have destination, route is merely a planning exercise which has a
> trivial extension to incorporate all that you list.
>
> >
> > Here's why:
> >
> > Ever been on a trip (or out of your normal area)
> > and needed to know where the nearest gas station
> > is?
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Or needed cash and want to find the nearest ATM?
>
> they're in gas stations, malls, stores, etc.
>
> >
> > Or the nearest restaurant? (The nav lets you
> > specify fast-food / Mexican / Italian / Thai /
> > American / etc. I found a great Cajun fish
> > restaurant this way.)
>
> no. they're all over the side of the road.
>
> >
> > Ever had (or a passenger ever had) a headache /
> > toothache / etc and wondered where the nearest
> > drugstore / grocery store was?
>
> over the counter painkillers are at gas stations.
>
> >
> > Or had a flat-tire / out-of-gas and need the
> > phone number of the nearest gas station so you
> > can call them to send someone out?
>
> no. i have aaa for that.
>
> >
> > Or nearest Honda dealer? Or the nearest Target or
> > other kind of shopping? Or the nearest hotel? Ever
> > wanted to find the nearest post office / police
> > station? Or hardware store / stereo store?
>
> no. you've posted this message, so presumably you have access to the
> net. if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!
>
> >
> > For me these features make the Honda nav unit
> > worth the money.
>
> that's impressive. but i'm coming from the other end of the spectrum to
> you when i say that.
>
> >
> > The newer nav units have real time routing
> > around traffic jams. And have restaurant reviews.
>
> so, i'm stuck on the bay bridge. i'm not going anywhere as there's no
> alternative routing. now what? send out for pizza?
>
> >
> > On a more minor note: I've lived in San Francisco
> > for 23 years and I and friends have been surprised
> > that it occasionally finds quicker routes. I also
> > really like the fact that I don't have to keep
> > referring to the map and/or figuring where I am
> > and where I need to turn next. I get to pay
> > attention to *driving* because the nav takes care
> > of routing.
> >
> > I have 2005 Accord w navigation and love it (and
> > because it only comes with on the EX w leather it
> > really bumps the total price up a *lot* more than
> > $1k).
> >
> > Honda/Acura seems to have the best OEM unit. I've
> > been told the Toyota unit takes a long time
> > (~4 minutes) to recalculate if you go off the
> > route (the Honda unit takes about 20 sec). Friends
> > with BMWs don't like the clumsy rotary/press input
> > (Honda has a touch screen). I've looked at the
> > Alpine after market units and they have more
> > features and about a $3k price.
> >
> > I will never consider another car without a *good*
> > nav unit.
>
> i would never consider a car /with/ a nav unit. seems /utterly/
> ridiculous to me. just like people that buy cars based on the quality
> of the stereo. but hey, i'm told that some people worry about the color
> of their toilet paper too.

I'm amazed that people were able to exist even 10 years ago, given what
they consider an absolute necessity of life today.