>> The nav is great for getting me there.
>
> better than a free map?

Yes, way better. The nav is there in the car all
the time. Mapquest requires internet access. In
the past I've always had a full set of local maps
and had no problem using them. But the nav is
much more convenient and it pays attention to the
routing so I can focus on the driving.

>> 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?

No one proposed driving at random.

> if you have destination, route is merely a planning
> exercise which has a trivial extension to incorporate
> all that you list.

So if you are out and want to go to a store but don't
have the address how do you plan the trip? Sure, stop
call information, call the store, write down the
address and then pull out the maps.

>> 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.

There are lots of place where they're not "all over".
Having had the nav for a while it's really amazing
how many are near by but not visible.

An I acknowledge that it's certianly possible to
wander around long enough and find one.

>> 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.

Good for you.

>> 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.

The advantage is when I'm in the car. If I'm at
home or work I have phone books and the web.

I don't know many people that carry phone books
or have internet access in their car.

> if that fails, i [gasp] /ask/!!!

Sure you can ask strangers on the street for
directions. People have done that for years.
However, it is my preference not to have depend
on the knowledge and kindness of strangers. And
there are lots of times when there is no one
around to 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.

What do you me by "i'm coming from the other end of the
spectrum"?

>> 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?

Uh, the point is to avoid the problem in the first
place. Sure once you are there you are stuck on the
bridge you are stuck. But depending on where you
are heading taking the San Mateo bridge might be a
lot faster. And of course one can listen to the
radio to try and figure this out.

>>
>> 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. [silly comments snipped]

Isn't it great that we both can choose?