OEM Nav, making me feel like a sell out.

**neon_eddy** · 10-01-2005, 01:42 PM

maybe the title didn't explain it all, but here is how I'm feeling.

I've been dreaming of putting a PC based audio system in a car since I got one ( a car). I thought it was a novel idea, which it is, or was. I'm suffering from, "I used to feel like i had something special, but now anyone with some money and buying a new car can have".

True maybe not a ful blown PC, but I used to be excited about it to tell friends and family, "Yeah, I'm putting a PC with a nav system in my Explorer!". But now all the new autos have at least the option.

I'm an early adopter, someone to ride the new wave before it comes, and honestly my intrest is waining, I like my carPC, actually I love it, but at one time it was a bit of a rush, that is gone now.

why should I be inspired anymore?

**Gobby** · 10-01-2005, 01:46 PM

I think we're all feeling a little like that. I know I am ... I have no motivation at all these days.

**numbers** · 10-01-2005, 01:51 PM

It's kinda like spending 4,000 on a used import and forced induction which can run circles around your rich uncle's brand new 70,000 bmw. You have to remind everyone (yourself included) that we spend a fraction of what oem navigations sytems cost, and they can do but a fraction of what we can do. We have computers - they aren't just for navigation. Internet access, half-life 2, music, videos, wardriving, homework, mobile wireless access point, wireless phone integration via bluetooth, instant messaging, email, obd2... our computers do it all. The list could go on forever. Folks who pay big bucks for oem crap get nothing more than the oem gives. (no offense to anyone/anything - I'm just making a point)

**edrex** · 10-01-2005, 01:55 PM

Go back to a single disc CD player headunit for a while. Then see how you feel about your carPC.
I don't see this as having something better then everyone else. I just see it as having something that suits my needs perfectly because I built it to my own specs for what I wanted it to do.

**neon_eddy** · 10-01-2005, 02:48 PM

actually.. I do only have a cd player HU right now.. I'm working on a better case for my carPC... and I Miss it.. but when I see these car ads and they all have the Navi-systems now I just feel like "am I special anymore?" .. of course mom says I still am..

**Escalade182** · 10-01-2005, 03:00 PM

The other day at school. Some guy drove up and the bass was up loud so it got everyones attention. Then I heard someone say "dude, hes got an awesome navigation system." I started to get curious but acted like I didnt care because I was talking to this really hot girl...Then a crowd of people circled around the car and I glanced over and saw the 'awesome navigation system.' Turned out to be a faded green 1993 dodge neon with a ripped up dash with one of those "stick on" systems with the 2.5" touch screen that you can buy on QVC.

Soon enough carPC's will be in the same isle as laptop's and manufactuars will offer standard dash peices for every car and the average kid working at Weis can afford it.

**-zip-** · 10-01-2005, 03:51 PM

I am looking at buying a car right now, the car I am looking at has the option to buy with Nav. I will not buy one if it is installed in the car. Nav is great no question, but we already have it and then some.

Like others have said Car PC's can do so much more. I get bored about 3-4 months with the same set up. Change different front ends, different skins, Nav software, wireless configs and software, install more movies, MP3's, music videos, pictures of trips etc. A factory Nav you will be seeing the same thing for years. Yawn

The thing that really blew me away was when I got Sirius Sat Radio. I was disapointed that little information was available on my H/U and what information there was you could barely read.

Got a serial adapter for the Carputer, now Sirius pipes into my Car PC ALL information is available tons of options on a 7 inch screen full color and its all done optically so it sounds amazing.

Try that with a factory Nav unit.

**84RegalRider** · 10-02-2005, 01:28 AM

You are special if you if feel special.
Plus too many theives to go around being 13 years old.
And those oem navis are watchin where you go...

If you really are that bored, there is always more great things you can do that is "ahead" of oem stuff.

really just be creative and get into hardware hacking.
thats where the fun is.

**neon_eddy** · 10-02-2005, 01:59 AM

I know.. my wife always is amazed at how I can find things to do.. mostly crazy things.

this being one of them. Ahh I'll keep pluggin away and try not to let the man get me down.

thanks guys/gals

**wariow** · 10-07-2005, 07:12 AM

alll the posts ^ couldn't have said it better, my friend got this dinky magellan roadmate for 1000 dollars. I paid half for my carputer and the screen is so much bigger and has so many more features and costs so much less. People are amazed at how much I tell them how much it cost. Also, if you don't like your navi software, you can just plain change it. OEM navi's don't have that option.