As most of you know, the knew Edge A2 monitor comes with GPS. I've never had GPS before, but in a conversation about getting the A2 today a coworker asked me you had to have some kind of monthly service fee for it to work. This thought had never even crossed my mind, but I guess it makes sense that they wouldn't want you to use the satellites for free.

So, when you get a GPS unit is there some kind of monthly fee that you have to pay or do you just buy the unit and it works?? This may be a stupid question, but as I said, I've never used GPS before.

I was planning to purchase the Juice with A2 monitor, but it requires a fee to use the GPS feature then I'll just go with the Juice and Attitude.

 

GPS navigation does not require a monthly fee... Satellite radio, yes. Perhaps your co-worker has the two mixed up?

I saw the A2 at SEMA a few days ago... neat idea but too big for my taste. Lots of features but very few that I personally would be willing to spend the additional $$$ to upgrade to the A2.

Aloha

 

Satellite signals are always there, same with any type of radio signals. GPS you do not have to pay for and if you know how to program filters XM or Sirius is free. But thats for us ET types.

 

Thanks for the info.

Aloha, how big was the A2? All I have seen is pictures. Did you happen to see what it costs? That's another deciding factor for me.

 

I have the GPS in my truck (factory) and like everyone else said no monthly fee. The only thing they get you on is when you wanna update the software its like 100$ and some change.

 

How often do you need top upgrade the software? I'm assuming that it comes with current maps.

 

you don't really "need" to, it should come with a current map. theres a new version for mine, but i doubt i will update it

 

Yikes!!! I just saw the first A2 on Ebay for $1200!!! If THAT is what they cost then I think it will be the Juice/Attitude for me.

 

that sounds about right with the price I got from one of the advertisers here, I'm with ya on edge/juice and blow the extra grand or so on something else

 

look at the Garmun GPS 18 for 129.00 bucks works with a laptop. I have this in my truck, great product. http://gpsnow.com/gm18.htm

 

to me, 1200 bucks isnt worth GPS and a camera, even with all the technology today computers still get overloaded. I see a future problem with processing when you have GPS, Guages, camera and programming going all at the same time. I am sure its all been tested and so forth but I am a firm believer of being simple, 1 item per 1 job.

 

Don't know about it being overloaded, but I do agree that it's not worth $1200. I guess I'll settle for the Attitude??

Does anyone know if the GPS and back up camera is the only real difference between the Attitude and the A2?? I plan to get real gauges because I don't really like the looks of the Attitude. The main reason I want it is for the adjust on the fly.

 

if you arnt looking for a display, look at the Banks 6-gun w/speedloader. just a twist of a dial and you have 5 levels also at your finger tips. Looking at about the $620 range compaired to the attitude for about $700

 

The A2 is big... the biggest gripe I have is it's depth. My Attitude is relatively thin and makes installation pretty easy and unobtrusive. The A2 on the other hand is bulky. Even if they cut the depth in half it would still be thicker than the Attitude, or A1 I guess you could call it. The other problem is the shape... it's not a rectangle anymore. It's got all sorts of funky angles. But it does look ultra trick. Just not in my truck.

As far as the features are concerned... the new A2 does NOT include the camera feature. That's yet to be released and will be offered separately. The camera system is wireless and will communicate directly with the A2... which would be VERY handy as you could in theory position the camera wherever you wanted, within some reasonable distance of course. There are many features and additional screen space the original Attitude doesn't have, including a touch sensitive screen. So on paper the new A2 will blow the original Attitude out of the water as far as features are concerned. I just don't see any need for all of the fancy schmancy the new A2 provides. I've already got a GPS system but I'll be the first to admit the factory system isn't as nice as the TomTom based A2 nav system. This product is a gizmo that somebody with $$$ to blow will buy. For my money? I'll stick with the original Attitude and continue saving up for the trans upgrades.

Aloha

 

Also, the camera isn't out yet, couple of months and will be around $400