You may want to check out the reviews at http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp?CAT_ID=2.

I looked at in dash units, including the pioneer, about 9 months ago. The short answer is: The pioneer/alpine unit is nice but not without significant problems for power users. The Garmin 7200 among other Garmin units are a better value and perform much better for those that need to use all the features of GPS. If all you want/need is a toy or wow factor, it does not matter, but if you want good function, then stay with Garmin, Lowrance, TomTom, Magellen, Mapopolis, etc.

In general, routing on the pioneer is inferior and the maps are way out of date. Pioneer has spent the majority of its energy in protecting itself from liability rather than on useability and reliability. You need to hack the unit to make it somewhat user freindly.

 

Im looking for something simple to use and reliable. Im gone out of the country quite abit and my wife needs one, she does some traveling while Im gone and she has missed a few turns here and there. We also do some traveling when I m home and would be nice then too. I have been looking at the garmin units the 530 and 550. I dont think I will go with the in dash unit because this way we can swap vehicles with it.

 

Those are excellent units, I went with the 7200, which is like the 550 with a larger screen and size, just because my eyes need the larger print. The smaller 550 is much more portable, however.

A problem that developed recently is that my 16 year old daughter loves it, and often borrows it, leaving me without.

An option not readily available 9 months ago is that many newer cell phones have GPS and routing capability. More and more phones have GPS receivers built in for 911 location purposes, and some providers are taking advantage with add on routing services. A guy I work with has one from Verizon and it works OK. The screen is small, so he relies on the voice commands.

 

coldcase at least your daughter cant say she got lost getting home

 

I use my laptop with DeLorme earthmate gps receiver. With a 15" widescreen I have no use for maps or an atlas anymore, not to mention DVD. I also bought a Ram Mount laptop stand.

 

I have been thinking about this one, have you used any of the TOPO maps with it.

thanks

 

Yeah, and I can check the tracking data to see if "parking" places show up.... at least until she figures out how to delete them.

 

anyfx, where did you get that laptop mount? Do you have any other photos of that setup?

Tad

 

Not yet, All my riding is on road.

 

Garmin C340... The suction mount fits into the "slot" in the dash below the radio! It was 500 bucks delivered (ebay) and it even tells you the name of the street to turn on!

 

Does anyone know if the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 will fit in a 2005 3500 QC? Thanks

HotRod

 

go to http://www.ram-mount.com/, I think I ordered mine from someone under the Dealers & Links tab at the top of this page. These mounts are expensive but the best quality I have seen. To mount the base just take out the two passenger front passenger seat bolts, slide the base under the seat brackets and replace the bolts. This is truly a no drill application. The top will swing to about any position in the front of the cab including between the two front seats (viewable for the back seat passengers). I am short 5'5" and in the position in that pic with the screen up it does not interfere with the line of sight to the windshield or mirror. Passengers say it is not in their way either, in fact they usually end up playing a game or something. I highly recommend Ram Mounts, they make mounts for just about any electronic device for everything from ATV's to airplanes.