I'd get the RB1 or the newer RB4 if they could play DVDs. They are artificially castrated to protect stupid people from themselves.

 

That would be a nice add on for me but, I tow all of the time and would be afraid it would put me down a road with a 12' bridge and no turn around!

 

Britt,
Quick question.. Ive got the single CD player/am/fm setup in my 04.5, and was thinking of getting one of these units.. Was it just a matter of unplugging the old stereo, and plugging in the new one?? Then loading the software?
Scott

 

hello scott,

yes that is all there is to it. it is plug and play. really there isn't any loading the software. just stick the dvd in and your done. the radio i have came from california and it took less than 15 seconds to aquire my position once i installed it.

the whole process from start (removing the old radio and installing the new) to finish took less than 10 minutes tops. VERY easy addition and well worth the money in my book.


hope this helps


britt

 

Crap, for $800 you could buy an older laptop from ebay and get a $150 GPS antenna with software and still be able to watch DVD's

 

yep you could. thats what i had. laptop hooked up to my streetpilot. really looked nice and professional in my truck with all the wires and stuff it did work but this option is better. besides, i'm going to by a dvd changer and screens in the headrest to install later for my kid.

by the way i have a very nice garmin streetpilot colormap with all the accessories for sale .

here is a link to the picture of my streetpilot:


Streetpilot Colormap


i like this radio much better.



britt

 

Thanks Britt.. thats what I had figured...
Come tax return time, Im all over a nav radio!
Scott

 

Quick Question. Is the RB1 you installed the same radio that is the factory navigation option?

 

yes and no.

i "think" that the factory navigation radio is the RB4. i could be wrong though. the RB 4 does not have the map display and uses a CD based navigation set instead of the DVD navigation disc that is included with the RB 1.

the RB 1 has a Map display and the RB 4 does not. the RB 1 is a much better unit from what i hear and from personal use.


hope this helps some.


britt

 

Britt,

Nice unit the RB1. We have one in the 2005 Chrysler T&C limited. Works well in most areas. Some places like Sedro-Woolley, WA where we live, does not have all the streets. just the main ones.
It also has push buttons on the steering wheel for going thru the menus and setting up. Works great. There are map udate disks that come out about every year. Go to the Nav system web site to see if yours is a recent disk. New disk in about $199.00 if I remember right.

In my company 2003 Dodge 1500 gas van I use my laptop with ALK technoligy CO_PILOT. It is GPS, it talks to you also. Latest version of software is Laptop 8.

Your istallation looks great.

 

thanks for the compliment,

i checked and so far we have the latest version of the navigation disc out right now. i think a new one comes out about every year or so.

i have noticed that a "few" streets are not accurate around town but not many. but you've got to figure... there are millions of streets in the country and if they get a couple wrong i can't really fault them for it. it is 99.9% accruate as far as i can tell.

i couldn't be happier with it. to me it is money well spent.


britt

 

man o man !! you gotta lot of nice gadgets !!those kinda things get me in deep trouble with the wife !!i sometimes mysteriously come home with stuff like that !!!

did you have to mount an internal antenna for the gps ???

great pics too !!!

 

the antenna that comes with the radio mounts, of all places, behind the radio inside the dash. there is a A/C duct right behind the radio and the antenna mounts on top of that duct. i don't really understand how the antenna can "see" through the dash but it does and does it well.

thanks for the compliment!


britt

 

Simple, the dash is plastic. Radio waves are to plastic as light is to a window.

 

I have the rb4 and use it a lot for work and towing my rv trailer.I agree that the rb1 is a little easier with the map.Mine came with truck off the lot.If I ordered my truck I probably would not have opted for a $ 1700 option.I got a great deal,dealer was eager to meet his month quota.I bought a new disc set from the guy you bought your nav from.I wrecked my east coast disc the other day and am waiting for new one.I paid $ 49.99 from e-bay ,Dealer want almost $300.At least thats what they quoted on the phone.My dealer is good at giving discounts,3rd truck in 6 years from them.I am looking for a good price on tow mirrors ,electric, if you hear any good deals