The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc)

Samurai · 4th June 2012, 12:50

After using MMI 6.0 maps in my Garmin extensively, I am finally convinced about the reliability of MMI maps. Now I need a permanent GPS solution for my GV.

Has anyone tried the AVN-R units from MMI. I am really tempted by this: AVN-R for Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: OE Fit 2-Din In-Dash Navigation and Entertainment Systems from MapmyIndia

It even has steering wheel integration. Is this some cheap chinese make or a good quality product? One never knows with MMI's habit of selling cheap chinese hardware at high prices. How is the ICE performance of this unit?

condor · 4th June 2012, 13:01

Many (if not all) of MMI's devices are made in China

DerAlte · 4th June 2012, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor

Many (if not ...

All of MMI's devices are made in China. No other country, including India, has that capability currently.

Samurai · 4th June 2012, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

All of MMI's devices are made in China. No other country, including India, has that capability currently.

I know that, but even iPhone is made in China.

I want to know whether this AVN-R product is el-cheapo Chinese product or a high-quality Chinese product. A bad product can even cause short-circuit and burn down the car. Just want to be very careful, that's all.

condor · 4th June 2012, 13:29

MMI would provide wty for this - and hence may not be a cheapo Chinese. Likely to be their regular product - esp at 40k MRP

tsk1979 · 4th June 2012, 13:33

MMI devices are El-Cheapo chinese products, atleast as far as their 15000-20,000 navigators are concerned.

Price to procure these is less than 80$ for a 5" unit, so offering warranty is not a problem. Even if every customer gets a free replacement, they get tidy profits.

I would always recommend spending 20K on a tablet and go for a complete multimedia-gps system rather than paying 15000 for just a GPS navigator

Samurai · 4th June 2012, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

MMI devices are El-Cheapo chinese products, atleast as far as their 15000-20,000 navigators are concerned.
..
I would always recommend spending 20K on a tablet and go for a complete multimedia-gps system rather than paying 15000 for just a GPS navigator

This one is a 40K Audio-Video-Nav-ReverseVideo unit, and fully integrated into the dash and steering wheel control. Hence my interest. The tablet route won't get me either.

tsk1979 · 4th June 2012, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

This one is a 40K Audio-Video-Nav-ReverseVideo unit, and fully integrated into the dash and steering wheel control. Hence my interest. The tablet route won't get me either.

Surprisingly, their website does not list any technical specifications (Chipset, manufacturer, number of channels, power output etc., etc.,
I suggest you email them and ask them about the "spec-sheet".

sgiitk · 7th June 2012, 09:18

This may be a real game changer. Google announcing full downloads of maps for offline use.

Google announces full offline mapping mode for Android smartphones | ZDNet

F150 · 7th June 2012, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

This may be a real game changer. Google announcing full downloads of maps for offline use.

Google announces full offline mapping mode for Android smartphones | ZDNet

Awesome. Now we will have superb navigation solution free of cost.
I believe they will also provide updates periodically.

S_U_N · 7th June 2012, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

This may be a real game changer. Google announcing full downloads of maps for offline use.

Google announces full offline mapping mode for Android smartphones | ZDNet

Thank you, sgiitk. Good news indeed.

I am missing the Thank you button here.

Thad E Ginathom · 7th June 2012, 20:12

I seem to have most of the bits I need cached anyway, but still, it was a major deficiency, especially when Nokia offers decent off-line maps for absolutely free.

Wouldn't it be nice if, at the same time, Google lets up on this ridiculous restriction on navigation, to save us the trouble of getting round it.

Slightly glad I didn't rush to buy the Sygic, although its still on the cards.

bullock-Car · 7th June 2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

This may be a real game changer. Google announcing full downloads of maps for offline use.

Google announces full offline mapping mode for Android smartphones | ZDNet

i agree this will be game changer, and maybe standalone GPS devices may go obsolete also will google allow offline navigation and any limitation on more than 10 miles radius?. This doubts were raised in some reviews

ottocycle · 8th June 2012, 09:26

Have you guys checked the NavFree. It's based on open street map and looks like it can download and store the map by country.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....OSM.ALL&hl=en

Thad E Ginathom · 8th June 2012, 14:53

Open Street Map just will not do.

For those that are keen on mapping and want to join the community and contribute to it (and hats off to them!) it is a wonderful project. Otherwise, it is just incomplete.

Whilst I regret the monopolistic power and position of Google (but not enough to make me habitually use a different search engine), in the long run it is going to be impossible to beat. Even though, in the short term, I might buy their products, I am not going to buy any shares in companies that sell their maps!

4th June 2012, 12:50	#2596
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,813 Thanked: 45,447 Times View My Garage	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) After using MMI 6.0 maps in my Garmin extensively, I am finally convinced about the reliability of MMI maps. Now I need a permanent GPS solution for my GV. Has anyone tried the AVN-R units from MMI. I am really tempted by this: AVN-R for Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: OE Fit 2-Din In-Dash Navigation and Entertainment Systems from MapmyIndia It even has steering wheel integration. Is this some cheap chinese make or a good quality product? One never knows with MMI's habit of selling cheap chinese hardware at high prices. How is the ICE performance of this unit? Last edited by Samurai : 4th June 2012 at 12:53.
	() Thanks

4th June 2012, 13:01	#2597
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,008 Times View My Garage	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) Many (if not all) of MMI's devices are made in China
	() Thanks

4th June 2012, 13:29	#2600
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,008 Times View My Garage	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) MMI would provide wty for this - and hence may not be a cheapo Chinese. Likely to be their regular product - esp at 40k MRP
	() Thanks

4th June 2012, 13:33	#2601
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,823 Times View My Garage	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) MMI devices are El-Cheapo chinese products, atleast as far as their 15000-20,000 navigators are concerned. Price to procure these is less than 80$ for a 5" unit, so offering warranty is not a problem. Even if every customer gets a free replacement, they get tidy profits. I would always recommend spending 20K on a tablet and go for a complete multimedia-gps system rather than paying 15000 for just a GPS navigator
	() Thanks

7th June 2012, 09:18	#2604
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) This may be a real game changer. Google announcing full downloads of maps for offline use. Google announces full offline mapping mode for Android smartphones \| ZDNet
	() Thanks

7th June 2012, 20:12	#2607
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 10,990 Thanked: 26,379 Times	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) I seem to have most of the bits I need cached anyway, but still, it was a major deficiency, especially when Nokia offers decent off-line maps for absolutely free. Wouldn't it be nice if, at the same time, Google lets up on this ridiculous restriction on navigation, to save us the trouble of getting round it. Slightly glad I didn't rush to buy the Sygic, although its still on the cards.
	() Thanks

8th June 2012, 09:26	#2609
ottocycle BANNED Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 491 Thanked: 589 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) Have you guys checked the NavFree. It's based on open street map and looks like it can download and store the map by country. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....OSM.ALL&hl=en
	() Thanks

8th June 2012, 14:53	#2610
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 10,990 Thanked: 26,379 Times	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) Open Street Map just will not do. For those that are keen on mapping and want to join the community and contribute to it (and hats off to them!) it is a wonderful project. Otherwise, it is just incomplete. Whilst I regret the monopolistic power and position of Google (but not enough to make me habitually use a different search engine), in the long run it is going to be impossible to beat. Even though, in the short term, I might buy their products, I am not going to buy any shares in companies that sell their maps!
	() Thanks