Is Navi worth it?

[Vacis]

My wife and I are looking to get an Insight EX later this year. We are pretty much settled on the car but we can't really decide if we want to pay extra for the navigation. I don't want pass on the navi and regret it in the future, but I also don't want to pay for features I'll never use, especially if the GPS isn't very good. So are the extra features worth it or no? How well does the GPS work?

Also, does the bluetooth allow wireless music from an iPhone, or is it restricted to phone calls?

[Zwolfe]

That's a good question. We finally decided to just go with the EX.

NAVI is one thing we decided we could pass on. There are times I wish we got NAVI.

However, I surely don't miss the extra we would of spent on it.

Plus, there are several good aftermarket NAVI head units that can be installed. I like Alpine gear myself, however I've been known to use Kenwood products as well. They and other companies make units that are compatible.

For the money saved buying the EX, you could always use that spared cash on an aftermarket solution and have someone install it for you. That is what I decided I would do in the future if I found that I couldn't live without NAVI.

[Jayemtee]

NAVI value can vary from person to person. I had it on my Insight and I have the same unit in my CR-Z. I don't regret it. The GPS is fine.

The factory unit is NOT the best nav system in town. In fact, it's far from it. However, it is a factory system, so the interface with all of the steering wheel control buttons and voice commands are intact. Plus, it helps on resale value.

You can get a much better unit on the aftermarket and a better stereo, but they come with disadvantages too. The buttons and voice integration will be compromised and it will ultimately take away from resale value.

The bluetooth does NOT wirelessly play iPhone music. You can import contacts though.

I would say that if you are a lost salesman and in need of a high quality nav system, go aftermarket. If you know where you're going, but want a little help with time and distance, or an occasional trip to an unfamiliar town, go factory.

Or if you just like wearing a clown nose, get a Tom Tom.

[Cobb]

It also comes with the speech controls where you can tell the car to turn on/off the air conditioner and a few other things. I dont guess it is as that impressive as no one talks about it.

If you just want nav, you can buy an aftermarket unit for a lot less than the upprice of the car.

[egads]

We went with the NAVI almost entirely for the bluetooth. It's the only way to get factory bluetooth in a Honda (but not in an Acura) Safety for everyone my ass Honda!

Also, it was my opinion that the Insight needed to be as nice as possible for us as we had become used to larger, more powerful and comfortable cars. So having the NAV was a little perk. (we also paid only 21500 or something before the earthquake & the rise in fuel prices)

For iphone music, there is a usb connector in the center console. Incoming calls automatically pause the music/podcast until the call is over. Several phones can be paired to the bluetooth. I think there was mention here that the NAVI is going to be improved for the 2012 model year.

[gbshen]

I had an Acura with a nav system and loved it. However, it became kind of obsolete after two years or so. New nav systems with more features came out and you could purchase a new system for about the price of just a map upgrade. It is nice having a built-in, but with a separate portable, you can use it in any car. That includes rental cars when you travel somewhere which is a huge advantage to the built-in.

I bought a base model Insight(twin boys first year of college @ $100,000+). Already had a portable nav system. I did a lot of research and figured I did not need the extras with the LX or EX. I also found you could add an after market radio that would be far better then the factory model in the LX/EX. Also cruise control. Both of these would be under $800.00. In the process of adding the stereo now- with bluetooth.

Love my car. Getting around 45 mpg. It is fun to try to get every mpg out of it--- a challenge!

[Vacis]

So how does the iPod work without navi? We got to test one on a navi and were alttle disappointed that it locks up the iPhone's screen when plugged in through USB. Is there any way to select songs or play a certain album without having the navi interface?

[Jayemtee]

Maybe someone more tech background can explain it, but the iphone mode to display all the songs and playlist info on the car screen and utilize car controls does indeed lock up the screen. That's not a Honda thing. It's a Steve Jobs thing.

[Insightlover2011]

Our Ford Escape Hybrid has an awesome aftermarket Navi unit. It's an Pioneer Premiere AVIC F9OBT. It's a fantastic unit that has built-in Bluetooth and a sweet Ipod controller on the screen. You simply plug in the Ipod with the Ipod connector hidden somewhere in the car, and you literally forget about the Ipod. On the screen you select source, and your Ipod controls are right there on the screen. The controls function just like the Ipod does and the menu is great. You can even listen to your movies, but you can't watch them if your driving. You can only watch the movies if your parked.
I love this system so much I want one in my Insight, but I can't afford it. What I have in my car is a much older Eclipse unit that works great for navigating, but there is no Ipod or Bluetooth in it.

Anyway, I'd recommend aftermarket, and go with the Pioneer I mentioned.

[circa1986]

Interesting. Does it fit in the Insight?