roadrunner
Full Access Member
Just upgraded my RAZ (am-fm CD Cassette) to a RB1 navigation unit. It was an easy swap. Even the antenna wasn't too bad to install (will post some pic's later in the how-to section).
The RB1 is really a pretty amazing piece of equipment. It will take you just about anywhere by map (lots of scales), talk to you, give turn directions, street names, ETA, miles remaining. If you take the wrong turn, deviate, get lost (only on purpose) it will recalculate your route and tell you when and where to turn. It offers longitude, latitude and altitude. It finds attractions, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, hospitals (not a complete list, but lots, nonetheless).
Off road and off map, you can create a trail going out and follow it back to civilization. You can create a route with multiple stops (up to 10). You can save and recall recent destinations, create an address book (up to 100 entries) You can find a destination by street address, intersection, point of interest, or by curser almost anywhere in the US and many Canadian metropolitan areas. The data base is encyclopedic!
This system really shines at night; in rural areas where you normally navigate by counting mailboxes; in heavy traffic when you just want to turn off the offending road and take a side street, but don't know whether it goes through.
The unit is made by Alpine. A single DVD contains all data, but must be inserted at all times when in nav. mode. It will not play regular DVD's or MP3's but will handle CD's of all sorts (when not navigating). The radio had 10AM, 10FM and 10 Sirus (when equiped) and RDS. It also has a CD controller so if you add a CD changer, you can listen to CD's while navigating. The GPS uses 8 satellites and also has an internal gyro that will help you dead reckon between tall buildings, etc.
So far, I'm very impressed with the accuracy, at least locally. I live in a rural area in the mountains in San Diego County and it will drop me literally at my driveway! I'm not impressed with the altimeter though. Although fairly consistant, mine reads about 150' to 50' low in the local area.
I've fallen in love with "Ellie", the girl inside my RB1. She dims the radio whenever she speaks, never yells or panics -- is utterly unflapable. She can be adjusted to shut up or can give you an update upon request. Her volume is independently adjustable. Otherwise, she gives plenty of notice of what your next move will be. She even tells you what side of the road the freeway onramp will be (you never know around here). With her beside you, you don't ever need to take your eyes off the road!
The RB1 has some advantages and disadvantages with the RB4 (different manufacturer, different (12) satellite system; uses 2 CD's to navigate instead of 1 DVD). Essentially, both do the same job in about the same way. The RB1 has a color map, bigger usable screen; the RB4 has no map, just pictograms. On the other hand, the RB4, once programmed, can play your CD while navigating. Based on my neighbor's RB4, the RB1 may have slightly less of a tentancy to put you on the wrong (parallel) street (it's happened to him, but not me -- yet), but the RB4 may be more accurate at altitude (is in my neighborhood). Their capability, function and features are otherwise very similar, and both are currently in use. Neither is perfectly accurate in all cases, but both are great tools.
There is a new "REC" for many of the DC '05 line-up. It has a bigger display, but is virtually the same in operation; uses the same data disc. It will not physically fit the Liberty, but we're not missing much as far as nav. goes (Main difference besides screen size -- I think it holds 6 CD's, plays MP3's -- is more versatile with the music media).
I paid about $700 for mine (used) on e-bay including shipping, antenna etc (was patient and lucky). They're easy to pick up for about $800 to $850 used and $850 to $900 new. Or you can buy one from your local dealer and get a DC warranty for about $1300 to $1500. The RB4's seem to run about $100+/- less. Anyway you get one, you'll really enjoy it.
PS: Some people use the hand helds. They're less expensive and you can take them with you, but most have limitations on data and route tolerances, smaller screens and lack of voice direction.
The RB1 is really a pretty amazing piece of equipment. It will take you just about anywhere by map (lots of scales), talk to you, give turn directions, street names, ETA, miles remaining. If you take the wrong turn, deviate, get lost (only on purpose) it will recalculate your route and tell you when and where to turn. It offers longitude, latitude and altitude. It finds attractions, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, hospitals (not a complete list, but lots, nonetheless).
Off road and off map, you can create a trail going out and follow it back to civilization. You can create a route with multiple stops (up to 10). You can save and recall recent destinations, create an address book (up to 100 entries) You can find a destination by street address, intersection, point of interest, or by curser almost anywhere in the US and many Canadian metropolitan areas. The data base is encyclopedic!
This system really shines at night; in rural areas where you normally navigate by counting mailboxes; in heavy traffic when you just want to turn off the offending road and take a side street, but don't know whether it goes through.
The unit is made by Alpine. A single DVD contains all data, but must be inserted at all times when in nav. mode. It will not play regular DVD's or MP3's but will handle CD's of all sorts (when not navigating). The radio had 10AM, 10FM and 10 Sirus (when equiped) and RDS. It also has a CD controller so if you add a CD changer, you can listen to CD's while navigating. The GPS uses 8 satellites and also has an internal gyro that will help you dead reckon between tall buildings, etc.
So far, I'm very impressed with the accuracy, at least locally. I live in a rural area in the mountains in San Diego County and it will drop me literally at my driveway! I'm not impressed with the altimeter though. Although fairly consistant, mine reads about 150' to 50' low in the local area.
I've fallen in love with "Ellie", the girl inside my RB1. She dims the radio whenever she speaks, never yells or panics -- is utterly unflapable. She can be adjusted to shut up or can give you an update upon request. Her volume is independently adjustable. Otherwise, she gives plenty of notice of what your next move will be. She even tells you what side of the road the freeway onramp will be (you never know around here). With her beside you, you don't ever need to take your eyes off the road!
The RB1 has some advantages and disadvantages with the RB4 (different manufacturer, different (12) satellite system; uses 2 CD's to navigate instead of 1 DVD). Essentially, both do the same job in about the same way. The RB1 has a color map, bigger usable screen; the RB4 has no map, just pictograms. On the other hand, the RB4, once programmed, can play your CD while navigating. Based on my neighbor's RB4, the RB1 may have slightly less of a tentancy to put you on the wrong (parallel) street (it's happened to him, but not me -- yet), but the RB4 may be more accurate at altitude (is in my neighborhood). Their capability, function and features are otherwise very similar, and both are currently in use. Neither is perfectly accurate in all cases, but both are great tools.
There is a new "REC" for many of the DC '05 line-up. It has a bigger display, but is virtually the same in operation; uses the same data disc. It will not physically fit the Liberty, but we're not missing much as far as nav. goes (Main difference besides screen size -- I think it holds 6 CD's, plays MP3's -- is more versatile with the music media).
I paid about $700 for mine (used) on e-bay including shipping, antenna etc (was patient and lucky). They're easy to pick up for about $800 to $850 used and $850 to $900 new. Or you can buy one from your local dealer and get a DC warranty for about $1300 to $1500. The RB4's seem to run about $100+/- less. Anyway you get one, you'll really enjoy it.
PS: Some people use the hand helds. They're less expensive and you can take them with you, but most have limitations on data and route tolerances, smaller screens and lack of voice direction.
/
