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GPS Navigation At ITs Best
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Written by Brian J. Sero   
Monday, 09 March 2009
I recently went for a ride in a really cool car. Actually the car was nothing unique, but its voice-prompted Global Positioning System (GPS), or global positional satellite navigation system, was fantastic! The car was fitted with Alpine's new auto navigation system that combines GPS positioning, dead reckoning (using a speed pulse from the vehicle), and built-in piezoelectric gyro sensors for angular velocity to make the system virtually foolproof -- to both itself and the driver. The basic system is available from any authorized Alpine dealer for just under $2,000. Alpine insists that the system be installed only by qualified personnel.

First you need Alpine's NVA-N751A navigation system, which has a suggested retail price of $1499. That unit includes a trunk-mounted CD-ROM drive, GPS receiver, and wireless remote control. Then you need either their basic $500 model TME-M006SA dedicated 5.6-inch color LCD monitor or the $1300 model CVA-1000 in-dash system control monitor/receiver. So, for $1999 you get the basic navigation system, and for $2799 you get their really cool in-dash unit that rolls an Alpine stereo system into the package. The combo system has some neat features -- including automatic muting of the stereo and others that just wouldn't be possible when integrating the navigation system with existing audio systems.

The Alpine all-in-one system is gadgetry at its best, with a color LCD monitor/stereo receiver that slides in and out of the standard stereo opening in the dashboard. The theft deterrent screen folds down horizontally before sliding into the dashboard and out of sight. The movement of the unit in and out of the dashboard reminds me of the movie Robocop!

The proprietary Alpine system is CD-ROM-based with a trunk-mounted disc player. You get one disc included with the navigation system, and you'll need the CD-ROM that covers the part of the country you're interested in. Right now there are six different discs available, with a combined coverage of nearly half of the United States. Each disc contains basic travel information for large areas, including multiple states and detailed information for the major cities contained in those areas. CD-ROMs for the rest of the country are on the way. Additional maps cost $150.

Last Updated ( Monday, 09 March 2009 )