Stereorob

so I work at a dealership..
got a few '17s in the other day so I explored some of the new stuff on them like the ICS and Scout navi. gotta say its pretty cool and its dead accurate!

it does make me wonder though.. im a Technology Specialist but I remember back in 2014 when I was in sales the general vibe was that built in Navi systems will be slowly phased out over the next several years because more people are turning to their smartphones for directions, as they are in almost real time and don't cost anything to upgrade, plus as we know the graphics are superior to just about every built in Navi system on the market with any brand. I remember back in the 90s when Navi first appeared in cars and what a big deal it was, but they have lost their luster a bit over the last few years, and some say they will go the way of the in dash cassette deck soon, much like how a lot of companies are beginning to phase out CD players in cars. our cars only offer single disc changers now and some don't even offer that! with everything going to streaming Bluetooth, the CD is obsolete, so its day in the sun is setting. truth be told I don't know many people these days that even have CDs anymore. personally im one of those people still clinging to the CD because on an audiophile standpoint, its still the best sound if you have the ear for it, but most folks pick convenience these days over quality when it comes to audio reproduction. back on topic though, do you think the scout GPS marks the beginning of beating the funeral drum for our built in Navi systems? our built in systems as well as others are still light years ahead of scout with other features, but we all know how quickly that can change in the technologically fast paced world of the 21st century. a lot of my older customers still want built in Navi over smartphones, but as everyone knows, the demographics of our buyers is changing. im seeing more and more younger folks buying our cars now, like Gen Xers and millennials. when lexus launched back in 89 they targeted early boomers, who were in there 30s at the time now quickly reaching 70 and for the most part which are now seniors, and they are not scared of computers like older folks in the past. heck, I know a 90 year old woman who has totally embraced the digital world. she has an iPhone 6+ and an iPad and almost knows more about them than I do! she is also totally plugged in to social media, with a facebook, twitter, instagram, and others. she is sort of a rare exception but im seeing more and more tech savvy older folks

the caffeine is really surging this morning and im rambling so forgive me, but the future of our in-dash built in Navi systems? thoughts?

Aron9000

I think the end is near for systems that have the maps stored in a hard drive or disc that don't automatically update, where you have to pay the dealer for updated maps. Really this type of system should have been phased out 5-10 years ago, things like On-Star and the Toyota safety-connect system allow wireless access to the car's computer, so you can update the maps via that system. Tesla has really been the game changer on the tech front with constant updates to their software, even for cars that are two, three, four model years old. Pretty neat to get into your car one day and see that they fixed that laggy menu or gave you a new feature, and you didn't have to do a thing.

UDel

In dash navigation units are so overpriced now and mostly irrelevant compared to what you can get with portable units or simply by using your smart phone. Many of these systems have become even more difficult and less intuitive to use then previous systems, now you can't type in addresses/information while the car is in motion with most car companies. I can't believe people still pay over $1000 and in some cases over $2000 for in car Navigation which can only be used in one car and after a few years add very little if any value to a car when you sell it. For luxury cars nav systems should be standard by now and not still a high priced option.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

That began about two years ago with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto began hitting the market. Scout is just another nail. The OEM navigation systems will soldier on for a little bit, but automakers will be tricky. Many of them will bundle their high end audio system into the navigation so you'll have to get Nav-equipped vehicles in order to get the high end audio system. Lexus is already doing this.

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

I can't even get high end audio in my region because of Lexus' stupid bundling. Being able to mirror my phone to the screen or being able to run Waze directly will make or break my next car buying decision.FM based traffic updates are a joke

mmarshall

Built-in NAV systems have one advantage, though, over aftermarket, hand-held, and cell-phone units. The built-in systems sometimes don't allow drivers to fiddle with them while the car is moving...a good safety feature. In recent years, driver-distraction and inattention have replaced speed and alcohol as the two things most likely to cause accidents.

TangoRed

I don't think the built-in Nav is going anywhere. As automakers switch to Google Maps/updateable map systems and integrate them into their gauge clusters (see current Audi's, Mercedes E-class, 2017 JLR products with InTouch Pro, future BMW's, etc.) we're going to see maps continue to be a big play for automakers when bundled with other high-end features. I also think as automation of driving continues GPS is going to be critical to vehicles being able to anticipate road types, upcoming turns, etc.

chikoo

fify. The screen will survive, but the NAV with CD/DVD/HDD - The end is Nigh.

Och

iTrader: (3)

In one of my BMWs maps auto update over built in internet connection. Combined with excellent idrive controller, there is no effing way I would wan't to fiddle with the smartphone instead. In fact, there are apps on my phone that I can control right through idrive screen - such as web radio, gopro app, etc.

But certain lousy built in Navs with horrible touch screens, multi screen and Lexus remote touch just can't go away soon enough.

TangoRed

What makers are even using CD/DVD anymore? And I stand by statement, the screen + nav isn't going anywhere. HDD can be upgrated OTA just like in Tesla and increasing amount of others. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi didn't buy Nokia's HERE for nothing.

Right there with you.

LexBob2

We recently bought a new A6 and the maps can be updated OTA. The first 5 updates are free. I agree, this is the coming thing. Our other car is a BMW and I agree the iDrive is very nice (MMI is too). I wouldn't be without either one.

yardie876

The systems (iDrive, COMAND, MMI, RT, etc) are all competent interfaces. But I am ok with nav systems going out to pasture. Using a system like scout or CarPlay ensures maps and traffic are always up to date. Mirroring these apps on a screen with some type of input control is great. The only downside is the drain on your phone battery. Obviously you could just plug it in, but that's not always wanted. There's also the issue of data connectivity, but that's what offline map downloads are for...

dseag2

I think the only way automakers will keep selling them in a few years is to bundle them with other items that people really want. Pretty soon, you will have to buy nav to get leather seats.

Toys4RJill

In car navigation supplied by the manufacturers are not done. Won't be done for a very, very long time.

1. Not everyone has an Android or Apple phone
2. Not everyone wants to use their data plan
3. Older folks will not embrace a mirrored app that uses their data
4. Car manufacturers will still want control of the user experience..What happens when you can no longer update your phone to the new operating system and you can not get the new features.

Apple car play and Android auto will serve as a compliment to existing systems..

I could see navigation options becoming standard and no longer requiring a premium. I think a dvd based system is long gone.

Och

iTrader: (3)

I'm sure there will be a day when phone and car infotainment systems are seamlessly integrated and work hand in hand. But its still quite a a few years away.