Car DVD NAV Systems

Sorry, My e-mail is bentheimer@hotmail.com.
Thanks again,
James

You are a victim of DVD region locking.

Alpine in the US would easily be able to change it for you.

I called Alpine USA and they said that they were two totally different systems. I have been looking for a parts listing so I could compare the us parts and the european parts but havent had any luck so far.... If it was a lock problem than I think there should be a way around that....right?

Thanks,
James

I'm old fashioned and use paper maps.

Never had a problem - ever

:-) :-) :-)

enjoy the bush

DennisN

GPS works world wide so I assume you are talking about not being able to get a map data disk that works with the internal software.

Unfortunately some (many?) manufacturers or the national distributors pick a locally made unit and simply install it. Compatability with maps from other countries and even availability of updates for the country that you bought it in are not considered.

*** You need to ask hard questions and get written answers before you purchase this option on a new vehicle as this issue has come up several times in GPS newsgroups ***

Also note that the only 'auto-routing' map set available in Australia comes from Sensis so every manufacturer in Aus has the same maps. This mapset has excellent metropolitain area mapping but poor rural coverage (ie Lithgow has the main street only).

At this point in time a built in 'auto routing' GPSr is useless for 4WDing.

Garmin produces the SPIII for approx $2200 with 'Mapsource City Navigator Australia' maps. This is an auto-routing mapset.
However, Garmin also produces 'Mapsource Metroguide Australia' which has much better rural mapping and can be loaded (at additional cost) to the SPIII. This product will not auto-route.

As previously noted you are a victim of the regionalisation of these product items. There are three manufacturing regions for DVD / MUSIC / TV componentry worldwide and they are not generally compatable. I believe its all about big business profits otherwise why would it exist!. You may find a tech head in your area who may be able to fiddle with it, but dont bet on it. Sorry to be negative.

As previously noted you are a victim of the regionalisation of these product items. There are three manufacturing regions for DVD / MUSIC / TV componentry worldwide and they are not generally compatable. I believe its all about big business profits otherwise why would it exist!. You may find a tech head in your area who may be able to fiddle with it, but dont bet on it. Sorry to be negative.

Generally in car navigation units are NOT region locked (certainly in a DVD movie sense).
Mapping software is generally serial number locked to one unit.

Mate has an Alpine car alarm he got off Ebay Aust, and Alpine Aust have no history of this model, and Alpine USA wont help him one bit....

Be prepared to sell it dude.

Have you contacted Alpine Australia?

Thank you to everyone who has posted a reply. I dont believe that the software is locked to the unit by a serial number because it is mass produced, kinda like movie DVD's. I am still open to the idea that it may be a Regional type thing. My wife had the unit uninstalled before I returned so I was not able to see if it would at least register any satillites. I am going to try and re-install it and see what happens...(see if it sees any satillites) I will let you all know...

Thanks again for your time,
James