SAT NAV

I'm looking at similar myself. Can't help on the speed alerts, sorry.
You might also consider the Pioner Avic HD3 but it is more expensive.
I think there's also a kenwood quite a bit cheaper.

I'd like to hear more about some of these and any alternatives.
I've heard the VMS can't easily be upgraded or have maps refreshed. Only hearsay.

The VMS unit is a rebadged Roadrover imported from China, the same way the Polaris is an imported Caska unit form China. Both can be purchased on-line for around the $800 mark but that is without the AUS navigation maps (~$40 to buy) or Oziexplorer loaded. Both units have AUS nav software updates when they are imported so they run porperly out of the box.

The main difference between the two is that the Caska unit runs a modified Windows CE system thus you can load Oziexplorer on it (takes a bit of mucking around) while the Roadrover runs a different processor (ARMS I believe) thus can only be modified at the factory level (or so I believe). There is a heap of info on pradopopint.com.au about this, its where I got my info and downloaded the method to install Oziexplorer on the Polaris unit.

Another major difference is that the VMS runs navteq maps with Route 66 as the on-road navigator. The Polaris runs Sensis maps with sygic autorouting software. You can compare the two on their respective websites but I believe the Sygic is far superior (read other web forums and see what users report).

There are other minor differences between the two units, but for the price difference there is no way IMHO the VMS can justify the markup for its product. I was prepared to pay the Polaris markup to have an Australian warranty and technical backup support and hence why I didn't buy off the web direct from china.

Another advantage of the Polaris unit is that is has pre-loaded the TMPS (tyre pressure mamagement system) so that you can monitor tyre pressures from the unit. Note that Polaris has included this software but you cannot buy the hardware until later this year (spoke to Polaris last week on this).

I am actually installing a Polaris into my BIL's 2008 GU patrol today so will be able to report shortly just how good/bad/otherwise this unit is. Looking at it last night it appears to be a well made unit with a solid aluminium chasis at the rear. It is well supplied with all connectors ready to splice into the Nissan harnass. We also purchased a Nissan radio harnass adaptor so we do not have to cut the factory harnass.

I have also ordered one for my 200 series Cruiser and would have been installing that today too, but it didn't arrive yesterday like my BIL's. The unit for the toyota is slightly different and comes with the factory harnass ready to simply plug in, but otherwise has the same functionality.

Anyway, will give a full report on both once I have them up and running. With the Polaris retailing for $1295 and the VMS for ~$2600 it was a no brainer for me, especially given that the pradopoint consensus was that sygic with sensis maps was a far superior auto routing navigator than route 66 with navteq maps.

Cheers

Captain