seeking GPS/Radio/Ipod/CD combo

currantly i am check out this kenwood one its gps is powered by garmin so should be all right
http://sg.kenwood.com/Car_Entertainment/Visual_n_Navigation_Systems/DNX7320
cheers craig

G'day Bungarra,

I just had this one fitted to the 200 series:

Kenwood DNX7340BTNAV

I had it fitted by a gent in Burswood. You could have a flutter at the casino while it's being done. He is very, very clever at this stuff.

The radio is pretty good. It picks up 6IX down here in Mandurah which is not usual. It comes with an excellent bluetooth setup for your phone. Uploads the phonebook as well. It has the Garmin navigation which I really like but is mainly relevant to city driving.

I could have had OziExplorer installed, full touch screen, very nice but it meant an alternative street navigation setup, and I wanted to keep the Garmin.

Next time you are passing through Mandurah you're welcome to have a look.

cheers

Hi Bungarra.

Having done a lot of research a few years ago and following posts like this since then, the product you choose will be based on your personal priorities.

For example, if you are happy with street navigation it seems there are lots of choices (like the Kenwood mentioned). If your priority is Oziexplorer there are fewer choices (I have the VMS product). If you want full integration for your iPod, that reduces the choices. Those who travel on lots of rough roads seem to avoid a screen that has moving parts.

So - draw up your list of priorities and use that for your research.

Cheers

the fellow you want at Burswood is Brian at Autotainment next to the Orrong road bridge.I have just fitted a 2DIN kenwood and their own GPS accessory with (licensed)Oziexplorer maps.Has Ipod connection reversing camera dvd AVin and out and also TV connectabilty.You can also go with full AMP and speaker options if that floats your boat.
cheers Dave.......

Just a general observation here ....

Surely such a 'creature' would be great ...... all those things I have in the Troopy myself, but mostly as individual units .

What happens when there is a serious malfunction ..... don't you lose the lot ??
Whereas seperate units ......................

Again, just an observation.
I, likewise, 'go bush' solo, looking for gold .....
the loss of all them thingoes would be quite untenable to me.

How could I live out there without my Kamahl tapes discs/flashdrives/dvd's/radio's/etc

Bloody 'ell, soon Nature would start crowding in ....................

A number of the guys on the pradopoint.com forum are using the unit from DigOptions.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TOYOTA-GPS-iPOD-PRADO-CRUISER-HIACE-HILUX-COROLLA-RAV4_W0QQitemZ250460509255QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a509c1447&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

I believe it's a chinese import, but it is available from Australian suppliers, and the suppliers have been quite helpfull with support, etc on the pradopoint forum.

They do also have a standard 176mm x 100mm (double din) unit which is the same as that shown in the ebay add, just without the surround that suits the prado, rav4, etc).

I have seen it in operation in a Prado (I set up oziexplorer/maps for the owner) and it seemed to work very well. I have no idea on the remote radio reception though as I've only heard the radio in metro Perth.

It has an ipod connection, usb port for mp3 music, etc. Runs Windows CE 5 and has a micro SD card slot with IGO street navigation software for Australia.

Oziexplorer can be loaded onto the SD card, and the unit configured to then run ozi instead of IGO when heading offroad.

Anyhow, just something for you to consider. The usual discalimer of no affiliation with the company, etc. Just saw it in use and am considering one for myself in my 79 series as the features seem pretty decent for the price.

John

pioneer unit double din, that has gps, ipod control, rear view camera, bluetooth phone kit, usb and sd input, dvd , cd, good radio reception, 2 x av in, all touch screen operation. model number AVIC-F900BT

bungarra, I have a VMS in dash unit installed. Double DIN size, the radio on the original LC antenna seems to go pretty well, much better than I thought despite the Sahara electrics, right up through a lot of South Australia.

The VMS unit had DVD, iPod, USB for music or talking books, reversing camera screen, additional rear screen capacity as well as the AM/FM radio capacity. I sometimes prefer to use the front panel input from an iPod instead of the one in the dashboard. It can run videos and talking books off the SD card or USB I believe, though I have had only music and talking books there. Music and talking books on DC or DVD, or DVD video.

Because the system uses WindowsCE it is virtually a PDA motherboard inside the radio. It comes with Memory Map (which I don't like) but I installed OziExplorer for the general mapping instead. The "Turn by Turn" navigation is by NavNGo iGo8 system using Sensis V15.5 maps in the latest systems I believe. That system is excellent!! Runs rings around Sensis Toyota mapping.

The only investment I have is in the the system I bought last year. I don't have any shares in the company, but they are good with their responses. I bought mine through GPSOZ Where Brian is one of the excellent support people. They have online forums at This forum place. From the VMS page, you will see you can buy them retail in WA

I have some screen shots on my rig page, which is not locked up. The whole system tidies up the cabin no end, no PDA leads, computer leads or external GPS leads.

Graeme, a friend nearby has the VMS which I'm sure I could arrange for you to see. It was installed by a 4wd outfit in Osborne Park.

If you use OziExplorer a lot then the units with that installed would be the way to go. I used to use it in a laptop but got sick of all the cables etc. In my usual stubborn way I have reverted to paper maps for out in the bush and put great value on the Garmin street nav for getting through cities that I'm not used to.

Now let me see if you can start and end a sentence with "used to"...lol

Your original query was about radio reception in the outback and I think we might have strayed from that query. It is my belief that the days of picking up the ABC anywhere in Australia have gone. A lot of small country towns have had low range FM transmitters installed and the long range AM stuff has been pulled back. A lot of that is because residents around the 6WF transmitter in Greenwood (which used to be all bush when the transmitter was built) complained about the interference to their TV reception so the power output was reduced.

To give you an example, just after Mrs Bush and I got married we went over to Sydney for a while. We had a Ferris car radio that slipped in and out of a cradle in our XT Falcon. We could take it inside our flat in Villawood (creepy place now) and pick up the trots from Gloucester Park on a Friday night. You can't hope to do that these days.

I now carry a portable radio with alleged superior reception in the bush, but the jury's out on that as well, except at night of course.

Hope you are now suitably confused.