View Single Post
Old 23-07-08, 12:07 AM   #17 (permalink)
z80
Premium Member
 

iTrader: (74)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 4,466
z80 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaX View Post
Is there any reason why the in-car systems are so much more expensive than the portable ones?

I understand they have additional inputs from the ECU, speedometer and sensors etc., but it seems they generally have less POI, features, less easily customisable and possibly less raw computing power compared to the portable models. Not to mention, they're larger so the cost is unlikely to be due to the need for miniturisation.

Just trying to figure out what exactly it is that makes them cost 6+ times more (depending where you get it.) Anyone know?


Here are some good reasons.

(a) the DVD Video player function.
(b) the MP3 player function.
(c) the bluetooth phone function.
(d) the music quietens when the mobile phone rings
(d) the music quietens when the GPS announces directions
(e) it has an external GPS aerial as standard
(f) it is much more difficult to steal
(g) it is intergrated with the ambient lighting in the car
(h) it integrates with steering wheel controls
(i) it has a reversing camera feature
(j) unit will keep accurately mapping when GPS signal lost due to inbuilt gyro etc.
(k) Ipod interface




if I still had my Tom Tom XL and had to purchase all those items seperately i would have a much less elegant solution.
For perhaps not that much less money.

I didn't want suction cups on my windscreen and wires all over the dash...


My unit is the Ecllipse AVN6000 (aka Fujitsu Ten)

AVN6000 | Products | Eclipse





.
__________________
Disclaimer:
(all my posts are my,opinions etcetera and prone to gross
errors,ommissions,lies,generalities,and more lies or prejudices as suits me on the day )
z80 is offline   Reply With Quote