What is the best option for video to navigation?

I am really interested in the Autotoys - Video to Nav unit because it has 2 camera inputs, 2 more aux inputs for DVD player etc, and a ipad/iphone/ipod input.

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=9231

The other option I see is a NavTool & USA Spec Interface combination but with that I ONLY have 2 video inputs whereas the other option can give me at MOST 5 different video inputs.

http://www.navtool.com/acurarl4.aspx

What option do you guys think is the best? a purchase the USA Spec part it also becomes very expensive. The first option is better deal and considering that navtool just raised their prices to $350 and then I have to go

 

Do you really need 5 inputs? If so I think you answered your own question.

 

Well the one unit with 5 inputs and audio is cheaper than the NavTool with just 2 inputs, but I don't get to use my steering wheel to control the songs as I would with the NavTool + USA Spec combo which I use very often to cycle through songs. The NavTool unit looks more reliable also.

I see that you did the NavTool + USA Spec combo but how did you get that to work. Did you have to buy some cable that has ipod connector to composite then take the audio to the USA Spec and the video to the NavTool? If so....I guess I would loose steering wheel control anyway

 

I tried to lay it out in post #50 here: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=785873&page=2

Basically you have a few things to consider in the price:
1. Reliability, I would say there are far more people here using the NavTool.
2. Features, is 5 input options more important than steering wheel controls... what else are you possibly losing/gaining.
3. Price, if you are on a budget that's an easy decision.

I can't help you decide because I don't know whats important to you, but I can tell you that I am more than pleased with my set up.

 

Thanks for the info! So you retained steering wheel control over your iDevice with the NavTool/USA Spec combination?

 

Yep, both streaming radio and purchased media. But in audio mode only.

When you move to video (separate cable) you are using the RCA's and you have to control from the device.

 

Thanks! Went with the NavTool + USA Spec device. I didn't want the new plastic NavRGB 2.0 from NavTool that was $350 so they had the older one (the one you have) on eBay for $244.99 so I put in an offer of $220, then they put in a counter offer of $209! It won't ship until May 23rd but that is $35 cheaper than the asking price and a hell of a lot cheaper than the new "improved" plastic one. I wanted the metal enclosure because I felt it was alot more reliable (and that the supposedly 24bit vs 16 bit color depth wouldn't really matter on my 05 RL Nav Screen). The USA Spec set me back 134.99 but I will get that Wednesday so I can at least listen to music off my iPad.

 

Congrats.

 

tvandnav2go $179 shipped my friend. Thats what I'm going to pick up when I get a chance. Already got my USAspec.

Congrats on the pick up

 

I dunno which product u saw but the link u provided in 1st post says New version with iPod control in stock. That would make it best of both worlds.

 

How could you find anything on that site?
Its like walking through a fun house with something new and flashing around every corner.

 

my iPhone Safari freezed every time I tried to open that site.

 

I can imagine, the whole site is a shit show.

FYI, I chose an avatar all beefcaked like yours.

 

There is no steering wheel control (except volume) with the autotoys unit for ipod. You can however control your ipod with the remote they supply you. Looks like they have improved this unit significantly

 

So you have to mount an IR receiver somewhere too?

 

Yea. I'd probably mount mine in the "not an ashtray"thing

 

Gotcha

 

Im at work, no chance to go through the product info thoroughly on autotoys.com
Does this thing look like it will display iPod album art and track info on the nav screen through its own video interface ?

 

It looks that way here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...18WsJec#t=480s

 

Cant open it on iPhone...
I think we have a real challenger to the Navtool n USASPEC combo here. Cant wait to get home n check this out properly. Does anybody if the audio harness on this thing can also plug behind the HU in the CD changer port for Canuck RLs ?

 

Here we go with the Canadian RL thing...

NavTool 4 Life.

 

......... :gheyhug:


Haha I missed this. Bring it on

 

 

Would u know if the xm port in the trunk and cd changer port behind the nav unit both uses the same 20 pin plug ?

 

Nope, I do know that Canadians talk funny... but only from watching southpark.

 

Yeah, love that, back when the show wasn't for insane people....

BEEF-CAAAAKKKKKEEEEE!!!!!

 

Did I say something funny ?

 

Ahhhh man...my USA Spec unit came today got everything installed and then it didnt work....I think I bought the wrong unit (I bought the one with XM Sat Traffic) how do I know whether I have XM Sat Traffic or not?

The iPod charges and says its connected but hitting the XM button won't bring up the XM and when I start with XM then connect the harness and turn on the car the XM1 says no signal. I am going to buy the other unit and have it here for friday.

I took pictures and will post my process in a little bit since its an identical box.

 

Nevermind! The DIP switches were set all wrong, they looked correct out of the box and I assumed they would have set them correctly at the factory. I had it all packed up and ready to send back, almost ordered the non nav traffic unit and then I thought about the switches so gave it another shot. This unit is awesome. I have videos of the install and pictures I will post tomorrow, the unit works with the new iPad too!

Thanks alot to HEAVY_RL, the steering wheel controls are awesome and so is the integration with the XM1, definitely glad I choose this unit over the autotoys one.

 

Glad it all worked out.

 

Looking forward to your postings. This is my next upgrade. Interested to see where you installed the input ports etc.

 

Thanks I am actually in the process now of removing the rear seats and trim, etc.. I have been taking pictures and videos, it might be Saturday or so before I get it all uploaded and posted.