Blaupunkt TravelPilot GPS navigation systems...

GSB · June 27, 2004, 11:36

Anyone got any experience of these systems? Any good?

Anonymous · June 27, 2004, 11:44

Hi there,

New member, been lurking for a long while - will do a proper intro later.

Anyway, you were asking about the Blaupunkt system. Funnily enough, I've just fitted one of these this week to my '2. Its the DX-R70 (single din).

Wasn't too much hassle to install - normal wires plus a couple to the car's speedo etc.

PROS:
- Software calculates routes very quickly. I've only really played with the system so far, but tried to defeat it on old country roads etc. So far, its still winning and always knows my way home!
- Looks very good, sound quality good.

CONS:
- Face panel is not removable (only keycard), which is a tad disappointing.
- Pretty much need to leave the navigation cd in during navigation (So, I left my pioneer h/u in for music, and the blaupunkt is just for nav - not a bad solution)

Will do a photo of installation later. Any specific queries, just give me a shout. Suffice to say, I found the DXR70 on ebay for a little under 300ukp, fitted it myself, and am very impressed. Now looking for the next gadget!

neil

GSB · June 27, 2004, 12:00

Hi Neil, welcome and thanks for the info... I'm not after flashy moving maps etc, but I would like a compact system with decent audio capabilities. The Blau seems to fit the bill. Although I am considering the Alpine single DIN nav system.

A couple of solutions for you;

non removable faceplate? Blaupunkt make a clip on cover to make it look unappealing to scumbags... £6.99

And to solve the problem where you cant listen to cds when navigating, an in dash 1 DIN changer to replace your pioneer. £165

Available via mail order from w www.bluespot.co.uk w

EDIT: Fixed the bloody link s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Anonymous · June 27, 2004, 17:03

Thanks for that. I'll invest in one of those cover jobbies - just the ticket.

I had noticed the indash changer, but to be honest, I'm quite attached to my pioneer h/u (does mp3 etc). Its not actually too bad having them both in the car - I'm going to attach the sat nav output to a nokia car kit type speaker.

Have had a much better play with the system today, and cannot say anything other than I'm very pleased with it still. It calculates the routes very quickly (Gloucestershire - Newcastle in about 20 seconds). It also recalculates very well and rapidly if you decide to ignore it's advice (which is something no female that's ever been in my car has been able to do).

I think I've finally found the solution to the male species' inability to stop and ask for directions. Well chuffed.

Think a road angel or similar is next toy. That and the new parrot bluetooth car kit with lcd screen!

Cheers
neil

heathstimpson · June 27, 2004, 19:10

Grant I looked at MRMikes Pioneer single din system yesterday at the meet that he has installed and it looks and sound absolutely top class. The navigation is really good as well. When I was discussing the Alpine systems with him and he said what put him off those was when you load the journey you cannot take the nav disc out and put a CD back on, but you can with the Pioneer. And when a change of direction is needed the music lowers and a voice tells you the info as well as arrows of the facia screen. It also has excellent descriptions indicating road name, directs towards etc. Send him a pm asking for all the pros and cons as he has done some research before buying his set up. I was impressed with it though s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

GSB · June 27, 2004, 19:16

Thanks Heath... But I just bought a Blaupunkt! I got the new E1 model, which unlike previous models, does have removable faceplate, and allows you to remove the cd disk once your route is loaded and play cds. Just like the Pioneer... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

If I dont get on with it, expect to see a very nearly new Blaupunkt E1 in the Buy/Sell forum soon s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

heathstimpson · June 27, 2004, 19:20

Quote from: "GSB"Thanks Heath... But I just bought a Blaupunkt! I got the new E1 model, which unlike previous models, does have removable faceplate, and allows you to remove the cd disk once your route is loaded and play cds. Just like the Pioneer... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

If I dont get on with it, expect to see a very nearly new Blaupunkt E1 in the Buy/Sell forum soon s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

How much was it if you don't mind me asking s:?: :?: s:?: I will be leaving my replacement head unit purchase for a few months as I've just blown a fortune on a family holiday. But have been getting tempted with the better price of the sat nav head units s8)

s8)

GSB · June 27, 2004, 19:28

rrp is £700
w www.bluespot.co.uk w lists it at £480
Hendoncaraudio have it for £500
Others have it for £5-600
eBay had it for £400

heathstimpson · June 27, 2004, 20:16

Quote from: "GSB"rrp is £700
w www.bluespot.co.uk w lists it at £480
Hendoncaraudio have it for £500
Others have it for £5-600
eBay had it for £400

I assume you got it from ebay then; thats cheaper than the Alpine head I was looking at and its got sat nav s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

GSB · June 27, 2004, 21:53

Quote from: "heathstimpson"
Quote from: "GSB"rrp is £700
w www.bluespot.co.uk w lists it at £480
Hendoncaraudio have it for £500
Others have it for £5-600
eBay had it for £400
I assume you got it from ebay then; thats cheaper than the Alpine head I was looking at and its got sat nav s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

Yep, ebay, although it was actually 430, not 400, still a good deal though....

I was going to go for the alpine, as I've always considered them to be leagues ahead of the more max power oriented competiion. But Blau have always been there in the background, quietly offering superior, if slightly oddball, products of consistenly high quality. And at £430, you cant go wrong!

Annoyingly it does lack some of the alpines more useful features, like sub level control and built in crossovers, but I can live without those...