That's how I roll, though finding Motion X GPS Drive to be a pretty damn good turn-by-turn.
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Definitive 24k Topo/Kendwood Thread
- Thread starter OregonLC
- Start date
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That's how I roll, though finding Motion X GPS Drive to be a pretty damn good turn-by-turn.
If I had the pad in the truck for every day driving I'd consider getting the 3G service and just running GPS Drive but it's usually only in for wheeling. I want to be able to have road nav without cell service as well.
a Kenwood Topo enabled nav system would be very helpful tool to someone who doesnt have an iPad, and is looking to get a replacement headunit, or doesnt want the clutter of another device in the cabin.
a Kenwood Topo enabled nav system would be very helpful tool to someone who doesnt have an iPad, and is looking to get a replacement headunit, or doesnt want the clutter of another device in the cabin.
Jacket
Moderator
That's it for me. I can't stand having wires and devices attached in every nook and cranny that can be found. Laptop, IPad, GPS, CB, 2M, Ipod, DVD, DSi - and then somewhere I try to squeeze in my wife.... A simple, clean install is what I'm after. But like most things in this world, the "all in one" device is the usually good at many functions, but rarely excellent at anything.
- Thread starter
- #24
Probably been discussed elsewhere, but how hard is it to drop a waypoint on the Kenwood/Garmin?
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Keep in mind there are firmware upgrades for both the Kenwood side of things and the embedded Garmin GPS in the HU's. These are available on Kenwood's web site. Download, burn to CD, insert into HU, follow instructions. They may fix some of the slow boot goofiness. Or not, I'm still using the old-school 6140 which just freakin' rocks. As to waypoints, can't you just add a favorite or custom POI? Or are you talking about pre-loading them? If so, I'm sure you can do it with the MapSource software on your laptop via a USB to the back of the HU.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Finally figured out how to add multiple maps into a single gmapsupp.img file. My DNX6140 will only recognize one supplementary map file. I've heard newer Garmins will read additional files and even a \map folder. Anyway, you do it from within Mapsource. Select tiles then switch map views, then select more tiles, etc. Then send the whole schmeer to the HU as one big gmapsupp.img file.
Typos sent from my HTC EVO using the IH8MUD app...
Typos sent from my HTC EVO using the IH8MUD app...
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I've been looking to replace the OEM HU for a while.
So last weekend, I went to Innovative Car Audio. They were running a discount on the 6980. Amazon also has it discounted. Crutchfield even has it discounted, but not as deep as Amazon and Innovative.
After I got home I started researching it. In looking at the DNX6980 there are two 1 star reviews and a 4 star review which got bumped from a 2 star review on Amazon. There are a number of other reviews on the web suggesting similar problems/issues.
It looks like although the 6980 is a great HU, it may not be ready for prime time. Although I haven't decided yet, I may wait for the next generation of Kenwood/Garmin navigation receivers or go the separate component route (dedicated GPS and dedicated audio). #justsayin
- Thread starter
- #29
With the iPad this has moved lower on my list of priorities. Would still really like to go with a Kenny/Garmin at some point though. Regarding the 6980... that is one unit in particular that I would avoid. Check out the boot time comparo on YouTube. Kenwood needs another product cycle to get the processor caught up with the feature set. 33 second start times a minimum of 730 times a year is 6 hours of cumulative waiting time over a year!
OregonLC said:
I'm not sure if I told you but an app called PDF Maps has 24k topographic maps (USGS) for offline use that include geo-coordinate data over laying your position on the map. It's a great adjunct to motionx.
- Thread starter
- #31
Thanks Rob. I do look forward to exploring those options on the Kenwood when it comes up on my list. Front/Rear bumper and rack have priority. Also looking forward to having a backup cam - or doing multiple cams like the guy did on his 80. Now if iPad had an ap for this...
re_guderian
SILVER Star
I can think of 10 reasons (8 are shown below, plus rear view cam and topo maps) that it'll enhance your 100-Series experience every time your turn the key... Can you cay the same about a bumper or rack?
(I know, I know, says the guy who already has a front bumper...)
Jacket
Moderator
Very cool. And to think Kenwood and Garmin have actually regressed in this area - or so it would seem.
This past weekend I tried hooking up my laptop directly to my dnx5180 head unit via a USB cable plugged into the female end on the unit (that is used for software updates). The head unit did not acknowledge the PC, and similarly the laptop and the MapSource application did not see the device so that I could push maps to it via map source (like you would do with any other Garmin device). But when I loaded the 1.6 firmware patch onto a thumb drive, that loaded and updated the head unit successfully.It's interesting that on the Garmin site the instructions indicate that map updates are provided in the form of an SD card. I wonder how that works on a unit without an SD card slot.....
Without the convenient mini-USB plug on the back of the unit, and no SD card slot, I'm running out of ideas...
- Thread starter
- #34
I can think of 10 reasons (8 are shown below, plus rear view cam and topo maps) that it'll enhance your 100-Series experience every time your turn the key... Can you cay the same about a bumper or rack?
Ha! Not saying I don't want one. But honestly, my radio is off 75% of the time or on news the other 25% of the time. So the entertainment aspect has very little value to me. It will become more important as the kid(s) get older and we want to add RES for long trips.
Right now it would serve three purposes, two of which are easily mitigated: 1) city nav (mitigated by MotionX on expo trips although it's pointless to mount the iPad for every local trip and the iPad introduces a significant theft risk if left in vehicle), 2) BT for cell (mitigated by earpiece), 3) backup cam.
I will say that from a trip-enjoyment perspective, getting the bumpers, rack, drawers, fridge, awning, etc is a much higher priority for me than $1k+ in stereo gear.... for now anyway.
I'm with Oregon on this one.
While I'd love to have one (HU + GPS), I've waited a while and can wait a little longer until they get the obvious glitches worked out.
Besides, I have one or two mechanical things (e.g. modulating brakes, tweak the TBs) that need to be worked on right now.
Then I'll focus on the fun stuff - lemme see, sliders vs. HU/GPS, hum . . . it's 50/50 right now.
While I'd love to have one (HU + GPS), I've waited a while and can wait a little longer until they get the obvious glitches worked out.
Besides, I have one or two mechanical things (e.g. modulating brakes, tweak the TBs) that need to be worked on right now.
Then I'll focus on the fun stuff - lemme see, sliders vs. HU/GPS, hum . . . it's 50/50 right now.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Yeah, well my OEM HU's CD player was DOA, and I trashed all my casette tapes a few (10?) years ago, so it was up there on my list. I understand you guys not wanting to drop a grand on this, but it is the single biggest thing you could do to bring the truck into the current decade from a user interface standpoint. Topo maps are just the icing on the cake, and you should be good with any model that accepts an SD or micro SD card, or still has the mini USB port in the back. It seems that the upgradability roadblock is only on the XX80 models.
That's for sure. It's the classic needs vs wants in my case.
Tired of living "like it's 1999" if you know what I mean.
I'd much rather have an aftermarket HU, believe me, just thinkin' I better get a couple mechanical things done. (Sorry, but almost all - all?? - OEM HUs lack IMO.)
BTW - really appreciate all your threads on this topic Rob, they're very informative and have given me a lot to consider. Thanks!
Jacket
Moderator
dnx6980
Since this is the definitive thread for Kenwood topo maps, I'll go ahead and add what I've learned.
- DNX5180 does not have any means of loading supplemental maps into the unit
More details here
- DNX6980 supports supplemental maps via the microSD card slot on the front of the unit
I used MapSource to select and download a set of Colorado topo maps onto a microSD card. MapSource created a garmin folder on the memory card, and created a gpsmapsupp file in that folder containing the downloaded maps.
To get these maps visible and functional on the Kenwood dnx6980, you have to power up the system first, and then stick the card into the slot (label facing left). At that point you'll see the Nav unit display the additional map set.
The only gotcha so far is that the maps don't seem to reload automatically when you power cycle the head unit. I have had to remove and reinstall the SD card each time I start the truck to get the supplemental maps to show up in the list. Not ideal, but I'll live with it.
Since this is the definitive thread for Kenwood topo maps, I'll go ahead and add what I've learned.
- DNX5180 does not have any means of loading supplemental maps into the unit
More details here
- DNX6980 supports supplemental maps via the microSD card slot on the front of the unit
I used MapSource to select and download a set of Colorado topo maps onto a microSD card. MapSource created a garmin folder on the memory card, and created a gpsmapsupp file in that folder containing the downloaded maps.
To get these maps visible and functional on the Kenwood dnx6980, you have to power up the system first, and then stick the card into the slot (label facing left). At that point you'll see the Nav unit display the additional map set.
The only gotcha so far is that the maps don't seem to reload automatically when you power cycle the head unit. I have had to remove and reinstall the SD card each time I start the truck to get the supplemental maps to show up in the list. Not ideal, but I'll live with it.
Does anyone know if the Kenwoods (6980 or otherwise) can provide the GPS signal output to feed a HAM radio for APRS? Looking at getting a new HU with Navi for my 80, plus adding APRS capabilities to my Yaesu with a Byonics TinyTrak.
Steve
Steve