So - at a bit of a crossroads, in terms of auto gadgetry. Need some help.
A month ago, I had:
a 16GB Zune, hooked up into a headphone-jack only AUX in
a crappy built-in GPS in my car, with sirius built-in (active sub almost through last contract date)
a Garmin streetpilot with both MSN Direct (actively used) and FM (no subscription) traffic receivers, lifetime map updates.
2 big changes:
I went and got an iPhone4s
This now adds some basic control into the crappy built-in stereo in the car (usb/aux-in combo in the center console)
MSN Direct is now dead as a doornail, so without a traffic subscription.
So, I need to figure out where I should head on this. Theoretically, I have a few options:
Option A:
Buy lifetime traffic for the FM traffic receiver on the Garmin.
Pros: Cheap ($60), keeps everything as-is. No data connection needed. Keeps bluetooth phone capability.
Cons: Makes iPhone semi-redundant for GPS/traffic, the traffic data is slow/unreliable to update at some times. GPS is also > 5 years old
Option B:
Buy GPS app for the iPhone
Pros: semi-cheap. Better / more reliable traffic data. Theoretically upgradeable as apps improve.
Cons: Requires large space on iPhone and/or large data usage (16GB iPhone, 2GB data plan). Lose bluetooth handfree phone.
Option C:
Replace headunit in car, Buy GPS app for phone
Pros: Most seamless, as can make this whole thing as close to plug-and-play as possible. Add HD Radio and other capabilities.
Cons: Most expensive. Will likely lose built-in-Sirius antenna (though I'm not married to that all that much). Possible loss of center console connections.
I'm wrestling with A and B the most, and really only have C out there if it's adding something I'm missing.
So:
1) Anyone with opinions on GPS apps?
2) Anyone with any other suggestions here? I'm all ears.
A month ago, I had:
a 16GB Zune, hooked up into a headphone-jack only AUX in
a crappy built-in GPS in my car, with sirius built-in (active sub almost through last contract date)
a Garmin streetpilot with both MSN Direct (actively used) and FM (no subscription) traffic receivers, lifetime map updates.
2 big changes:
I went and got an iPhone4s
This now adds some basic control into the crappy built-in stereo in the car (usb/aux-in combo in the center console)MSN Direct is now dead as a doornail, so without a traffic subscription.
So, I need to figure out where I should head on this. Theoretically, I have a few options:
Option A:
Buy lifetime traffic for the FM traffic receiver on the Garmin.
Pros: Cheap ($60), keeps everything as-is. No data connection needed. Keeps bluetooth phone capability.
Cons: Makes iPhone semi-redundant for GPS/traffic, the traffic data is slow/unreliable to update at some times. GPS is also > 5 years old
Option B:
Buy GPS app for the iPhone
Pros: semi-cheap. Better / more reliable traffic data. Theoretically upgradeable as apps improve.
Cons: Requires large space on iPhone and/or large data usage (16GB iPhone, 2GB data plan). Lose bluetooth handfree phone.
Option C:
Replace headunit in car, Buy GPS app for phone
Pros: Most seamless, as can make this whole thing as close to plug-and-play as possible. Add HD Radio and other capabilities.
Cons: Most expensive. Will likely lose built-in-Sirius antenna (though I'm not married to that all that much). Possible loss of center console connections.
I'm wrestling with A and B the most, and really only have C out there if it's adding something I'm missing.
So:
1) Anyone with opinions on GPS apps?
2) Anyone with any other suggestions here? I'm all ears.
