Legacy navigation system - a conspiracy theory :-)

[arnox]

OK, I really want the navigation system because I travel a lot. I’m also curious, and I can’t understand why Subaru would offer the navigation system in Japan and Europe, but not in the US. Here is what I have so far.

The facts:
1. The European (and I’d assume Japanese) navigation system appears to be made by Kenwood. The screens are identical.
2. Subaru has flirted with OnStar in the USA before.
3. OnStar is owned by GM
4. GM has stake in Subaru


..and now for the speculation/conspiracy part:
GM wants Subaru to use OnStar as a part of yet another demented MBA plan (orchestrated by MBA graduate(s), like the ones that destroyed Sony), and goes something like, ..people in the US will pay $30 per month to get navigation as part of the OnStar service, because they crave yet another service, and they’re too darn stupid to figure out that they could get the same thing for free.

:P

[dskelto]

Could be that the U.S. is huge compared to these other markets, and they don't have it ready for every market yet.

[SUBE555]

Some models (I think some previous top-tier Outbacks) have had Onstar. I remember a Subaru rep asking the normal thursday night chat on Edmunds.com what we thought of Onstar and if should be in any future models (this is a very wide range of individuals here) and it was a unanimous vote against Onstar.

It is said that a Nav system may come later this year, though it's more than likely on '06 models as the rarely announce additional products mid-year.

It's supposed to be coming, Subaru is just very cautious with this market. They've been burned in numerous areas and I can sort of relate to their motives for being safe about this.

[arnox]

When something is not ready, companies tend to "stall" the market. Basically, they announce the product and make up some date that's just close enough that will make you wait for it, and prevent you from giving your money to the competition.

I'd like to spend my money with Subaru, especially if I'm going to get a system that fits the car perfectly. But if they can't tell me that I should wait for something, and won't tell me what that something is - why should I wait? ..and that is why I simply cannot understand the silence - and YES! - it's killing me :twisted:

[*Jedimaster*]

Oh no! Get out your tin foil hats!

[agctr]

Hmm if it makes you guys feel any better, SatNav is not offered here in Oz or NZ either. SatNav would be fantastic if offered but it does come with a $$$$$$ pricey tag. It would also be trick if you could turn the SatNav off and use the screen for a boost guage, like the current R34 GTR. That would be nice :)

[PPower]

OnStar for navigation doesn't really seem to work well. Cadillac has some vehicles with OnStar and DVD navigation. The current Acura RL has that setup as well, so I fail to see how OnStar can/would be the navigation system.

[Deer Killer]

It's for old people that can't deal with technology, so you call up onstar and an operator reads you directions.. Works really well when you are a technophobe. The DVD nav is just redundant. You might as well just pull over and ask someone...

Oh it's also good for people hacking into your car to listen to your conversations.

BTW, tinfoil is effective against RFID, that phrase is outdated. Ask any professional shoplifter.

[marioman]

I'd like to spend my money with Subaru, especially if I'm going to get a system that fits the car perfectly. But if they can't tell me that I should wait for something, and won't tell me what that something is - why should I wait? ..and that is why I simply cannot understand the silence - and YES! - it's killing me :twisted:

I am with you Arnox... My lease to my current vehicle runs out in January 06' My current car has a navigation system that I have grown accustomed. I am hoping that by the time I have to get my next car maybe, just maybe their will be some info on the Navigation System. I am considering maybe a portable GPS, but There is nothing better IMO that a factory looking Navigation System inegrated in the dash.

Subaru, please listen to us who want Navigation, please offer it as an option to those of us who want to pay for it.

[vwong]

Subaru, please listen to us who want Navigation, please offer it as an option to those of us who want to pay for it.

Amen... :)

[agctr]

At the end of the day u can always go a buy a system to put in yr car that would be cheaper than the Subaru offering.

A NON Subaru offering would maybe have more features at a lower cost with the ability to move it from car to car as you upgrade down the track.

Just a suggestion......

[arnox]

the aftermarket navigation system issue is a complicated one because the hole between the vents isn't DIN, and it's not wide enough for a simple installation of most touch-screen monitors. I've seen an Alpine 5+" monitor installed but it sticks out at the top. It's basically begging to be ripped out of the console by a retarded gang member.

if anybody knows of touch-screen monitors that would fit, please speak up!

[a.spider]

"if anybody knows of touch-screen monitors
that would fit, please speak up!"

What are the dimensions of that space between the
central dash vents?
Width:
Depth:
Height:
Any additional internal feature dimensions:

Pictures with dimensions would be nice, if you can
provide them.

Thank you.

[marioman]

"if anybody knows of touch-screen monitors
that would fit, please speak up!"

What are the dimensions of that space between the
central dash vents?
Width:
Depth:
Height:
Any additional internal feature dimensions:

Pictures with dimensions would be nice, if you can
provide them.

Thank you.

Don't know if these are accurate, but gives us a big idea of the dims as stated by another member on this board
http://www.legacysti.com/viewtopic.php?t=1353

[agctr]

I think in a previous post someone stated that they were of Kenwood make, surely they would sell this unit to the public as well as Subaru.

[arnox]

It's Kenwood and Subaru again!

http://www.kenwood.com/j/products/carnavi/navi/hdx710/system710/index.html

I've contacted Kenwood Japan about their OEM deal w/ Subaru, trying to see if we in the US could get our hands on the OEM units directly from them. As expected, ..we can't!

Should we petition Subaru?

[Th3Franz]

Whoa.. Hm..

[Tide]

We already did petition Subaru...

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/my06_leg/

[arnox]

I’m relatively new here - my GT MT Wagon should arrive next week. I’ve already signed the petition. Should we include a 'Petitions to Subaru' link somewhere prominent on the website? (please, don’t tell me it’s already there). If more people knew about it, maybe we’d have more then 9 signatures.

I’m under the impression that Subaru actually listens to their customers. Do we have any Subaru representatives in the forums? It would be nice to have an official response on the subject.

[Tide]

The petition was created yesterday, its the top news item on the front of the site... not that everyone reads that. :)

Don't worry, I'll spam everyone here to sign it in a few days.

[crapy]

Tide, maybe u should make a pop-up for that :P me just signed. 11 sig now!

[agctr]

I have no idea why this would not be a GLOBAL option, to me it just doesnt make sense.

You can see the screen clearly in the dash on this JDM model.

[vwong]

The petition was created yesterday, its the top news item on the front of the site... not that everyone reads that. :)

Don't worry, I'll spam everyone here to sign it in a few days.

While you're creating the petition for the navigation, why not create another one for the HID headlights too? Japan has them, why not in the U.S.? :?:

[Tide]

I have no interest in HID. There is legislation in works to possibly ban all HID from USDM autos, and its already illegal to add then aftermarket.

[Deer Killer]

I have no interest in HID. There is legislation in works to possibly ban all HID from USDM autos, and its already illegal to add then aftermarket.

What a bunch of technophobes.

When is the last time anybody got an inspection sticker and they actually checked your headlight adjustment like they are supposed to? Never for me.

Regardless there is legislation always in the works to do very backwards and stupid things. Some pass, some don't.

[Tide]

Welcome to California.

[agctr]

HID & Heated Seats come in the GT NZ Spec, Scoob should just offer all these things as straight out options and let us pick and choose. Too many options would be a lot better than having a limited number.

P.S Tide.... Welcome to California , and the rest of the World for that matter...

[hlin]

The fastest way is to integrate the DVD nav system from Cadillac to Subaru. GM takes technology from Subaru put into Saab and other GM models. Time for GM to give some technology to Subaru. The Cadillac nav system is not too bad.

[arnox]

The fastest way is to integrate the DVD nav system from Cadillac to Subaru. GM takes technology from Subaru put into Saab and other GM models. Time for GM to give some technology to Subaru. The Cadillac nav system is not too bad.

I want GM to keep its hands off Subaru altogether.

Actually, I think it's necessary for Subaru to buy back the GM shares and run free of GMs influence. GM is the most likely reason why the new Subarus don't come with navigation systems in US - and I hate them for that (GM not Subaru).

The attempt to sell OnStart in the past was a big flop, because people apparently aren't as stupid as GM quant would suggest - maybe there is god after all? :-) Well no, no such luck; GM still has Subaru by the b*lls when it comes to the US market.

I just hope GM doesn’t turn Subaru into Mazda. I want a Japanese car with Japanese parts and Japanese technology :x

[IwannaSportSedan]

...There is legislation in works to possibly ban all HID from USDM autos, and its already illegal to add then aftermarket.

I hope you are kidding, or that it doesn't pass. That is Bulls#!t. Why on earth would any legislative body do that? Who do they thing they are that they should be doing that? :evil: :x

HIDs give off more lumens per watt, given that it is designed correctly, like most OEMs are. Aftermarket setups are usually "kludged together", which is what causes trouble. With lower wattage despite higher voltage, HIDs should lessen the electrical load on the engine and charging system, which is better for the car's fuel mileage (which I thought all these gov't types were interested in... ironic, no?), and safer at night with more light on the road.

I'd put hids in my car just to defy any legislature that would pass such moronic legislation.

I could loose some anti-"nanny state" epithets, but I'll refrain. It doesn't seem to do any good.

I suppose they are going to outlaw LED tail lights now, too, right? D@mn tyrants. Maybe we should all just ride those stupid seqway thingies, and recycle our cars into something more useful, like park benches or something. :evil: :evil: :evil:

[CombatCQB]

The government only hears about people complaining that they get blinded by HIDs when people mindlessly install them into any junk car.

I think our efforst are better spent educating people about how to use HIDs properly, then at least we'll be doing our part. I don't have any solutions for all the stupid people who just want to look cool and blind everybody in the process. Then you have the problem with people installing them in SUVs and that pretty much aims the light right into your rearview mirror.

So in the end, it's the whole fad thing and ignorance that's got us here. We can only do our part and move on.

[IwannaSportSedan]

You are very correct. We need to make sure we forward the knowledge of the correct use of HIDs, and that aftermarket ones are not the way to go.

However, there are a couple of things that still suck about this...

1st: What's next? What are we going predict that we'll have to protect, and how are we going to know what the government is going to yank away next? Common sense may not be common, but it should be asked to take a larger role in the government of and for the people.

2nd: Unless HIDs get WAY cheaper, manufacturers are not going to put them on econo-boxes like Honda Civics, or Hyundai Tiburons. And those are the cars that young morons are going to buy and put "black market kludged up HIDs" in. Why not try to emphasize that aftermarket headlight alterations are not DOT certified? do we not have enough laws already?

So, because ricers are free to do any stupid thing they want, and do so; then people aren't going to be allowed to use proper technology advances on their luxury Merc S-class, or Porsche 911, or Legacy, or any other car. That is no justification.

[marioman]

Although, I would much, much prefer a stocl looking Navigation on the Legacy, How about this Portable unit by Garmin due out in August.

It states that it is a pretty small unit. Do you guys think by the dimensions given on the website that this unit would fit in the Cubby Hole :?:

http://www.garmin.com/products/quest/#

[agctr]

Yes, there are some great little portable units coming out now. They dont look as trick as the setup in the JDM but alot cheaper. I would also say that the software to update these versions would also be a lot cheaper than the incar versions.

[brady_bunch]

It is definitely small enough to fit in the cubby hole I believe.