Question regarding the Navagation system... Does it require a CD in the slot in the radio and if so, can you still use the CD changer and listen to music when using the Navagation or can you only do one at a time? Is the CD for the entire country or do you buy several? Is this system worth the money??

You need to buy many cds at $180/ea to cover the US. Then you don't even get a map display. Everyone does it better than the version Audi puts in for the US cars. A DVD based system would be much better. At least in the European version you get an actual map display. I guess we Americans are either too stupid or unsafe to be allowed to have that version. The thing is a rip-off for what they charge you.

The big minus to not having a display is suppose there is a traffic jam and you don't want to follow the intended route, its not exactly the easiest thing to re-route everything. At least looking on the map I could visually re-route myself around the problem and then easily get back on course. I almost could have lived with the lack of a DVD based system if the would have put in the map display. As it is, it expensive and every time you go to another area you have to buy another CD. That gets pretty spendy if you travel a lot.

For now I am ahead downloading maps to a Garmin GPS than to shell out the cash they want. You might want to consider the Alpine aftermarket one as well.

Pretty harsh comment (enough to make me think about canceling mine) - some of the folks on the A6 forum seem to like it and have made a good argument for NOT having a map. Do you have the NAV in your car or is this your reasoning for not getting one?

There were a few posts regarding the Alpine... sounds like the way to go if you are buying the car... Since I'm leasing, I'm wondering how much
"swiss cheese" one needs to make to install the Alpine and what are folks paying for it.. any pics out there?

Also, can you still use the stereo when using the Nav. and how does that work?

I think the excuses for the people who didn't get it are just a way to justify the fact they got less than they should of. I realize of course that could encourage a harsh rebuke but bottom line is why does allmost EVERYONE put the map display in the cars INCLUDING Audi (in Europe)?

I am seriously considering the Alpine. I would have loved the integration of the stock unit if it had a map display to accompany it. I want to pose a general question, are you auditory or visual primarily? I am more visual than auditory. When my ex wife nagged I could ignore her but when she stood before me it was hard to. ; ) As a result I like a display of where I am at. The old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words comes to mind.

My personal opinion is the system is not worth the money. I am a ex-military pilot and the more info you can give me the better. I will sort out what I want or don't want. I like to be aware of the things around my car. Wouldn't it be nice to see the lake that may be nearby? Obviously it is your money and you should do as you wish. By the time you buy all the CDs it will cost a bunch. If I buy the Alpine I can pull it out and put in my next car. Also it is DVD based and has a wireless remote. Alpine has a nifty online tour you might want to check out.

When I get back from vacation in 2 weeks I think I will buy it. It looks pretty nice. Another forum member has spoken highly of it as well. It looks like it should be easy to integrate. I still think Audi doesn't incorporate it because they think we are too lame to use it safely. Would you rather have the option of not watching the map than to not have it at all?

http://www.alpine1.com/html/inside.html

Thanks- I had my doubts, and now I'm leaning towards canceling. (and yes, My wife does the same)... It is interesting that you can get the NAV Plus just about everywhere else... I've never seen a good explaination as to why its not offered here in the US. There were some rumors floating around about NAV+ being available later this year. Anyone seen anything on that?

I'm still concerned about integrating the Alpine system though...They have an interesting attachment that lets you remove the display (ala benzi box), but I'm wondering where you would mount it so that it remains visible but doesn't interfere with other dashboard controls. The thought of mounting it next to the glove box on the passenger side seems to be less than ideal.

Also, I own an Compaq/Ipaq Pocket PC... I just noticed that Compaq just came out with an interesting system that integrates via the PCMCIA sleve. I was thinking of checking that out as an alternative, but I can't imagine it has the level of detail one might get from a CD or DVD based system.

oops- we got into it without answering you...
Here's the deal: The Audi Nav system has a separate CD unit that goes (on the allroad) in the storage compartment behind the left rear seat - it's got a place adjacent/above the CD changer- both are out of site .....

Yes, you can use the stereo at the same time. The system which I believe is made by Bosch is completely independent of the audio system or any of the audio system components....
When you purchase the system, you get your choice of one CD- there are several to cover the entire US....

There are two major technical minuses to the system -
1) As we've been discussing above, there is no map display... the "driving instructions" show up in the LED pannel in the dash above the steering wheel....
2) it supports only CD- you need to purchase additional CD's at a pricey premium if you want to use the CD outside the area that your original CD covers..... DVD would allow the entire US on a single disk....

3) Price....It's expensive given some of the aftermarket and portable alternatives, and given the two technical issues above....

The gotcha is if you want an integrated solution, you have to live with 1,2, and 3.......


When the search engine comes back up, you might want to run a search against NAV on the A6 forum....

I got the Audi Nav on mine, did not really want it but it was on the car which was available, and had the color & other options I wanted.

My +/- comments to Audi Nav are:
+ the location of small screen is great, no need to look elsewhere for instructions (which are also visual even though no map is displayed. I have tried Hertz Neverlost Nav and found the map cool but distracting, especially when placed out of sight.)
+ the location of operating controls is handy (below mirror controls, very easy to reach even while driving)
+ user friendly controls make it easy to select addresses, also when driving even you shouldn't do it..
- multiple CD's at $170 each is not a good deal. (When I wanted to buy another one, my dealer suggested to wait and said that CDs with larger geographical areas might be on their way.)

I have been very happy to be able to put the paper maps away and enjoy the stress-and wrong-turn-free driving provided by the Nav. That's an enjoyment day in day out and money spent on that is money well spent.