Question for the "build in GPS" owners

I have a corvette with the built in 7" touch screen nav integrated with audio system built by Denso. No fees other than map updates.

Pros:

Do not have to mount and unmount GPS unit every time I stop.

Integrates nav direction info into heads up windshield display.

Audio volume of radio etc. is lowered during nav instructions.

Gives 3 optional route choices with entered destination or destinations.

Can enter destination using voice commands.

Displays audio song and station info at top of nav screen.

System auto adjusts volume if top down, on freeway or stopped.

The same map supplier as Garmin uses (HERE)

Cons:

Can only add custom POI's one at a time.

Runs about $25 for map update after selling prior map disc.

2015 Nissan Murano with Nissan's GPS and software installed. These come standard in the Murano which is really marketed as a touring car for empty-nesters like us. I would not have ordered or paid extra for built-in GPS as an option but we didn't rule the Murano out coming with it built-in even though we're paying for it and and didn't particularly want it because the Murano with the Technology package had the best combination of features we wanted for the money. There are numerous high-tech safety features included in the Murano with the Tech package which can keep you out of trouble.

You do not have to pay a fee to subscribe to built-in GPS. You can pay a subscription if you want to get traffic info displayed on the Nissan GPS after a trial period. I do not expect to subscribe. I can get traffic info with the bonus feature of suggested detours due to really bad traffic jams for free on a smartphone using navigation app Waze for example.

Pros that are standard with built-in GPS: No wires, cleaner look, clear windshield. Always there and not dependent on battery or power adapter. Specific to the Murano, along with voice instructions, it also displays the next turn (such as Left turn on Main St. in 600 feet) straight ahead near the speedometer on the dashboard. This is not as safe as windshield overlay display of GPS and not as safe as looking at a Garmin on the dash, but better than looking away to the center console screen. Like newer Garmin units and smartphones, the Nissan GPS can be voice-controlled, so if you want, you have the safer option of instructing it to program a new destination while driving without pressing the center display screen; voice control is a feature you want on a built-in GPS if you get it, though like Garmin's voice-controlled portable units or smartphones, voice control can take some practice to master.

Cons: map updates are unnecessarily and ridiculously expensive--$149-$339 for all Nissans, currently--and likely no longer an option at some point due to the age of the unit--the Murano is likely to outlive the built-in GPS in terms of map updatability. At some point the screen may die years after you can get a replacement screen at any reasonable cost; with a portable GPS, with a unit too old to allow map updates, or with a dead screen, you just buy another portable GPS--much cheaper. Also the Nissan GPS has steered me wrong more often than Garmin or smartphone--not as accurate in directions. Not as easy or intuitive an interface as Garmin or the smartphone, in my opinion. There are other carmakers that are reportedly worse--I often hear Ford and European carmakers' GPS as a focus of complaint but haven't tried them. Nissan's is probably average for usability.

They installed a NaviTech GPS, now Here Navigation.

Pros:
Easy to read and the voice prompts lower the volume of the radio. Other units are hard to see in the sun and can not be heard over the bike and wind noise.
Options for weather and traffic from Sirius radio.
Sync with my phone so I can navigate to any address in my contacts without having to type the address again.

Cons:
Haven't figured out how to load a POI file.
Maps are older and there is no update available yet.

2015 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Has Tom Tom integrated navigation, audio, phone - whatever.

Tried Tom and decided he and I couldn't get along. The screen zoom level refused to stay where I wanted. The routes I built on my computer, well Tom didn't seem to like and changed them. Might have been able live with the changing of routes slightly, but the zooming - nope! Even the route changes didn't seem like I wanted to put up with Tom on that because I never could figure out exactly what Tom wanted in that regard.
Now in the CX-5 I use a Garmin 2797 that sits on the dash as it did on a car previously.

2015 Cadillac ATS with OnStar - Know nothing about OnStar as I've never used it. It has a Garmin 2689 for navigation.

The Garmins have lifetime traffic and updates. They don't always like the routes I plan on the computer either. But, I know how to work around that with the Garmins. Usually.

But, the ZOOM stays where I put it.

I have a Toyota RAV4. If you check the satisfaction survey you ill find it comes in dead last.
For built in NAV typically, they are expensive to buy, expensive to update maps, and impossible to add bulk POIs.
Chrysler uses Garmin so that may be good. The rest are "homemade", like from companies who can't sell a real NAV unit to the public.

I don't even use the built in - my Garmin 1490 is still my goto unit.

My car came with the built in Nav unit (Garmin based) I've now had it for almost a year and am very slowly getting the hang of it. Not as easy to manipulate as a stand alone Garmin.

I can set up a route on my laptop using MapSource or BaseCamp and then transfer to my 855 or 2797. This you cannot do in a built in. I find it quite laborious to set up a route in the built in.

But I have to agree the built in overrides any radio or stereo which is playing so you hear the direction prompts.

It took me a while to be able to figure out how to add my own waypoints from a SD card.

As far as I know you cannot add or change any POI's, I think they come with a map update. I tried to add RLC and Speed camera POI's and did not succeed.

Also where the Nuvi will display almost all speed limits of the street, road or highway you're on, the built in does not. The Nuvi changes color to red if you speed, the built in does not.

I just got and android radio, double din unit 7" screen running android 6.01. It will run any gps app made for android, google maps, copilot, sygic, igo etc. Once you buy the app it includes lifetime map updates. For an extra fee you can get traffic, redlight camera warnings etc. They work with no data connection for navigation, but if you want real time traffic updates you need a data plan/hot spot from your phone to get it.

Pros:
It is always there.
Don't have to worry about it being stolen in the parking lot.
Map updates are downloaded on a computer and installed on a microSD card.

Cons:
The first map update is free others cost <>$150.
Current map is 3 yrs old and no new update is available.
Cannot load custom POIs into unit.
Haven't figured out how to build a Route, unable to load routes built externally.
Difficult to understand how to program a destination.
Cost of the option.
Need a subscription to SiriusXM radio for traffic info.

If you have a choice, go with a stand-alone Garmin.

I know some people who think programming a Garmin stand alone is difficult. It is child's play compared to my built in Garmin Based unit.

Oh, yes as the previous poster mentions, the traffic feature only works with an EXPENSIVE SIRIUS subscription !!!

It is a very nice back up display though !

The Black Edition and RTL-E (possibly other lower model lines as well) Honda Ridgelines comes with a Garmin system although "watered down" somewhat, but usable. Current Honda vehicles get one map update a year free for 5 years. After that I have no idea what it might cost. Unfortunately Honda is several map updates behind as the currently offered update is v2017.0. Cannot upload any POIs, routes, etc.
Map updates are accomplished with Garmin Express on your PC or Mac like any other Garmin gps then transferred to the vehicle via a USB drive.

Apple Car Play mapping/navigation as well as Android Auto navigation is also available so if you tether your smartphone you have two navigation systems available, just not at the same time.

I did discover by simply adding a new Voice folder to the root level of the Honda map update on the USB drive that I could transfer some voice files from my Nuvi 2699 to the Honda built-in unit. (I missed Karen...) I believe I was also able to transfer some vehicle icons, but lost the original Honda vehicle icons in the process. No big deal there although they were truck icons of factory colors. Mine is white so did not use it anyway.

Never knew this

2017 Subaru Outback
Cons:
Have not found Red Light Camera alerts
Must program route changes or add route while vehicle is stationary even if I'm the passenger - no option to override
Pros:
Huge map display full screen or split map with radio display
Voice prompts temporarily mutes radio

I have a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara with built in Garmin nav system. The unit is removable from the dash and can be connected to a computer. POI's can be added via Basecamp and map & firmware updates are done by Garmin Express. No lifetime map subscription is available though and each map update costs $69.

It's the best of both worlds IMO but unfortunately no longer an option since Suzuki stopped importing cars to the US market in 2013.

Garbage!! Gets lost, $100+ for updates, haven't been able to add PIO's.

Would not even think of buying a new car based on what GPS/NAV system it has. Too expensive to keep updated. Helpful features need Onstar for example. Wife had a 2011 Impala, passed on Onstar when she found out it was $300 per year. She's prone to making wrong turns and the on-board GPS navigation cut her off after 3 "reroutes". She now has a 2017 Impala. Same CRAP. I got her a brand new Garmin, vent mounted it, she's happy. The so-called entertainment center is a big nothing. WiFi in the car is a waste and the yearly fee is ridiculous.

No CD player anymore. Sales guy said "GM considers it a driving hazard". Really?

Which model of VW do you have?
I've figured out how to add POI to my 2017 Discover Media II. Only format it can read is a vCard. Used Outlook 2003 to export contacts.

I have a 2016 GMC Sierra.

The NAV screen on the GMC is not as "User Friendly" as my 3597's display, but it is larger and is less likely to be stolen. Although, I remove or hide the 3597 when the GMC is going to be out of site.

With a dash mounted Garmin GPS, you can get "Traffic' thru your cell phone, if your Garmin came with the Lifetime Traffic option. Data usage is very low.

The GMC maps only get updated once a year (maybe) and cost 149 USD (I just got a flyer the other day to update ). Garmin updates every 3 or 4 months and I have a lifetime subscription, so map with built-in POIs get updated for free on the 3597 (Maps come from same vendor).

Beyond basic user instructions, there is not much support available , except from the GM user groups (users that happen to get hold of a support tech that happens to know the answer).

My biggest problem is "Custom Pois". Yes, you can install them, but how to do it is not in the owners manual. I found the needed steps on the GM Cadillac owners group and they were slightly different for the GMC. You CANNOT use categories (McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Bank of America, etc.), Custom Icons or Custom Sounds. In the GMC, all the Custom POIs are just identified as blue dots on the screen. Whereas, on my Garmin I can have Custom Icons that appear on the map, Custom Sounds (used with a user definable distance) and all custom POIs appear in a listing by category that is sorted by "closest first".

Custom POIs are very important. In today's economy, business locations can close overnite (example: The 63 Sam's Clubs that did close overnight). Bank of America has gone from almost 10,000 locations to 7,153 locations since 2010. Most locations were deleted, but there were quite a few additions. Imagine looking for an ATM at 2 AM, only to discover an empty concrete pad where its supposed to be.

So, the 2 main things most will agree on is that the built-in GPS units are WAY overpriced and the updates are too far apart and too expensive when compared to dash mounted units.! Also, POIs included in the map have a lot of "out of date" POIs and a lot have incorrect locations.

I'm getting off the soapbox now!

As far as updates for the GMC, if a new update is out, give it a couple weeks and look on Ebay. They go for a lot less that from the dealer. Then you can go back and sell it on Ebay and get some of your money back.

Yes, I meant to mention EBay, but I figured that I had rambled on too long.

We have a 2018 Expedition that came with the GPS built in. It is part of the trim level and is incorporated into the Ford Sync 3 console. I wouldn't have paid extra for the built in GPS.

I haven't been able to determine the vendor of the gps software other than the maps are provided by TeleNav. Per the owner's manual, the map updates are included at no extra cost. There is no indication of how often this happens.

Pros:
The GPS is simple to operate either by touch screen or voice commands.
The screen display is much larger than my nüvi.
The routing quickly and quietly recalculates a new route if a turn is missed.
Traffic data is provided by Sirius at no extra cost for 5 years.*

Cons:
Despite the latest software, an intersection near my home was reconfigured nearly 2 years ago and the maps don't show the new layout.
I've found no way to import custom POIs
The turn by turn volume is the same as the audio... If the music is low for easy conversation in the car, the directions can go unnoticed.
Audible directions are generic. i.e. "Take exit in 1 mile." vs. "Take exit 12b in 1 mile."
If an iPhone is tethered by USB for CarPlay, the built in navigation hands off to the less desirable Apple maps. The built in GPS bows out until CarPlay is disabled or the iPhone is unplugged. I don't know if this is the same for Android phones.

We just completed a 600 miles road trip and left the nüvi at home. The nüvi will be on board for our next trip. Despite the smaller screen size, I much prefer my 3597's functionality and especially missed our custom POI.

* My Garmin is unaware of an interstate exit that is being rebuilt and closed to traffic causing a reroute that attempts to route back to that closed exit to reach my destination. The built in Ford GPS knew about this presumably from the Sirius traffic data and generated a route that took me off that section of interstate before arriving at the temporarily closed exit. Presumably, it will require a subscription to Sirius traffic data after the 5 years to avoid such areas. Other than the one construction site, there were no traffic delays on the normal route so I couldn't gauge how effective the Sirius traffic data is.

"The turn by turn volume is the same as the audio... If the music is low for easy conversation in the car, the directions can go unnoticed."

The navigation volume can be increased but only when the navigation system is speaking. Next time it is giving you a direction press the volume up button on the steering wheel whilst it is speaking and that will increase the volume independent of the radio volume. I only found out about this by going on a Ford user web site.

One would think that a 500+ page owner's manual would have this in it, but I'm finding I have to comb the chat on unofficial forums. Come to think of it, that's why we hang out at the POI Factory!!!

I have a 2016 Honda Odyssey touring with built-in Honda Navigation. With the 2018 model, they finally got smart and partnered with Garmin, the navigation leader to use their maps and mapping engine. It's far superior. Mine offers annual map updates via DVD which are $99-$149 depending upon if it's on sale but not required. No subscription fee for use as they're "offline" maps saved to the vehicle's hard drive.

I also have a 2009 Honda Accord where I fabricated my own Garmin DriveSmart navigation system - works like a charm with voice recognition. It's not integrated through the stereo, but next best thing.

...to pick up my grandson coming home from the Army for Christmas leave. He rode home with a buddy and I drove to his buddies house to pick him up. I have a 2017 Hyundai Azera with built-in navigation. Everything was fine until I got to Greensburg, IN. At this point in time, you might say, the wheels fell off of the truck. This goofy thing told me to turn where there were no road and then had me turn into some farmers driveway. At this point I knew the thing was completely discobulated. It was telling me to make a turn at the end of the driveway that went into a field. I grabbed the trusty iPhone, pulled up CarPlay, pulled up Google Maps, and quick as a wink, I was on my way again. I have no idea what the in-car nav was trying to do, but it certainly wasn’t helping in this situation. I am glad that I had a backup, otherwise I could still be wondering around the fertile fields of the great state of Indiana.

I can say no system is without glitches and my 2016 Honda Odyssey had a few. At times, when I took an unexpected turn from the navigation route, it got all confused. One time on a long distance trip to Florida, it was headed north when I was headed south! Then when I got to the beach it had the car driving around in the ocean!! After a while, it got its act together but they're something else. My new 2018/2019 Hondas are Garmin based and seem to be much better at accuracy.