Earlier this week, NAVI crashed while I was driving home.
I’ve never in all my years of driving ever had a car stereo component outright fail on me (the car antenna doesn’t count).
I spent Tuesday night diagnosing and disassembling the dashboard, pulling out the entire GPS system and reconnecting cables (in case any were loose). I patched it all up and it seemed good, but NAVI still crashes and powers off abruptly. The iPod adapter system still works, which is by far the much more crucial device, which makes me re-evaluate the need and worth of having the GPS system. The GPS system is out of warranty (and I know the rates for repair on it are bound to be astronomical).
I was also researching new Map DVDs for NAVI as well — they are ridiculously expensive. Definitely not something to be replaced on an annual or bi-annual basis — probably something that one might consider replacing every 5 to 10 years, just like you would replace a Thomas Guide.
All of this has had me thinking — we spend all this time developing new technology to make our lives easier, but at the same time, this new technology complicates our lives when it doesn’t work. Don’t get me wrong — GPS tech is great since I constantly find myself lost getting to a new place, but is it really worth the cost? Pioneer’s current model, the AVIC-N2 Multi-Function Navigation System, costs over $1600. That’s a whole lot of Thomas Guides.
hahaha! ") the problem was that you never had a thomas guide handy in the car before. that's what i should've given you as a gift all these years! but, then you got navi. i trust you not to get lost as much now though.