Navigation System - weather?
#1
Navigation System - weather?
Hi,
Been enjoying the Navigation System in my 06 Mariner. Is that piece of electronics cool or what? I can't hardly believe there's not some sort of monthly fee associated with using the satelites.
I had another idea. Is it possible to get weather radar on the navigation system? Sure is lots of weather satelites up there.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket program that would let the Navigation System show weather radar? Is there anything else available for use in the Navigation System?
Watching the Navigation System is so cool, that I almost let my wife do the driving (I said 'almost' LOL).
Mark
Been enjoying the Navigation System in my 06 Mariner. Is that piece of electronics cool or what? I can't hardly believe there's not some sort of monthly fee associated with using the satelites.
I had another idea. Is it possible to get weather radar on the navigation system? Sure is lots of weather satelites up there.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket program that would let the Navigation System show weather radar? Is there anything else available for use in the Navigation System?
Watching the Navigation System is so cool, that I almost let my wife do the driving (I said 'almost' LOL).
Mark
#2
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Yeah, I like it...or should say I got used to it and it's fine. We test drove other hybrids and I think MMH is not as good as some others (and a bit small), but I have no complaints. It's really cool driving the car and getting the Nav feedback and all that.
I would have liked the ext/int temperature gauge, but the MMH/FEH dont come with that bit of a useful feature.
I would have liked the ext/int temperature gauge, but the MMH/FEH dont come with that bit of a useful feature.
#3
Re: Navigation System - weather?
1. Compared to other car mfg's and aftermarket units, this one is WEAK. Small screen, CD based, and limited in capability. The thing doesn't even play MP3 cd's or allow a satelite radio interface...asking about weather is a bit of a stretch considering. The big problem with these OEM units like this is that everything is proprietary and internal. In other words, unless you know someone who works for Visteon or who is willing to hack the unit, forget about it. I never would have gotten one if it weren't for the fuel and hybrid feedback screens.
2. If you want external temps, the best bet is buying one of the rearview mirrors that come with the sensors. Donnelly and Gentex are the two biggest mfg's of stock mirrors.
2. If you want external temps, the best bet is buying one of the rearview mirrors that come with the sensors. Donnelly and Gentex are the two biggest mfg's of stock mirrors.
#4
Re: Navigation System - weather?
I plan on owning this Hybrid for at least 6 years (that's when the warranty runs out), so I wouldn't mind that temperature gauge. I may look into those companies you suggested. I also need to get a remote starter installed by winter.
I've heard that the navigation system is week compared to others. But this is the only one I've ever seen, so to me it's the cats meow. But I understand the limitations you talk about. Maybe my next vehicle in 6 years will have a navigation system that includes satelite radio, weather and internet!
Speaking of the navigation system, I don't suppose it has an adapter to connect your I-pod to it, eh? I'm thinking not.
Mark
I've heard that the navigation system is week compared to others. But this is the only one I've ever seen, so to me it's the cats meow. But I understand the limitations you talk about. Maybe my next vehicle in 6 years will have a navigation system that includes satelite radio, weather and internet!
Speaking of the navigation system, I don't suppose it has an adapter to connect your I-pod to it, eh? I'm thinking not.
Mark
#5
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Originally Posted by Pexring
Speaking of the navigation system, I don't suppose it has an adapter to connect your I-pod to it, eh? I'm thinking not.
Mark
#6
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Cool thought, but what you are asking for is wireless internet, not satelite weather downlink.
A very little known fact is the weather "pictures" come from the ground.
The data from satelites is somthing akin to the signal you send over a telephone modem. It's just raw data and all the cool pictures you see on TV or WEB need to be post-processed on the ground.
So while I know what you want, you can get it now with cell phone, or wireless web browser. No satelite required!
-John
A very little known fact is the weather "pictures" come from the ground.
The data from satelites is somthing akin to the signal you send over a telephone modem. It's just raw data and all the cool pictures you see on TV or WEB need to be post-processed on the ground.
So while I know what you want, you can get it now with cell phone, or wireless web browser. No satelite required!
-John
Originally Posted by Pexring
Hi,
Been enjoying the Navigation System in my 06 Mariner. Is that piece of electronics cool or what? I can't hardly believe there's not some sort of monthly fee associated with using the satelites.
I had another idea. Is it possible to get weather radar on the navigation system? Sure is lots of weather satelites up there.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket program that would let the Navigation System show weather radar? Is there anything else available for use in the Navigation System?
Watching the Navigation System is so cool, that I almost let my wife do the driving (I said 'almost' LOL).
Mark
Been enjoying the Navigation System in my 06 Mariner. Is that piece of electronics cool or what? I can't hardly believe there's not some sort of monthly fee associated with using the satelites.
I had another idea. Is it possible to get weather radar on the navigation system? Sure is lots of weather satelites up there.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket program that would let the Navigation System show weather radar? Is there anything else available for use in the Navigation System?
Watching the Navigation System is so cool, that I almost let my wife do the driving (I said 'almost' LOL).
Mark
#7
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Originally Posted by Pexring
I can't hardly believe there's not some sort of monthly fee associated with using the satelites.
#8
Re: Navigation System - weather?
There are some aviation GPS units that can overlay radar weather data onto the screen of the unit. They can also show other aircraft traffic. The Garmins (GNS 430's) in my plane has the capability but you have to pay a monthly subscription fee to get it. Not sure how the information is transmitted to the aircraft in flight but it certainly isn't wireless internet.
There are many different type of weather "pictures". The radar that shows the thunderstorms is ground based. The photos that show clouds and hurricanes are actual photos taken by a satellite (either geosynchronous or polar orbitting) and transmitted to the earth via radio signal. The only "post-processing" they need is converting from a digital radio signal (analog back in my days as a shipboard meteorologist) to a photo - much the same as emailing a jpeg file. Many of the pictures they show on the news are a composite with the radar image superimposed over a satellite picture.
So, to answer the original question, the capability is there to get more data on the GPS screen but probably not on the low-end junk (my opinion) in the FEH.
The other part of your question regarding fees - there is no fee for the use of the satellites but any good GPS system should at least offer a subscription service to allow for updates of the database. It can get quickly obsolete without it.
A very little known fact is the weather "pictures" come from the ground.
So, to answer the original question, the capability is there to get more data on the GPS screen but probably not on the low-end junk (my opinion) in the FEH.
The other part of your question regarding fees - there is no fee for the use of the satellites but any good GPS system should at least offer a subscription service to allow for updates of the database. It can get quickly obsolete without it.
#9
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Originally Posted by nitramjr
So, to answer the original question, the capability is there to get more data on the GPS screen but probably not on the low-end junk (my opinion) in the FEH.
#10
Re: Navigation System - weather?
Originally Posted by TeeSter
Its pretty unlikely it would be added even to the high end systems out there unless it came with it from the start.
What's great about them is that once every 4 weeks I download a file onto a small data card, slide it into a slot on the unit and the unit is updated for another month. Why the FEH unit used CD when there is so much better data storage medium available is beyond me.
And why did they integrate the hybrid display into the GPS? I wouldn't mind having that without the GPS.
As for the interior/exterior temperature gauge, I picked one up at Target for $10 and it is actually pretty accurate when compared to some other thermometers. I velcroed it to the dash, ran the wire out the door, under the gasket. Cheap but effective. Doesn't look bad either.
As always, just my opinion here - no hatemail please.