Classic Sat NAv

[andy watson]

Hi Fellers,

Anyone brought one of these or seen one in action, I am considering one of these over a double din unit, any thoughts welcome.







New Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System: high-tech in classic designRadio Navigation System for Classic Porsche Models
Be reliably guided through Paris by touchscreen in a roaring 911 from the 1970's, or enjoy the latest songs from Jamie Cullum on a tour through Alpine passes in a 944 "” all this is now possible. Owners of classic Porsche models who are unwilling to accept any breaches in style in the interior no longer have to forgo state-of-the art communication technology. Porsche Classic offers a new radio navigation system for Europe in a classic design. The device is suitable for all vehicles with a 12 V battery and a 1-DIN slot "” in other words, all Porsche classic models, from the first 911, the 914 to the front-engine models (924 to 968, 928) to the last air-cooled 911 (993).
The completely black design takes you back a few decades, starting with the two control buttons. The left button is used to control the volume and the right button is a disguised rocker switch. The device's key feature is the 3.5-inch touchscreen. In addition to the navigation itself, you can also find points of interest (POIs) such as Porsche contract workshops, attractions and restaurants. Furthermore, the device displays both your driving speed and the permissible speed limit. All other high-tech features are discreetly hidden. These features include a USB connection and a Bluetooth hands-free facility for a mobile phone. At the push of a button, the whole cover flips forward, providing access to the slot for a CD or DVD. When the cover is open, the device software can also be updated without needing to remove the device. Porsche provides regular updates.
The net price for the radio navigation system, excluding country-specific taxes, is EUR 595.00. For a small extra charge (EUR 655.00, excluding country-specific taxes), the device comes equipped with automatic traffic jam avoidance, Traffic Message Channel (TMC).

10/11/2010
Here you can find all information about Porsche Classic from past years.

 

[MarkK]

Visted Porsche centre Leicester today and someone was having one fitted in a maroon 993,sounds like a good idea,nice that new technology is being developed for the older cars.

 

[Lowtimer]

I saw it in Porsche Post at the weekend and though it looked great. I love the basic idea but it is not clear from anything I have been able to find so far what the spec of the actual radio is. It is quite possible that analogue radio will get turned off in the UK in a few years and I am not about to ditch my Blaupunkt and Tom-Tom combo for £600 worth of Porsche Classic system, no matter how nice it looks, until there is a model that will receive digital radio.

 

[andy watson]

Blimey thats a good point, I am going to call OPC tomorrow and see what news there is on digital, I suppose that would have to considered on any new system?

Thanks

 

[charlieb]

Hi Andy,

This looks brilliant! I had the idea of trying to retro fit a 996/986 sat nav system into the double din - but have been told this is just not possible. I then looked at becker sat navs (the 996/986 are essentially becker units as i understand it) which are very good and I have used a mexico pro for an extended time and have been set on going for the traffic pro to retain a factory look.

This however looks incredible and just the thing im after! looks like it will integrate perfectly. I have taken a quick look at the specs - and has pre outs for extra amplifiers/subwoofers etc if thats your thing and inputs for your MP3 etc so well specced. Also comes with a bluetooth handsfree and microphone kit etc.

If I dont get this done before you (few other things on my list - I should have this in by August) then pleas let us all know how you get on with it as im really interested in this - looks ace.[]

 

[DavidL]

No mention of DAB on the spec sheet
http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/classic/news/classicnews/?pool=uk&id=2010-11-04-classic

follow the pdf download.

Does look good I must admit.

 

[Copperman05]

Looking at the specs its not a DAB radio. I like the look of it but I'm not sure how useful a sat nav would be in the position the unit would be in the 944. Its fine for radio and music but a bit low for navigation?

Edd

 

[charlieb]

I think its a viable position - if not 'ideal' I dont struggle to read my radio facia so cant see this would be a huge prob for me. mostly I listen to the prompts and let the navigator tell me where to go..

I guess if you wanted dab you could add a pure highway dab

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Pure_Highway_DAB_car_radio.html

If and when as the gov says it will be switching off radio as we know it. I wonder if porsche would realease a DAB arial and firmware update to specifially work with this if that did happen. at 600Eur it is quite a commitment.

 

[zcacogp]

EUR600 isn't cheap. At all. I just put a very nice Blaupunkt DAB/MP3 player in my S2 and it cost less than £100 (second-hand, admittedly.) This, with sat nav on my 'phone and a bluetooth option if I want to use it, does me very nicely.


Oli.

P.S. DAB aerials are dead easy to make for pennies if you know what you're doing.

 

[andy watson]

Charlie,

Have a look at this Richard Hamilton kindly did this for me, pics of my car now with the Kenwood and with the new Porsche sat nav unit, what do you think?

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=617028&key

 

[zcacogp]

Honest reply? Looks terrible. (And that's not a reflection on the photoshopping.)

Also, a screen that small would surely be pretty near useless for sat nav. I find the screen on my 'phone difficult enough, and that's twice the size of anything you could fit on a single-DIN car radio.


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

I think I prefer the look of the now discontinued Becker Grand Prix, ok its not a sat nav but has everything you would ever need music wise.

Edd

 

[supersport]

I really like the look of these and was considering getting one for the 911. However, £600 is too much money for something that can hardly be heard plus after looking at those photoshops it doesn't look so good. The plastics just don't match up for my liking.

 

[andy watson]

Hi Oli,

The screen is not as small as the Becker unit I used to have in the Range Rover and that was always fine, the single Din screens are small I agree and it mostly depends on how you use the Nav I suppose, for instance I only use the arrow direction mode as well as listening to the voice prompts as opposed to studying the Sat Nav screen like a map.

I had a look at the real thing today at OPC and I like it a lot, its jumped to next on the list of goodies!!

Maybe you will change your mind when you see it fitted and working[] maybe you won't[]

I have decided its better than going the double din modern route anyway

 

[Oct]

I don't think you can get a true comparison between the plastics without seeing it in the flesh so to speak. The photo from the website is lit totally different from the car interior pics so they will look glaringly different. I think it is useful in terms of getting a general feel for how it would look rather than basing a purchasing decision.

 

[charlieb]

Hi Andy,

Been researching this too - there is some info on 911uk - http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=59181&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=50
one being installed in a 993 if you have not seen that.

Having seen the fitment there and the photoshops made up by Richard - im not sure I am entirely convinced. It does look miles better than the Kenwood in my eyes. But I cant help but think in the 993 thread I linked it looks a little 'clunky' but I will need to see one in the flesh. I think it would perhaps match better with the standard matt dash trim option as the finish is more similar.

£600 goes beyond a second hand becker and nav combo.. and the becker can be controlled by the Ipod you won with the leftovers.

What are your thoughts Andy?

ETA - Just seen you have been into the OPC - ill await the install pictures now then ;-)

Also are you planning on running external power amplifiers as well?

 

[zcacogp]

Who is the Porsche model made by? I doubt Porsche themselves make it, you'll probably find that it (or something very similar) can be bought under a different badge with a hefty saving.

EUR600 buys you a LOT of in car hifi and sat-nav systems, particularly if you buy second-hand.

Perhaps a better place to start would be to ask what you are wanting in the car; CD/MP3? IPod integration? Navigation? ... rather than looking at the unit and saying "nice, I'll have one of those". (Or is that just me being too boring, again?)


Oli.

 

[andy watson]

Oli......boring, never

Maybe a tad too sensible though[][]

I have been looking for ages for a Sat Nav for the 44, looked at the Becker's as I used to have one as previuosly stated, excellant piece of kit toyed with double din adaptation, saw this in PP and you are right: Saw it, liked it, WANT it

I hardly ever listen to music in the 44 ,don't need ipod, I do want Sat Nav and hate the mobile units stuck on my windscreen and I do need bluetooth and it says Porsche on it ( sad I know but hey!)

 

[zcacogp]

Interestingly, I also hate having things attached to the windscreen (along with the fact that it looks very chavvy), so I made a clip that attaches to the airvents, just over the odometer reset button, with some velcro on the back of it. Some sticky velcro on the back of my 'phone then allows me to stick the sat nav to this part of the dashboard, which is just about an ideal height to look at, and allows me to plug it into the cigarette lighter (to charge) and the jack in for the stereo (in case I need to play the directions loudly.)

The velcro on the back of the 'phone also allows me to attach it to other things like bicycle handlebars, so it has uses elsewhere as well.


Oli.

 

[charlieb]

Yep I must admit to having the Iwants for this - and too have been looking for a while for a sat nav as I now do more trips to south France.

For me its integration into the interior (OEM look) and not too many flashing lights etc - ability to play the iphones tunes and charge it and bluetooth for calls.

Having said that I have an alpine system at the moment and it doesnt affect me that much not having any of the above.

This Blaupunkt one looks OK and is a darn sight cheaper. But as Andy said - its does not have a Porsche sticker on it [8D]

http://www.caraudiowarehouse.co.uk/audio/blaupunkt-freestyle

I think Andy should Buy It Now and let us all know his thoughts - with proper photos