2005 XC90 2.5T Navigation mod?

Post by **cn90** » 20 Jun 2014, 08:43

Hi GPS gurus,

I hope you can help.

Below is a photo of my dash, I wonder if I can buy some used Navigation system on ebay and install it.
Any tips/tricks?

: VolvoXC90-07.jpg (58.2 KiB) Viewed 1907 times

This is the video that I am watching...

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Jun 2014, 09:12

You can buy a GREAT Garmin/Tom-Tom/Magellan for what one update already is outdated Nav disc set costs. The Volvo system that fits that vehicle with much work and expense and a download at dealer ($$) is maddening slow and slow and tedious to enter addresses into. The nav in recent Volvos (2014 XC60 T6 R Design) is aggravating enough that I get out my phone so that I won't be past the destination before I'm through being interrogated if using voice or through typing with clumsy scroll keyboard. I hagve a BMW with factory nav and it is just as crappy as far as man-machine interface goes
You will need the steering wheel with nav controls and Those sell for $100 and up depending on condition.

Most up to date and full featured Nav systems are in smartphones.

Post by **cn90** » 20 Jun 2014, 10:13

Thanks jimmy,

That was my suspicion!
I have a few hand-held GPS (Magellan) at home so I guess I have to use the dash mount kit.

As much as I like the integrated look, the issues I hear are unbelievable:
- My sister Mercedes E550: same issue: updated the DVDs, some are inaccurate and slow.
- BMW same issue
- Honda mechanics told me forget about their navigation system.
- Now you tell me the Volvo navigation is no different.

Sometimes I wonder if car makers should allot a place (such as a pop-up on the dash) that has a power socket and simply let the customer plug in a device of his choice (such as Tom-Tom, Magellan etc.). This way the customer can replace/update the device later at ease.

I agree with you that car makers should leave the navigation business to people like TomTom, Magellan, iPhone, Google...

On the plus side of a integrated GPS system:
- It looks nicer
- It does not tie up the smart phones...

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Jun 2014, 11:10

Carmakers are moving to giving you as much of your smartphone on the car's screen as is possible. They know that smartphones are taking over. Tablets too. CarPlay that premiers on the new XC90 is one of the vehicles that will have that capability.

When I drive rentals cars and new Volvos I used the phone's dialer system usually and then speak and listen over the features of the car.
Me using phone: "call Joe Smith" Phone: "calling Joe Smith" ring ring

Me, using Volvo: "Phone, call contact" Car: "name please . . . . . . . beep" Me: "Joe Smith"
car: "select line number.......beep" (there is only one choice, so only one line to select from)
me: "one"
car: "calling Joe Smith, confirm yes or no ............beep" me: "yes you #**!! sorry integrated voice control bluetooth system!" car: "voice command system cancelled"

Note: if you don't use the acceptable command at first (phone, call contact) then you get a tutorial that can't be interrupted telling you what is acceptable.