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Equipment Tests > AVNC Satnav
AVNC Satnav
Issue: July 2009
Words and Photos by Robert Pepper
Thinking of a factory-fit satnav unit for your new car? Consider the AVNC before you go any further.
Time was you'd be happy with an AM radio in your car. In 2009 we're a lot more demanding of in-car gizmos, so off-road nav specialists VMS have created the AVNC 3000 - Audio, Visual, Navigation Computer. This unit caught our eye because it's pretty much unique on two counts; firstly it's an aftermarket unit but nicely integrated into the dash via a double-DIN socket, so it looks factory, and secondly for the sheer breadth of capability. There's on road auto-routing, AM/FM radio, hands-free Bluetooth (no address book), DVD movie playing, MP3 sound, a reversing camera option and steering wheel controls. The reason we're reviewing it is because it also includes proper off-roading mapping via Memory Map Navigator or OziexplorerCE. Media includes an SD card, USB port for disks or cards, DVD reader and iPod connector. SDHC cards up to 16GB have been tested, and one card can contain MP3s or videos, in whichever directories you like, but not maps, which must be loaded from the SD card. So, quite a few functions, and quite a test required. We don't own a car with a double-DIN socket, so we enlisted the help of a highly experienced off-road driver, but a relative novice for gadgets and had the unit fitted to his 2002 Patrol GU. This review reflects his views as well as our own.
In general, everything works as advertised, and we tested it all. From a USB stick the AVNC played MP3s and AVIs, showed JPEGs (but large files take a while to load) and played DVD movies. It found test addresses, loaded off-road maps and hooked up to an iPod, although with limited iPod functions. The question is more about useability and effectiveness. Starting with the physical, the unit's location in the Patrol looks like a factory-fit, is very neat and takes up no room. It would also be far more difficult to steal than a portable unit, and conveniently switches on and off with the ignition. However, the unit's location in this particular Patrol leaves it very susceptible to sunglare so really needs some form of shade. Once installed you cannot change the screen angle. The screen is a 6.5-inch diagonal, resolution 480x234, so adequate but not pin-sharp. Many of the menus and options require careful tapping of the screen, and you'd often want to use the supplied stylus rather than a fingernail to do it. Our tester described using the AVNC as fiddly. Each of the functions is provided by a different application, and thus has a different look and feel to the others, which doesn't help. The main point here is that this unit is takes time to learn; it does the job of several devices, and thus there is a fair learning curve to not only use the functions but do so efficiently. Our tester for example reset the device to move from on-road to off-road mapping. We quickly worked out that you had to exit one to return to the menu and then start the other (this is actually mentioned in the manual), clearly not obvious, but demonstrates that a little knowledge can often eliminate what appears to be an annoying limitation and that is very true of a device like the AVNC.
Our tester made a point of saying the AVNC radio could not pick up stations anywhere near as strongly as the Nissan standard. Sound quality was fine though. The autorouting worked fine under our test, but the tester said he had to reset it a few times. We also noticed that some software is clearly not designed for a 480x234 screen as words slightly ran off the screen and icons were not fully displayed, but everything worked.
read on below advertisement
The AVNC has many functions, and unlike some similar units it will multi-task to some extent, for example playing video to (optional) screens in the rear while navigation is running, or playing MP3s or radio in the background while navigating. However, you cannot have say OziCE in the background recording a tracklog while the on-road routing is working.
A major attraction of the AVNC is the off-road mapping with raster maps, which is Memory Map's PocketPC software. This runs a variety of maps, and is pre-loaded with 38 from Hema. You can buy the desktop version of Memory Map and create your own. Alternatively, you can put OziCE on a SD card and run Ozi instead, which will widen your map base to anything on the Australian market. The off-road mapping certainly works and is a major plus factor relative to factory-installed satnavs; it has all the standard features such as finding maps of an area, searching, zooming, routes, waypoints and tracks. The on-road navigation has all the features you'd expect; points of interest, zoom in on turns, 2D or 3D. It is not the most useable or best looking application, but it does the job. Guidance is by screen prompt with optional voice, and will temporarily mute any other sound, an example of where the AVNC is well integrated. The volumes can be set to different levels.
Updates for the unit are available, around $150 for the off-road maps and $250 for the autorouting. The supplied SD 8GB card must contain all the maps, so the card's space is not fully available for your own data, although MP3s and video can be accessed via USB.
In summary, there are three main reasons why you'd want this unit. Firstly it has that factory-fit look, integrates with your stereo and even has steering wheel controls, secondly it's a one-stop shop for pretty much everything, a jack of all trades if not a master of any one, and thirdly it gets away from all the clutter of different gadgets and wiring everywhere. Certainly it should be considered before you shell out for a factory satnav system. However, if you get one, be prepared to put in the time to learn it. The manual is just a quick-start and so is fairly basic, but the good news is that VMS is based in Melbourne so Aussie support is readily available, as are training courses. You can speak to human experts about this kit, and that's becoming increasingly rare.
AVNC 3000 Mk2 RRP $2395
Fitting approx $100, dependent on vehicle. Reversing camera approx $250 extra.
Training - three hours in a class, $70, held every two months in Melbourne and Sydney.
www.vmscarpc.com.au
Also consider...
The AVNC costs around $2500 installed, but nothing else quite matches what it can do and how it does it. In-car satnavs are often more expensive, don't have the range of functions, don't look any neater, and in particular cannot compete with its off-road mapping feature. Portable GPS receivers are far cheaper, but can't match the AVNC's features or integration with the car. A small computer like a netbook could do it, or an DIN-socket Windows PC, but that requires a mount and custom configuration. Or you could just opt for separate devices which could well be cheaper overall, but not as neat; a media player for the backseat passengers, portable navigation device, Bluetooth hands-free system and use your car's existing stereo.
Words and Photos by Robert Pepper
Thinking of a factory-fit satnav unit for your new car? Consider the AVNC before you go any further.
Time was you'd be happy with an AM radio in your car. In 2009 we're a lot more demanding of in-car gizmos, so off-road nav specialists VMS have created the AVNC 3000 - Audio, Visual, Navigation Computer. This unit caught our eye because it's pretty much unique on two counts; firstly it's an aftermarket unit but nicely integrated into the dash via a double-DIN socket, so it looks factory, and secondly for the sheer breadth of capability. There's on road auto-routing, AM/FM radio, hands-free Bluetooth (no address book), DVD movie playing, MP3 sound, a reversing camera option and steering wheel controls. The reason we're reviewing it is because it also includes proper off-roading mapping via Memory Map Navigator or OziexplorerCE. Media includes an SD card, USB port for disks or cards, DVD reader and iPod connector. SDHC cards up to 16GB have been tested, and one card can contain MP3s or videos, in whichever directories you like, but not maps, which must be loaded from the SD card. So, quite a few functions, and quite a test required. We don't own a car with a double-DIN socket, so we enlisted the help of a highly experienced off-road driver, but a relative novice for gadgets and had the unit fitted to his 2002 Patrol GU. This review reflects his views as well as our own.
In general, everything works as advertised, and we tested it all. From a USB stick the AVNC played MP3s and AVIs, showed JPEGs (but large files take a while to load) and played DVD movies. It found test addresses, loaded off-road maps and hooked up to an iPod, although with limited iPod functions. The question is more about useability and effectiveness. Starting with the physical, the unit's location in the Patrol looks like a factory-fit, is very neat and takes up no room. It would also be far more difficult to steal than a portable unit, and conveniently switches on and off with the ignition. However, the unit's location in this particular Patrol leaves it very susceptible to sunglare so really needs some form of shade. Once installed you cannot change the screen angle. The screen is a 6.5-inch diagonal, resolution 480x234, so adequate but not pin-sharp. Many of the menus and options require careful tapping of the screen, and you'd often want to use the supplied stylus rather than a fingernail to do it. Our tester described using the AVNC as fiddly. Each of the functions is provided by a different application, and thus has a different look and feel to the others, which doesn't help. The main point here is that this unit is takes time to learn; it does the job of several devices, and thus there is a fair learning curve to not only use the functions but do so efficiently. Our tester for example reset the device to move from on-road to off-road mapping. We quickly worked out that you had to exit one to return to the menu and then start the other (this is actually mentioned in the manual), clearly not obvious, but demonstrates that a little knowledge can often eliminate what appears to be an annoying limitation and that is very true of a device like the AVNC.
Our tester made a point of saying the AVNC radio could not pick up stations anywhere near as strongly as the Nissan standard. Sound quality was fine though. The autorouting worked fine under our test, but the tester said he had to reset it a few times. We also noticed that some software is clearly not designed for a 480x234 screen as words slightly ran off the screen and icons were not fully displayed, but everything worked.
read on below advertisement
The AVNC has many functions, and unlike some similar units it will multi-task to some extent, for example playing video to (optional) screens in the rear while navigation is running, or playing MP3s or radio in the background while navigating. However, you cannot have say OziCE in the background recording a tracklog while the on-road routing is working.
A major attraction of the AVNC is the off-road mapping with raster maps, which is Memory Map's PocketPC software. This runs a variety of maps, and is pre-loaded with 38 from Hema. You can buy the desktop version of Memory Map and create your own. Alternatively, you can put OziCE on a SD card and run Ozi instead, which will widen your map base to anything on the Australian market. The off-road mapping certainly works and is a major plus factor relative to factory-installed satnavs; it has all the standard features such as finding maps of an area, searching, zooming, routes, waypoints and tracks. The on-road navigation has all the features you'd expect; points of interest, zoom in on turns, 2D or 3D. It is not the most useable or best looking application, but it does the job. Guidance is by screen prompt with optional voice, and will temporarily mute any other sound, an example of where the AVNC is well integrated. The volumes can be set to different levels.
Updates for the unit are available, around $150 for the off-road maps and $250 for the autorouting. The supplied SD 8GB card must contain all the maps, so the card's space is not fully available for your own data, although MP3s and video can be accessed via USB.
In summary, there are three main reasons why you'd want this unit. Firstly it has that factory-fit look, integrates with your stereo and even has steering wheel controls, secondly it's a one-stop shop for pretty much everything, a jack of all trades if not a master of any one, and thirdly it gets away from all the clutter of different gadgets and wiring everywhere. Certainly it should be considered before you shell out for a factory satnav system. However, if you get one, be prepared to put in the time to learn it. The manual is just a quick-start and so is fairly basic, but the good news is that VMS is based in Melbourne so Aussie support is readily available, as are training courses. You can speak to human experts about this kit, and that's becoming increasingly rare.
AVNC 3000 Mk2 RRP $2395
Fitting approx $100, dependent on vehicle. Reversing camera approx $250 extra.
Training - three hours in a class, $70, held every two months in Melbourne and Sydney.
www.vmscarpc.com.au
Also consider...
The AVNC costs around $2500 installed, but nothing else quite matches what it can do and how it does it. In-car satnavs are often more expensive, don't have the range of functions, don't look any neater, and in particular cannot compete with its off-road mapping feature. Portable GPS receivers are far cheaper, but can't match the AVNC's features or integration with the car. A small computer like a netbook could do it, or an DIN-socket Windows PC, but that requires a mount and custom configuration. Or you could just opt for separate devices which could well be cheaper overall, but not as neat; a media player for the backseat passengers, portable navigation device, Bluetooth hands-free system and use your car's existing stereo.