Every single car navigation system that I have ever used is a pain in the rear to enter destination information in. City, street and number (seem backwards to me). As a developer myself, I can understand why the did it this way. Faster searches. Siri and Android voice uses a more nature language. So I just have to say the address naturally, and it routes. Apple maps has improved greatly over the last year and is on par (in my opinion) with Google maps for car navigation. I assume that CarPlay apps for gas prices and POI will mesh nicely with the base Apple maps. Plus, the maps on our phones are more up to date than the fixed databases on our head units.

You know what I would love? A locally stored maps head unit that updates relevant mapping data whenever you have an internet connection. So let's say your car lives in your car garage. None of the Radios actually "turn off" when your car is off. They still have an ultra low power mode that maintains the clock, and relevant settings. Put an ultra low power computer system that even when the head unit is off is updating data every night from lets say 12-2 am. So when you then take the car for a drive you have updated maps that is accurate for POI and routes. 

Ah, interesting. I've never used Apple Maps for actual routing, usually it's just for when I want a quick check on where something is, or roughly how long it'll take while I'm sat in the house.

 

If you do a search for it there's a load of people questioning whether it actually works as it seems no-one has ever seen it offer to reroute!

 

I assume it uses a different system as the traffic info on the inbuilt uses the TMC traffic service in the UK which is sent over the FM airwaves using RDS.

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_message_channel

 

I'm as equally anticipating AVICSYNC being released as much as CarPlay to see how it all links with the Nav

That's the same system that many nav apps use here in the states. Again, no experience with NEX units on this, but my girl's new 3's built in Nav does. 

Thank you all so much for replying to my post. All of you have brought up very important points for the 8000 and for the 4000. You all have brought me to not only know but understand why you choose the way you did.

 

Also the discussion on Apple Maps has been very interesting, as my only experience with Apple Maps is when I used my friend's phone when it came out, and it was horrible. The last iPhone that I have personally owned was an iPhone 4, and I chose to leave the iPhone community because of the particular and overly restrictive design of the iOS. At that point, I decided to leave the iPhone community to join the Android community. Unfortunately I would need to wait for Android Auto to come to fruition before I am going to be able to use my phone as part of my stereo. Therefore, I will need a head unit with navigation. I appologise that I did not forewarn that I am an Android user, however the discussion in regards to Apple Maps and Apple CarPlay has been very informative and intriguing. 

 

Just to recap (the following information has been compiled with the consideration that the functionality of the 6000/7000/8000 NEX are exactly the same except for screen size and other differences listed):

 

4000 NEX

Pros:

Most economical

Removable Screen

Apple CarPlay ready

7" non-capacitive screen

Display is not as bright as 8000 NEX

Cons:

No Navigation - designed to be used with Apple CarPlay

 

5000 NEX

Pros:

Navigation included

Removable hard buttons

Apple CarPlay ready

Cons:

Loss of HDMI connector in the rear

More expensive than 4000 NEX

Less desirable design (subjective)

Hard buttons feel cheap (subjective)

Display is not as bright as 8000 NEX

Neither:

6.1" non-capacitive screen

Utilises MicroSD card

 

6000 NEX

Pros:

Navigation included

Removable hard buttons

HDMI included (compared to 5000 NEX)

Apple CarPlay ready

Cons:

Less desirable design (subjective)

Hard buttons feel cheap (subjective)

Display is not as bright as 8000 NEX

Neither:

Middle range device for a middle range price (Half way between 4000 NEX and 8000 NEX - CDN prices)

Utilises MicroSD card (up to 32 GB)

 

7000 NEX

Pros:

7" screen

Navigation included

Motorized screen

Utilises full size SD Card 

More desirable design (subjective)

Hard buttons has better tactile feel (subjective)

Apple CarPlay ready

Cons:

Non-capacitive screen (compared to 8000 NEX)

Price is set too high compared to 8000 NEX

No removable components for security

Display is not as bright as 8000 NEX

 

8000 NEX (Flagship model)

Pros:

7" Capacitive screen (allows for multi-touch for zooming and other functions)

Apple CarPlay Ready

More desirable design (subjective)

Hard buttons has better tactile feel (subjective)

Navigation included

Utilises full size SD card

Brightest screen available in the NEX line-up

Cons:

Most expensive

No removable components for security

 

 

Please feel free to correct me if I am incorrect about any of the information posted. If you can, please verify that I am correct in saying that the screens are not removable on the 8000 NEX, and if possible the 7000 NEX as well.

 

Once again, thank you all so much for your participation in this thread. Your input has been very informative and has provided me with the insight require to make an informed decision.

For the 4000NEX you forgot Pros:

                                                      Remote control

                                                      SD card slot

                                                      Optional Navigation with Avic-u260

That's the same system that many nav apps use here in the states. Again, no experience with NEX units on this, but my girl's new 3's built in Nav does. 

Yeah thought it might be, still it can't be the same system that Apple or Google use for traffic data as they aren't linked to RDS signals,

For the 4000NEX you forgot Pros:

                                                      Remote control

                                                      SD card slot

                                                      Optional Navigation with Avic-u260

Is it true that you lose the HDMI though if you plug in the optional Nav? That would leave you with a choice of AppRadio / Mirroring OR Nav? Seems a bit of bad design that...:/

You lose nav when you plug in hdmi, i got a hdmi splitter switch that basically turns off hdmi, then Nav show up. Poor design, nav uses rgb dedicated port. Poor functionality, if you ask me.

You lose nav when you plug in hdmi, i got a hdmi splitter switch that basically turns off hdmi, then Nav show up. Poor design, nav uses rgb dedicated port. Poor functionality, if you ask me.

The general audio functions in this radio are goofy period. Plug in hdmi while in Appradio mode? Now you can't use Ipod or Bluetooth audio. Plug in your iPhone to charge it, Bluetooth audio again fails. Asking it to be able to delegate sources on its own is asking this radio to dance tango while writing a medschool term paper. Can't be done.

Just wondering what the OP decided on, and where you bought the deck and had it installed? Im also in Ontario...

I believe that we are close to the end of this conversation. So I have updated the first post with the whole chart, maybe this thread will be stickied for easy access of information. 

I have decided on the 6000NEX, but haven't bought it as of yet, since my car is still currently in the shop. My reasons for this are as follows:

• 4000NEX - does not meet my requirements
• 5000NEX - clearly adviced against it
• 7000NEX - not worthwhile due to the minimal cost to upgrade to the 8000NEX
• 8000NEX - I can not justify the budget breaking cost just for the pros

I hope this helps in explaining my decision.

purefire: Hello from Ontario!

Why doesn't the 4000 meet your requirements?

Why doesn't the 4000 meet your requirements?

I think he wants the built in nav to go with his radio.