Have been playing around with the build and price on a Latitude model. I have decided I really want the 8.4 vs the standard 5.0 screen and I want nav. However, unlike the Limited you can't order a Nav version. Just a Nav ready version. It says contact dealer for more info. So what is the deal? You pay extra to add Nav? If so does anyone know what needs to be done( software update, GPS antenna added, what? )and any idea how much it costs to do yet?
Also, does anyone know if by adding the 8.4 you get the upgraded instrument cluster display or is that something only offered in the Limited and TH?
If you know you want the nav just go for it from the get go, If you get the nav ready head unit you miss out on a couple of little extras, HD raidio is one.
You have to get a Limited or Trailhawk to get the 8.4 Nav version. Only the standard 5.0 and 8.4 nav ready versions are offered, at this time anyway, in the Latitude.
If you click on the i next to the radio it gives you the list of what is included. You may have only skimmed it, since 2 lines above where you read contact dealer, it says it includes "GPS antenna input." For around $600 the dealer plugs in the code to turn on the feature. Once turned on it cannot be turned off, so no refunds.
It is linked to that vin, so the feature remains on when you sell the vehicle.
The 8.4 Nav ready comes with Nav already installed, However you have to pay $595.00 to get it turned on. Once it is turned on it stays with the vehicle. You also lose some nav functions along with hd radio
You don't have to pay for updates either. Hence the usb/SD card readers. You might have to be a little tech saavy so someone will probably sell it as a service. In the end though I'd rather hands-free tell my vehicle where I want to go and it show up on BOTH 8.4" and 7" screens telling me where to go.
Imagine if you take 1/8 of your year (45 days) utilizing NAV considering the build up breakdown time of your garmin is going to be 5 minutes on both ends both ways (20 minutes). That's saving you 15 hours of valuable life each year by going hands free. You could be watching the Star Wars saga to it's entirety each year with the time you save not using a Garmin.
You don't have to pay for updates either. Hence the usb/SD card readers. You might have to be a little tech saavy so someone will probably sell it as a service. In the end though I'd rather hands-free tell my vehicle where I want to go and it show up on BOTH 8.4" and 7" screens telling me where to go.
Imagine if you take 1/8 of your year (45 days) utilizing NAV considering the build up breakdown time of your garmin is going to be 5 minutes on both ends both ways (20 minutes). That's saving you 15 hours of valuable life each year by going hands free. You could be watching the Star Wars saga to it's entirety each year with the time you save not using a Garmin.
From what I see the 7" color screen( gauge cluster )only comes on the Limited and Trailhawk. The Latitude has a different one( B&W, smaller, ??? ). Does anyone know if the Latitude can have the 7" Color screen? Does the Nav still show on there on the other screen used in the Latitude? I am really curious about that.
I have used portable GPS devices( Garmin/TomTom/Magellan )for years. They work ok. However, on my Patriot I have GPS as part of the head unit and I will never go back to the other way. I so much prefer having it built in and integrated with the vehicle's sound system.
I don't consider $600 to activate it as that bad. Certainly cheaper than me moving to the Limited model over a Latitiude where I pay more than the $600 for the Nav radio.
4WD Latitude:
Base Price $26,495
8.4 Upgrade $695
Dealer Nav Activation $600
Total = $27790
4WD Limited:
Base Price $27,995
8.4 Nav Upgrade $795
Total = $28790
It is $1000 more to step up to a Limited just to get the 8.4 Nav unit vs the Latitude with the 8.4 Nav ready unit and then the fee to turn it on. There are some things on the Limited I do not want as well. That $1000 extra covers a lot of the extras I want on the Latitude.
For me the Latitude with the 8.4 nav ready option makes far more sense when the final vehicle price is taken into account and all the things on the Limited I do not want. Also, I know that I can't take the Nav with me that it goes with the vehicle. So what, so would the 8.4 Nav radio in the Limited. It adds value to the vehicle at resale as well.
OK so my pending post is wrong, and I understand how hard it is to pirate GPS maps. Every ~3 years when NAVTEQ releases map updates it's 150 bones to download/be sent the update. I would never pay someone for this service. It's easier than changing your own oil.
some people prefer the clean built in units and some don't....that simple. Like I said...the 8.4an is not just Nav. It does many other things a garmin cannot. Plus theres resale value with the 8.4an and its options......people want that in modern cars/trucks.
You are correct--some do & some don't. IMO the fee to connect the Nav is insane, and $150 per year to keep the maps current is also insane. If I keep my Cherokee for 5 years, the total cost of the NAV would be $1200. I think I will just move my Garmin from my trade to my new vehicle.
Up until they came out with the new and upgraded center consoles (literally this year) I wouldn't argue with any of the valid points you have made. But the NAV that is embedded in the 8.4" uConnect system actually updates automatically with traffic updates to include road closures and openings. Updating your NAV maps is mainly for industrial changes (i.e. where's the nearest chick-fil-a).
I sincerely recommend looking into the new interface as it was said before, the upgraded screen and NAV option is a whole lot more than just NAV. Or you could just go to a jeep/chrysler dealership that has the 8.4" screen option installed and play with it yourself.
Up until they came out with the new and upgraded center consoles (literally this year) I wouldn't argue with any of the valid points you have made. But the NAV that is embedded in the 8.4" uConnect system actually updates automatically with traffic updates to include road closures and openings. Updating your NAV maps is mainly for industrial changes (i.e. where's the nearest chick-fil-a).
I sincerely recommend looking into the new interface as it was said before, the upgraded screen and NAV option is a whole lot more than just NAV. Or you could just go to a jeep/chrysler dealership that has the 8.4" screen option installed and play with it yourself.
Ten years ago I may have looked at this issue differently. AS it stands now, obtaining the updates with out compensating the owner is part of the reason for the high cost. Anyone can try to justify pirating the updates, but in the end this is what cost the rest of us more.
obtaining the updates with out compensating the owner is part of the reason for the high cost. Anyone can try to justify pirating the updates, but in the end this is what cost the rest of us more.
I'm sorry I didn't realize you stated you were considering the limited which comes with the 8.4" and all the fun uConnect features. At this point if you didn't want to pay the $795 I would say stop being frugal because it's going to look like you are trying to replicate Hugh Jackman's hacking station from Swordfish with that many LED screens. Good thing there is a "screen off" button!
I'm sorry I didn't realize you stated you were considering the limited which comes with the 8.4" and all the fun uConnect features. At this point if you didn't want to pay the $795 I would say stop being frugal because it's going to look like you are trying to replicate Hugh Jackman's hacking station from Swordfish with that many LED screens. Good thing there is a "screen off" button![
I have the 8.4an because it was standard on the Overland. I'm real happy with the screen off button. I just wish it was the default like it was on my MDX. Most of the time I know where I'm going. And, although I listen to the radio all the time, I don't need to see who is singing or what the name is of the song that's playing.
Everybody's needs/wants are different. There is no best solution.
Interesting I stopped reading this thread. I happen to use both..... I have a Garmin that I fly with for rental cars and loaner vehicles. I will gladly take the in car NAV if available. For the upgrade price it gives me complete integration into the car. Has anyone tried to do all voice command navigation with their Garmin while driving? Some states issue a ticket for touching your nav and driving!
When Garmin comes out with a 7.5 inch Nav that seamlessly integrates with my car and displays turn information in the cluster, I will then compare the two on equal footing. I don't like having any part of my view obstructed if possible and I love seeing lane assistance messages right in my cluster.
For me it matters for many it does not but a stick on / clip on Nav doesn't compare to in vehicle integrated systems. You want to get a Garmin with lifetime updates and save the money... great, I have one of those and they are good. But I am fine with updating my in car NAV and paying for it every couple of years. Beside Chrysler usually will send out a free update in the first couple of years anyway.
To each there own, nobody is making anybody buy anything :lol:
I just like to argue, prove points and "lawyer" people No offense intended either! I learn a lot in these processes too My next debate I'm waiting to watch which I have no opinion on at all I just want to know everyone else's so I can make a better decision: pentastar trailhawk or tigershark trailhawk???
I just like to argue, prove points and "lawyer" people No offense intended either! I learn a lot in these processes too My next debate I'm waiting to watch which I have no opinion on at all I just want to know everyone else's so I can make a better decision: pentastar trailhawk or tigershark trailhawk???
MORE POWER!!!!! EVERYONE MUST BUY A V6 NO MORE FOUR CYL EVER EVERYBODY DO WHAT I SAY..... :lol:
:jump:
You know what, drive em both and see what you think. perception and purpose are more imporatant than anyones opnion of what you should get. On the other hand devils advocate is a fun position.
You can always create a WiFi hotspot with your cellphone and utilize it that way. (But with bandwidth fees in America, no thanks!) 35$ for internet isn't too bad but for now that's one gadget in the car I can live without.
I still don't know if you can update your maps through WiFi, but I assume with the continuous evolution of technology that the most accurate GPS systems will be the latest. I also think that the antenna used with internal systems assist with accuracy.
I am curious about something??? I see that the 8.4 comes with an SD slot( media hub or something like that ). I wonder if I could run a Nav system( IGO8 )that is totally contained on an SD card in the 8.4 head unit? If so I wouldn't need to do the dealer upgrade. Curious if it would run and if it did would the voice commands work over the speakers?
HMMMM???? If I do get a Cherokee with the 8.4 it would be a Latitude most likely which only comes with the Nav ready 8.4. I think if I do that I will see if I can get it to run an IG8 Nav system off an SD card. Would just have to figure out the GPS antenna part.
GPS on window keeps falling off, with the phone GPS miss turns when on the phone. The only way to go for me is built in, even with slow map updates the roads don't change that much.
I think when thinking about External or internal NAV one should consider how they would like to live the rest of their lifestyle.
Consider the refrigerator: When upgrading homes/kitchens do you prefer an integrated refrigerator or one that is free standing?
The internal NAV to me isn't just a feature vs. feature kind of thing because we could go all day on that. That's just business commerce. I'm thinking about the aesthetics of my brand new ride. The pros/cons that weigh each option apart are too minute.
Each of us defines that which is important to US. You value aesthetics. I value updated maps. I strongly suggest that you NOT comment on what is important to me and I'll return the favor.
Dan.
p.s. I prefer a free standing refrigerator, but that's not relevant.
I'm just mentioning things to consider. The interface software with the uConnect is getting great reviews on the GC (utilizing the same 8.4" system that the Cherokee will adopt).
Navigon is by far the best GPS device for road mapping out there so if that is what is important to you than great. Mapquest is terrible, Bing maps are terrible, Yahoo maps are decent and google leads the pack. TomTom is garbage and Garmin has become more customer oriented and open minded which has lead to their recent success in the industry. Doesn't it make you wonder though why they are forming an alliance with the competition of integrated NAV?
Every experience I've had in a vehicle with integrated NAV I have always felt better about not getting lost than I have with a module GPS. And that's the purpose of having the best maps right? So you don't get lost?
My apologies. I'm getting a bit irritated with some of the other posts where people throw out misinformation and claim it as fact.
My concerns are about the Uconnect update process. To the best of my knowledge, I have never commented negatively about the quality of the maps. If they changed their update process, I'd probably buy it.
Dan
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