[Se7enLC]

Just picked up my 2013 Outback. I've never had a fancy in-dash navigation system before.

This thing is just horrible. It makes hissing noises like crazy, the navigation is poor at best, and simple things like phonebook sync don't work at all.

I only got it because I really wanted EyeSight (which, conversely, is TOTALLY worth it!).

Was the 2012 navigation this bad? I didn't think I'd want an aftermarket deck in my new car, but this thing is REALLY bad.

 

[Novablue]

I've heard the Nav was bad in Subies. Whether or not the the phone book sync happens is phone dependant. There is a list of compatible phones on the subaru.com website.

 

[Se7enLC]

I've heard the Nav was bad in Subies. Whether or not the the phone book sync happens is phone dependant. There is a list of compatible phones on the subaru.com website.

Did you look at that list? There are like 5 phones on it, and none of them support phone book syncing.

The PHONE support phone book sync - It's just that the Subaru NAV doesn't support the PHONE.

 

[N8thesk8]

subaru has THE worst nav. my 06 tribeca's is useless. google maps on my phone is the way i go.

 

[Scoobie13]

Just go aftermarket why bother with stock nav/audio system? Crutchfield has lots of other options.

 

[Novablue]

Did you look at that list? There are like 5 phones on it, and none of them support phone book syncing.

The PHONE support phone book sync - It's just that the Subaru NAV doesn't support the PHONE.

Fair enough.

My Maxx is not support but I think the Iphone5 is.

 

[Mombee]

Looking at outbacks right now and I was not too fussy on the Nav. However if you want leather you have to get the Limited that comes with Nav. You cannot set a destination while driving. Is this only Canada or the US also? It is very annoying, you have to stop to set a destination. Not very convenient in a big city freeway situation where you have a passenger to enter it.

 

[imwjl]

I join you getting this because my wife wanted EyeSight and the large CRT for phone use.

First, don't compare the 2013 to earlier models.

Next, you might want to spend time with others. I helped a few daft to tech who just got Toyota and GM products get their systems and phones set up. They're not so great either.

Finally the time with those cars and a 2013 Honda changed my opinions on the Subaru build quality and value. It seems like most new cars shy of luxury models are built with cost and weight savings in mind.

Perfect? No. Safer or better than looking at your phone or a map while in motion? Yes.

 

[fun2drive]

I have no issues with nav at all. It works. Whether you have phone sync isn't a nav function by the way it is a car to phone interface function. Other vehicles without nav do this so if you compare this as a function of nav you are totally wrong.

I have Nuvi which works well as portable but the nav itself works. It allows you to set the course you wish being track up or north up, do the other essential nav functions.

I have heard comments from other members stating their nav tells them to turn after the turn has passed. That is an unacceptable system problem which my nav doesn't have.

 

[Se7enLC]

Next, you might want to spend time with others. I helped a few daft to tech who just got Toyota and GM products get their systems and phones set up. They're not so great either.

Fair enough - having never had in-dash navigation, I can only compare it to the TomTom devices I've owned and my 3 Android devices - all of which are fast, intuitive, accurate, and fully-functional

Perfect? No. Safer or better than looking at your phone or a map while in motion? Yes.

Not sure I agree with that one. Not only did it give me wrong directions, it also took the better part of 5 minutes to enter an address using voice commands. I wasn't staring at the screen the whole time, but it was a long time to be distracted. My android phone does the same thing in about 10 seconds

I say: "Google - Navigate to 1234 Main street, CityName State"
Google Says: "Navigating!"

I mean, I know it's not fair to compare normal companies to the superstars like Google and Apple (and even Garmin, TomTom, etc), but I guess I expected more improvement since 2005 (The last time I bought a new car and was unimpressed by the built-in navigation).

So I kind of disagree. Sure a map is bad, but I think once I install a phone mount on the dash, I'll be much safer following Google on a 4.6" screen than following Fujitsu-Ten.

On a related note - anybody have any good high phone mounts? I've seen some good A-Pillar mounts, but I'd really prefer my phone to be in the center so that a passenger can enter the address for navigation whenever possible.

 

[Se7enLC]

Is this seriously going to ask me to hit "I agree" EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR??

 

[iainb]

Looking at outbacks right now and I was not too fussy on the Nav. However if you want leather you have to get the Limited that comes with Nav. You cannot set a destination while driving. Is this only Canada or the US also? It is very annoying, you have to stop to set a destination. Not very convenient in a big city freeway situation where you have a passenger to enter it.

All factory navigation systems from all manufacturers have a lock out when the car is in motion.

Most factory navigation systems have hacks you can find online to disable the lockout- generally some wire or contact attached to the drive selector that can be easily modified so the nav system always thinks the car is in park.

BTW - In the US the nav system is not standard in the Limiteds, that is a Canada thing.

 

[iainb]

Is this seriously going to ask me to hit "I agree" EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR??

Every portable GPS I've owned does this. Why would the one in a car be any different?

 

[iainb]

Next, you might want to spend time with others. I helped a few daft to tech who just got Toyota and GM products get their systems and phones set up. They're not so great either.

This. My parents hate the nav/audio system in their '11 Toyota Highlander. I've tried to use it a few times and it's completely unintuitive.

 

[GasGuzz]

True. Par for the course, especially when BT isn’t (practically) a robust std to begin with. Cars will adopt what nav/audio/comm is current (at the moment), after 6 mos you’re stuck with it.<O</O

 

[mpnret]

Is this seriously going to ask me to hit "I agree" EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR??

No. The only time you will have to hit the "I agree" is when you go to use the nav. This is a nice improvement for 2013. Previously you had to hit "I agree" everytime you started the car even if the screen was just being used for the radio.
I really haven't had any problems so far. Phones synced fine, BT finds the phone every time, directions are ok and volume isn't too loud once you adjust it . I guess it's because I previously had the 2010 OB nav and up was the only way to go from there. What I do miss is the absence of a DVD drive. On my 2010 the passenger could watch DVDs during a long trip.

 

[fleuger99]

I have a 2013 OB with Nav and I use a Blackberry (work) and an HTC Arrive Smartphone (personal) and both download the phone book no problem. The issue I have is despite both phones being setup as connected devices the **** car never finds the phones. I always have to force a manual connection. Once connected they work perfectly. On a 2013 car this is pathetic. I have a BT device on my motorcycle helmet and it works perfectly everytime and it only costs $119. Maybe Subaru should use that device instead of their crappy one.

Lets not talk about the voice dial which I've never gotten to work correctly in the car.

 

[Se7enLC]

Every portable GPS I've owned does this. Why would the one in a car be any different?

Have you not owned a TomTom, I guess? Mine asked once when I first set it up, and never again unless I do a software reset or pull the SD card. And my phone certainly doesn't ask me that when I navigate.

 

[kpk02]

I've found the Nav system plenty decent overall. I can't get the voice command to work well for anything, but I have preset locations and always program in the destination ahead of time so that I don't need to bother with it. What I don't like is how the interface is not very intuitive for most things. And the voice alert volume can't be turned down low enough for my tastes but it's not too bad. Overall I'm more than satisfied considering it's all built in to the car and there is no mounting/charging/cables to deal with.

The phone stuff I find great, but maybe it likes newer phones better. I have a Galaxy s3 and everything has been perfect. It automatically downloads the phonebook and detects the phone quickly each time. I like how the display shows the phone signal/battery info along with the interface to answer incoming calls. It's much more responsive than any similar systems I've used before. I've been particularly impressed that it maintains a solid link even when the phone is on the counter in the kitchen.. around 30 ft. away from the car in the garage.

 

[iainb]

Have you not owned a TomTom, I guess? Mine asked once when I first set it up, and never again unless I do a software reset or pull the SD card. And my phone certainly doesn't ask me that when I navigate.

I don't consider a phone a "portable GPS", and I doubt most people do, so that's irrelevant.

My Garmin prompts me every time and I have owned 2 TomToms (730GO and 1535TM) and they did also to me recollection.