Which Sat Nav System? C-Class w202 96'

[BimMerc]

Hi there Folks!

I have been looking at a few Mercedes Sat Nav Systems and i was wondering which would fit the Merc C-Class W202 96' Reg?

I think there are some which fit firectly into the normal size radio slot, but I was unsure about wiring and how difficult it would be? I hope you guys can help! Thank you!

BimMerc

 

[JimHatton]

I have had the sat nav system made by Trafficmaster called Smartnav installed in my C180. I can't praise the system highly enough. There is no fiddly entering of destination and it is all operated by a simple push button. Take a look at their website (www.smartnav.co.uk) and check it out.

The system consists of a small phone antenna (which is hidden just behind the sun visor), a speaker (buried in dash somewhere), a control box (also buried), a pushbutton (mine's in the back of the coin slot under the radio), a small GPS antenna (under the plastic grille near the wipers) and a very small microphone.

To get a route, I press the button and the system calls the Smartnav control centre. I can then speak with the operator and tell them where I want to go. They have numerous databases with all sorts of ways of finding "the fishing shop on the high street". They do the route calc and send the details to the car over the phone link electronically. That's all there is to using the system. Guidance along the route is by voice command.

The main benefit of the system is that Smartnav keep all the maps on their system, so there's no updating required. But best of all is that the system is linked into the actual traffic conditions along your route. If, while you're underway, a hold up occurs up ahead, Smartnav will guide you round it. Of course, this relies on their being an alternative route but I can tell you it has saved me hours of waiting around on busy roads.

As far as accuracy is concerned, it's never missed yet. There have been times when temporary road closures have messed up the route but it automatically re-routes as necessary.

A brilliant system that's very much understated and hardly advertised at all. Cost for the system alone is about 550 installed and then you can subscribe in various ways to the routing service. I have a four year subscription which costs about 400 quid. All in all, the best system I have seen for doing the job. And just as important, it doesn't mess up the car with clutter.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Jim