Is A Factory GPS System Worth the Investment?

With all the technological advances in our world today, it only seems fit that Nissan drivers continue to have more affordable and beneficial additive options. The days of the World Almanac Maps fade away, as we've become a generation of GPS and Portable Navigation Device (PND). So when equipping your new Nissan, is it better to have a factory GPS system built into the vehicle’s center dash or wait to purchase an after market standalone PND system?

2012 Nissan Murano

From personal experience, here are the reasons I recommend investing in Nissan's factory GPS:  

1. Appearance. When you have a built in navigation system, it simply looks better. The sleek and polished appearance of a built in navigation system creates a high-tech and integrated appearance for your vehicle. In addition, they have larger screens and are designed to work specifically with the vehicle. But, if you purchase an aftermarket navigation system it will most likely attach to the windshield and the wire plug will be visible because it will have to attach to the power adapter (cigarette lighter). 

2. Warranty. Because the factory navigation system is part of your Nissan, it is covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty. If anything goes wrong with the system, you can schedule a service appointed at Orr Nissan of Greenville and have it repaired that day, as opposed to shipping off an aftermarket system back to the manufacturer and waiting for them to fix it or replace it. 

3. Theft. To prevent theft with an after market PND, you will have to take your system off the dash, unplug it, and store it away every time you go somewhere. With a built in navigation system it's more difficult to remove the system it without damaging it, so thieves rarely bother to even try and steal it while a portable device is easily snatched because it's only attached to the windshield with a suction cup. In addition, most insurance policies will cover the replacement of built in systems while portable devices are not covered. 

4. Resale Value. A factory navigation systems substantially improves a vehicles resale value. According to Edmunds.com, used-car analysts say that visible options on used cars, like navigation systems, tend to hold their value in the used-car market and make a car more desirable to potential buyers.

It all comes down to personal preference. If you're still on the fence about investing in a factory GPS system then I suggest you take a new Nissan vehicle for a test drive and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.