I'm new to the whole car buying thing. I really love the way a Honda fit looks, I currently drive a Honda civic '98. I'm looking to get a 2011 Honda fit but I really want a GPS/radio system with Bluetooth and rear view camera. I'm paying so much for this car, it might as well have it all. So my questions is should I get an aftermarket GPS or factory GPS?

If I do go with the aftermarket GPS, what materials would I need? besides the GPS and streo in dash kit. I want the car looking good. I am going to get it done at a shop, I'm not so good with cars.

 

I don't believe the factory navigation system for the 2011 Fit has or supports a back-up camera.

You generally will get more features for less money with an aftermarket setup, though possibly with a little lower level of integration with the car (things like steering wheel controls and speed-sensitive volume control may or may not work...depending on the unit). The factory navigation system is nothing special; actual GPS navigation functionality of a $120 Garmin or whatever is generally superior to that of the factory unit—better POI support, easier to enter addresses, more responsive display, etc. When buying new, the $1000 hit for navigation was hardly a good deal IMHO; but used, the prices may shake out differently.

 

What do you mean "though possibly with a little lower level of integration with the car (things like steering wheel controls and speed-sensitive volume control may or may not work...depending on the unit)."??

 

For aftermarket.... the Kenwood DNN991HD (I just bought it) supports something similar to the factory speed sensitive volume control (had it in stock Sport non-navi, dunno about stock navi). The difference is that the Kenwood doesn't use the VSS wire, instead relies on the GPS reported speed and it only has one setting (on/off) instead of the VSS's off/low/mid/high. Not sure what other aftermarket brand/unit does this... as I didn't even realize this was a feature in the Kenwood unit until I came across it while trying to figure it out and customizing settings in my car. I'm happy, because I've been missing it since I took out the factory radio.

If you do the DIY to add the steering wheel audio controls you can then plug those into an adapter that most aftermarket units can use. Most aftermarket can also support rear camera (some, like Kenwood's support two cameras) and bluetooth.

On the flip side, the new 2015 Fit has lane-assist cameras, passive entry, push button start, moonroof, etc (depending on trim) on top of rear camera, bluetooth and speed sensitive audio control.

 

The ROI on the factory nav isn't that great either. Used, if it has the factory nav you'll maybe see a 200 dollar price bump, but that's about it.

 

Never buy a factory navi system, they over charge you up the you know what. You can save a lot of money. Do you own a cell phone? My cell phone comes with navi.

 

When I bought my Jazz GD1 2007 there was an option for Navigation system in the list, but when I was going to order it the factory said it was not possible to order the Navi. The salesman I was talking to did not get any answer from Honda for why it was not possible. But I had checked with this forum and other that had that Navi system and they all said "stay away and buy an aftermarked Navi".

So I got a Pioneer AVIC-HD3BT system in my car. I have not hooked up the speedsignal or the remote buttons yet (even if I hav had it for 6 years now).

I installed the Pioneer system myself and it was actually very easy. But then again I do have eduction as a TV/radio repair man and a degree in electronics

I have later seen for myself the factory installed Navi system in both GD1 and GE and they suck big time. Poor designed GPS-system with too small screen and not very advanced. So you pay too much for this.

But the new system in the 2015 modell looks a lot better. There is a large 7'' screen (same as mine) and easy to understand menus and a lot of features like wireless connection to your phone to play music from the phone or to use it as a handsfree system for phonecalls. I have bluetooth in my system, but no iPhone control, just an AUX input with the minijack input. There is also an option for reverse camera in the new system.

Using the phone as an GPS system I have found does not work as good. First you need a good internet connection, and I have found out that the places you really need maps and navigations are new places and places abroad. And for us here in Europe it means high cost for telephone use to download all those maps. It is a lot better to have this built in to either a standalone dedicated Navi system like an TomTom or Garmin GPS or built in Navi system in your car. The screen is most of the time too small, and then it you have the problem for where to mount it.

I say go for a built in Navi system in your car and also do not go the factory installed system.

 

My Fit has factory nav and it has a few advantages you don't get otherwise:
Steering wheel buttons to control the radio and voice commands.
Slight upgrade in sound system power.
Factory nav lets you put in a memory card with all your tunes.
Vehicle Stability Assist was installed when you got factory nav. It's really mis-named since it's just traction control. You can turn it off if not needed.
On the used market you really don't pay extra for factory nav unless maybe it's a Honda dealer. Most other dealers are clueless that it was a $1500 option.
With that said, the newer systems and aftermarket systems are much more advanced, but the Honda (Alpine) box still gets the job done.