VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

[Lego Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lego]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has a VMS A.V.N.C. 3000 Entertainment / Navigation System in their vehicle?

[attachment=0:26388mha]VMS_Prado.jpg[/attachment:26388mha]

The system looks great, is an all-in-one system, and has a number of useful features: AM/FM Radio, DVD Movies & Music, GPS, Bluetooth Connectivity, Street Navigation, iPod Control, Digital Television, Off Road Navigation, 3D Terrain Navigation, USB Connectivity, Reversing Camera with Parking Sensors, SD HC Read/Write and Steering Wheel Control.

I have been quoted $3,300 for the system supplied and installed. I was initially taken back by the price but having read through the impressive list of features again it is growing on me. Has anyone had any experience with these systems?

Lego

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

You must've missed the February special under the Vendor's Section?

Perhaps try contacting: assassinoffroad

[Lego Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lego]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

ntpryce,
Thanks for info.

All,
Has anyone got one that can provide any feedback?

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

We find the AVNC units to be very good, though instead of using the 4wd mapping software they ship with, we load them with Ozi so they operate like the Hema navigator, as most people find the extra benefits of Ozi in the easy to use, stripped down version. The street nav on the AVNC is more like your normal Navman and Garnin set ups on the AVNC [compared to route 66, which I prefer, on Hema navigator]

Only bug we have found of late is, if you have the latest Ipod, it wont charge on the Ipod lead, but that seems to be an Ipod trait with updated models, as it seems to be happening with much Ipod equipment not charging the latest units.

And another, AM reception can be a bit poor out of town, when combined with the prado in glass aerial. [but who listens to AM ?]

The going price currently in our area is around the $3085 with specified reverse camera, plug in loom, facia, installed, but I would prefer you didnt print the details and use them to beat your current dealer over the head, depending on where they are, how many they buy, freight cost etc, different areas may vary in price.

[Lego Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lego]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Darren,

Thank you for the reply and useful info - I appreciate your honesty and advice.

I have decided to go ahead and give the system a go. I am impressed with the features. I will report later on how it all went.

Lego

[BARRLIND Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BARRLIND]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Hi Lego

Try this forum I think most questions should be answered.
http://gpsoz.freeforums.org/vms-avnc-f4.html

Mine is the older AVNC 2265 so no real comparison. As Darren said the new ones come with Memory Map but can be updated to Ozi at extra expense.
Generally I find mine very good especially on Topo maps. The blue tooth leaves a lot to be desired but maybe ok on new ones. In general a great unit.
I would also look at the Polaris as there was talk that they were to be released with Topo (Ozi) shortly maybe not as many bells and whistles but a bit cheaper.

[Lego Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lego]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Bazza,

Great site. Thanks for the link.

Lego

[Lego Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lego]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Hi there

did you end up with the AVNC system? which one? cost?

Did you do the camera as well? which model?

Are you happy with it ? - we are close to making a choice!

cheers
Borgy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Borgy,

Unfortunately I haven't purchased the AVNC yet! I still intend too, I have just been so busy with work that I haven't had time to book the truck in.

Along with a couple of other items, I am buying the VMS AVNC 3000 (camera model I can't recall). I have been quoted $3300 fitted.

Have you received any quotes for a unit and installation? If so, what model, etc.

Lego

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Might want to look into the Polaris option as it provides (I believe) almost the same functionality and options but at a substantially cheaper price, despite the political and legal issues. They were at the recent Caravan and Camping show in Adelaide and I talked with the sales person. The price is $1595 (but of a climb from last years $1250ish) but includes the reversing Camera (last year they tended to chuck it in for free). The off road mapping is via Hema maps and presumably Ozi but is an optional extra. Don't know how much but would assume you pay for the full Hema and Ozi value + more. Still think this would be cheaper than VMS.
http://www.polarisgps.com.au/

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

At the Sydney Rosehill Camping & Caravan Show this week:
GPS OZ have the VMS unit for $2300 plus installation.
Polaris unit is $1500 plus $300 for OziEx plus installation.
Both packages have pretty similar functionality and both include reversing camera.
I liked the VMS but hard to justify extra $500 which I could use to buy headrest monitors.

Cheers - Byrnsie

[d4djuly08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close d4djuly08]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

I also went to the Rosehill show - seems like the Polaris 3119 is having an update / upgrade shortly with front DVD loading (on the front panel) instead of the slide down panel and then load. Comparing the VMS and Polaris agree it is hard to justify the additional cost of VMS. Show special for Polaris was $1,395 (inc rear view camera) plus cost of Oziexplorer maps cost to install.

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

I don't know much about it, however, I heard somewhere that we are changing over to digital radio?

That would make these obsolete in a few years?

Anyone know of digital systems?

[d4djuly08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close d4djuly08]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

I spoke to the guy from Poron at the Rosehill 4WD & camping show about digital radio - if you connect a TV receiver that is digital to the Polaris you would be able to pick up digital radio. He did say that clients have found reception for TV to be a bit sketchy - good in some places , poor in others so whether this would be the same for digital radio - who knows.

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

'CNET" (Australia) is reporting:

Next month digital radio will be rolled out in most Australian capital cities. With a DAB+ digital radio receiver you will be able to listen to crystal clear radio, with additional program associated data. There will also be a few extra channels.

DMG recently launched dance station NovaNation and chill-out channel Koffee. Earlier in the year Austereo launched its Radar channel, playing new and unsigned artists. All these channels are currently streaming online.

But is digital radio too little too late? Is the real future for radio moving online? Could we soon be driving around listening to internet radio in our cars? Does the internet provide greater opportunity for choice and listener involvement? And what can we learn from the UK experience, where digital radio has been around for a while?


It's all here:

http://www.cnet.com.au/digital-vs-inter ... 296006.htm

I think I will wait to see what happens before I pay out the $$$$$$$$$$$ for what's currently on offer for the Prado.

[d4djuly08 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close d4djuly08]

Re: VMS Entertainment & Navigation System

Quite agree about waiting Oldsalt - attached is an extract from I found on the web from Smart House - "Pioneer Australia will supply PURE's growing range of DAB+ digital radio products (currently fifteen models), including iPod docking models, Internet connected models and a digital radio adaptor for the car, to the retail channel. PURE will be the only brand to offer a digital radio solution for the car in the Australian market with its ‘Highway' product"

I would be waiting until the end of the year to see what is in the Ozzie market place.

Cheers