[FrankM]

After all of the negative comments about the NAV system in the forum, I was expecting the worst. But my experience with it has been very positive. Yes, MyLink is somewhat slow when setting up NAV and using the options and menus, but look at the number of selections and decision paths in the software flow chart, and you will realize that it does a very good job. The way that it automatically avoided accidents and congested traffic, and quickly provided route review, time to destination, arrival time, and miles to destination are just some of its positive attributes.
But my greatest surprise and satisfaction was with the PDR and accompanying Toolbox Software. The software can analyze all the data that you can possibly think of, while including an active GPS map and performance charts, but just playing back the video and audio was a blast. I set my NPP exhaust tone to Sport before turning off the engine on the drive prior to recording. Then, turning on the Accessory Mode prior to starting the engine allowed me to start recording first, and then catch the start-up exhaust blast-off in the recording. A twenty-seven minute recording used about 1 GIG of memory.
There are many uses for the PDR and Toolbox software, but for those of us that will have our Stingrays laid up for the winter, or for weeks on end during the winter waiting for a dry day over forty degrees, the ability to re-live many of your favorite drives with sounds and video is an added bonus, and will help relieve the winter blues.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

After initially thinking that the PDR/NAV would be a waste of my money, in the end I wound up ordering it. With the supplier pricing, I think its net cost was around $1600. There seems to be a lot fewer negative comments on the NAV part of the system for the 2015. I am keeping an open mind, and hoping for the best. I think the free Cosworth software swayed me to order it.

 

[Roc]

Yea. I ordered it too. I bumped up to a 3LT. Hopefully GM upgraded it for 2015.

 

[usmamg]

How do we get the software?

 

[AlbertaVette]

I personally quite like the navigation system, especially that your turns are shown on the heads up display, a very nice touch. It took a couple of days to learn, but has taken me everywhere I have wanted to go so far. The PDR is awesome, and a great way to document your trips.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

How do we get the software?

Cosworth.com | Cosworth Toolbox for Chevrolet Corvette

 

[unodonjuan]

Does anyone know if the PDR is only on 2015 Vettes or did they put them into the 2014 2LT? I do have the valet compartment with combo lock but what is this about video and recording conversation or activity in the car. How do I know I have this feature.

 

[KEYSMAN]

Does anyone know if the PDR is only on 2015 Vettes or did they put them into the 2014 2LT? I do have the valet compartment with combo lock but what is this about video and recording conversation or activity in the car. How do I know I have this feature.

New feature only on the 2015; has nothing to do with the valet combo lock feature. If yours is a 2014, don't worry, you don't have it.

 

[banjo]

Not only was the PDR not available on the 2014, but, apparently you can not retrofit it either.
I am so glad to hear something positive about the Nav system. I have been struggling with the decision whether or not to add it to my 2015 order. GM.ca chat line tells me the 2015 Yukon and the 2015 Corvette share the same Navigation system. I have a friend who has a 2015 Yukon and he reports he is liking the Navigation system. He reports, there is lots to learn.

 

[jsvette]

Thanks FrankM. Particularly like your suggestion re "the ability to re-live many of your favorite drives with sounds and video is an added bonus, and will help relieve the winter blues." Cool use of the PDR for sure

 

[smehat]

Do you have the same issue with black corner on the video? 1Gig for 27 min of recording is definitely not HD but SD recording. I hope an update will make it true HD at some point as well as a sync option to manualy sync the GPS with the video (one second lag time). But yes I concur with you, that is a very great tool !!

 

[LT1xL82]

Not to whine, but I am disappointed in the video quality. The resolution, contrast and clarity just seems substandard.

 

[Z51Stingray]

I'm positive... it sucks not being able to retrofit the PDR.

How's that?

 

[JoshuaKM1]

Overall I actually like the nav system overall although I agree with previous comments that it has some weaknesses.

I have a quick question about an issue that I've noticed. Sometimes when I start a route the nav system will not be able to locate where the car is located on the map.... it literally appears like it's floating in space for a few minutes, and eventually it locates the street that I'm on. Is this a known issue?

 

[jsvette]

Overall I actually like the nav system overall although I agree with previous comments that it has some weaknesses.

I have a quick question about an issue that I've noticed. Sometimes when I start a route the nav system will not be able to locate where the car is located on the map.... it literally appears like it's floating in space for a few minutes, and eventually it locates the street that I'm on. Is this a known issue?

If you start your car in a garage or without a clear view of the sky you probably don't have a gps connection. Once you start moving it gets established.

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

Not to whine, but I am disappointed in the video quality. The resolution, contrast and clarity just seems substandard.

It is represented as being 720p, whereas "normal HDTV resolution is 1080p.

From the recordings I have seen posted, I get the impression that the video is meant to provide a visual reference for the data being recorded, and not primarily meant to be a permanently mounted equivalent of a "GoPro" quality camera.

 

[JoshuaKM1]

Thanks Jeff - although on multiple occasions I have had a clear view of the sky. I wonder if the satellite is affected if it's cloudy outside?

 

[jsvette]

Clouds should not normally have any impact. But my experience is that it may take a block of driving after leaving the garage for the hook up, however that is not always the case with it sometimes linked right out of the garage.

 

[Mike Mercury]

a couple of things with my limited experience...

NAV
you can adjust the voice volume level independantly of the direction giving lady. I found it in a menu somewhere, made an adjustment - and now couldn't remember how ... if my life depended on it LOL. But, it can be done.
I do like how the next-turn's graphic is shown on the drivers center display and HUD.
Typical though, is GM's user interface... that doesn't really match Garmin or TomToms; so it takes a little extra time to get things selected & routes entered. Ya know, they got smart and used someone elses system for the PDR (Cosworth) instead of reinventing sliced bread. I still shake my head in disbelief that GM thinks they can start from scratch and develop an inhouse NAV system...

PDR
Oh it's cool alright, but I will never use it for any performance type evaluations. When I can remember to... I start the recorder everytime I drive the car - solely in a GoPro type atmosphere. I would think GM could "ease the pain" of the cost of this system if there was a selection to "record everytime the car is in gear"... so I don't have to navigate to the PDR screen each and every startup. Right now, it's primary usage is for track users. It would be a simple software upgrade to enable a GoPro type usage..., and make it automatic (with the ability to auto-overwrite old files if the memory card fills up). Maybe the GoPro intended videos could be in a different folder on the memory card... to where only those are auto-overwritten, but any performance/track recordings could be protected.

 

[LT1xL82]

It is represented as being 720p, whereas "normal HDTV resolution is 1080p.

From the recordings I have seen posted, I get the impression that the video is meant to provide a visual reference for the data being recorded, and not primarily meant to be a permanently mounted equivalent of a "GoPro" quality camera.

Unfortunately, I think you are correct on all counts.

Even at 720p they could of done way better, especially with color and contrast.

Maybe someone will figure out if an external camera could be used.