As regular readers will know we have for several issues been reporting on navigation systems for cars and RVs. In 2004 we purchased a new Lincoln Aviator as an RV tow vehicle and because of the great interest in automobile navigation systems at that time we ordered the Ford navigation system which was an option on that model. When the vehicle arrived we found the navigation system to be one of the best camping accessories we had ever had. We used it extensively over roughly 10,000 miles of RV trips and wondered how we had ever done without
one! When we decided to purchase a motorhome this past year we had hoped that chassis manufacturers like Ford would offer a dash-mounted navigation system as an option just as they do on their other vehicles but to this date I have not found any motorhome chassis manufacturer that offers this. Boy are they missing the boat! That meant that we had to explore after-market navigation systems if we wanted to continue to enjoy the convenience of finding our way easily in the RV. Now you may think "why not just use a map like the rest of us?" but once you have used a navigational system that announces your upcoming turns etc.
and displays everything from your entire route to the next intersection, you just don't want to do without this valuable tool. We had been searching for over six months and have tried several portable after-market navigation systems. Last issue we reported on a hand-held system that we felt was a total failure when compared to the Ford factory-installed system.

After several other tries and frustration with at least one large Canadian
auto sound manufacturer that just could not see why RVers would be
interested in a system of this type, we have found what we consider to be the best of after-market systems - the Clarion N.I.C.E. (Navigation In-Car Entertainment).

Photo by Harold Merton

We did a little internet search and found the system in stock at a London dealership. NuTech Custom Car Audio on Dearness Drive had a display system in place and was able to demonstrate the features to us. We decided that the unit was perfect for our test. The Clarion is a portable system that comes in a very attractive carrying bag. The main unit is mounted on the windshield of the vehicle with a large suction cup. The GPS antenna plugs into the unit and is placed at the front of the dash by the front windshield. The antenna pickups signals from the GPS satellites to calculate positions and routes. Clarion named their unit N.I.C.E. for Navigation In-Car Entertainment because it not only is a navigation system but will also accommodate the new satellite radio systems with an add-on unit, and will allow you to play music from music storage devices. Our purpose however Is navigation and this one passed the test with flying colors!
Power for the unit is supplied through an attached cigarette lighter
outlet cord. To install the system you simple take it out of the carrying
bag. Slip the components together then push the suction cup on the inside of the windshield and pull the lever down to create a vacuum. You then plug in the cord, turn it on and you are ready to go. It even comes with a remote control so you can input requests from your seat rather than reaching up to the unit itself. I assigned the task of operation to my co-pilot when I am driving but when stopped I get to play with it too.
The LCD screen measures about 6 by 4 inches and the display is in color not just black and white. It has a 20 GB hard drive located inside the unit, 10 GB used to store maps and 10 GB available for music and photos.

A series of buttons along the bottom of the screen allows you to select
what you would like the unit to do. This unit does not take a back seat to any of the automotive in-dash units I have seen to date. It is attractive and works very well. To reach a specific destination you input an address on the key pad and select it as a destination. In a few seconds the Clarion unit has calculated the route from where you are and can display the distance and length of time to make the trip. It speaks and gives you instructions on turns well ahead of the spot where you need to make that turn and it displays the turn on an inset map that is on top of the map that shows your current location. The unit we tested was a 2005 model and so we found the software data on streets in Canada a little more detailed and up to date than the Ford system we have in the Aviator.

You can also connect a portable memory storage device to the USB port and use the unit to play your favorite music. If you wish, you can also connect a DVD or video game system and there is a rear view camera option that would allow you to add a video camera to the rear of your vehicle. This would be great for motorhomes.

Also while riding in a vehicle the unit's built-in FM transmitter can send
audio output from the N.I.C.E. through your vehicle's radio antenna to its
stereo system. Rather than entering an address for a destination you can also use your finger to touch a location on the map. The unit can guide you there through this method. You can zoom in and out on the map and we found it extremely easy to use. A Sirius button on the unit will let you also use it (with the optional satellite radio equipment) to listen to subscription Sirius radio service, something a great many Canadians are going to since it became legal in Canada last Christmas season. You can also go to a photo mode and the system will let you page through digital photos stored on the unit's hard disk or on a portable memory storage device connected to the USB 1.1 port.
If you wish, you can also connect your N.I.C.E. to a PC using a standard
USB 2.0 cable. This will allow you to update map databases from a DVD sold by Clarion periodically. The Clarion people have thought of a lot of possibilities when they designed this system. It is a beauty and will not only navigate for you but can also add to your vehicle entertainment system. We think it is well worth the current retail price tag of about $1200. I feel that's a bargain considering it is portable and you can take it from motorhome to car or any other vehicle you wish. The package comes with the main unit, an on-glass mounting bracket, remote
control, carrying bag, home power cord and adapter, audio/video cable,
vehicle power cord and a camera input cable. I would like to thank Ian Roff of NuTech for his assistance with this product. It is a great unit that compares favorably with any of the factory installed navigation systems offered today. We are pleased to rate this unit the best we have seen!