Dvd screen shot
 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/107201/dvd_screen_quality.jpg"></center><p>The image looks washed out, but it is an effect of the flash.

Really depends on how much $$ and effort you want to put into this project...
 

...of course, I am a fan of the RNS-E due to the integrated nature of this setup in the A6 (display of info in the instrument cluster, nice OEM look etc.). As a bonus, it even sounds better than the stock headunit! However, it is about $1500, and although it is possible to install yourself, it takes a couple of hours to do so properly. Very clean look, but it comes at a price.

For about half that price, you can get a decent portable nav unit (like a Tom Tom, Gharmin, etc.) but those are not as nicely integrated into the car...a function of their portability. The advantage is that they software and maps are updated more frequently than the OEM unit, and you can use it in any car...just take it with you! The major disadvantage is that it is a standalone component, and does not integrate into the car, so you are stuck referring to a small LCD screen of the unit.

Just a suggestion, you could start with a small portable device as the gift, and if your father mentions something about the small size of the screen or the lack of integration, return it and "upgrade" to the OEM RNS-E. You can't really return the RNS-E, but you would have to resell it.

Go to www.navplus.us for lots of info on the installation process, and check out Lee Hick's website www.nsxjr.com. He has LOTS of good links there on installation, etc.

Good luck on your decision!

Then how do you justify a nonportable $1000+ RNSE?
 

And don't forget the effort getting it installed and hoping it works as anticipated.

I have the Garmin Nuvi and I am very pleased. E-Mail suppliers on eBay and negotiate.

easy, clean integration, video playback, and built in MP3 playback off SD
 

I'm a fan some form and function, I don't like having external things plugged up unless it's unavoidable. it's just my priorities are different than others, that's all. I've also never used my magellan outside of my own car, so portability isn't a real issue for me.

oh and the install is the fun part!

thanks guys

TomTom's get very good reviews. Tiger GPS has the 910 for sale for.....
 

.....$600. That's a lot less than an RNS-E and it can be moved from car to car or taken on vacation and used in a rental.

It also acts as an excellent speakerphone in the car and is compatible with many Bluetooth equiped cell phones.

There's detailed maps for all of North America and Europe pre-loaded and 12 gigs of free hard disk space for MP3's, auidio books, etc.

The reviews I read said the TomTom's were the easiest to use of any stand-alone GPS units.

If I were buying today, I'd probably get the TomTom GO 910 over anything else.

Nuvi 350 on sale for $500. What a deal...
 

Doesn't have the Bluetooth "speaker phone" capability of the newer 360, but so what? This is a really good unit and the text-to-speech is fantastic - you really don't need to look at the screen, just follow the directions.

(Note: I've never bought anything from eTronics, so you're on your own there!) ...<ul><li><a href="http://www.bensbargains.net/deal/10599/">http://www.bensbargains.net/deal/10599/</a</li></ul>