I just recieved my bonus from work and I've got my eyes set on a double DIN HU for the xA. I've pretty much chosen a Pioneer unit over the Eclipse simply because I really have no need to watch DVDs in my car when I have a home entertainment system that looks and sounds a lot better.

Now my problem. The wife doesn't want me to get one. I'm trying to move back to Japan after next December and she says by the time we come back, the unit will be old and unusable (I'm leaving the car at my mother's house).

Question: Over time, do these GPS units simply not work anymore? I find it hard to believe if they didn't. They do get software updates and such, correct? If I went to Japan for 4 or 5 years and came back, I should still be able to use that GPS system like the last day I used it.

I'd like any advice or experience with these units after some age, but I'm going to get it anyway.

 

Have you considered using a laptop with a GPS kit? It seems some folks on here are doing that. Plus, the laptop is useable in more than just the car. Mark

 

The only way I see that your unit would become obsolete is if Pioneer (or whoever) stopped using the satelites that your system is designed to send/recieve from. Simply being turned off for a long time isn't going to effect the functionality as long as it doesn't fill up with dust or anything.

 

gps should work virtually for a life time - since the sats that they run off of are owned by the military.

the hu would use 3 sats to triangulate your position. there is no service to be discontinued or shut down. as long as the sats are in the sky, it will work.

 

Youe maps will not be updated. Why don't you wait until you come back. GPS will proubly be a lot cheaper then.

 

Actually the satelites aren't owned by the military.....remarkably few are owned by the military.

 

I say go for it. When you move... take it out and sell it to me at a discount; I live in DE too. And then when you come back... get another one.

- Jugglah

 

You'll only be as good as your map. Ask yourself. How much will things (roads, locations) change in 5 years? You could buy the upgrade DVD after you get back but those can run for some big money. Eclipse's DVD updates cost about 300 bucks! Otherwise you could just simply wait till you get back and wind up with a better deal than you would if you bought it right now. Decisions.. decisions.