Hey guys,

Still on my quest to find a decent all in one Navigation/DVD/CD/MP3/I-Pod setup and I've come across the alpine nve-n872 several times - but I know a.) its not available locally b.) it uses the Navteq maps and only has US and canadian mapping.

BUT now that Navteq have australian maps has any one heard if this unit is going to become available locally?

Also does any one know if its possible to "hack" this unit so that it can read other maps (ie the melways or where-is maps or ozexplore maps)

i dont think it will happen anytime soon, we'd all love to have something that is a direct plugin for alpine heads by alpine...

*Sigh*

I was hoping someone would know of a hack to get it to opperate with different mapping software.

responce from alpine australia form thier enquiry form:

"Alpine (Australia) does not have any navigational products available at this time.
However we hope there will be some in the foreseeable future."

Hopefully this means they are at least thinking about it.
The problem I believe is that because Alpine take the Navteq maps and then do something to them to make the "alpine" maps its probably not worth it for australia. But the units look awesome GPS with GPRS connectivity and the ability to get traffic updates touch screen with tactile feedback input, remote input and voice commands.

talking to Drew at northfield, there wont be any for australia, too far behind he bandwagon over here already and all the other brands too established and trusted

^ You would think that Navteq would have had the same thought process then - but they only mid last year released their maps.
Being that Navteq are the map supplier for the Alpine units O/S you would think that there is at least a slight chance that its possible Alpine AU may look at doing something with the navigation accessories they already have access to.

Well a little more investigation into GPS systems made me trip up and think about this thread.

NavTeq do the maps for alpine O/S

BUT ALSO they do the maps for Ausway (Melways etc.) which is HEAPS better than sensis / UBD maps. So fingers crossed Alpine Australia do do something with this resource now available to them in regards to Sat navigation

have you tryed asking for just the software or maps or what ever... if you can get ahold of some one that will accaly look for you rather than just copping out...
it pisses me off too... i wanted to get some info on some ODR pionner stuff and caz its not soled in aus they dont wana know... and caz im not in the US they wont help me... f***ing lazzy ppl!

Im assuming caz = coz = because?

but yeah the local distrubutors have to try to protect themselves from grey imports so its understandable.

But I have heard a few "rumours" about a "possible" release of an alpine nav unit some time over the next 12 months. Thats soon enough for me.

I was also looking into getting an GPS module to connect to an Alpine IVA-W502E head unit. I found that in Singapore, Alpine have an adapter called the Navi-202 (http://www.wokeehong.com.sg/navi202.html) that connects up to the same model head units. I wonder if this is the one rumored to come out in Australia? Also, I wonder if you can get the module from there, then get the Australian Whereis maps on an SD card, and if it would work?