Since the subject of Nuvi (in-car) units is bouncing around … thought I’d point out an experience. Just bought a used Honda Ridgeline with a Nav unit … since the original Honda unit had some problems, the dealership replaced it with a really nice (in general) Pioneer Stereo/Nav system.

For the most part I like the Pioneer unit … intergrates nice both physically and electronically with the vehicle, easy to use GPSr, nice stereo, etc.

But when comparing it to my Garmin Nuvi, from the standpoint of loading geocaches as POI’s the Pioneer unit is pretty well useless. Even with modifying the file using GSAK, you really only end up with one useable (see-able) “name” field, so you make it the GC codes, or Cache name, or use a GSAK macro to combine them. But no way of viewing more data about a cache. No way of seeing the coordinates on screen. No way of searching the list of caches. No way of even seeing the nearest cache. You just get an alphabetical list. Other limitations too, but I pointed out the ones that matter most.

I’m Ok with all this … I use the Pioneer for basic day-to-day driving, and take the Nuvi along for caching (I mean to drive to the caches, not out in the field). Just want to warn anyone that might consider a Pioneer unit in the future, don’t buy it with the plans of it helping you drive to caches.