Guest Posted July 3, 2002 Share Posted July 3, 2002 Anyone know of any car navigation systems in English for Japan? Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 0 Posted July 3, 2002 Share Posted July 3, 2002 Yeah. Its called the Shobunsha Road Atlas of Japan available from most good bookstores for about 2000yen [This message has been edited by Matt (edited 03 July 2002).] Link to post Share on other sites
blinkin'ek 0 Posted July 4, 2002 Share Posted July 4, 2002 Thats a real book to have. When was the last one published anyone? Mine is from about 4 years ago, I wonder if there are any newer versions. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted July 4, 2002 Share Posted July 4, 2002 I had a look around on the web for this, but although some systems have English voice recognition, they all seem to have Japanese screens. The really useful thing to have is totally bilingual navigation aids, but they are very few. I don't use my car navi much, but when I do, it's great. Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted July 5, 2002 Share Posted July 5, 2002 You have a car-navi? What are they really like then? Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted July 5, 2002 Share Posted July 5, 2002 Well, mine looks really good in a bikini and sexy underwear, but is pretty crap at giving directions! Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted July 5, 2002 Share Posted July 5, 2002 They're very sophisticated, fully-featured electronic systems. Maybe you know the computer-world acronym RTFM (Read the F-ing Manual). It applies to navi systems too. If you don't, you're lost. The more you read of the six or seven manuals that come with the system, the more you get out of it. I particularly like the homing function - "Take me home daddy-o!" - and it gives you the route to your house. You can do searches for campsites, supermarkets, petrol stations, anything really. But they can be dangerous too. There's something about following instructions while driving that tends to give you the feeling that you can ignore traffic lights and other indicators. "Sorry judge, I was only acting on orders" won't cut it. Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 Sounds interesting, how much do them things cost then? (That's the FULL cost not just the cost without all the added very necessary extras). Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 I dunno frannyo, mine came with the 2nd hand car I bought. I wouldn't have got it otherwise, but now I've had one, I wouldn't buy a car without it. Not cheap though I expect... Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted July 9, 2002 Share Posted July 9, 2002 Ocean. How useful really are they....you know once you get over the novelty??? Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted July 9, 2002 Share Posted July 9, 2002 They're more useful when you get over the novelty. It's still often necessary to plan the route beforehand if you're going a long way. But once you've set your destination and any places you want to go to on the way, there's none of that dodgy map on the dashboard/ask the woman sort of behaviour. And for short journeys in unknown territory, say from the campsite to the supermarket that isn't even on a paper map, there would be no other way of getting there without lots of asking of locals. For finding side roads to avoid traffic jams they're great too. They're not a necessity, but then nor is broadband or a heated toilet seat. Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted July 9, 2002 Share Posted July 9, 2002 Thanks Ocean, I might have to look into that, it all sounds interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
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