So whats the verdict?

 

Just did the install this past weekend. I love the unit so far. Its easy to use and has some great features that other nav systems don't -

Once you calc the route, you can take out the NAV CD and listen to your own CD while you drive!

Directions and re-calcs are timely and accurate. It seems to know my area very well and has tons of POI. One thing I dislike is that it limits searches for POI in the current area to within 1.0 miles.

It looks factory and matches the interior perfectly. Even has the Porsche Logo at startup.

Get it from Gert @ Carnewal.com - outstanding prices.

 

Is the Becker product a completely new system or is it a disc that fits the Porsche system?

 

Does the install of the US version Becker Traffic Pro integrate into the existing upgraded Bose system with which my car comes?

 

The Traffic Pro is essentially a plug and play solution for the 996. It should work fine in the '02 and it is a replacement for the stock CDR-220. It is not a disc, it is a complete head unit, but looks exactly like the factory radio since all of the factory radios are made by Becker. You use the factory wiring harness, and there is only 1 wire to run for the revers gear sensor (unless you have DSP - in which case you also have to tap into the speed sensor). If you don't have DSP, then your radio should already have the speed sensor tapped into the factory harness.

Another nice feature is that you get the entire country on 2 discs and the discs are supplied with the unit.

 

There doesn't seem to be a lot of information in English about this product on the internet, at this point. Are there clear instructions included with the unit, on installing the system on the 996, including its integration with a DSP auto as I have? Does the system give audible voice instructions to interface with the driver or need one watch the screen for directional information?

Thanks,

Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

<a href="http://www.johnfelker.com/becker/tp.html" target="_blank">Traffic Pro Instructions</a>

Here are the install and the operation instructions. I just did this install myself and I have DSP, so I know exactly what went into it. I used the illustrations and instructions from a few members on other boards as well. Basically, you need to get all the info you can from various sources. I would be happy to help you any way I can.

The unit gives voice instructions in either male or female voice. It shows street names, distances, block arrow directions, and a distance meter to see how far away from a turn you are. It is a fully operational navigation system, and works great. Due to its compact design, it looks great, and compared to other nav systems, the price is great.

There is an upclose pic on Carnewal.com and you can find several install threads on funcarsonline.com - just search for Traffic Pro. Kevin in Pitt and Scott & Renee have pics of most of the install steps.

Let me know if you need any more detail on the install.

 

One other thing - the pic on Carnewal shows a blue face. That is the european version. The US version has an amber display and matches the interior guages of the porsche perfectly. When you turn on the lights of the car, the display reverses to amber on black and looks exactly like the temp controls.

 

FYI... the Traffic Pro is featured in the latest Tequipment 911 brochure. Porsche part Number 000.044.900.78

Loren (99 96)

 

According to the Becker brochure, the directional information for the "Traffic Pro" is provided from Navtech & Navisys, the former being discussed for its lack of information for anything smaller than a large city in the thread "Anybody with a nav system find it inadequate?" in use on the big screen Porsche OEM Navigation system. This causes me to wonder if the same lack of information is present on the Becker Traffic Pro as has been noted on the big screen Porsche OEM Navigation system.

Richard <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

 

I guess you don't know until you try. I don't know about the other Porsche systems - only that the TP uses 2 discs for the entire country, and the discs have a 300 mile overlap. I can tell you this, I have a MB CLK430 with Command and the TP crushes the MB in terms of Points of interest, etc. So far, I have not had an instance of not knowing a street. Granted, I haven't done much back country driving with it yet.

 

Don et al,

Thank you for all your valuable information, in this regard. The Traffic Pro looks like too cool a gadget to pass up. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> I'm not sure if I can still have the system put on during my car production or I need to have it done stateside at dealer, by my car stereo person or by myself.

By the way in the latest Tequipment 911 catalogue as depicted in Loren's post the Porsche Traffic Pro Nav System has a "Navisys" logo on the lower left portion of the radio faceplate leading me to believe that its system does not use the "Navtech" software which was cririsized in its effectiveness in the thread "Anybody with a nav system find it inadequate?" on the big screen PCM System.

A few questions here:

1. Is the GPS antenna external, if so where?
2. The installation instructions refer to several Porsche tecnical service bulletins. How do we access them? Available on the net?
3. How much was the unit from Belgium? Was it the US unit w/Porsche logo.
4. Did you order the other two parts, antenna & additional cable?
5. Does radio do anything else other than AM/FM/CD/NAV like weather, traffic, SW... etc.?

Thanks,

Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

I bought mine from Carnewal.com including GPS antenna plus the auto dim rear view mirror for $1450 US including shipping. If you buy it from a dealer, you have to buy the GPS antenna separate. The unit you'll get is the US version, but can be programmed in english or german. It has the PORSCHE logo when you start the car - too Just email Gert at Carnewal and you'll be well taken care of.

The GPS antenna is magnetic and mounts on a metal plate under the cover for the alarm sensor in the top middle of your dash - just by the windshield. Its a pretty slick setup.

It has a Traffic mode that continuosly scans all stations for traffic reports and will tune into the station automatically for you when they come on. Other than that and the nav directions, street names, etc. its all pretty normal stuff. It does have a "compass" type pointer on the display that constantly points north so you can tell which direction you are heading. I'm still learning how to play with it though!!! Aren't toys fun <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

You won't regret it if you get it! Good Luck!

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Oh yeah, the service bulletins can be had 2 ways -

ALLDATADIY.com $24.95 1st year/$14.95 renewal

MYPORSCHE.com $478 for the full set of actual Porsche Technical Service Manuals. They cover evey nut and bolt of the car and show you how to do most everything.

I have both and think that they work well together. Don't think you'd get away with just the ALL Data subscription. The manuals have everything! I used this info, John Felker's instructions, and the info on the other boards when I did my install.

 

Wonder if i should post this as a separate thread?

Anyway, I've held off getting any Nav devices installed in any of the cars I've bought in the last 5 years. I've maintained that it is more practical to get the Portable GPS systems, or even one that goes with a laptop. Both can be had with voice prompts, LARGE displays, more playing options. I just can't see how much utility you can get out of that tiny screen.