TCAT launches new Multimedia Navigator
TC Auto Tooling Sdn Bhd (TCAT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holding Bhd, has today unveiled a new in-dash multimedia GPS system for the Nissan Sylphy. Simply dubbed as the Multimedia Navigator, the system is currently only available for the Sylphy, though other models such as the Latio and Grand Livina are set to receive it in due course.
Featuring a 7-inch (800 x 480) LCD touchscreen sourced from Samsung, the Multimedia Navigator combines a GPS navigation system, reversing camera, and music/video playback. For inputting of maps and multimedia material, the unit is connectible by SD card, USB, and an AUX-IN connector which supports DVD/MP3 players, camcorders, and even Playstations!
The GPS system offers voice guidance in seven languages, namely English, Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, Japanese, and Korean. The maps themselves, mapped by MAPIT MSC Sdn Bhd, are presented in full 3D view (or 2.5D, depending on setting) with 15 different zoom levels.
Although the Multimedia Navigator offers music & video playback, it does not feature direct integration with the Sylphy’s audio head unit. This is deliberate, as TCAT does not wish to tamper with the Sylphy’s existing hardware, which simultaneously explains why this system is currently not offered for the Latio and Grand Livina. Installation of the system into these models require the removal of their existing HUs.
As a result of this constraint, audio playback from the unit has to be presented to occupants via an in-built FM transmitter sending signals to the car’s radio. Although such a setup reeks of ‘aftermarket-ness’, the overall installation of the unit was neat, as the LCD screen gave the Sylphy’s dash a significant lift in class.
Earlier today, TCAT organized a demo & test drive session of the Multimedia Navigator to members of the media to experience the unit’s functions and usability. A fleet of Nissan Sylphys, all fresh from the factory, were lined up in the compound of Tan Chong’s plant in Segambut for us to drive from there to Cyberjaya with the guidance of the GPS unit.
Unlike most media test drive events that we have been accustomed to, where navigational tulips and pre-set GPS units are provided to guide us to our destination, the organizers deliberately left the task of programming the GPS’ destination to us this time. For someone generally unfamiliar with GPS units, I found the Multimedia Navigator’s interface reasonably simple to use, and I was able to set our destination point with great ease.
On the move, the unit gave crisp clear instructions by audio. Along our drive to from Segambut to Cyberjaya and back, we caught the unit erring on a couple of occasions, but bear in mind that map plotting is a continuous process, and all GPS units in the market have errors. The difference is who errs where, and by how much.
There were also a couple of occasions where we deliberately took wrong turns to test the unit’s ability to recover and guide us to our destination along an alternative route. To our satisfaction, the unit was able to re-calculate an alternative route in less than 10 seconds.
Visual presentation of the maps were done in great clarity, as I was able to absorb a great deal of information at a glance. However, I do have some criticism for the angling and surface of the LCD screen itself. For one, it’s recessed instead of flush with the dashboard surface. That, on most accounts, is fine, but because the crucial ‘distance countdown’ display is positioned at the bottom right corner, the driver’s view of how far the next landmark is from the car is obscured. Also, the screen’s surface is also constantly blurred by reflections, further hindering vision.
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| It’s not perfect, there are a couple of flaws… |
These two minor faults aside, I was quite satisfied with the performance of the unit. Although members of other media gave it a mixed reception, the one in our car took us to our destination and back with minimum fuss. One notable and, in my opinion, unfortunate omission of the TCAT Multimedia Navigator is the lack of bluetooth interface for it to double as a mobile phone handsfree set.
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| … but it worked fine for the most part. |
One of the biggest talking points of the TCAT Multimedia Navigator unit was its price. At RM3,500, though this includes a 3-year warranty and cost of installation at any ETCM service outlet, it is hardly a cheap acquisition, and many existing Sylphy owners may balk at the price.
The unit will be available as an option with new units of the Sylphy beginning next year, at an as yet unannounced price, which should be less than the RM3,500 charged to retrofitting owners. At that point, if you’re already shelling out in excess of RM110k for the car, it’s a box you might as well tick.
