GDT and NavTec mapping make the mapping very through and accurate, which should be the most important feature of a navigation system, not found on some current, less expensive models.

Not as many features found on later models. Here is a list of features found on the KNA-DV3100 and KNA-DV4100 that are NOT found on the KNA-DV2100: -Optional KNA-VC300 Voice Command unit, allows you to speak to the system -Optional KNA-RC300 remote, allowing for use without a touch-screen, programmable buttons -Guidance to intersections -Guidance to freeway entrances or exit -Guidance to nearest emergency responder, such as hospital or police station -Guidance to business by entering their phone number -POI business phone numbers are listed (restaurants, hotels, etc). -Local POIs can be listed, displaying their name (name of restaurants for example), icon representing what type of POI they are, and distance; they can be selected as destinations here; phone number and address can be displayed from here, and listed alphabetically, or in order of closest to furthest -Turn list can be displayed, and you can choose to avoid streets that appear on the list, and it will re-route. -Faster than real time route previewing -Additional Avoid Area: Restricted roads (parkways), in addition to toll roads and ferries, major highways -Multiple routes can be displayed, showing time and mileage, and then selected -Way points can be put in a different order while in route -Keyboard layout can be switched between ABC order and QWERTY order -More types of POIs can be selected (including coffee shops, convenience stores, dry cleaning, car wash, department stores) -Clock display -Memory points can be categorized, categories can be named by the user -Each memory point can have a selectable icon -Male or female voice guidance option (English Only, compared to female only in previous model)

The KNA-DV2100 is a couple years old now (was released in 2001). This was Kenwood’s entry into DVD-ROM navigation systems outside of Japan. Some Alpine models had been available for a couple years at this point, and Kenwood decided to enter the market with the competitive advantage by incorporating both GDT (later acquired by TeleAtlas) and NavTech (later renamed NavTeq). Some of the other models at the time had been incorporating GDT or TeleAtlas (not sure which) mapping only. In a side-by-side comparison, the KNA-DV2100 had mapping in some areas that the current (at the time) Alpine model. It would not be until 2003 until Kenwood released its follow up model, the KNA-DV3100 which would contain many features that that Alpine and Pioneer navigation models. However, the KNA-DV3100 would only feature mapping from GDT, cutting its retail price almost in half (most likely because they were licencing the software from one company only). The KNA-DV3100 would have around 20 new features that were not on the KNA-DV2100, but the guidance (the ability for the voice to tell you when to make a turn) was not feature in some geographical areas where it had been featured on the previous model. Here is the difference between “mapping” and “guidance.” Mapping is simply the lines on the map, and the ability for the system to track you. But mapping alone does not know which streets are one-way streets, which streets you can only make a left or right turn on. At the time, GDT was not colleting this data, but NavTec was. NavTec had mapped almost all major metropolitan areas including these details, along with all major highways. If NavTec had mapped these areas, the system would provide “guidance.” In rural or sparsely populated areas, the system would have GDT mapping only, and the system would tell you to refer to the map, showing your location and either a flag that marked your destination, or a green highlighted road, and you would just have to follow the lines to get to where you are going. The green highlighted road would contain the NavTec mapping, which would provide voice guidance as soon as you begin driving on it. If you were to then drive on a road that was not highlighted green in order to get to your destination, the guidance would end, and it would tell you to refer to the map. Hopefully your destination was not too far from the highlighted route. As mentioned earlier, at this time (2001), this model was the only model that would have mapping in these geographical areas. Other models would simply show a large blank space. In comparison to some other lower priced models that would be released later such as Pioneer’s AVICN1, the KNA-DV2100 is still a better value if you judge it on what is important: accurate guidance. To my knowledge, the AVICN1 uses TeleAtlas mapping only (prior to their acquisition of GDT). Another disadvantage if the AVICN1 is that you need to take out the CD or DVD you are playing and insert the navigation DVD-ROM whenever you want to select a new destination. Why take the chance of this disc being lost or scratched? It probably cost a couple hundred dollars to replace the disc. With the KNA-DV2100, the disc says in the unit the entire time. The touch-screen monitor, such as the KVT-910DVD or KVT-911DVD, does CD and DVD playback. However, it is also compatible with all Kenwood touch-screen monitors (a Kenwood touch-screen monitor is actually required in order to use this model). There have been two updated discs available for the KNA-DV2100 since its release, and there is another scheduled for release later this year. The original disc was the KNA-MP211 (2001), and then the KNA-MP212 (2002), followed by the KNA-MP213 (2003). There was no a disc for 2004. So, the 2005 disc will probably be called the KNA-MP215. It will be available at http://store.kenwoodusa.com/ . Updates include new mapping and guidance that NavTec/GDT(TeleAtlas?) has collected since then, along with updated Points of Interest (POIs). It will not contain updated feature that are found in the KNA-DV3100 or KNA-DV4100. If you can get a hold of the European navigation disc for the KNA-DV2200 (can be purchased in Europe only), you could you use the KNA-DV2100 in Europe. If a KNA-DV2200 owner from Europe wants to use the system in the US, they just need to purchase one of the discs mentioned above. If you like to discuss car navigation systems further, you can visit my site, http://www.carnavigationforum.com or w w w dot carnavigationforum dot com.

Similar Products Used:

Pionner AVIC-N1, 2001 Apline Nav (not sure of model number).

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Similar Products Used:

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