Just a follow up to my original post. I did get get the Kenwood DNX9180DABS fitted at Absolut5, great service and very quick fitting of unit. I would recommend Absolut5.
Impressions of the unit, well, great graphics, fast, the CarPlay bit is a bit hit-or-miss, but it was explained that Apple are releasing an update that should hopefully rectify most of the issues.
Navigation on the Kenwood DNX9180DABS is done by Garmin Maps and software, unfortunately this is a Lite version of the Garmin software in my Garmin Sat-Nav. There is no way to plan routes in Basecamp and transfer as a .gpx route file. Unfortunately, the ability to transfer and import Garmin .gpx files was something I thought the unit would do, but alas you only get a very basic version of Garmin Sat-Nav software. So if I want to use any of my .gpx route files I have to use a standalone Garmin Sat-Nav, a bit annoying considering the money spent on fitting a Kenwood DNX9180DABS. I should have asked the questions first I guess, instead of assuming the Garmin software in the Kenwood DNX9180DABS would have the same features as a £200 stand-alone Garmin Sat-Nav.
Appreciate times are changing to more reliance on phone apps for navigation, but I do prefer using Basecamp instead. Route planning can probably be done another way, but it’s annoying when I use .gpx route files on car and motorcycle Garmin Sat-Navs, and can’t use same routes on the Kenwood DNX9180DABS.
The units other features are nice and slick, just a shame the Garmin software is a Lite version of that fitted to a Garmin Sat-Nav you can buy for £200. To be fair if all you want is to do is input an address and go, the Kenwood DNX9180DABS is great. If you want to plan your route in a bit more detail and use a route file, a standalone Garmin Sat-Nav is probably better.
