Blaupunkt RC-10 Remote - Installed!

As mentioned in an earlier post I got the Blaupunkt RC-10 installed today. Controlling the music system whilst driving has to be the worst activity for the driver of a TATA Safari. Life is now much easier. Have got a same day return trip to Mumbai coming up in a couple of days so this baby will get a lot of work coming its way. I shall update you guys on the user experience on my return.

Cost Rs.1900/-.

Next on the shopping list is this dude: The THB210A Active sub-woofer. ;-)

MapMyIndia Navigator Review!

Ok, before I set off doing the length and breadth of our great nation in my great beast one piece of technology is indispensable. The GPS Navigator. Currently we have only two real choices. One is the SatNav Navigator and the other one by MapmyIndia. I went with the later as it comes pre-loaded with the following:

Anywhere to anywhere travel in India:

Drive from anywhere to anywhere across India using national and state highways.

Connects 55,000 villages and towns

Contains important landmarks of 150 cities

Navigation within 18 major cities:
Highly detailed, street and locality level navigable maps for 18 cities:

Delhi NCR (New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad)
Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula
Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane
Pune (including Pimpri Chinchwad)
Bangalore
Hyderabad, Secundarabad
Kolkata (including Bidhan Nagar)
Chennai

Tourist and business landmarks:

Directly navigate to the desired point of interest, using name or category.
2,00,000 points of interest across 52 categories.

Continuously expanding coverage:

Roadmap for expanded coverage with updates on new territories and cities, and more POIs.

Continuous up-gradation of existing maps keeping them current.


I bought the New AMAX 06GP5A Model. The other model they have is a Delphi NAV200, I chose the Amax as I preferred not having any hard buttons. The touch screen is easier to deal with when on the road I feel. The unit works as mentioned. All the roads in Pune seem to be in there proper place. Some place names have their spellings all wrong but nothing too dramatic. At this point I am just grateful for having this system in the first place. For a country as unplanned as ours, in-car navigation is not a luxury but a necessity. I have used GPS systems extensively in Southern Europe so as systems go learning my way around the MapmyIndia Navigator was a breeze.

The one thing that surprised me was that the unit itself is quite small. The picture on the box and in the Newspaper ads make it look bigger than it is. The screen is 3.5 inch in size which is common for GPS systems no doubt but the complete unit is only about 4 inches square and about and inch thick. It is tiny and truly portable.

The bits that come with it include:

• 1 GB SD card containing complete all India maps and software.
• A-MAX 06GP5A hardware.
• Wall and car charger.
• Windshield/Dashboard mount.
• USB Cable.
• Owner's Kit- Includes Quick Start Guide, User's Manual on CD, Customer warranty card, Easy tips guide and Terms of Use.

The one thing I miss not having is a carrying case for the navigator. When Parked in most places I do take the unit off its perch and carry it with me and not having a soft carry case included in the list above is the one gripe I have in otherwise quite a wholesome package. The re-route function works quite fast. That is when you take a turn off the route it sets for you it re-routes automatically from wherever you are in relation to your destination.

The other good function is the Trip Computer. It gives you a real time speed reading the digital meter. It also shows you your average speed and other interesting data. Also the unit doubles up as a music/video player if needed. Of course those functions do not work when it is navigating so I don't really will need that capability.

The one other interesting point about the package is the fact that the Navigator is Made in China and the windshield/dashboard mount that comes with it (which is superb) is Made in Germany!

I have the unit for less than a week and have yet to test it in an intercity run. But a trip to Goa might come through in a few weeks to the Little GPS will have to work hard for its money. Which by the way was Rs.20500/- at Poona Motors.

In the end I would say that if you must get one accessory for your car make it a MapMyIndia Navigator as you will soon realize - how did you ever manage without one!

MNTS Rating: *****/*****

Speakers Upgraded!

A few days back the 4 speakers in the doors were changed to the Blaupunkt GTx663 model. The installation was done in 40 minutes and the sound quality now much improved. The original speakers were to put it mildly rubbish!

The total cost was Rs.5000/-.

The New TATA SUMO Grande!

If this is the New TATA Sumo Grande then all I can I say is that get ready for an amazing New Safari! A new SUV to replace the current Safari is in the works and should be launched by end of 2008 or early 2009.

TATA has taken the battle to the Scorpio and Innova with this SUMO no doubt. With very contemporary styling and the new refined 2.2 engine doing duty in this monster it looks like a win win.

Fuel the Beast with Plain old Diesel!

The verdict is in. Plain Diesel is the staple diet of the Safari 2.2. Many owners have now reported that the 2.2 engines run better on Plain Diesel. Hence, I have now moved my beast to the cheaper more ordinary fuel. If you have had the same experience or otherwise do drop in a line.

Cheers!

The TATA NANO - Friend or Foe!

So much has been said against the TATA Nano that I am sick in the stomach to talk about it, but so I must. As the case FOR it must be highlighted now more than ever. Driving around Pune on a Sunday evening is proof enough that India not only needs a small inexpensive 4 door car but craves for it. The hundreds of 4 to 5 member families moving around precariously about the city on two wheelers is to say the least a scary sight.

Many nay sayers say that the roads will get even more congested. Well if that will push our Government to get their act together and build better roads, ring roads and flyovers then so be it. Please remember we are a nation of over a billion so I think it is a little too late for "Congested". That we already are!

Almost every point stated by those who are against the Nano in fact is also a positive. They say it will add to the pollution. If it takes a certain number of two wheelers off the roads and emits the same levels of pollution as a two wheeler then I don't foresee any big difference.

Also it is said that it will not be very safe. Well TATA will be stupid to bring an unsafe car to the masses as it will not only not sell but TML will have to face the peoples ire which I am sure they don't want after all this hype. And anyways how safe is it to have a 2 kids on the petrol tank of a two wheeler?

I think it will be super fuel efficient for a car. Take up less room on the road than any other car presently sold in India and finally it will not be very fast. It will get you from point A to B and thats it. By not being very fast it solves three things. It becomes safer, more fuel efficient and cleaner to run.

What do you think?

Change of Fuel - Suprising Result!

As you might know I have been driving the Beast on HP Turbojet since acquiring her. Yesterday had to fill up at the closest pump as the tank was almost empty after returning from the 2 day de-squeaking stint at the workshop. Filled up some BP normal diesel.

Today did about 50 kms with a mixture of highway and city run. The engine is sounding much better and noise levels have decreased. The feel is crisper and the vehicle feels more responsive after the change to normal diesel. I don't know if this is just in my head but the engine noise & vibration levels are definitely down.

I shall confirm this change to plain diesel with the Works Manager tomorrow and let you guys know. But as things stand today the ride with the plain fuel is much better.

What are your experiences with the different Brands of Diesel available today and what do you use?- do drop in a line. Thanks.

In A Word - WOW!

Got the beast back and all the stuff seems to have been sorted. (See list below). The truck is now one smooth operator and has not sounded so quite ever. It took them 2 working days but the results are there to savour. The parts that were problem areas have all been replaced. The car was taken from my residence and dropped back. The cost of this complete exercise was Rs.0.00/-

Full marks to Pandit Auto in Pune for first organizing the CARFUN event and then backing it up with good service. Now I can finally have some fun in my car!!! Hooray!!

Back In The Dock!

Today the Beast was sent back to the workshop with the main intention of de-squeaking. I shall have to wait till tomorrow morning to see if the operation was successful or not. The other thing that needed fixing was the "Hairy" Engine cover.

Here is the complete list of the things that needed fixing:

1. Tailgate Squeaking. Fixed!
2. Rear scuff plate not fixed to the floor properly. Replaced - Done!
   
3. Clicking sound from RHS rear seat. Fixed!
   
4. One loose vent on the Roof Mounted A/C. Fixed!
   
5. Central locking not opening all doors every time opened manually from the drivers door. Is meant to be this way - Another Security measure - So I am told.!?!?
   
6. Rear 12v socket not working. Fixed!
   
7. Front Seats squeaking. Fixed!
   
8. Acoustic wool stuck to engine cover. Cleaned up!
   
9. Engine Oil Level to be checked. Checked and All OK!
   

Kms done 2814.
Kms done after fix 2884

Scoop!!! Mahindra Ingenio Spotted...Maybe?

Coming back to Pune on the Mumbai Pune Expressway a heavily disguised MPV was hurling passed me at over 140kmph. Thus began the cat and mouse game of me in the 2.2 Safari giving chase and capturing some portions of this run on my phone video cam. Please be patient for this video as some editing and format conversion is necessary to publish online.

The overall dimensions of this vehicle are much smaller than the innova. It still could be a TATA car but the front grill seemed more of the Scorpio variety.

The driver finally realised he was being filmed and jammed on his brakes to get away from me. :-)

Happy New Year!!!

May you and your Beast have a great 2008!