Re: Fm Transmitter Question
My replacement head unit purchase was driven by my disappointment with the FM Modulation approach to connecting the iPod. Wireless was a nightmare; direct FM modulation with a unit that connects through the antenna was no better.
The problem is the radio hunts for a strong signal. Sometimes the strongest signal is not the FM Modulator so you get some sort of noise.
Even if the sound quality had been good, in the end, the beauty of controlling the iPod at the head unit trumped all. There is no arguing that fumbling with the iPod is worth it when you can use the same controls on the head unit as for the AM/FM/CD/ etc. And the display comes up on the head unit too. What's not to like?
As for losing functionality, that's part of the trade-off. But the universal opinion of the factory Navigation unit is that it's not the greatest. I don't have any experience with it but judging from better factory units that I have used (that are not user-friendly) you can do better with either another head unit with GPS built-in, or with a separate unit.
For my purposes, a separate handheld GPSr unit offers superior functionality, more flexibility, and has the added benefit of being removable for walking around. My Jeep Commander Overland has a built-in unit that we paid a lot extra for. Sometimes I'd like to put my fist through it, it's such a steaming pile.
Believe me, if you're keeping your factory Navigation unit, suffering no aux inputs and lousy GPS functionality and FM Modulation, you're suffering needlessly. You will not regret an upgraded head unit to cure these shortcomings. Yeah it won't be all silver....