^^^RR I always kept meaning to ask you, which HU do you have?
How long does it take to pop up?
What's the satnav like?
....Next time we meet, I'll show you. I've forgotten which Alpine it is - I used to have the Pioneer equivalent.
Meanwhile, it's configured to automatically emerge and fold out when the ignition is switched on, and to fold away after the ignition is switched off and a good few minutes later unless the driver's door is opened, at which point it folds itself away. It's full tilt and touch screen with several display format options. It also automatically brightens and darkens its screen according to ambient light levels. I can control the volume of the classy English lady 'navigator's' voice from my steering wheel ["You naughty boy!! You've taken the wrong turning so I'm going to spank your botty!"]. It can be set to automatically re-route you if you make a mistake or just wish to go another way you know. It takes iPod and CD's while still leaving the SatNav DVD docked.
My DVD covers all of Western Europe (up to Czech) and has extensive town mapping - Invaluable too for finding hotels and carparks and restaurants etc etc - Petrol too.
It's now out of date on a few bits of info - But you couldn't really expect any SatNav like this to keep up with the road changes in Bristol for example! But it'll always find you a route. Occasionally it hiccups and will send you a shorter but not better way but you are the Master and she will obey.
I expect that a new DVD of data will be released in the next 12 months. I prefer it to the Pioneer I had.
The audio head is good but I have the VW oem speakers still and never listen to music or radio while I'm actually driving - I much prefer to constantly hear and feel what my ride is doing, no matter how long the journey is.
HTH