2010 Prius Navigation System is really horrible

I think that the OEM NAVI provides annual updates only.

 

Tideland, how much do they run usually?? (I know that different dealerships determine how much they screw you.)

 

Several responders mention update software for the OEM Nav. I am not confident an update will solve all the complaints of missing roads .... there are roads in my city that have existed for 50-75 years and they are not shown.

 

Well, if given equal updated maps, then if a road is missing from the OEM NAVI, then it is also missing from the Garmin unit since both uses the same company for map data.

 

Have you checked for them at NAVTEQ Maps and Traffic If they're missing there, then it's almost certain that an update won't fix it either.

 

Re: please give examples of whacked routes

Traffic? I seem to get no traffic data.

Here are some problems I encounter frequently on the built-in nav system on the Prius IV...and note that I continue to check settings, route preferences and the like for improvements. Map DVD is most the most current. I compare directions to the Magellon and Navigon apps on the iPhone.
1) Accidental OPPOSITE directions at turns. Will get a turn right on North Bound when the direction is clearly LEFT on South Bound. This has happened so many times now that I hardly use the nav system.
(happens on routes I know, and routes I do not know...I will always have to double check on the iPhone gps.)
2) On missed turns, the nav system does not appear to recalculate the entire route, rather redirects the user to return to the planned route. In some cases it makes sense, and other cases very inefficient.

These alone are enough to stop using the navigation system.

Now for the rest of the story:
- Voice navigation ~ no way to quickly use, and the user is forced to listen through the system reading ALL the listed options ALL the time. No way to override (if there is, someone please tell me). Terrible... like sitting in a phone tree trying to get through to a human for your utility company or technical support. Takes FOREVER...and the voice recognition is poor so constantly being asked for validation. Barely and accent in my speech or this region.

- Disabled features when car is in motion? Really? yes, there are hacks for this that I'll explore when I have time. BUT, how is it safer to have 'some' features that work in motion while others do not. Are these features actually 'less' distracting while driving? No way for passenger to enter location.

- User Interface - ok, I can go for a while here...just state it is poor.

- Data Entry - slow..slow slow... tap a letter...wait...wait wait.

- Kills me to have paid for fancy built in navigation package and still have to connect an external gps...the mount, the wires... pathetic.

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So, I don't want to invest in purchasing an entire new system to install. The iPhone works fantastic in this capacity but wish I could connect the iPhone to highjack the built in system so I can use the built in screen, steering wheel controls, speech navigation etc. Plug in the iPhone and everything is good to go.... anyone out there using the iPhone w/the built in system?

 

The nav system truly sucks - what a piece of expensive crap. The problem is twofold: The internal mapping (geocoding) of the address database is way off. It puts my house at an address that doesn't exist, can't find valid addresses and those that it does find are way off. The second problem is one of speed. The DVD is constantly seeking, slowing the operation way down, especially when POI's are trying to be located. My 4 year old Garmin is far superior in speed and accuracy. I'm sorry I bought the Nav system. The Bluetooth also has an issue - a 5 second delay when connecting incoming calls. My Garmin used the phone book data in the handset directly - the Prius requires a download (and update) of the handsets phone book. All in all a terrible system, topped off by lousy FM and satellite reception,. Yuk! I have talked to my dealer and Toyota and surprise! they were of no help. One expects more of such an expensive and sophisticated piece of machinery.

 

I'm having the same problem with my 2010 Prius. The navigation system is truly a piece of s--t. I also have the 2008 Prius with nav system which is much better. All in all, I think that the 2010 model is a far better machine overall than is the 2008, but I much preferred the brighter, bigger and much more accurate mapping program (that was already over a year old when I bought the car new.) There is a business named Coastal Technologies that makes a gizmo that overrides the in-motion lockout of the nav system. Unfortunately, they don't have the 2010 device ready yet.

 

I agree this is the worst navigation system I have seen. It is awkward to use and very incorrect. Recently it tried to send me 160 miles instead of the 60 miles between two towns. It adds adds over a mile extra to my route to work, if I used it, in Santa Clara, California. It has no information of significance about POIs. Finding information about a POI near a place one is going to is extremely difficult and of course the passenger cannot effectively use it when driving.

 

I've been using both a Garmin and the Prius nav for the last few months when searching for POIs.
What I've found is that the Prius database has less POI's than the Garmin. And the Garmin is more current than the Prius database.

sigh.

 

The failings of the 2010 Prius nav system go far beyond POI or accuracy. Even if these things were perfect the system is useless. If you zoom in until it decides to put city streets on the map, you are looking at an area so small you can't do any mental route planning. If you zoom out so you can see a reasonable distance ahead, say a mile, all the roads vanish but the major roads. And these are lacking labels. Then the system hides half the screen with information you don't need, like the name of the road you are one. I know what road I'm on, what's the name of the road I am approaching? No matter how much you zoom, some roads - typically the one I want to know - never get labeled, while others I can't get to from here without driving on an un-named road get names. I just turn the display off if it is not giving me route advice. And setting a route? HA! I've put intermediate points along my desired route trying to make it take me the way I want to go for one reason or another, and it will route me 30 miles out of my way, backtracking to the the distant highway to go one exit then travel 30 miles back from the opposite direction to get to the point I manually input 3 miles along the freaking causeway I'm on that has no alternate routes!!! I would give anything to put my Google maps display from my phone on the LCD. My phone is too small to read while driving, but it's a darn good navigation tool. And I've always liked my Garmin products. It's a waste of money, but I was determined to have a Bluetooth connection for my phone which includes and mp3 player. This stuff works reasonably well. I'm not sure the bumps in the road are the fault of the phone or the Prius nav system.

If somone were to port a Garmin or Google nav software to the Prius they would be very rich.

Thanks for letting me vent. Boy I needed that.

 

Toyota does listen ...sometimes...several significant vehicle changes (improvements) were made on the 2010 Prius.
TOYOTA ! PLEASE NOTE THESE CONCERNS ! If you can build a Prius you certainly can tweak this gadget and make it the best nav system out there.

 

FWIW:

Aisin says swipe this GPS | Paris Motor Show - CNET Reviews

 

I bought a 2010 prius last week with the tech package. I've been reading this forum for a year now so I knew NOT to get the Toyota nav. When I started looking I never even considered the tech package but it turns out I couldn't pass up this deal as they were clearing out the 2010's.

Anyways, it came to no surprise that the nav was in fact terrible as stated on the forum. There are however a lot of good things that come with the nav package.

The hands free system is excellent in the car. Phone calls are crystal clear, and voice instructions to the nav work flawlessly. I love how they have the voice recognition button right on the steering wheel. Another nice thing about the Toyota nav is the screen size. The screen takes up the entire double din slot with physical buttons on the sides.

I had considered replacing the head unit with a pioneer Avic z120bt. This unit retains all the features of the toyota nav and the approximate same screen size. The difference is the nav is much better,iPod controls are lightyears ahead of toyotas USB interface kit (which my car does not have) and the user interface simply makes sense.

I'd like to hear some opinions from people who have this installed in their prius. Can you still use the hands free button on the steering wheel? I know I'd lose the automatic parking features but I could care less about that.

I'm still waiting for the head unit that does nothing more than puts your smartphone apps on screen. Google maps would be awesome on an 8" screen.

 

You don't have to get the nav to get hands free. It's standard along with XM radio on every model except the Prius II.
I like the rear view camera, but it was only really handy one time when I had something loaded in the cargo area blocking the window. Could have still managed without it, but it made it easier to back up. The rest of the time it's just nice to have.

USB is nice to have for music on flash drives and iPods. Bluetooth streaming is nice, but you can also get that if you buy a Prius II and add the dealer installed bluetooth kit. Wireless streaming is of somewhat limited value since it is a battery drain. You will need to plug in your device anyway if you have low battery or are on a road trip.
Otherwise you can use the aux jack on any Prius and any music device. Setup playlists of what you want to listen to in advance so you don't need to mess around with it searching for tracks as you drive.

 

This is why I opted not to get the NAV system. I have a Navigon with 3d display and a bunch of other features some more than the prius nav. When we took it out on the road, the sales guy couldn't even show me the NAV system because the car was moving. The quality of the display is terrible compared to what I have on my unit. I would have loved the backup camera, but couldn't justify THAT nav system to get it.

 

I find the Nav system is just okay. When you use it to go somewhere new, it sometimes has problems with the last hundred yards or so - it will say you have arrived, and you still don't have your destination in sight. Have to get out the iPhone and look at the map.

I use it for less specific directions - and the traffic feature (XM) is useful. I will ask it to give me directions to the office, or to home, to get a preview of the traffic and/or accidents that might be on my route. I'll also peek at the colors on the main roads to get a feel for how bad the traffic is.

The GPS itself is not as good as a Garmin or Tom-Tom. Or even an iPhone. Too bad.