We are unhappy with our Toyota GPS...

I'd have to say that while it is more expensive, I like the fact it is integrated and offers the benefits of Bluetooth and the backup camera. My V with ATP has one feature that is totally useless and that is the parking assist feature. By the time you set it up, you will have the international sign of I'll will flashed at you or worse. In any case, the unit is as good as my Magellan I keep for rental car use and in my other cars without NAV. None of these are any better than the data they come with and yes the updates are excessively high. My 07 Camry Hybrid has the NAV as well and it works well for me. The new Prius does have one feature I don't have on the Camry and that is the feature that automatically shows upcoming exits on highways. The Camry will do this when you have a destination programmed, but the Prius does this all the time regardless whether you have a destination programmed or not. I find it very useful, and the NAV itself useful as well. Again to each his/her own opinion....

 

so far, in semi-rural West Virginia, it's found everything I needed. From hot-dog shops to libraries. So far, not complaining.

 

Can someone explain why it would do fine in semi-rural West Virginia, but not semi-rural Georgia? And I'd appreciate knowing whether there is any plan to correct map deficiencies. I like the many functions, but hate when I get somewhere and it tells me it can't navigate.

 

Kentucky info is terrible on the factory nav. I like the integration, but it is lousy....

 

There seems to be no rhyme or reason behind good coverage vs bad, with the exception of metropolitan areas. Big cities have good data. When you get into the country, some areas are okay, and others crappy. I can't find a pattern to it, except that all of Canada is pretty bad.

Tom

 

I was never a fan of built-ins nav systems but was particularly disappointed with the quality of the Prius system after testing it many times before making a decision. I came here to express my disappointment and frustration and some people did not like it, especially the ones who already committed or had spent the money to have it. I think the Prius Nav is probably the worst nav system I have ever seen and believe me I have seen many.... Glad I did not spend any penny on it...

 

Garmin C530 here.Works just fine for me!!!

 

I'm going to jump in here and also state that I like my built-in nav system. It works well, and I like having it integrated into the car. I have found shortcomings with all of the nav systems that I have used, including the highly rated Garmin units. The main complaint that is hard to argue is that it is expensive when compared to portable units.

Tom

 

This is helpful. From reading the entries on this thread, I'm guessing that those whose driving has been areas where the turn-by-turn nav is provided are happy, and those who've experienced the system's failures to provide turn-by-turn assistance are not. This is separate from the issue of how happy people are with how the system works mechanically. (I happen to like how it works, but that's not my issue here.) My issue is that I frequently drive in rural and semi-rural areas, where my Garmin generally did fine, and I need the system to navigate--that was the reason I opted for it.

Is it possible to find out exactly what Toyota is doing to obtain accurate map data for all areas of the US (so it's at least comparable to the best of other nav systems), and when this will be available? Many thanks to anyone with this information.

 

The navigation works very good on my 2010 model. I had a TomTom before and thought I might not like the Denso navigation but it works like a charm. It is an expensive option, but it is much nicer to have an integrated navigation that you don't have to stick to the window or dash, no cords to plug in, the screen is bigger, the maps are actually more up to date than on my TomTom, plus you get blue tooth phone functionality that works great. In addition since the navigation is integrated, it lowers the volume of the radio if you are listening just before making an announcement and then turns the radio volume back up to where it was. That way you hear the instructions clearly. Nice feature. I'm very pleased with the navigation package.

 

I visited a relative in a very rural area of Kentucky (about 40 miles SE of Lexington) last year. I had never been there before. She and her family live on a small farm, with no other homes in sight, but she does have a street number in her address. My Garmin took me all the way from my home in Columbus, Ohio to the front gate of her property. Not a single problem. The next time I go there, I'll see how well my 2010 Prius NAV system performs.

 

I think the Nav Unit is horrible personally. Traffic info waits for me to press map to load up, then takes another couple minutes to show me the traffic lines / the 16 character limitation for satellite radio display makes absolutely NO sense/ iPod integration is laughable / and I have found the GPS clunky and inferior to my iPhone which I use instead of Toyota's attempt.

Bottom line, it's better than nothing, but the Nav unit is certainly not going to win any awards.

 

I called my dealer (service department) today regarding the inability of my GPS to navigate in rural and semi-rural areas. They told me to stop by for them to check it. I'll do that, and report back. It seems to work very well mechanically, so I have assumed the underlying map program is the issue, but it can't hurt for them to check it, plus it's probably good for them to have on record that I came in with this concern.

 

Apparently you have a really old TomTom and a different version of the nav system than everyone else. My TomTom's maps are much more up-to-date than the Prius' and it also has bluetooth phone functionality. In addition, the nav on my Prius (2010) does not lower the radio volume when making an announcement. It does take over the left front speaker, but it does not have any significant effect on the volume (which is discussed in another thread).

Having said all of this, I don't have major problems with the GPS portion of the nav other than the dated maps and inaccurate arrival times (yes, I know how to tweak the speed settings). What I do have a problem with is the primitive audio interface, especially for the iPod, and the terrible quality of FM and satellite radio.

 

I bought a Nuvi 720 a week or so after it was released ~$600. It has lane assist etc etc. However, the Prius IV sat nav is way more accurate, responsive, and has the same features and more than the over-priced Nuvi - sure it is not portable, although I now prefer not having to carry the wires and mount the unit every time I go on a journey. Very happy with Prius IV nav.

 

Yes, it is better than nothing, but "nothing" is better than wasting 1.8k on it!

 

You could had bought a much nicer Garmin all loaded, way better than the lousy and extremely overpriced Prius NAV for half of the price you paid!