Instead of getting a Prius with Nav and Bluetooth, I was considering purchasing a Garmin GPS with Bluetooth. Does anyone have experience with a GPS with Bluetooth? IS the Bluetooth just as good as a Toyota factory installed unit?
I had the Garmin 780. It won't sync to my phone (LG Env, iPhone). My wife have a similar unit, same thing. I would be interested to hear if anybody have successfully bluetoothed their Garmin to any phone for more than 3 months (meaning reliably). I would be interested to hear if anyone has successfully used the FM transmitter on a Garmin to hear the voice on FM. A lot of these features are fluff and not ready for prime time. Now some people are placing their hopes on a new Garmin that allegedly can provide info from the Prius, like RPM etc. I'll believe it when I see it. People do say Garmin is better than the built in Toyota NAV. I have no experience. Just don't expect the Garmin to do anything other than navigation. On the other hand, the Toyota bluetooth is very reliable. I have a package III without NAV. Remember that if you don't get the NAV, you cannot bluetooth music. Just Bluetooth phone only. I have my complaints about Toyota but bluetooth is not one of them. I use the Garmin everyday. The reports say it is the best - and I tend to agree having have lots of experience with many GPS. Bluetooth is another issue altogether though.
I do not like my GPS with bluetooth (from a bluetooth perspective). My Garmin 765w is great GPS, but lousy speakerphone. On the other hand, the Prius bluetooth is good. Gte the prius III (or IV if you want leather), and skip the NAV...Actually, in retrospect, I wish I had NAV for the backup camera.
I, too, did not like the quality of my bluetooth Garmin unit and never used it. When I bought a new Garmin I specifically bought a model that did not include it. I do not have it installed in my Prius either, but I can only assume the quality is better than that found on the Garmin. I actually use a BlueAnt that I purchased not too long ago from Amazon and have been VERY happy with the quality of that. It attaches to my visor.
We prefer the convenience of the in-dash nav with bluetooth. The speakerphone in the Prius works quite well. Very clear and understandable both in the car and at the other end.
