Want to ADD Navigation system to my 2005 Prius

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/94810-gen5-nav-plug-play-upgrade.html

 

I understand you might want the built-in stock look, but the nav system user interface IMO is horrifically bad compared to something like a Garmin. The cost of map updates can be high as well.

Andy

 

I just bought an inexpensive TomTom unit - plugs into the 12v outlet and we have it setting on the "glovebox" door down below the radio. It surprises me that it picks up the satellites very well from that location. Lifetime map updates, all touch screen. I like it.

 

I have the factory system and rarely use it. I find it much easier to use either my Magellan or the GPS in my cellphone. The factory unit cannot be programmed underway, even by a passenger, unless one uses the voice recognition feature, which is mediocre at best. I'm going to be stuck with factory nav on the PiP because that's the only way it comes, but I will still use one of the others. I previously had a Garmin, and it was also easier to input info into than the factory unit.

 

No.

There is a black box that mounts under the drivers seat. It holds and reads a DVD that has the GPS info on it. I don't know how many wires come off it or where they go. There are one or more GPS antennas that normally sit somewhere under the top of the dash(?) I don't know how many wires go between the GPS unit, the antenna, and the display, or where exactly they connect together.

 

I was looking at a similar plan but it seems the cost is quite high for what you are going to get in return. I was lucky enough to get the needed MFD for an incredible deal (I did the "Hobbit" repair myself - not tuff but not for the timid). Still looking for deals on the rest of the parts. Someone's well documented similar experience is posted here for reference.

Aftermarket add-ons like the Rear-view mirror with GPS and Backup Cam seem to be the least intrusive and are a better deal dollar wise but still really don't have the "Built-in" feel. I suggest lots of reading in these forums, there is quite a difference of opinion on many of the GPS features.

Good Luck!

 

Or you could go all out and install an entirely new double DIN head unit like usbseawolf2000 did. It's MUCH nicer than the factory NAV unit.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...pgrade-head-unit-kenwood-excelon-dnx6960.html

 

FWIW, I'm totally the opposite. I almost NEVER bring my Garmin nav units with me in my Prius (no need). It's way too many steps and inconvenient w/too many steps to bring along and use a separate nav unit vs. using what's built in the car.

I had an Android phone at one point and NEVER used Google Navigation since I had no means of mounting my phone. It was way too kludgy to have try to look at the tiny screen of my phone laying somewhere in my car. In my former nav-less car, it was far easier to look at my Garmin units on a bean bag friction mount than muck w/a phone laying somewhere. I tested Google Navigation for a few minutes and that was enough for me. No thanks.

The only time I might bring the Garmin unit (have a Nuvi 350 and 1200) along is as a backup on a trip to a totally unfamiliar area (since it has much newer maps than the DVD that came w/my 06), but I almost never use it in my Prius. I've had to use it on a trip to Canada before though.

I posted some pros and cons of the Prius' nav system vs. my Garmin Nuvi 350 at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...dvd-nav-vs-other-nav-system-2.html#post675023 before. I only bought the Nuvi 350 since my former other car, a Nissan 350Z had no nav. I received the Nuvi 1200 later free from my bank, for opening an account.