What In-Dash Navigation do you like best for the Prius?

Ive always preferred the Kenwood units. They are really nice and have the Garmin nav software.

 

I went Kenwood eXcelon with Garmin. They are expensive, but overall the best. Be sure to match the rest of you components.

 

+1 to Kenwood eXcelon with Garmin Nav.

 

On what model is the Kenwood with Garmin Nav available?

 

ipad mini or nexus 7 in dash install

like this one Nexus 7 becomes in-dash entertainment system [Video] | Android Community

 

Advent (Audiovox) unit if you want a "factory look". Kenwood if you're happy with a 2DIN. Maybe an "app" radio if you're happy want an Apple solution.

 

My only reason for not going to any after market NAV system is the fact that I haven't been able to come up with a factory match, double din adapter. The Schoche and Metra adapters are really cheezie. Otherwise I would have installed the Kenwood eXcelon unit long ago. And one of the main reason for this choice is the Garmin GPS OS.

 

get a ipad mini integrated dash

 

Toyota P/N 55406-47080 is the only piece that exactly matches the existing dash color/grain/material for 2010-2011. It is used for the European model factory Nav which is slightly bigger than US 2DIN standard. Used the Kenwood included filler to fit which also color matches and is not painted. My HU does tilt for preferred viewing angle and to prevent glare. Like yourself, I found the two aftermarket adapters unacceptable. Though subjective, think mine looks pretty good. Believe Frenchie was the one who first brought this option to light on priuschat. Below is my before and after. Decide for yourself.

 

Where did you buy it from ?

So the metra no good ?

 

I must say that your installation looks better than anything I've seen to date. The filler panel from Kenwood; Did you have modify it to fit the European dash insert?

 

Go to Toyota Parts Dept and order. I paid $70ish if I remember right, but worth every penny. Based on the mods you have done, should not be a problem. Every Dealer sets there own price based on overhead and customer. The Scoshe and Metra parts fit better as they are 2DIN, but are junk. They are painted plastic pieces that wear off and do not match the texture. It is well documented here. I saw all three before deciding and it was no contest, Toyota only, even with the Kenwood filler, but that's me. The system I put in was well thought out, but not cheap, and documented in my "PC Album".

 

Kenwoods "blank" is a full sheet cut to fit and fixed to the back of the insert. HU tilts, not filler like others.

 

I am having a major issue deciding. I am replacing my myron&davis unit that was installed when I bought my Prius used... I would like something that looks good, but it doesn't need to look factory installed. I have done a TON of research and poured over a TON of reviews. Kenwood does make great units, but it seems like they use inferior processors and the unit is sluggish... At least from the videos I have seen. Yeah they use Garmin, which is great, but I saw one unit take over a minute to reroute someone when they strayed from their navigation path... Alpine looks super nice especially with 8" unit, but do I want to spend $1700 bucks? And I have an iPhone 5, nothing is compatible with that.
I hear a lot of people talking about installing a tablet(android or iOS), which is my favorite idea. I am not persuaded by the idea of having to custom make a kit for it...
But rather, two major issues.
1. How does it take phone calls? There isn't a tablet out there that lets you take your phone's calls on it... So I have to have a head unit for that... Which just seems lame and defeats the purpose.
2. I really don't want to have pay for more data. Either tethering, mobile hot spot, or adding an LTE iPad mini to my AT&T service...

I genuinely don't know what to do. This sucks...

 

I sympathize with your stated dilemma. Started researching a solution prior to buying my Prius near the end of 2010, as I was looking to do things my way. The JBL just did make the grade. There were a world of options and mine came down to the Kenwood DNX9960 or Pioneer AVIC Z110BT. The 9960's weakness per forum reviews was the slower GUI, attributed to a slower processor. The AVIC's was very poor BT, lower pre-amp voltage and inferior Navigation software. There were definitive Fan-Boys for both schools, but no perfect choice. For me the Kenwood won and I have not regretted it one bit.

As with most everything, nothing is perfect so only you can decide what compromise to live with based on your priorities. Things have improved since so take your time to touch, taste, feel and hear your options. The best advice I can give is to just remember to build a balanced compatible system with quality components and everything else will take care of itself.

Anyways...Merry Christmas and Best Wishes.

 

how was the myron&davis unit ?

good bad ?

 

The only good thing about the myron & davis is that it does a lot... But it doesn't do any of those things well. The navigation is terrible, I still have yet to get the voice to work on it... The screen quality is awful, the UI is extremely slow, they bury simple features in secret menus that you wouldn't know about if you don't read the manual, changing the fade and balance is impossible and the bluetooth can't be set to default. So, if I am streaming music and then take a phone call, it kicks out of bluetooth and I have to reconnect. It does match the dash pretty well, and I can use the screen with my gloves on... But that is all the nice things I have to say about it.

frodoz737 that is great advice, and I will have to go somewhere to play with all of the units. I am going to have to decide between the Kenwood and Alpine... I will let you guys know which I go with. (Not too sure I can pass on the 8" screen)

 

yeah, the only thing that's tempting me to buy a myron and davis is it's price of $200 for the unit.

Otherwise, I'm leaning towards a Kenwood or a Ipad mini/Nexus 7 in dash tablet install

 

Just curious, what is the "upgraded horn"?