Prius navigation system

Coming out of three Acura's with Navigation, the Toyota system is a big disappointment because most navigation and bluetooth functions can't be used while the 06 Prius is in motion. There's an override for the 04/05, which was removed from the 06.

Save your money and pass on the Navigation unit.

 

Is the Toyota the greatest Nav unit in the world... no... is it the worse... I guess not. If you are out of town or need to go to a place in town that you are unsure of will it get you there... yes it does. I would not have a car with out a Nav unit. I think that they will get better and better over time. I have used one other the Garmin iQue and I am not sure that it is better only different. The trouble is that data bases differ and they all need work at this point and are getting improved. I think that Toyota rips you off for Nav up dates at this point.

 

We really like the NAV system. As others have pointed out, there are limitations about setting destinations when moving. Toyota restricted that to keep from getting sued when some dumb driver kills someone while talking on the cell phone and punching in an address for the NAV system. That said, it's not a big problem: set the destination before you get under way, or pull over and set it.

We like having the system integrated with the MFD, so you have a big screen and don't have to stick something else on the dash or run a bunch of cords all around.

I find it a great help when driving in unfamiliar cities. As an example, we wanted to stop at a grocery store when we were out of town. In the hotel parking lot, I punched up POI (Points Of Interest) and selected grocery stores nearest to the present location. A big list came up. We picked the nearest one and drove right to it, all the time with Jill reading off directions.

It's also a great help on the highway. You get ample warning about which lane to use and when to get ready for an exit. There is a steady stream of information about what you can find at upcoming exits. If I want to find my way home, I just hit the talk button and say "home"; that's all there is too it, and you don't have to stop to do that.

It's your call, but if you want a NAV system for your Prius, I'd get the built in system.

Tom

 

When I was getting the Prius in 2005 I didn't want the NAV system as there was a $3000 difference between that and the next lower model. I figured I could get a third-party as they tend to be better, cheaper and portable.

That being said, I have the built-in as getting the lower model was next to impossible in So Cal. I'm happy with having the built-in NAV system (which came bundled with some other nifty options), but considering that my last NAV system was a 2002 Thomas Guide to San Diego, a 1992 Thomas Guide to Los Angeles and any Mapquest I could print, just about any GPS system is an improvement. Being a 2005, there's a workaround that allows me to enter destinations while in motion, so that helps. It gave me a route home from work that was better than the one I was using (which is embarassing as I've lived in the area for almost 50 years). It took me to a place in Anaheim better than Mapquest (no fooling, Mapquest had me go to a place almost a mile away and on another street). It has also told me to get off the correct road and turn on to a road that didn't exist (out in the boonies and that happened only once). It also listed a restaurant near our house that hasn't been there for years (really too bad, I loved eating there). It's screen that's up the most.

My next car will have a GPS system, whether it's built-in or not is still up in the air. Oh, and the cost of an update is about $256. And though you can't get one later on that displays on the MFD, you can get one (like the Pioneer) that's built-in, rather than sitting on the dash.

Bottom line, it's up to you as you (and your husband) will be the ones that will be using it, not us. Some have said the more options the better value for resale, but don't let that be a deciding factor.

 

I would definately give "nav systems" a huge thumbs up - but I agree that the one in the Prius is disappointing compared to the others I have used.

I would recommend getting a portable Tom Tom or Navman and using that.

I find the current factory one to be disapointing from a user friendlyness perspective and from a route selection perspective.

Hope this helps.

Lani

 

I have a GPS (Garmin Quest) that pre-dates my '06 Prius pkg 6. It works fine on the Prius dash (bean bag mount), and for under $400 it probably does as well or better for me than the Prius NAV -- with which I admittedly have no experience.

Here are what I see as the pros and cons of my setup:

Pro
1. From some of the complaints I've read here, Garmin's map coverage of North America may be superior to whatever Toyota is using.
2. The Quest is portable, and has an internal battery, allowing me to program it at my desk, without having to do it in the car.
3. The portability factor allows me to take it with me to use in a rental, friend's car, boat, motorcycle, or bicycle. I can theoretically also use it for geocaching or hiking, in or out of a city, but in the case of the Quest, that usefulness may be limited.

Con
1. The screen of the Toyota unit is much larger, and the audio is undoubtely superior, although for a variety of reasons I don't think that's a big deal.
2. The Toyota unit requires nothing to set up, and is always going to be there, so for a realtor or person that uses the car in their business. I think the constant use factor would make it a worthwhile investment.

As for how I use it, I don't actually use it that much. Vacations, weekend trips, new restaurants, meeting someone at an unfamiliar location -- that sort of thing. When I do use it, which might be 3 - 4 times a month, it does come in real handy, and I love the thing.

Do I think the Toyota GPS is worth $2,000? Not to me, but for someone like a realtor, I think it would be great. Just my 2 cents.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohgreys @ May 12 2006, 09:44 AM) [snapback]254046[/snapback]</div>

I am sure it has been mentioned earlier in this thread before, but I figured I'd add it towards the end for what it's worth:

1) HID headlights: Trust me, once you drive a car with them, you will NOT want to go back to the regular halogen ones. I think they are clear and crisp and show a much better view at night. Not to mention, they look great!

2) The 6-CD disc changer in package #7 plays MP3 CDs as well...so really, if you have it you can fill it with 6 CDs with approx 120 MP3 songs on each and you don't even need to attach an MP3 player to the AUX. Plus, with the MP3 CDs you can control the playback with your steering wheel where as the AUX is merely a headphone jack sort of thing.


3) Navigation system: My fiance' has a Garmin c330 in her car and we love it, but it does not even come close to the feature-rich nav system in the Prius. True, it has its ups and downs, the biggest one bieng that you cant fiddle with it when the car is in motion, BUT there are ways around that. For example: you can navigate by voice and/or set Quick Access routes. If you have your work, or your house, or any other location set as a Quick Access, all you have to say is: "Quick Access 5" or whatever number you have it set as, and the Nav will guide you there. Also, you can look for things around you while driving. For example, you can say "ATMs" and the system will show you icons on the map screen of ATMs around you. The same goes for almost anything you can think of...you just have to know the commands and what to ask for.

Personally I think that the nav system is awesome and I would not have bought the Prius without it.

Just my $0.02.

I hope you get a call from your salesperson soon! Nav or no nav, a Prius is an incredible car and you'll love it!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vincent @ May 11 2006, 07:55 PM) [snapback]253824[/snapback]</div>

2006 Nav System Override Instructions

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xxxlmpg @ May 12 2006, 10:19 AM) [snapback]254057[/snapback]</div>

That procedure works for the '04s and '05s, but lots of people have reported that it doesn't work for the '06s.

 

Right before I took delivery on my 2006 I was about to call the dealer and switch to the one without the Nav and get the Garmin Nuvi. Prior to that I had been using a Dell Axim X50V paired with a bluetooth GPS receiver. It worked really well, but the preptime of mounting it and then pairing the two devices was too much of a pain for me to set it up if I was in a hurry.

When I did the math, it seemed to make more sense to get a cheaper package and get an really good portable Nav. Now that I have my package #7 with the Nav, I'm glad that I did it. It's not the best one that I have ever used, but I like the fact that it's there and always ready. The lockout when you are moving is the biggest downfall for me, but I understand that some of the portables have that limitation built in also.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ May 12 2006, 09:33 AM) [snapback]254060[/snapback]</div>

ahhhhhhh......merde!

 

I was going with a package #6 but my dealer was going to have a hard time getting it. He said if he could get one with NAV NOW if I would take it. I said I would think about it. I called back a day later and he told me he would sell it to me below MSRP. I said OK. Its more than I wanted but I always say if your going to go, go all out!

I was going to buy a carputer for my NAV but now I dont need to. I'm glad I have the built in NAV because if I need directions I have them at the touch of a button. No messing around with cables, screens, batteries ect... Its all built right in. I'm still going to install a carputer just so I can do a little war driving.

If you have the money I recommend getting NAV.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xxxlmpg @ May 12 2006, 10:45 AM) [snapback]254063[/snapback]</div>

Well, Coastal Tech has a solution. They claim it overrides the motion lockout as well as eliminate the need to press the "I agree" button. I would check with them to make sure it functions fully with the 2006 before I bought it though.

http://www.coastaletech.com/nav_kit.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ May 12 2006, 11:09 AM) [snapback]254071[/snapback]</div>

It does not work with the 2006. It just emulates the button presses for the I agree and lock out for the 04-05. Kind of like a virtual automatic finger.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohgreys @ May 11 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]253829[/snapback]</div>

I know this is a little late, but I didn't think reading the thread that your questions were answered completely.

There are some parts of the system that can be used in motion that I thought were nifty mainly, the home button, detour and suspend guidance. One post did mention a BIG item that can be used in motion the preset keys are voice activated from the steering wheel. Wow, I thought that was huge!

Honestly, this is my first NAV system so I'm a complete novice, but I was really impressed with the system and we use it all the time, especially for detours. I could wax more if desired but I think it is great!

And honestly, if you are a big city driver like us, what difference does it make to pull over for one minute to put info in the system? But I completely understand for a more rural setting it is an inconvenience, but safety first, eh?

b

 

First of all, I ended up getting the NAV because I really wanted the Bluetooth. You couldn't get one without the other. After using the NAV, I can't imagine getting along without it. On top of that, you should make up a good chunk of the cost in resale value when/if you trade it in or sell it.

Second, there is another way to override the speed sensor to allow you to enter destinations and phone numbers while driving. It involves cutting a wire and installing a switch. I'm sure it works for any recent model year. You can find instructions elsewhere on this site.

 

I don't know about the 2006, but on my 2005 there are some other key features that are only available with the NAV:
1. Bluetooth (for handsfree phone use)
2. Voice activated controls for HVAC and audio settings.

There may be others too, but I use these items more than the NAV. I have also found that the maps in my Prius are more up-to-date than the maps on my wife's TomTom GPS software.