I really love the voice command option, but I'm afraid to spend $6000 more for package 7. Does that option come with any other (cheaper) package? If not...is the Nav system really worth the $$$? I know you can buy an external one for $600, but the Prius one is built in the dash, so it won't get stolen, but it's so expensive.
I asked the same question a couple of weeks ago. Although I got a few replies, nobody ever answered the actual question. Does anybody know the answer?
As far as I know, 'tis true - you must have a package 7 or higher in order for all the voice commands to function for anything else. Personally, I was weighing the options myself as to whether I should buy a package 7 or not, but I made the leap and am extremely glad I did. There is just no substitute for a built-in navigation system with voice commands and all.
The Nav system is great and If not mistaken you get the leather with that option as well. I love the voice command. I can be anywhere at all and open the GPS map and just say HOME...and it routes me home...I have aportable Garmin Street Pilot II that Bought prior to the Prius and I likes it very much but the Prius GPS is even better, plus it has all of North America street level address level maps on teh DVD, portable units can only store partial maps...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Jun 8 2006, 08:24 AM) [snapback]267823[/snapback]</div> Well worth the money. I was disappointed when my Prius arrived minus voice but unfortunately here in Oz we do not have an option of voice control for the nav. If you can scrape together enough money, go for it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BVISAILMAN @ Jun 8 2006, 01:59 PM) [snapback]268237[/snapback]</div> While I agree the systems are different, I must mention that you're speaking from WAY old technology. The Street Pilot series has been able to hold all of the street-level NA maps in the unit for many years now. My current unit uses Compact Flash cards, and 2Gig is enough memory for the entire country, and more. Other units use small hard drives and again - can hold the entire country. I also get map updates and unit firmware updates quite regularly. That doesn't seem to happen for in-vehicle products. To route home on my Street Pilot I simply press the Find button twice and it routes me home from wherever I am in the country. Lots of fun doing that from Hawaii (oh... one benefit to the portables - you can use them in rental cars when you travel!). But of course I also don't have the answer to the OP's question. Sounds like, "yes, you need package 7 or above" though. For the record, I bought package 6 specifically because I want to use one (portable) GPS in both cars and all the cars I rent when I travel.
I have package 8 with no Nav. The dealer here in Hawaii does not bring in any Toyota or Lexus with Nav. I have bluetooth and the voice commands for that but no other voice command work.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Jun 8 2006, 08:24 AM) [snapback]267823[/snapback]</div> I just bought mine with Combination #D. It has all the bells and whistle in it. I love it. I do know that only the NAV system option has the full Voice Activated function. There are only 2 options I found that had it, Combo C and Combo D. Basically 1 has leather and the other has cloth.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(koa @ Jun 8 2006, 11:20 PM) [snapback]268444[/snapback]</div> You don't need a nav in Hawaii. Just drive till you hit the coast and turn left. That is what we do in Australia, which is also an island.
