I have an 05 prius and the navigation disk that comes with it is from 2004. I have been debating on whether to get the 7.1 or 8.1 disk around $130 and $230 respectively, or just by a Garmin instead. There is a nice space on the dash to put items such as a GPS so I wouldn't be too concerned with aesthetics. Does anyone have the navigation but dislike it enough to buy an aftermarket gps? If so, do you prefer the Garmin, TomTom etc? I find that the POI on the Prius is very poor, but the integration with its maps, voiced directions, warnings relative to turns, etc to be very good. I have no other experience in aftermarket GPS so I guess I don't really have anything to compare it too. What would you suggest I do? Thanks!
I've found the Prius nav system to be kind of lame so I bought a Garmin Nuvi and a bean bag dash mount. Love it. Inexpensive map updates are another issue. I'd never pay what Toyota wants to update the maps. I live in a building that was built in 1885 and the address isn't on the most recent Toyota maps.
I have a 2006 with Nav, and I use the factory system. I haven't upgraded the data disk. I was waiting to see what we would do with the 2010 model, but now that I know that we will be keeping the 2006, I will buy the upgraded disk. The convenience of having an integrated Nav system outweighs any potential advantages of a Garmin, at least in my opinion. Tom
I have a base model and a TomTom One XL GPS with a Click-on fixed hard wired mounting cradle. I like it becuae it puts the GPS closer to my line of sight and right at my fingertips. Maps can be upgraded on line for under $100AU and the whole thing can be customised to my preference including speed alerts, colour and view options.
Every computer needs a mouse Tideland. Danny, it faces the RIGHT way. Did you notice the consumption? 3.8L/100km! Pretty good. Pity it fell in a hole as soon as I drove to work in the morning from a cold start. Also you can see the standard fitment EV light is on.
To the OP, I don't have a Prius nav but I'm using a TomTom ONE New Edition. It has worked well even though it has dated maps (bought in Nov 06. I have Jan 07 maps loaded). I can see the voice recognition (esp. if it's improved in the Gen 6 Toyota Nav) and the Text-To-Speech functions an asset on the new nav compared to my TomTom. However, if you have multiple vehicles, a PND (personal navigation device) is a better buy because you can move it from vehicle to vehicle and bring it with you on trips and use it in the rental car or when you're walking around downtown.
My 2007 base model did not come with a GPS system, so I am using DASH Express GPS device which I really like because it shows real-time traffic conditions on freeways and some major streets. I have it mounted at the lower left corner of the front windshield (CA law only allows GPS devices to be mounted on the lower left or lower right corners of the front windshield). The only bothersome thing is having to lean way forward to reach the mounted GPS when I need to change settings or move the map around.
I use the Prius Nav System, I have had the car for a year now, and I use the Nav all the time. I live in SoCal, and try as I might I have NEVER had a problem finding a location. I try to make the system goof up, I usually take a wrong turn on purpose, and the system promptly recalculates the route and gives me new directions within seconds of the "Mistake". Best part is, its built in, if they steal it, it's cause they took the whole car!!!
I have a Garmin Nuvi 200. You can currently buy one for ~$125. I use it in the Prius, Jetta, rental cars, motorcycle, bicycles, walking, etc. I have not used Toyota's factory navigation but I have rented cars from Mercedes, BMW, GM, and VW with factory navigation. The Garmin works just as well as any of these for 10% of the price. If I was going to to buy one today I would pay an extra $50 and get the Nuvi 255W with the widescreen and text to speech. http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0015EWMX8?tag=priuschatcom-20
Get the ProClip Center mount and put the GPS next to the MFD or get their Left Mount and put it next to the left hand vent.
When I buy a car again, I probably won't take built-in NAV. I find it more useful to have a little NAV unit I can take out and carry with me if I wanna walk around and I need to find an address.
