2010 Prius Navigation System is really horrible

The Navigation system in the Prius is not the best.

 

Having owned many other NAV systems, I'd basically agree with that ranking... The NAV system is the one disappointment in my Prius...

Don't get me wrong, the NAV system is serviceable, but it is not as pleasant, or as functional, as other NAV systems I've used.

 

There are four advantages to the Toyota Nav system:
1. It's built in so it would be hard to steal (besides that no thief would want one)
2. It has a very good back up camera
3. It has a nice interface for the JBL audio system
4. It has a big screen.

Other than that my 2 year old Garmin NUVI beats it hands down in every way. The cost of the DVD update from Toyota is obscene.

But the Toyota nav does work in most areas and will get you down the road if it's a fairly main road (although it won't get me to my own house). I have it because it comes with the AT package which I wanted, if not for that I would not buy it and would install an after market backup camera system. That's the logic behind option packages, they can sell you junk you wouldn't otherwise buy.

 

Speaking of Garmin . . . .
Since I have a Prius G3 Model II without built in navigation, I have adapted my Garmin for use in the Prius. I made a small foam pedestal with Velcro on the top and bottom. This raises the attached Garmin up just high enough to make in completely visible through the steering wheel at my eye level(see pics.) The satellite reception is excellent. My baseball cap provides enhanced security when the unit is not in use.

 

Looks like Toyota holds almost all of the low positions on the above list.

Here, where there is "detailed coverage", the Nav works fairly well,
and it even updates the on-screen map about 4 times a second, where
many (most?) handhelds only update once a second.

Ignoring price, the poor searching for POI functions, difficulty using it
while driving, and the very poor map "coverage" are the biggest CONs.

PROs are: it is nicely integrated, suports some voice commands, and is updatable.

So, Toyota could "fix" it with an update, but their 9.1 NavDVD "update"
did not appear to do more than add a very small amount to the "detailed coverage"
in a few areas.

Apparently the map (and POI?) data are stored in a "very poor" (NOT-compacted,
space-consuming) form, and the dual-layer DVD is "almost" full.
So, they apparently feel that they cannot provide "full" coverage in
the 8.4 GB of a dual-layer DVD.

The Toyota Head-Nav Unit can be replaced (as other topics describe),
apparently with a much-superior unit for around (under?) $1000 DIY.

 

If the built-in NAV would allow expanded usage while driving (such as detecting when someone is sitting in the passenger seat and allowing full access to them), or even better access driver only access, then I would find the Toyota NAV product less objectionable.

I do not like the crude hacks (Although quite clever from those that figured them out) that override the NAV, but have side effects (position accuracy, etc.).

I would like to see Toyota be smarter in a future update and make the built-in NAV system worth the exorbitant price they charge...
ARE YOU LISTENING TOYOTA???

I've considered dropping a third party NAV in (and still may), but it seems like such a waste of money given what I paid for the Toyota NAV system...

 

So have I but I would like to keep the backup camera system on the nav display screen, I wonder if there is any way to do that?

 

While I do not know for sure, I would assume that it is just a video feed, and that third party NAV systems supporting video input could accept the video from the back up camera. (At least that is how I would design systems...)

 

I don't know what to think. I have used my Garmin along with the Prius 3 Nav system on a number of trips, just for the hell of it. The Prius has always done as well as my Garmin with the Prius Nav actually giving a more usefull screen at times. My Prius Nav finds the addresses, always picks the same routes, shows the same accuracy and ETA's are the same -+ a minute or so. I have had built in Nav's since they started putting them in cars, mostly Mercedes and the Prius does as well, if not better than in the past. I bought the Garmin only to use as a portable when using rental cars. The Navs are only as good as the maps, that is for sure. I for one am happy with the Prius Nav and I use it a lot. I don't consider myself as a "newbie" to the technology.

 

Well, you get a whole 10GB of that HDD to upload your music!

I've only used it on a 24hr test drive, but biggest like was the directions displayed in the HUD, the biggest dislike(s) were the small font size on the screen (TomTom's are nice and big so you can tell at a glance how far until the next turning etc) and the lack of auto-zoom).

 

There are subtle differences that are 'nice' touches...

• Telling you the city you are in.
• Telling you the street you are on (not just the one you are about to turn onto).
• Not being limited while driving.
• How you handle multiple destinations (not bad on Prius, but not the best).
• iPhone integration (like Pioneer's AVIC)
• etc...

 

When you press the map button on the steering wheel the Prius nav will display the city and street you are on and also display the street number you are at on the 2005 nav. I would assume it is the same on the 2010. This is a very useful feature.

 

I checked on mine tonight and this feature is still the same on the 2010, except the MAP button is on the NAV and not the steering wheel.

 

european prius gets lexus navigation basically.. or maybe we should call it toyota premium navigation ;-). better graphics, more options. There are at least 3 different views for the nav screen in european prius, it is perfectly good navi imho. I like it much better than my garmin, and i never understood why people disliked them (factory navi). Of course, european navi prices are through the roof.

also consider that 2010 Prius has same navi as Venza in that JD Power survey.

 

On my nav system (2010) it takes an incredibly long time to input city and address. I type the fist letter of the city and it takes 10 to 15 seconds before some of the letters disappear from the keyboard and I am allowed to input the 2nd letter. etc! Same for the street name. Even after pressing OK at the end takes several seconds before it is active.

The map itself updates at normal speed, it's only the Destination input which is a problem (done while stopped of course).

Does any one else experience this or this just my unit (or perhaps my DVD having bad sectors)? Thanks!

 

No, just double checked on mine, it should happen as quickly as you push the buttons. You have a problem.

 

Agreed...you should not have a delay like that. Mine is immediate as well....Have it checked....

Make sure you have your AREA set correctly for the region...it may not be and it's looking through a larger area than needed....

 

How do you set the area? I did not set anything so far, just used it as it came from the dealership... The delay seems to be coming from searching the database on DVD way to slowly, so the area may well be set too large...

How can I reset the Nav so it starts fresh? Perhaps the program is stuck and needs a reset?

If that does not fix it i"ll have to take it to the shop.

 

Thanks! I did not know that.
I'd still like to have it on screen while not having to press a button.
That is good to know when I need to know which city I'm currently...