boyfriend's questions re: Prius Nav. system ?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]441465[/snapback]</div>

First, you set your area, like Texas, then there are several ways of entering a destination, including a phone number for a business. When entering an address, first you just enter the street number, then the street name. Frequently this is enough. Sometimes you have to enter the city name or choose the city from a list. All entry is done with "keys" on the screen, no double tapping.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]441465[/snapback]</div>

I don't know of any aftermarket nav with as large a screen. Also, the nav and Bluetooth are integrated. Search for a destination by name, find it, press info button on the screen, press the phone icon and it calls the destination with your Bluetooth enabled cell phone. Voice recognition is pretty good, depending on your voice and the noise in the car, but sometimes you just gotta laugh at how mistaken she is. You can use voice commands to set the AC temperature and call on the phone, which a third-party nav can't do.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]441465[/snapback]</div>

I know nothing about this device.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]441465[/snapback]</div>

No, but an update DVD for all of the US and Canada will cost you about $350 if you decide you need it in a year or two. It also doesn't have live traffic updates. Get a 3G Bluetooth cell phone for that.

 

I suggest you go to the Toyota navigation demo site:
http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/partner/To...toyota_nav.html
Note the console aroung the screen shown is not from the Prius, but the navigation system has the same displays and works the same. This is the site you would get to clicking Navigation System from the Prius pages.

It is a full keyboard on the touch screen and can be configured QWERTY or ABC.

It is a reaonable to use. Its advantage is the use of the built-in screen, surrounding buttons and steering wheel buttons. Some (including myself) wish it showed altitude, GPS calculated speed, time, and some other data shown on info pages of other units. Search the topics, much has been posted by the members of PriusChat. In unmodified form, it limits functions when the car is moving.

I find the voice navigation useful, it understands "go home" very well. "I'm hungry" or "Chinese Food" is fun to demonstrate the system for riders. For voice input of addresses, it is sometimes a bit flakey, giving strange selections in response. It tends to train you to get it to accept the spoken address. Speak normally; slowing down with spaces between syllables makes it worse. I suspect some accents would make it unusable. Take a test drive and try out some commands!

Despite some shortcomings, I am pleased I brought my car with the navigation unit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]441465[/snapback]</div>

I think Bill has answered your other questions. But I assume you're talking about CoastaleTech's LockPick. The basic LockPick does cost $99.xx. Just do a search for Coastal, and you'll get a range of comments. Both good (at least about the products) and bad (about customer service).

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ May 14 2007, 09:38 AM) [snapback]441717[/snapback]</div>

P.S. For some reason I can't reply to your last post. So, you're welcome.

Also, if you have a passenger, there's no reason you can't use a work around. It's the 5th post in
a sticky notes in audio/electronics. See the link below. It's a little bit of bother to perfect, but works quite well once you've practiced.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=12526&hl=Easter

 

No, that nav workaround will NOT work on the 2006 and later models. You need one of the Coastal lockpick hardware solutions.

 

Pola, Garmin uses a full keyboard on the touchscreen. Enter the street number, enter the street name, enter a city, enter a state. The unit starts searching so it may autocomplete or bring up a short list in the middle of typing. There is a favorities screen where addresses can be stored. I have no problem with the interface.