Can You Add Navigation

Factory option.

 

You can definitely add nav, but it is quite expensive. I'm guessing for around $10,000 you can trade your existing Prius in for another Prius with nav installed.

 

You want to look in the Audio and Electronics Forum, where you will find threads such as: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ust-installed-new-nav-dvd-head-unit-pics.html

 

..or with that 10K, you can buy a great garmin and a Hyundai Accent Hatchback or a Nissan Versa... much better deal!

 

There are a few threads in Audio - look through them.

There are factory navs on Ebay for around $600 (from Camrys et al) - this combined with a plastic surround from England ($110), and you get a factory nav (not Prius - but Toyota). The other thread above relates to putting in other aftermarket GPS/DVD etc)

I think any way you look at it, you're looking at around $800 all in... But you get a better sound, and many added features...

 

It would not be a good idea even if it could be done, it's not worth the money. The main advantage to the Toyota factory nav system is that it is built in, it also gives you a nice interface for the JBL sound system. I have the Toyota nav and it is usable but not as good or user friendly as my old Garmin Nuvi. Toyota charges more for their updates that a good portable nav system costs.

 

1. The $600 (or less) comes with JBL and amp (at least the one I looked at)
2. It increases the car's value - likely equal to the mod
3. If you think it is not as good a GPS, there are many aftermarket head units which run the latest GPS software - and will run circles around your Garmin.
The reason? You can buy a nav and put Garmin inside (if you're running WINCE6.0), or you can run the latest iGo8, or TomTom, or Navigon, or Route66.............. Personally, I love the flexibility - depending on the software package, you can get speed cam, red light cam, even notifications that you are x% over the speed limit.....

Also, virtually all aftermarket include iPod, DVD playback and USB interface.

 

Your suggestion may be a good one. When I posted it was "not worth the money" I was referring to the installation of a factory Prius nav system. A built in after market system might be great, can't say for sure because I've never used one.

Edit: Actually I wouldn't mind replacing the Toyota system in my car if I could get a built in system that looked good and worked better than what I have. What is WINCE6.0?Tried a search for it but nothing comes up.

 

I read the "install after-market GPS and CD/DVD" threads.

It appears that one can get a very nice, very functional, full map-coverage Nav GPS unit
with Audio (even Backup video and Bluetooth) for around $700 for everything except the install.
Search for RAV4 PIP on ebay for one possible unit, probably the unit that was used in "our" forums.
Note: The Prius screen is 7", right?

Seems like an excellent option for the no-Nav Prius models, especially for those who live or drive in the Prius Nav's "poor-coverage" areas.

But, it is not without some install labor, especially for the Backup TV camera wiring, and possibly for the placement of any required antennas.

Living and driving mostly in "well-covered" map areas, pulling out the standard Prius Nav might not be worth it.
On the other hand, if somebody wanted to pay me $1600 for my "standard" Prius-III NavSystem ...

I wonder if anybody has replaced the Prius-Nav?

 

Don't forget to consider this option!

Azentek - SmartMirror SM 450

 

The smartmirror is very intriguing. I'd love to hear from anyone who has put this in their prius.

 

A guy that posts here, snowykim or something, has one. He said it's only a couple of inches wider than the stock mirror and it works really well. I've read some reviews and it seem's great. It's great that it doubles as a nav and backup cam.

On eBay and other places they have the mirrors with the screen actually in the mirror (I attached a picture, poor photo but you get the idea), so the GPS/backup cam is hidden when not in use. I'd really need to play with one before I pull the trigger!

SmartMirror:

AZENTEK SM451 SMARTMIRROR W/GPS, BLUETOOTH & BACKUP CAM - eBay (item 250527937657 end time Nov-19-09 11:57:32 PST)

The guy will take about $585 for it apparently

Here's a chinese knock off:

4.3 Inch Rearview Mirror GPS AV-IN BLUETOOTH - eBay (item 220510348539 end time Dec-13-09 22:17:33 PST)

And lastly here's a good one from Australia, it has the GPS/backup built into the screen:

Reversing / rearview Mirror inbuilt GPS / Bluetooth +++ - eBay (item 250520108006 end time Nov-24-09 21:22:26 PST)

I'm leaning towards the last one, but I can't decide. Maybe the Azentek SmartMirror is the best way to go.