I'm glad i did not get navigation system on my prius

Used to have a TOM TOM and although you don't like the NAV, don't understand why you can't get upgraded NAV disks...they are available.....Always have been...

I prefer to not have to attach and unattach the Poertables...it got to be a pain in the A**, so I am glad in my Gen III I have a totally integrated unit....

It's all about personal choice really...

 

ski.dive: It is always good when someone is happy with their decision.

As for me, we have the NAV in our G3, IV, and once I read the manual .... I find it quite satisfactory. It was pretty frustrating initially.

I also have a hand-held GPS (Garmin), and while it has been very useful for several years, I hated all the wires (it has an external antenna and power source). I do like the fact that the hand-held will read-out the altitude.

 

i got the tomtom app for my iphone and it works great in the car.

 

Just got a Toyota card offering an upgrade for $199... it used to be $300+ !
The sky is falling!

 

I'm really glad I got my GPS. When we bought our Prius in March 2004, there were no portable GPS's (or at least they weren't very available). Nobody heard about Bluetooth. My wife's the tree-hugger in the family, I'm the geeky computer guy, with all of the cool electronics the car has, it's been a win-win for both of us.

I also have a Garmin Nuvi 650 which I use on my other car and my bike.

 

yeah, i agree with liking the factory navi system. i just wished it had real time traffic.

 

In-dash is nice ... but there's more than enough info in my new II model screen - and my Garmin only comes out when I need the directions (not often) ... plus, can use it in wife's car, too. Of note, I only purchase the bottom tier's of the cars I buy ... but then, it is for cash
Bart in SoCAL

 

Wow OP. Thanks for making all of us who did buy the prius nav feel awful. What was the point of your original post again?

Ok Im just kidding a little. I would agree that the separate nav systems are a better value, in fact I would not have bought it either but I bought the car used and it happened to have the nav - what else can I do ya know? But now that Ive used it I must say it's well built and quite useful. The voice commands are responsive and the user interface is larger, but simpler than other gps systems. You won't believe how many times I've gotten from a to b successfully without any hitches, using the navigation system.

Above all it contributes as one of the key elements that makes the Prius so technologically advanced, and I can't imagine my prius without it.

 

I've been watching these type of forums for a while.

the overall sensus has always said the prius navigation sucks.

recently, my build in navigation screen (mfd) broke. even with directions on my iphone... i've come to realize i really really miss my built in navigation. the controls are on the wheel, the microphone and feed back are build in.. it beeps.. updates instantly since it runs off gps and speedometer sensors.

the real problem about non build in units seems to be slow updates... maybe it's just a slow iphone. i've had many occassions where i would have to uturn since my iphone didn't update in time. there were also occasions where i was on the highway but my iphone was on a side road. I've had that happen with my car's navigation.. but at least my car had the speed accurate. my iphone has this auto fit... thing...that includes slowing down my "current location" icon.

ok.. done ranting..

 

2008 Package 5 owner here. Love the built in NAV. Have it on my phones, used a portable unit and by far the best is in the car. Make sure you check the manual because it can do some pretty amazing stuff; even by voice. The screen is huge and I always prefer using it over any other gadget. I just ordered the 9.1 updating from 7.1. Just my two cents.

 

One thing I like about the Prius' built-in nav system (besides the bigger screen) is that it says to "turn right at the next street" (or something like that) when a turn is coming up. This may seem like a little thing, but when you're driving in a city with many little streets coming up, it's handy. My Garmin only says something like "left turn ahead" - but it may be the 2nd or 3rd street ahead.

Minor point, I know. And other brands of GPS units besides Garmin may do this, for all I know.

 

I had been a TomTom user since March 2003. With the built in nav I am missing the max speed of roads and speed warnings most. And although I have the 2008/2009 version it did not have the numbers in a street that exists now already for several years. TomTom's map of late 2008 did have them. But... no hassles with wires, big screen, always available. You cann't win them all.

 

Since it's the first GPS I ever had, I absolutely love the factory-installed navigation.

 

I had not originally planned to get a Nav on my 2010 III due to the high cost plus the high cost of the upgrade, which I still think is ridiculous. BUT, I found the car that I wanted with everything else I wanted AND the Nav. So, I went ahead and bought the car.

Now that I have the Nav, I am really glad that I did. I have had Garmins in the past and they do have some features that I like more than the Nav. Overall, though, it is nice having the Nav integrated in the console. I think this feature helps cancel out most of the other negatives for me.

 

Here's my take on the Built in Factory Nav.

Although it has some pitfalls, and they are not earth shattering, I love the integration and features it also provides.

I have had aftermarket units, and don't care to be taking them in and out of the car, as they seem to be an "attraction" for the kids having nothing to do, and some adults.

Sure the cost of the Factory Nav is higher, but the screens for Phone and other functions are great to have. Certainly much more intuitive than not having them.

Cost is relative, because the car with Nav would demand more at trade in for a car compared to same without.

Again the whole thing boils down to personal choice. I prefer the integrated clean look with added functionality from one screen.

Not having NAV leaves a big void in the dash in my opinion. Just became used to it all the years of having it in cars.