Is The NAV System Worth $1800???

I like it, it was steep, but I like the touch screen for the radio, nav, phone, calendar, maintenance items, and the back-up camera. As I have a tendency to back up into things, the camera will save me in repairs bills alone.

And... it looks cool, and the kids love it.

 

) That was enough of a reason for me. My 5yo Grandson has learned to read maps. Our TCH had it and he loved watching it(more than a DVD). The HH does not have it and he was disappointed so when I got the Prius it was a desired item as that's the daily car for the wife now.

 

The question should really be: "What are the advantages of the Nav system over the stock radio and a handheld GPS?" Then each person can evaluate whether those advantages are worth $1,800 to him/her. As the question is phrased now, it's the equivalent of asking the general public whether a base Prius is worth $22K.

 

Problem with the Navigation is when you are driving, you can't change your destination. Toyota put a restriction as to what you can do to the Navigation system when the car is moving, but this is stupid, and Toyota did not think that there could be a front passenger who could make the changes instead of the driver if safety is a concern. Toyota could use the passenger seat sensor to sense if a person was seating on it.

 

That's the route I'm going for sure. Looking at the Kenwood DNX6140. And if you need a backup camera just get the aftermarket rearview backup camera from amazon.

 

Yes you can, you just can't do it using the nav screen (you have to use the voice command system).

 

How difficult is it to just pull over and enter new destination? Are you really in a hurry ALL THE TIMES? After all, that is the whole point of lockout. Making you pull over or stop to deal with MFD.

Integration carries a price tag due to custom design and manufacturing.
Examples are everywhere in life.

 

We love ours.Voice control is sweet.

 

After having a Garmin, the Toyota navigation system isn't even worth $50 IMHO. I thought I read something about buying a back up camera after market.

 

It's a certainty that the face value of Nav is less than $1800. In fact I used that argument with my dealer to get a deal on my car. In the end, the touchscreen is not only useful for the navigation but also for the backup camera, the sound system (especially if you are using satellite, ipod or AUX) and the convenience of not having the Garmin power cord hanging is a plus as well.

So while I did pay for that "stuff" and could completely have gotten a Garmin (in fact I have one already), the integration, coolness factor and overall experience of the navigation and touchscreen are quite worth it I think. But my dealer understood the cost factor and made a good effort. I might not have gotten it otherwise.

 

As far as straight NAV goes, there's a thread running in Audio (actually a few) - there are many alternatives to a $1800 NAV. The one I'm playing with can run ROute 66, iGO, TomTom - all in 800x480 mode.

Disclaimer - I have very little experience with it - but it shows there are options (including Pioneer, Kenwood etc) for a small price...http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ust-installed-new-nav-dvd-head-unit-pics.html

 

Could be, but they do have a lot of features that are nicer than my Garmin. Plus for the ease and lack of clutter add value as well as the backup camera and bluetooth

 

I agree. Now that I have been able to play around with it, I have found it to be as good as my Garmin. I actually find it less annoying than the Garmin. When I do not follow directions exactly, I no longer get scolded with "recalculating". The nav unit beeps and instantly re-routes. I really like the split screen. I love not having to worry about leaving a portable unit the car and having it stolen. I also love the look of the NAV unit over the dash without. I have some minor issues with the way the Satelite is setup, but that is my only complaints.

 

Well said cpatch. I much prefer a Garmin 765t to the Toyota nav but there is a lot more involved in the bundle...some would love the backup camera, some the touch screen functions,etc Having had the feature for 10 months I'd not choose it as a stand alone or in combination with the back up camera since I still feel that I can and must look out the rear window when backing up. By the way, I'd definitely want it in a RAV4 due to the limited visibility.

 

Let us not forget the ridiculous price Toyota wants for updates. If I'd had the good sense to ask about that in advance I may have made a different decision. It's unfortunate Toyota bundles their inept navigation system with so many more desirable options.

The latest annoyance I've discovered about my Prius GPS is how inexact it is as compared to a Garmin. It gets you to the general vicinity of an address and then tells you you've arrived, leaving you looking in every direction for your destination. My Garmin takes me all the way onto a side street, into a parking lot, or whatever and then tells me my destination is on the right or left. That is especially helpful in an office complex, apartment complex, on a campus, or in a shopping area.

My best hope is that Toyota recognizes some of these shortcomings, makes it right with future updates, and then offers those updates for a reasonable amount or even free of charge. It's just the right thing to do.

 

Garmin Lifetime Updates (4/yr) $94.00...Amazon. :rockon:

 

To me the integration with XM Traffic makes the whole package worthwhile. I drive about 40,000 miles a year and being routed around traffic is wonderful......I use it for that even if I don't need directions.

 

That's one of the biggest problems. One of the reasons I didn't get the Toyota NAV was the cost of updates. That would have been our third car with NAV, all of them with incompatible seriously overpriced updates.

 

Hi PC, and OP!

Is the NAV worth $1,800? No.
Is a Prius 5 w/NAV worth $32,500? No.
Is a gallon of gas worth $4.00+? No.
Are Update NAV DVD's worth $200? No.

Remember that there are usually more items packaged with the NAV option (to help make the cost easier to swallow I guess). Bluetooth, XM, iPod, 4 CD's, USB, AUX, Voice commands, big touch screen, camera (helps with those big blind spots), JBL goodies, yadda, yadda, yadda.

I wish the NAV would play DVD movies though. When I have to wait in line for over an hour to pick up my daughter at school, it would help make the time go by faster. :mod:

I also like not worrying about having to install another unit. The Safety connect is a comfort to have too. I know its a convenience (although expensive one), but there are more important things to worry about in life. I understand a lot of folks cannot install NAV units or afford to pay someone else to install one after they just spent $$$ on a new car just to start replacing original parts.

I did get my wife a Honda FIT Sport without NAV and installed a NAV unit from Crutchfield myself. They provide kits, harnesses, and instructions free with their units. The Honda unit was just too much, and the other add-ons were not worth the price in that case.

Both of my brothers drive older cars and they are mesmerized by the NAV map as it moves while I drive! They look out the window to check if we are where it shows on the map! I got them both small Tom Toms for Christmas.

OP said that after using the radio or iPod it would go back to the NAV screen. My dealer said they all do this (typical response - I knew better)

Here is the Fix:
Press 'SETUP' button (bottom right)
Touch 'General' icon on Screen
Touch 'Auto Screen Change' on Screen (Set to OFF)
Save
That's it!

Also on my NAV - sometimes I see red dots on the roads I travel a lot.
Here is the Fix:
On NAV screen touch 'Show On MAP'
Touch 'Route Trace' on screen (Set to OFF - no yellow showing on screen button)
:rockon:

 

Yes. It is worth it to me.
I own 2 Garmins and they are great GPS units.
This is my frst car with built in GPS and I'm really glad I got it.
No wires hanging from the unit, large screen ( old person eyes )
I'm very happy with my choice.
I know I wouldnt be as happy with my car if I didn't have it.
It sure is a fun car to drive, and thie GPS adds to the experience for me.
Once you learn the differences on how it works I think its as good as the Garmin for what I need it for at least.