Navigation on prius worth it ??

They only have to be better than their nearest competitor, which unfortunately isn't so hard to do, considering that they all bundle stuff you don't want with the stuff you do.

 

The nav screen also does good service for the back-up camera, the audio, the bluetooth and the phone.

 

I'm still trying to figure out why people are so down on the nav system. Granted, my Four is new to me, but I can't believe the nav unit is not going to get me to Coalville UT, Cody WY, Kalispell MT, Minneapolis MN, Green Bay WI and back home next month. Granted, I probably would not have added it as a separate option, but since it came as part of the package, I plan to use it. I'll be comparing it to my Nuvi 2555, so maybe I'll understand the dislike better after the trip is over. Having the instructions piped through the audio system though will be one advantage over the Nuvi.

 

Yesterday, I tried to punch in the address of a training facility where I was headed. Neither the street or the address existed in the system. The keypad disables the numbers and letters of addresses it doesn't have in it's database, therefore you can't even type in a "theoretical" address. Had to use my phone instead.

I had the latest update of the maps installed.

 

I did not intend to purchase a Nav unit due to the high cost, but when I was looking for my car the only one that I could find with the color and features that I wanted also had the Nav.

Now that I have the Nav I am glad that I have it. Once I learned the quirks of the Nav unit I think it works well. I like the integrated, built-in design along with the Voice Guidance, the Audio functions, Hands-free Phone, Backup Camera, etc.

Now that I have had a car with Nav I will not have a car without Nav. Of course, as others have said, it is hard to find a car today without a Nav included.

 

Greg, while I was playing the system, I entered some "known" addresses that the unit couldn't find. It turned out the zip codes I had were different than the zip codes the system expected. Once I entered the "correct" zip codes, the system found the addresses. I don't remember if I was able to just skip the zip code or not. Many/most streets in Phoenix continue intermittently from one end of the valley to the other through multiple cities. Zip codes aren't really needed though because the numbers don't overlap. I had a similar problem with the Nuvi when someone gave me an address in Myrtle Beach. Turns out the address I needed was actually in "North" Myrtle Beach, but the locals just call the entire area Myrtle Beach.

 

Although a bit kludgy in the interface, I've had 100% success rate with my basic nag. It would be nice to be a full satellite system, but to date it's been perfect. Occasionally, it lags in distance, and I have missed a few turns if I wasn't paying attention. But other than that, perfect. For those that have a data plan usage problem, getting the full nav option would probably save money overall. But I like having the screen in dash, not looking for a mounting point for a portable POS like my older Tom Tom or my Garmin.

 

If you want and/or need one, almost "any" Navigation System is better than none, but what you get in a Prius (for the cost) is horrible relatively speaking. Most smart phones, if you already have one, and Garmins (for sure) beat it hands down for getting you there and price. However...manufactures are keen on packaging upgrades for profit.

Respectfully...all that really matters is you are happy with what you choose, not what myself or anyone else thinks.

 

I have found nothing better than the Google navigation provided on Android devices. I have had Garmins and TomToms in the past.

I use this mount to hold my phone. *Not my pic, another member on here, but you get the idea,

 

I had a Prius three with the solar roof and the base navigation and it worked flawlessly for me. I just took possession of a Prius level five with the upgraded nav and it's is really nice. It's never let me down and is loaded with features that are most useful to me. I wouldn't care what it cost to have a factory nav unit. Just my two cents

 

How can you get a new Prius 4 without Navigation? It comes standard on all Prius 4's, maybe you just don't use it?

 

what do you like about the Dart? bigger screen? the design the HMI? can provide comparison list?

 

Here is a good demo video of the Dodge u-connect in a Dart that is very similar to the one we had, (a Rallye, but we had more options on ours). Note as he flips through its abilities, he briefly shows the back up screen with the yellow outline, and red outline, showing where the car is pointed. I so miss that on our Toyota! Those lines were VERY accurate to where the car would end up, and if you were in the red, you were within inches of hitting something! The u-connect is Garmin based, near everything on the screen can be voice commanded into action, as well as steering wheel controls for a lot of it, too. Note too the dash has an extended lip to shield the screen from sun glare. I just wish Toyota could clone that system, and put it in the Prius! Do note,, we did lemon law our Dart, as it was one, but surly miss some of its wonderful features!

 

Unfortunately Toyota seems to have a contract with Bing.

 

I wonder if we'll ever get an answer to this question, I'm curious. When I picked up our Prius Four 2 weeks ago, the salesman went into the nav mode so quickly I didn't see him hit the Apps button or select Maps. The next day I happened to think that I had not played with the nav yet, so I went out to do so and couldn't find a Nav button. I had flipped through the apps earlier, but Maps simply didn't register as the gateway to navigation. Eventually I figured it out, one of those "duh" moments.

 

not sure if U believe in IP, cloning the system and copying design will get Toyota into trouble.. LOL
the Steering wheel on our Toyota also controls stuff.

just for info:
Not all UConnect are Garmin base. your's is garmin. There is another made by Harman.
2013-2014 UConnect 2: the next generation

On the different Chrylser-Fiat UConnect they using NNG nd I think the NA system Navi also provided by same supplier from the below article.
iGO Navigation for Uconnect | NNG
Stereowise Plus: HARMAN Unveils Advanced Automotive Multimedia System with Toyota

 

If you mean where is a good place for the Garmin Nuvi, the Garmin Bean Bag mount is the thing. Just mount your Nuvi on it and it sits right on the dash. When you get out of the car just grab the mount and put it in the trunk or floor and cover it with a cap or old towel or something so a would be thief can not see it. I had a 2011 Prius Two. No back up camera on it. The rear vision on a Prius is terrible. I would move up a step and get the back up camera but that is your call. I now have a new Avalon with the back up camera and I like it. The rear vision for most cars now is not good and I think a back up camera is needed on all of them.

 

Agreed on the rear-view cameras, and the coming laws requiring them in the US..

 

Or you can just push the voice command button and say "Show map".

 

Aha, voice commands, I've had the car 6 months and I'm still working on that, one of these days I'll push all the buttons on this car.