Navigation Package Alternative

[joindy]

The Nav package is very expensive. Other than the back up camera...what features do you lose if you just buy an add on GPS and mount on dash. II really liked the Nav in the demo I drove, but I have never used GPS and I see them advertised for several hundred dollars.....so why buy the Toyota package?

[tharvey]

Personally I think the nav package is one of the best options in the vehicle.

to start off you get a very modern 7" programable gps screen that is not easily stolen and made specifically for the vehicle.

you also get the fuel monitoring system over the last 30 minutes with 1 minute intervals and an instantaneous consumption progress of what the motor. battery is doing.

you then get a 7" automatic reverse camera, standard on the 2010 and optional on the 2009 (aftermarket for about $200 in parts)

you get the on screen programable stereo system for balance base etc.

you get the on screen phone connections with favorites and list displayed

and I believe you get a higher powered music system with additional inputs and song titles displayed on screen.

and lastly you get the majority of these functions controlled by onboard steering wheel controls.

the advantages on the 2009 were so numerous that my nav system came with a separate additional owners manual.

personally I thought it was quite worth the additional money, I have used both the garmin and tom tom and they do not even come close.

my .02 worth

tim

[Axxis8203]

the reason why i didn't get the nav system is because of the $250 price tag for new DVD's with updated maps. so if you wanna have current maps, plan on shelling that out yearly...

the benefits mentioned above do not outway this particular cash layout...

you can buy an off the shelf nav yearly for less than the updates...

and don't forget that it'll cost you about $2000 before installation to have a new system installed if yours gets stolen, meanwhile you will not be able to control any of the functions of the climate control or sound systems...

and lastly, if you would like to make changes to your planned route, or otherwise interact with the navigation portion of the system while the vehicle is in motion...you are out of luck. because you can only make course changes while the vehicle is stopped, so i hope you enjoy pulling of the freeway to make course changes like find the nearest gas station or restaurant, because that's what you'll be forced to do with the factory nav system.

just do your research before you buy, and good luck

[tharvey]

Originally Posted by Axxis8203

the reason why i didn't get the nav system is because of the $250 price tag for new DVD's with updated maps. so if you wanna have current maps, plan on shelling that out yearly...

Not really so as major changes are every couple of years. I have owned a tomtom and they also charge for a update to keep current maps updated, I believe others also do the same

the benefits mentioned above do not outway this particular cash layout...

a personal opinion I am sure a 7 inch screen is quite nice compared to a 4 inch screen

you can buy an off the shelf nav yearly for less than the updates...
yes again a personal opinion which might work as well as the toyota, I have owned 4 different gps units an the toyota is by far the best in all ways.

and don't forget that it'll cost you about $2000 before installation to have a new system installed if yours gets stolen, meanwhile you will not be able to control any of the functions of the climate control or sound systems...

I don't know if you have ever removed the unit which is quite difficult especially when it involves removing the vents, side console and storage box to get at the 4 bolts which hold it in. From a theft point of view it is a lot easier to smash the window and rip off the portable gps unit which is suctioned cupped to the window which is now illegal in several states.

As for $2,000??? I have a $100 deductible I don't know where you got that figure from, as for it actually happening I retired from 31 years of law enforcement, lots of theft of portable gps units. however I cannot remember a built in unit, been stolen.

and lastly, if you would like to make changes to your planned route, or otherwise interact with the navigation portion of the system while the vehicle is in motion...you are out of luck. because you can only make course changes while the vehicle is stopped, so i hope you enjoy pulling of the freeway to make course changes like find the nearest gas station or restaurant, because that's what you'll be forced to do with the factory nav system.

Again not quite correct, there is lots of information on making a hybrid disc especially on this forum, and it works quite well and lets me do on the fly changes.

The reason for this, is for safety purposes and is the same as texting and driving, you can get, or make the hybrid disc, and have your spouse make the directions as you take care of the actual driving.

just do your research before you buy, and good luck

I agree with this, do your research and I personally think you will enjoy a built in large screen gps unit.

[GvilleTCH]

TTT . The three reasons I added the "nav" option at purchase were : the Consumption Screen (only way to get this Prius feature) ; the 18 touchscreen presets (Sat1/2/3) I get to my factory XM Sat Radio and IMO the improved look of the interior dash...