Factory or aftermarket NAV?

[sephknite]

Hey everyone. I just got my SE 6 days ago. I'm wondering if anyone has an SE with Navigation system. I'm thinking if I should have gotten one from factory or add an aftermarket one later on. Any thoughts?

[Phat Devil]

If you like to be charged the *toyota* premium, get it from factory. Otherwise get the Eclipse AVN. Why because Eclipse = Fujitsu Ten = Stock toyota headunit maker. The AVN should be cheapers and better than the toyota one.

[DBIGMAC1]

I have the magellen 700. It works great only problem is you have to update it every year otherwise it wigs out. The update is $100

[Joe B]

Go factory.
The screen is bigger and the unit is built in the dash.
Much better than a stick on smaller screen windshield unit with wire to power plug.
Bigger question is do you really need Nav or just want to have it to have it.
I almost bought a '07 XLE with Nav because it looked cool.
Thought about and felt $1200 + tax isn't worth it as I don't travel much to places I don't know.
For that rare trip I'll just use Mapquest.

[wilfredcruz]

Originally Posted by sephknite

Hey everyone. I just got my SE 6 days ago. I'm wondering if anyone has an SE with Navigation system. I'm thinking if I should have gotten one from factory or add an aftermarket one later on. Any thoughts?

If you need and have money it get factory

If not get the TomTom 300 or Garmin 330c great simple units for less than 500 bucks.
I have used both

Factory nav is too much money

[Old Dood]

OR...you can add one to your PDA.

[vinniemak]

sephknite...get iGuidance from iNAV...check out www.inavcorp.com.

iGuidance works with NAVTEQ mapping system ; and is incredibly reliable. I have tested (10) different types of systems from Tomtom, Destinator etc..they mostly use TeleAtlas mapping systems which are not as reliable...and will cause a lot of frustration. I have been shocked by some systems which have the latest releases and have (10) year old POI data.

iGuidance is the best one in my opinion <I don't work for them -nor have any affiliations !!!>

To use iGuidance, however you need a PDA such as the Dell Axim X50, X50V, X51 or X51V or many of the HP/IPAQ series running Windows Mobile 2003 or higher. If you get a PDA such as the those indicated (Dell, HP/IPAQ etc) get an integrated PDA holder, cigarette lighter kit etc made by companies such as Seidio, Akron etc. Some of these units come with a built in mouse GPS receivers, but you should consider using a Bluetooth type GPS device, supported by Dell Axim X50 or X51 series.

Check out www.semsons.com for PDA accessories & GPS Bluetooth devices ; also Ebay.

My 2 cents.

[SuperGoop]

I prefer a portable unit like the Garmin 350. The time I need a GPS is when I am in a out-of-town rental car. When I am in my own car, I usually don't need it. It would be different if you are, say a salesperson, who travels to new addresses locally.

Functionally, I recommend a portable GPS. The Garmin 350 and a lot of other brands are literally portable. It can be battery operated (or AC), and will fit in your shirt pocket.

The factory unit is definately nice and very cool. However, it depends on how often you need a GPS locally. Do you really need a GPS driving to-and-back from work, etc?

[sephknite]

Thanks for the input, fellas.

Well, I don't know if the dealer will take my car back in, take it apart, and install a NAV. I looked at the Eclipse and that the description says I'd lose my Bluetooth and AUX port. I don't want to sacrifice those and spend $2k on that, to be honest. Hmm...maybe crutchfield is just pricier. At any rate, the dealerships around here seem to be a bit problematic with installing stuff after the car is out of the factory.

[thapranksta]

Eclipse AVN units are a great choice in my opinion. The units will work with your steering wheel controls because they are are made by OEM for Toyota. Depending on the unit you get, you may have a hard drive for storing music and such. They also play DVDs which is something I know the factory NAVs don't do.

This is a pic from a Tacoma but I'm sure that a very similar setup can be done on a Camry.



The units look great IMO and no one ever complains about troubles with them. I would have gotten one but I lacked the money so I opted for a Kenwood double-din DVD headunit instead and will upgrade with a Kenwood nav unit later. Good luck.

[sephknite]

Thanks for the pic, Pranksta. That does look nice on the Tacoma. I looked at Crutchfield's site for my Camry here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aVOWZSI...0&I=099AVN7000

Notice at the bottom it says I may lose my AUX port if my factory radio is replaced as well as my hands-free cell phone interface. I'm not sure if I want to lose those

[07i4]

Where do you put the Eclipse's GPS receiver?

[thapranksta]

Originally Posted by 07i4

Where do you put the Eclipse's GPS receiver?

It's in the headunit. Everything is in the headunit. That's another thing that makes it great. Plugs right into the factory harness too. No need to buy a wiring kit.

Originally Posted by sephnite

Thanks for the pic, Pranksta. That does look nice on the Tacoma. I looked at Crutchfield's site for my Camry here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aVOWZSI...0&I=099AVN7000

Notice at the bottom it says I may lose my AUX port if my factory radio is replaced as well as my hands-free cell phone interface. I'm not sure if I want to lose those

The unit in the Tacoma is a double din unit (it is the same height as the oem stereo) so it fits perfectly in the dash and looks OEM. That unit on crutchfield the avn7000 is a single din unit (only is half the height of the oem stereo) so the screen actually slides out of the dash. You will have to get an install kit with a pocket or something to cover up the empty space.


But it is weird that the double din units (AVN5500, AVN6600, and AVN5435) do not fit according to Crutchfields. Those units fit in other Toyota models including the Gen5 Camry.

EDIT: Also I'd like to add that the install kit for the '07s might not be available just yet but I would wait it out if I were you.

[[SMAN]]

Originally Posted by sephknite

Thanks for the pic, Pranksta. That does look nice on the Tacoma. I looked at Crutchfield's site for my Camry here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aVOWZSI...0&I=099AVN7000

Notice at the bottom it says I may lose my AUX port if my factory radio is replaced as well as my hands-free cell phone interface. I'm not sure if I want to lose those

With an aftermaket full stereo replacement GPS, you get more features than you could ever get with a facotry setup. Most of these units play DVDS as well as doing GPS (something most factory units don't). Most also have improved sound quality over factory units as well as hook ups for sat radio, hd radio, IPOD, and an Aux in port. So don't worry about loosing your aux cause for a few dollars in cables you will get it back. Hands free cell phone use might not be there yet, but i know that a lot of the manufacturures are makign a bluetooth module to hook up into the units to add handsfree (kenwood should have theirs out very soon) So if the price is the same, go for the aftermarket, you will be much happier with that.

[thapranksta]

Can someone verify whether or not the Eclipse double din units fit the 07 Camry? On Crutchfields, it says that they don't.