I got sick of waiting for coastaletech.com - their stuff works by far the best because it is so integrated, but they suck as a company, support was horrible, they screwed me around when I had an issue, had to go the BBB to eventually get them to act on something that failed after 6 months in their warranty period, but when it worked it was very nice.
This one isn't as good in terms of integration, but comes with all the factory connectors and overrides the NAV/BT as well as allows me to see the RSES on the front while moving - don't blast me for wanting to do that, I don't want to watch anything, but when we are driving, the kids always have issues and my wife has to pretty much climb in the back to see the screen to see what they are doing wrong - now I can just flick it on in the front to see what menu they are at and she can fix it!
I will let you know how it works once I get it in as I am sick of waiting for coastaletech after a year and half of not having a product yet.
It works well - not as well as the coastaletech units as they are really well integrated, but works mint with the rear seat entertainment and overrides the NAV just fine (just taks the nav about 15 seonds to figure out where it is when you remove the override).
Happy with it for the money until coastaletech get's their act together and does something for us - too bad Toyota seems to do something different in the Highlander than every other car!
I've been waiting for a 09 highlander version from coastal as well. They keep telling me soon, but soon keeps coming and going. I'm curious about the video input with this override. I don't have RSES, but would like to hardwire a Zune A/V dock into the car, hide it in the glovebox or armrest, extend the IR receiver, and link the video out into the NAV screen so that I can use a remote to browse through my songs on the big screen instead of trying to look back and forth between my little zune screen and the road. My questions, for anyone who has this override:
1.) The website says that for those without RSES, it is compatible with 3rd party video inputs (such as my zune, I assume). What kind of input does it take? Is it as simple as a video RCA cable?
2.) Does the car continue to retain rear back up camera functionality with the second video source plugged in?
3.) How do you select the second video source? I think I heard somewhere that it's selected by pressing the "Disk/Aux" button. When the video source is selected, does the audio stream from the aux input?
4.) Does the override need to be enabled for the video source to be selected? i.e. will my nav not work as long as I'm using the nav screen for my zune or, simpler, will I be unable to switch back and forth between map view and zune view without hitting the override switch, thus killing my nav?
Anyone who's tested this out, I'd appreciate any feedback you can give... even if you can only answer one or part of a question. Thanks
1) I have RSES, but didn't notice any additional audio/video inputs on the module, so I would email them about it.
2) Rear Backup Overrides whatever is on the screen, so if a movie is playing on the screen, the backup camera overrides.
3) On my car with RSES you select the rear video with the CD button, once for CD, twice for DVD
4) Yes you can switch back and forth, hitting the MAP and CD buttons will switch the video back and forth or using the up down button on the steering wheel. There are actually 2 override buttons, one for NAV, one for VIDEO, so they are mutually exclusive options.
I have had the Coastetech units in the past and they are superior than this, but they are taking forever on this car for some reason, so this is as good as it gets so far and maybe I will change the the coastaletech unit if it ever comes out, but I can't stand the lockout on these things and having had an override in my last 2 lexus vehicles and pretty much any other brand I have had will just let you use the nav, I needed something and this does the trick!
Hey Rob, thanks for the answers. I emailed Mark for some clarification on a few things. For the board's situational awareness, this is what he replied back with:
1.) The website says that for those without RSES, it is compatible with 3rd party video inputs (such as my zune, I assume). What kind of input does it take? Is it as simple as a video RCA cable? Does the video cable plug into your harness or into the back of the NAV unit itself?
The 3rd party video inputs we are referring to is a totally separate module like iPod video integration kit (one of the popular application is by www.vaistech.com) or an Audio/Video integration kit (one we had experienced with is www.navtool.com). The Zune that you are referring to is the MP3 device not an video input. So, if you have one of these or similar device integrate to play video, then our module will enable the video while in motion. These video integration kits utilize different harnesses for your navigation system and we already tested most of the popular integration kits on the market to ensure their compatibility with our override module.
2.) Does the car continue to retain rear back up camera functionality with the second video source plugged in?
Our module is a passive module, so once its installed it will not interfere your OEM setting. This of course includes the rear back up camera. Your back up camera will function just like you have it right now.
3.) How do you select the second video source? i.e. I'm listening to the radio and decide I want to listen to my zune and want to select the video source to browse my songs, what do I push? Is it just the video override button on your switch or is it that and another button on the radio? I think I heard somewhere that it's selected by pressing the "Disk/Aux" button but I'm not sure. When the video source is selected, does the audio stream from the aux input?
To browse your songs (assuming you have an audio/video integration kit in place, hence you can control your MP3 or video device via navigation screen and steering wheels controls), its going through the audio interface. It does not use video source at all. For the video source (again, assuming you have an integration kit in place), you will use the "Disc/Aux" button to cycle from Disc to Video to Aux.
If you are currently using your Zune via Aux line, then you do not have the integration capability which allows you to control your Zune via OEM buttons.
Please let us know if this make sense. If you have any further question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I don't think he quite understood how I was hooking the zune up, so he probably thought I was a bit of an idiot, but I didn't really explain how I was doing it.
I think this explanation is pretty important for anyone considering this product, as the website suggests that "3rd party video devices can be viewed" with this harness. I think we all (at least I did) assume that a 3rd party video source is something that actually plays the video, such as the zune, ipod, dvd player, tv tuner, etc. Any potential buyer should be made aware that in addition to the $250 for the prestigious harness, you'll have to drop another $250 for the VAIS aux audio+video harness, so it's going to be a little over $500 for full unlock + video display capability if you don't have the RSES already.
The Navtool he suggested is more expensive, $450, but does not require the prestigious harness in order to unlock the video; video in motion is already possible. Therefore, if all you're looking for is the video input, not necessarily the nav, BT, etc unlock, this might be the better option.
Anyway, I think I'm going to order the prestigious harness, the VAIS harness for audio+video, and hardwire my zune into the nav screen. I'll be sure to post a write-up when I get it done and give some feedback. Hope this isn't considered thread-jacking; I thought it had some info pertinent to the original post.
I also have a VAIS setup on my Hylander for Ipod and AUX inputs and they work fine together if anyone else is going this route.
For somereason the Hylander seems to be an oddity concerning NAV - most of the stuff CoastaleTech sells works on many models both Lexus and Toyota, including lots of newer stuff, like the 09 Venza, but apparently something is different about the Highlander's Nav specifically that it doesn't seem to overlap with any other model.
I just picked up an 09 Highlander Hybrid Limited and was trying to figure out a way to return it due to the basic lack of usability of the Nav system when the car is in motion. (I also just purchased an 09 Ridgeline and the Nav system there is 10x more usable so this problem is all on Toyota...not the government.)
In any case, I looked around and with Coastal still thinking about a unit, I ordered one of the Prestigious Society units today. I expect to have it installed this weekend and I will let you all know how it turns out. I am hoping that I can swap out the non-switch on the left side of the steeering wheel (wiper de-icer me thinks) with the Nav override switch.
I just picked up an 09 Highlander Hybrid Limited and was trying to figure out a way to return it due to the basic lack of usability of the Nav system when the car is in motion. (I also just purchased an 09 Ridgeline and the Nav system there is 10x more usable so this problem is all on Toyota...not the government.)
In any case, I looked around and with Coastal still thinking about a unit, I ordered one of the Prestigious Society units today. I expect to have it installed this weekend and I will let you all know how it turns out. I am hoping that I can swap out the non-switch on the left side of the steeering wheel (wiper de-icer me thinks) with the Nav override switch.
Definitely a Toyota and their lawyers thing - no other manufacturer has such restrictive use of their NAV, totally frustraiting having other cars with much better systems that you can use while in motion. I am grown up and over 18 - Toyota doesn't need to think they know better than me I don't think!
I wonder if the new wonder controller they stole from BMW will let you do more or not?
Installed the PS override in 40 minutes, that's grabbing the tools, breaking it down and buttoning it all up and it works exactly as advertised. I do not have the RES so I cannot confirm that piece but no longer do I have to suffer the Toyota logic of disabling the Nav or Bluetooth when I am driving our HighHy. Simply press a button, do what you need to do and then press it again for the Nav to come back online. I highly recommend this product and should note that I am not paid or otherwise reimbursed for this feedback.
Installed the PS override in 40 minutes, that's grabbing the tools, breaking it down and buttoning it all up and it works exactly as advertised. I do not have the RES so I cannot confirm that piece but no longer do I have to suffer the Toyota logic of disabling the Nav or Bluetooth when I am driving our HighHy. Simply press a button, do what you need to do and then press it again for the Nav to come back online. I highly recommend this product and should note that I am not paid or otherwise reimbursed for this feedback.
Thanks,
JMG
Any chance the install instructions can be posted so we can assess the level of difficulty?
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2008 Highlander Hybrid Limited; Nav, DVD (His)
Sorry, I have been on vacation so I did not have time to reply. Basically, you remove the upper vents (push snaps and pull), remove the lower panels (same) and then use a 10mm deep socket to release the nav unit and the mini display screen. (They are one unit.) Then you remove 3 cables one at at a time from the back of the nav, plug them into the override and then plug the override version of that cable into the back of the nav. When that is done, the last step is simply to run the override button somewhere where you can reach it, I have run mine to the right of the steering column. Out of my line of site but I can easily feel which button to press to get back to a working unit.
Still love the unit, it works great and at least makes the Toyota system tolerable...have to say though, it would be great if Toyota simply OEM'd the Honda unit, it is 10x better on just about any front.
Just installed mine and it works. Slick. I can now use my handsfree cell phone to access voicemail (the numbers on the dial) while my phone remains in the holster. I can add addresses on the go, etc. etc. etc. Slick device and like the other users above, I really like mine. Also, I put my switch on the steering wheel like jmg - perfect location and thanks to JMG for the tip/idea!
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'11 Highlander Limited, Shoreline Blue Pearl, NAV (w/ Prestigious Society Override), TOYO H/T Open country Tires, flaps, running boards, body side moldings, etc.
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Installed the PS override in 40 minutes, that's grabbing the tools, breaking it down and buttoning it all up and it works exactly as advertised. I do not have the RES so I cannot confirm that piece but no longer do I have to suffer the Toyota logic of disabling the Nav or Bluetooth when I am driving our HighHy. Simply press a button, do what you need to do and then press it again for the Nav to come back online. I highly recommend this product and should note that I am not paid or otherwise reimbursed for this feedback. 
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