NAVI in 2011-12 Highlander

[maverick22]

I've narrowed it down to 3 vehicles: '11 Limited with Navi, '12 w/out Nav, '12 with Nav. I can't make up my mind as to whether or not I should get Navi.

My wife and I don't travel a lot anyways, and we both have our Iphones and a portable GPS. The built-in would be nice though because when we do travel, we wouldn't have to worry about hiding our portable one, carrying it around in its case to prevent from frying in Texas's 100+ heat!

I've seen so many mixed reviews on the Navi, so I ask, is it worth the $1600?

Thanks!

[bschurr]

With all of today's portable gadgets, built in GPS isnt a necessity however, since my wife drives the HL (and for my piece of mind for safety for her and the kids), I equipped my 2011 HL with it... Kinda like the rear DVD - is it necessary? No! Nice to have YES!

[Flame Red]

I am not sure if there is a lot of difference between the GEN5 and GEN6 Navi, but the GEN5 one is a real POS and you might want to consider steering clear. I had not choice when I purchased by 2009 - I wanted the Sun Roof and was forced to accept the crappy Nanny NAV.

You would do much better with a $100 Garmin or TomTom IMHO.

Here are my chief complaints:

* The updates are outrageously priced.
* Your passenger cannot set a detonation while the car is in motion without a (expensive) bypass.
* It often thinks you are off road when you are not.
* It usually picks the worst route.
* With the latest update (2011) it cannot find destinations by name with the search even when you are parked right in front of them. Phone Number works and address works but not name. Prior year updates did not have this problem.

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by Flame Red

I am not sure if there is a lot of difference between the GEN5 and GEN6 Navi, but the GEN5 one is a real POS and you might want to consider steering clear. I had not choice when I purchased by 2009 - I wanted the Sun Roof and was forced to accept the crappy Nanny NAV.

You would do much better with a $100 Garmin or TomTom IMHO.

Here are my chief complaints:

* The updates are outrageously priced.
* Your passenger cannot set a detonation while the car is in motion without a (expensive) bypass.
* It often thinks you are off road when you are not.
* It usually picks the worst route.
* With the latest update (2011) it cannot find destinations by name with the search even when you are parked right in front of them. Phone Number works and address works but not name. Prior year updates did not have this problem.

Good info! Thank you very much. How much are the updates, and how often does one need to (yearly)?

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Flame Red

Here are my chief complaints:

* The updates are outrageously priced.
* Your passenger cannot set a detonation while the car is in motion without a (expensive) bypass.
* It often thinks you are off road when you are not.
* It usually picks the worst route.
* With the latest update (2011) it cannot find destinations by name with the search even when you are parked right in front of them. Phone Number works and address works but not name. Prior year updates did not have this problem.

Not sure if I completly agree with all of those.
-yes the updates are expensive
-yes its a nanny (locking out controls)
-Its never shown me in a different location than where I actually was. Only time it shows me off-road is in my driveway or actually off-road.
-I've found it almost always picks the best route.
-I did not know about the disable POI name search. That is a huge letdown as I used that a lot in mine
The main reason I got the nav was the look of the unit. It looks more "upscale" (i guess) than having a tom tom on the dash. I just like the built in look. But knowing what i know now about radio's/speakers (didn't know about all of it when I purchased the car), I wish i had saved the money on a nav, and just bought an aftermarket nav unit and speakers/amps and install it myself.

[vsansal]

I didn't want to get the NAV but couldn't find a Limited without it. I love the fact that it functions as a huge backup camera. Makes it so easy to park. Now i got use to it so much, I don't like the HLs without the NAV. It looks like something is missing.

[charlieboy]

Go with the Navi, if the extra $$ isn't a big deal, 2011 or 12 shouldn't be any different, you get the added benefit of the JBL sound with the nav package and also a way larger display for the backup camera!!

[Sky1111]

I have Navi on my 2008 and updated to 2011 maps with '05 loader file so I still can do manual override while I am driving.

If rear view camera is important for you (was for me), get Navi just for a proper screen for the rearview camera - that small screen is a joke for that purpose.

As a GPS is sucks and no comparison to any decent modern GPS. It could not find my house, so I had to park on the driveway, and safe the location.

Map updates are essentially a DVD available in the dealership at absolutely outrageous prices ( ~ $230), and they are not even copy protected.

That big screen is also VERY useful for phone, so I still would say - if can negotiate the price of the option down, take the GPS (AND STILL HAVE NAVIGON ON YOUR iPHONE - just in case ).

IMHO not having a windshield mount and hanging wires + hiding the GPS every time you park is priceless...

[maverick22]

Okay, well thanks for everyone's opinions/thoughts. I decided to go without Nav for the following reasons:

(1)My wife and I don't travel all that much.
(2) we both have iphones that have worked well for our purposes so far
(3) we have a portable GPS when we think the iphone won't cut it
(4) what is it like $1500-$2000 more for NAV
(5) I've heard if it messes up in any way it costs a fortune to repair
(6) people on the forum say updates are outrageously expensive
(7) bigger backup would be nice, but here in TX we find ourselves going "into" a parking spot (not much parallel parking). Small backup camera should be adequate. Been backing out for years fine *knock on wood* with no camera, so even a small one should do.
(8)My wife likes simplicity. She's good with technology but would rather not mess with it. I could see her getting frustrated if screen ever lags or anything.
(9) I made sure that one we're getting has JBL sound so I'm not missing out on that.

I hope we are making the right decision, but I could see us regretting it more if we didn't use it/disliked it after paying $2,000 extra rather than not getting it at all (if that makes sense). Thanks again for all the input!