I've been seeing a lot of 'factory' look NAV/stereos on Ebay lately. They appear to be mostly from China and sell for $500-$600. I would like to add one to my base '09 Highlander, but cannot find out any information about reliability, ease of use, etc. They seem to have a lot of decent features--bluetooth, dvd, xm, backup camera, etc. I'd sure like to hear from anybody who has installed and used one of these.
Yea, I'm in the same boat as you... I wanted a nav unit in my HL, but thought it was ridiculous that I had to buy a LIMITED to get it... or spend something like $3000 to get it after the fact. So I started searching for something aftermarket that was flush... and looked nice.
I didn't want to just buy a regular Pioneer or Alpine or Kenwood because while they're nice, the dash kits make the dash look lame by removing the large round buttons. So these were the options I found:
Toyota OEM - buy from eBay or junkyard from a HL that was in a crash. Probably cost about $1500 plus install. Would be the best option to look good... but don't know 100% about compatibility and install cost... and don't know if you can get all the right parts from eBay.
Rosen - an American company that makes a flush mount the most similar to the Toyota OEM. It even works with the backup cam, etc. Problem is cost (still $1500) and a lot of people say the system breaks down fast. I even called an "authorized dealer" in the area, and they said they stopped carrying them because of too many complaints.
Chinese eBay option - a lot of these look great, and they're highly customizable. THat means you can download other maps and etc, and probably get them working on there. I hate the user interface though. Cheezy icons and stuff just really put me off. Then there's the question of warranty, and whether it works with the backup cam, etc. Basically, good price, but too many questions.
Otto Navi - This just came out a few months ago... company that advertises on here called Alfa Otto Parts came out with a line of Nav units for many different dash kits, including the HL. Far as I can tell, these are chinese units, that have been customized a bit... the UI looks better and it seems promising. But no one can tell me if it works with the backup cam it seems. They do have a 30 day return guarantee of some sort... but knowing my laziness.. even if I hated it I'd have a problem getting it back to them in 30 days.
So that's where I am now. Don't know how many of you others are in a similar place. I'm not in a rush, but wouldn't mind having something nice in the car sooner than later.
Anyone else have any comments or suggestions to add?
So that's where I am now. Don't know how many of you others are in a similar place. I'm not in a rush, but wouldn't mind having something nice in the car sooner than later.
Anyone else have any comments or suggestions to add?
Yep: Keep the stock radio, plug an ipod into the AUX jack, and get a $200 garmin. There are no good looking options for this vehicle (unless you can live with the knobless dash kit).
I bought Rosen unit for my CRV and even though it's said "Rosen", I bought it from china for abour $450 including shipping. It has CE operating system and has a lot of features. However, you will see a lot of horizontal lines after 6 months in service. And if you do not follow the route, but keep missing the turns, and computer has to make too many re-calculation, I then got out-of-memory. Too much troubles and useless for me. So be careful to buy it from China.
There's also an Advent model that is made specifically for the HL (factory fit). It has decent options; navigation, nice iPod interface, bluetooth etc. I checked out a local shop to order and install with back up camera. They quoted $1800. I checked with ADC mobile and the unit by itself was $1000. ADC has some demonstration videos on YouTube if you're interested in seeing it in action. I haven't purchased it yet though.
Otto Navi - This just came out a few months ago... company that advertises on here called Alfa Otto Parts came out with a line of Nav units for many different dash kits, including the HL. Far as I can tell, these are chinese units, that have been customized a bit... the UI looks better and it seems promising. But no one can tell me if it works with the backup cam it seems. They do have a 30 day return guarantee of some sort... but knowing my laziness.. even if I hated it I'd have a problem getting it back to them in 30 days.
So that's where I am now. Don't know how many of you others are in a similar place. I'm not in a rush, but wouldn't mind having something nice in the car sooner than later.
Anyone else have any comments or suggestions to add?
i'm in the same boat as you...'11 HL, want nav, but not at factory price point. the otto nav looks really good but there is no real-world user reviews available. i'd also like to hear from anybody that went this route...
My research and results were about the same as timmychen. I did contact two people who bought the $500-$600 units from Ebay. Both said that the units worked well for a little while and then began having problems. Neither would purchase them again. Thanks for the Advent comment, Msmredd, I looked at two of the YouTube vids--but they look suspiciously like the same China units with a higher price. I'm now leaning toward getting a quality product from Crutchfield and not worry about the factory look. Not in a hurry to decide until I hear from a few more Highlander owners.
Hi I live in NY.
I am thinking to buy an aftermarket China's GPS.
Are you guys willing to buy 1 with me.
Coz, if we buy 2 pcs, 1 pc cost only 261
If you buy 1 pc from them it cost 331. http://www.dhgate.com/8-inch-toyota-...c81843041.html
Check that out.
leave me your email and I will reply.
the Otto navi is the same thing with this machine.
There are 7" and 8" different price
This one is 8"
Hi I live in NY.
I am thinking to buy an aftermarket China's GPS.
Are you guys willing to buy 1 with me.
Coz, if we buy 2 pcs, 1 pc cost only 261
If you buy 1 pc from them it cost 331. http://www.dhgate.com/8-inch-toyota-...c81843041.html
Check that out.
leave me your email and I will reply.
the Otto navi is the same thing with this machine.
There are 7" and 8" different price
This one is 8"
Just clarifying before anything gets started and then out-of-hand that group buys are not allowed on TN as that is a privilege reserved for our Supporting Vendors. If anyone wants to discuss purchases further then please follow jasonchred's suggestion and either PM him or e-mail him for further info. Thanks!
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
I have a 2010 Camry LE looking for a good value on a double din unit that matches the silver dash. GPS would be nice, but it's tough to beat Garmin's OS and maps IMHO.
I'm also looking at Eonon's units. Looks like from China too and I've seen a forum review on one of their receivers that was pretty good. The interface looks a little dated but the reviewer said it performed OK. The review was on a different unit, but for the the one I am looking at, the price is under $400 for their double din GPS model D5106U.
I'm thinking that the interface should be similar.
Anybody have any experience with the Eonon D5106U?
10/16 update: I emailed them and the Eonon unit only has a built in microphone. I have owned several bluetooth head units and a remote microphone option is really important. Without a remote mic, I was always yelling at the radio to be heard. So I'm not going to buy the Eonon. The Otto Navi is the same. I emailed 2 other Chinese ebay vendors and neither of them has a remote mic. Oh well.
Last edited by kickit22; 10-16-2011 at 01:45 PM.
Reason: Eonon update
Hey guys...not just trying to pitch a sale.. You cant try out our units we offer a one year warranty. If for any reason you wish to return you got up 30 days. So you know were not just trying to get rid of the product. We take care of our customers. We have several workers here with a Toyota. We have a Tacoma, Highlander, and Scion TC. Basically we've gotten lucky and know how the Toyota units work for sure in side cars...
Ill add pictures so you can see. Its a pretty good unit
Yes the units may be the same. But please factor in this, if your unit doesn't work you will have to deal with international shipping and waiting for customs etc. The list goes on. Were located right here in USA CALIFORNIA and offer a one year warranty with our product. No hassle, we take care of our customers. Just a thought.
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