IMHO, the navi is horrible. I traded by 2000 Acura TL w/ NAV for a 2006 Avalon. My TL's navigation was far superior to the Avalon and the technology is 6 years older!

I actually use my PDA with Google Maps because it's more accurate than my Avalon and easier to use.

 

Nav works great

I have been using the Nav for 17 months, upgraded to v6.1 and added backup camera to the system.

It may not be as fast as my touch screen in the 06 Sienna, but it works great. It is important to program in your specifications, city, highway, toll roads and to adjust the speed limit settings to give you better data. The poi function is great and with the annual updates it just gets better. I can't complain, but others who have I always ask the same question: Did you thoroughly read the owners manual?

Many of our volleyball road trips in the 06 Avalon or the 06 Sienna are to citys we have never been. It is funny how the caravan of players follows us everywhere. They want to eat at a particular restaurant and a few clicks later we are on our way. Unknown school location and a few clicks and we are on our way. My wife and I both feel it is a welcome addition and has become a crucial part of our travel lives.

My two cents.

T

 

I have been using the Nav for 17 months, upgraded to v6.1 and added backup camera to the system.

It may not be as fast as my touch screen in the 06 Sienna, but it works great. It is important to program in your specifications, city, highway, toll roads and to adjust the speed limit settings to give you better data. The poi function is great and with the annual updates it just gets better. I can't complain, but others who have I always ask the same question: Did you thoroughly read the owners manual?

Many of our volleyball road trips in the 06 Avalon or the 06 Sienna are to citys we have never been. It is funny how the caravan of players follows us everywhere. They want to eat at a particular restaurant and a few clicks later we are on our way. Unknown school location and a few clicks and we are on our way. My wife and I both feel it is a welcome addition and has become a crucial part of our travel lives.

My two cents.

T

How is it upgraded? Flash update or do you get a new disk? BTW, where is the disk?

 

I'm happy with my '07 Nav. After comparing it to several other cars' systems (I rent a lot of cars) I'd buy it again.

 

The nav in a 2005 lexus es330 any better?

 

It's workable, but seems archaic in my ('06 Limited). VZ Navigator on a verizon phone beats it in just about every way except screen/display, so I keep the $10/mo service. A friend just bought a Pioneer headunit with touchscreen, DVD player, NAV, and even a hard disk that burns all his music CDs so on-board music library grows every time he listens to a new CD.

Also, I've seen that for about $2k you can have an entire PC which does all the above and more and is designed for car use.

Overall, like I said, it works but the interface is about as hard to use as they come and it's functions are very limited it seems...not to mention most are disabled when you start rolling unless you go through the service menu to 'Override' it every time you get in the car.

 

Is the nav cappy because it is not touch screen or does it just suck how it actually navigates?

Wold love to see a photo of the aftermarket radio in this car.

 

I personally don't understand why someone would by the Nav. Now adays you can get a handheld with all the functionality that you can take in all your vehicles. Why pay that much money for something that has to stay in that car? It does give a better display and interface... but not necesary imo. I'm sure there's lots of people who disagree with this. If Toyota had a better Nav system (like Acura) then I might feel differently.