prius GPS navigation sucks

[strider5]

I bought a fully loaded 2008 because I wanted leather, I already own a Garmin 200W.

So the Toyota NAV is way different than Garmin and going from my 200W to my Prius was very difficult (says the unix geek). Nonetheless I decided to give the prius nav a real chance, and I read the entire book and used it on a few trips.

Wow, it really just sucks. It sucks that I cannot adjust routes, or see which way it plans to take me while driving. It sucks that it will take me 5 miles out of the way just to get me back on the route it calculated rather than calculate a better route and start from there. It sucks because it doesnt give me current speed, etc etc etc.

Garmin wins hands-down for a fraction of the price.

now for the good... I really enjoy that it tells me which of the 6 lanes I need to be in for a busy exchange. I really enjoy that it shows me accurately and neatly on the right hand side detail screen where my turn is, including a countdown of distance. etc etc etc.

Garmin still wins, but I sure wish I could take all the best features of both and combine them =)

[Vincent]

How about a passenger being able to use the Prius Navi system when the car is moving; thank you Toyota lawyers!

[qbee42]

Strider5, I'll grant you that the human interface on the Toyota NAV system could be a lot better. I'm a big fan of Garmin. That said, you should spend a little more time playing with the NAV in the Prius. I felt much like you when I first starting using ours. I find it a lot better now that I am used to it.

Specific to your comments, the Toyota system will immediately reroute when you stray off course. In some cases it will try to get you back on track, but that's mostly when one route is head and shoulders better than the alternatives. You can also preview the selected route, and see a turn by turn list. You can adjust routes by inserting additional destinations. It's not how Garmin does it, but it's not terrible either. Give it a little more time and keep and open mind.

Tom

[ZC1]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Strider5, I'll grant you that the human interface on the Toyota NAV system could be a lot better. I'm a big fan of Garmin. That said, you should spend a little more time playing with the NAV in the Prius. I felt much like you when I first starting using ours. I find it a lot better now that I am used to it.

Specific to your comments, the Toyota system will immediately reroute when you stray off course. In some cases it will try to get you back on track, but that's mostly when one route is head and shoulders better than the alternatives. You can also preview the selected route, and see a turn by turn list. You can adjust routes by inserting additional destinations. It's not how Garmin does it, but it's not terrible either. Give it a little more time and keep and open mind.

Tom

Good Advice.

[miaxapa]

I have to agree. I have an i5. ( i think). I bought it 3 years ago and the technology is much more intuitive than the 2008 prius set up. Granted, it is new to me. But there are just some basic functions you can not improve on like an easy to learn menu. For something current How about an interface with google maps where you can drag your route at any point and it makes a new route. Any way the prius nav leaves a lot to be desired. How about an update?

Originally Posted by strider5

I bought a fully loaded 2008 because I wanted leather, I already own a Garmin 200W.

So the Toyota NAV is way different than Garmin and going from my 200W to my Prius was very difficult (says the unix geek). Nonetheless I decided to give the prius nav a real chance, and I read the entire book and used it on a few trips.

Wow, it really just sucks. It sucks that I cannot adjust routes, or see which way it plans to take me while driving. It sucks that it will take me 5 miles out of the way just to get me back on the route it calculated rather than calculate a better route and start from there. It sucks because it doesnt give me current speed, etc etc etc.

Garmin wins hands-down for a fraction of the price.

now for the good... I really enjoy that it tells me which of the 6 lanes I need to be in for a busy exchange. I really enjoy that it shows me accurately and neatly on the right hand side detail screen where my turn is, including a countdown of distance. etc etc etc.

Garmin still wins, but I sure wish I could take all the best features of both and combine them =)

[cwerdna]

I would disagree with the assessment that the Prius nav system sucks. I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 (has more features than the 200W and has text to speech, unlike the 200W) for my other car w/o nav system. Each has their pros and cons.

I posted about this at Prius DVD Nav vs other Nav System.

[Rotorhead]

My first indication that all was not well with the Prius GPS was when I tried to put in my home address and got the "No such address on this street" message. It wouldn't have been a problem is it was a new house on a new street. I live in a building that is over 110 years old so seems like it should be on the map. Had a few similar experiences on our trip to Hybridfest. To solve this problem, I bought a Nuvi 750. Yes, my address is on the Garmin. As is every other address I've loaded. Now I navigate with the Nuvi and am able to get more use out of the Trip Info screens. To be fair, the Prius GPS does some things well. I really like the lane info and distance to turn info. Any thoughts on why Toyota charges so much for a map update?

Mike

[bac]

Originally Posted by Rotorhead

Any thoughts on why Toyota charges so much for a map update?

Mike

Profit?

... Brad

[Rotorhead]

Profit?

Let me rephrase that. Any thoughts, beyond the obvious, why Toyota might charge so much for an update.

I just purchased the latest Garmin update and it was $69.

Mike

[ZC1]

Wow, it really just sucks. It sucks that I cannot adjust routes, or see which way it plans to take me while driving. It sucks that it will take me 5 miles out of the way just to get me back on the route it calculated rather than calculate a better route and start from there.

Take your NAV back to the dealer, something evidently is wrong with it.

I have learned the correct options to choose to change my route while in route, besides the 3 routes it automatically allows you to choose from.
Yours doesn't do this.

I've also learned to press the Map view and Route view buttons to view the entire route while in route.
Yours doesn't do this.

And my NAV does recalculate a new route within 5-10 seconds of deviating from guided route without a 5 mile re-direct.
Yours doesn't do this.

When calculating a new route, it has infrequently displayed a new route that starts by going around the block (like a dog chasing his tail) as the starting point. I simply ignore that beginning reroute part and head for the main routing.

I wouldn't compare it against a Garmin whose database and feature set is more complete, but neither do I have to lug it around, charge batteries, or worry about the possibility of being stolen.

It works for me, and my wife and I are happy.

ZC1