Navigation System - Quality of directions...

sdgeiger · 03-22-2005, 01:43 PM

I appologize if this has already been discussed, but the search function wasn't working for me.

Anyway, my problem is with the lack of quality directions I receive from the navigation system. I've had the car for two months now, and I must say that Mapquest gives me better directions than the Prius NAV system. The route that is given me is usually well out of the way of what would be a normal route.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can improve the choices that are given to me?

Does everyone on Priuschat find that the NAV system gives them good directions?

prius mdt · 03-22-2005, 07:50 PM

Is yours an '04 - that needs the NAV system software update? - This update consists of a new map dvd.

See your closest Toyota Dealer if so...

kkister1492 · 03-22-2005, 08:04 PM

The other thing is to hit the 'route' button and choose the type of route you want to take. I've found that if I don't specify 'freeway allowed' or whatever it is, it'll send me on every surface street imaginable.

sdgeiger · 03-22-2005, 09:43 PM

I have a 2005.

I've used the route button, but it's never quite clear as to where the route choice is going to take me.

jrfaris · 03-22-2005, 10:08 PM

I've found the suggested routing is not always the best. There are generally 3 route options, Quick1, Quick2 & Shortest. If you look at the 3 options it often provides a reasonable alternative. Sometimes they are all the same which doesn't help at all. There are a couple of routing preferences that you can select once it has calculated an unreasonable route. First you can allow or disallow freeways or toll roads. Sometimes that helps. Also you can select a preferred road by dragging the map to a road you want to use and the identifying the road segment you want to use. You can then add it to your route (like a way point). Just be sure you put it in the right sequence with your destinations.

DanMan32 · 03-23-2005, 11:53 AM

Or, just drive how you want to go, and it will reroute you from that point.

sdgeiger · 03-23-2005, 11:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"74980)</div>

Quote:

Or, just drive how you want to go, and it will reroute you from that point.
[/b]

That's what I do, but it's annoying that this expensive NAV system keeps telling me to travel in a direction that isn't efficient. I could just turn it off also, but what a waste it is.

bhenner · 11-10-2006, 11:14 AM

I am having a lot of trouble with directions in my area. Most neighborhoods will have the streets there but if I ask for directions to them, the voice tells me that some directions will not be provided in the route and the directions stop at the closest point on the nearest highway. Is this a setting issue or does the nav system just not have enough intelligence regarding the area. Another question I have is that I noticed you can set speeds of freeways and roads in the nav setup. Does this effect the calculated ETA or the suggested route or both? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Charles Suitt · 11-10-2006, 12:53 PM

Most of the "objections" posted here are addressed in the NAV Manual. I find the "guide" directions quite good and am still pleased with the way the NAV system adjusts when I decide to take a route other than the one "preferred" by the NAV system - usually within about a city block. It's astounding to me that one DVD can contain such a vast amount of information. So it can't take you to the front door of some remote house in a very small town... one DVD can't contain everything. The greater NAV system advantage is evident when I'm in an unfamiliar area and it gets me to my destination. In that situation, I don't know the most efficient route and am not upset if I later find there was a better route. When I know the more efficient route (in areas with which I am familiar), I go the best way and the NAV system quickly adjusts to my choice.

A few weeks back, a new online NAVIGATION SYSTEM HTML site was set up. I believe it would be very helpful to both experienced and newbie NAV system users. Take a look at:

http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/consumer/T...toyota_nav.html

If you really strongly dislike the NAV system, just don't turn it on.

mikepaul · 11-10-2006, 01:28 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Nov 10 2006, 12:53 PM) [snapback]347000[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/consumer/T...toyota_nav.html
[/b]

Which car has the nice ("Plasmacluster") console as shown early in the video? Later, the standard (2004, anyway) Prius look is back...

03-22-2005, 01:43 PM	#1
sdgeiger Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dresher, PA Posts: 91 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Navigation System - Quality of directions... I appologize if this has already been discussed, but the search function wasn't working for me. Anyway, my problem is with the lack of quality directions I receive from the navigation system. I've had the car for two months now, and I must say that Mapquest gives me better directions than the Prius NAV system. The route that is given me is usually well out of the way of what would be a normal route. Does anyone have any tips on how I can improve the choices that are given to me? Does everyone on Priuschat find that the NAV system gives them good directions?

03-22-2005, 07:50 PM	#2
prius mdt Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 25 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Navigation System - Quality of directions... Is yours an '04 - that needs the NAV system software update? - This update consists of a new map dvd. See your closest Toyota Dealer if so...

03-22-2005, 09:43 PM	#4
sdgeiger Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dresher, PA Posts: 91 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Navigation System - Quality of directions... I have a 2005. I've used the route button, but it's never quite clear as to where the route choice is going to take me.

03-22-2005, 10:08 PM	#5
jrfaris Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lake Tahoe Posts: 349 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Navigation System - Quality of directions... I've found the suggested routing is not always the best. There are generally 3 route options, Quick1, Quick2 & Shortest. If you look at the 3 options it often provides a reasonable alternative. Sometimes they are all the same which doesn't help at all. There are a couple of routing preferences that you can select once it has calculated an unreasonable route. First you can allow or disallow freeways or toll roads. Sometimes that helps. Also you can select a preferred road by dragging the map to a road you want to use and the identifying the road segment you want to use. You can then add it to your route (like a way point). Just be sure you put it in the right sequence with your destinations. __________________ 2007 Barcelona Red CarMyne 8 Mar 2007 (46.9 MPG over 31 fill-ups in 2007) 2004 Salsa Red, 7/13/04-2/27/07 (46.4 MPG, best tank 54.4)

11-10-2006, 11:14 AM	#8
bhenner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I am having a lot of trouble with directions in my area. Most neighborhoods will have the streets there but if I ask for directions to them, the voice tells me that some directions will not be provided in the route and the directions stop at the closest point on the nearest highway. Is this a setting issue or does the nav system just not have enough intelligence regarding the area. Another question I have is that I noticed you can set speeds of freeways and roads in the nav setup. Does this effect the calculated ETA or the suggested route or both? Any information would be greatly appreciated. __________________ <div align="center">2007 Prius Touring - Package #5 Black Ext / Grey Int Blackberry 8100 Pearl</div>

03-22-2005, 08:04 PM	#3
kkister1492 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 354 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The other thing is to hit the 'route' button and choose the type of route you want to take. I've found that if I don't specify 'freeway allowed' or whatever it is, it'll send me on every surface street imaginable.

03-23-2005, 11:53 AM	#6
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Or, just drive how you want to go, and it will reroute you from that point.

11-10-2006, 12:53 PM	#9
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,624 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Most of the "objections" posted here are addressed in the NAV Manual. I find the "guide" directions quite good and am still pleased with the way the NAV system adjusts when I decide to take a route other than the one "preferred" by the NAV system - usually within about a city block. It's astounding to me that one DVD can contain such a vast amount of information. So it can't take you to the front door of some remote house in a very small town... one DVD can't contain everything. The greater NAV system advantage is evident when I'm in an unfamiliar area and it gets me to my destination. In that situation, I don't know the most efficient route and am not upset if I later find there was a better route. When I know the more efficient route (in areas with which I am familiar), I go the best way and the NAV system quickly adjusts to my choice. A few weeks back, a new online NAVIGATION SYSTEM HTML site was set up. I believe it would be very helpful to both experienced and newbie NAV system users. Take a look at: http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/consumer/T...toyota_nav.html If you really strongly dislike the NAV system, just don't turn it on. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Navigation Data for factory Navigation System?	pgorbas	Gen II Prius Main Forum	6	Today 02:01 PM
How do you use the navigation system?	krainium	Gen II Prius Main Forum	13	12-01-2008 05:35 PM
Consumer Reports: Toyota quality slipping, Ford quality improving	JackDodge	Other Cars	20	10-17-2007 04:29 PM
Inexpensive sound quality upgrade for the JBL system	Dion	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	3	07-11-2004 01:55 AM
Poor quality of speech on the Prius' phone system	Mitchla	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	10	04-16-2004 01:08 PM