Prestigious Society Navi hack installed

[hptsang]

sounds like the hack and the video feeds will be something I would do after my warranty.

[ggood]

OK, my car has successfully survived my installation of the Prestigious Society Nav hack. It took me an hour from start to finish, which included taking pictures and 5 to 10 minutes trying to figure out where to tape the PS unit (which I gave up on).

Here are my pictures:

Picasa Web Albums - Greg - Install Nav Hack

Here are my notes:

1. As promised by RadioZero, it only took one pry of the screwdriver to start the disassembly. It was fairly easy to pull the dash pieces apart after that. My only boo boo was not having a long enough socket wrench extension when I went to remove the 2 bottom bolts. I rubbed the socket wrench handle on an edge of the dash at one point, which was enough to cause some minor discoloration. Anyone know how to fix that?

2. Contrary to the instructions, I did not disconnect the battery or any of the connectors connected to the dash or console pieces. You are warned not to disconnect power to the nav unit if you fail to disconnect the battery.

3. I routed the switch wire as soon as I got the nav unit free from the dash. I haven't decided whether to try to attach it to the lower dash anywhere.

4. FYI, the nav unit is held on by 4 bolts, and by some dash connector style plastic clips. The nav unit was not all that heavy, but you do want to be careful when you go to pull it free of the clips. After that, you can just sort of balance it on the shifter, with a blanket underneath it.

5. Each of the electrical connectors has a tab that has to be held down as you pull the connector out. As has already been said, you want to make sure you hear a click when you plug each car connector into the PS connectors, and each PS connector into the nav. Actually, the hardest connection I had to make was plugging the PS switch into the PS unit. Seemed to take a lot of work to get that plug shoved all the way in (almost flush with the unit).

6. I was a little surprised that the Nav unit made some mechanical noises when I first connected all the PS connectors, prior to powering the car on. I guess just connecting the connectors causes some kind of interaction with the nav unit, like the ECU talking to the nav and seeing if it is live or something. Not sure if it was the dvd or cd player spinning or just electrical mechanical relays clicking.

7. Ultimately, I blew off trying to tape down the PS unit anywhere, and just decided to let it dangle in the void underneath the nav unit. I know RadioZero said he taped his down somewhere, but I couldn't seem to find a place that worked, the tape gave out, and I didn't see any harm in letting it dangle. FYI, there's a large void underneath the nav unit. I'm surprised Toyota didn't try to put some sort of storage drawer or shelf in there.

8. I started the car before putting everything back together. You have to wait for some sort of dvd initialization procedure to finish the first time you start the car.

9. After that initialization, if you press the PS button, you are pretty much freezing the movement of the car on the screen, although I suppose it might eventually try to do dead reckoning. I entered a destination while moving and then discovered the nav was not set to the right region. I had to start over and press the button a 2nd time, since I ran over the 5 minute delay. I'm pretty sure the car was set to the right region before I did the installation, but I could be wrong. I then had to push the PS switch again, to allow the nav and guidance to start working again. It sort of found itself pretty quickly, but was wonky for at least 30 to 60 seconds.

[RadioZero]

wow, our navi units look totally different from the rear. mine was aluminum on the back more like a casting, not black stamped steel. what is the production date of your car?

other than that, glad to hear the install went well.

[ggood]

Originally Posted by RadioZero

wow, our navi units look totally different from the rear. mine was aluminum on the back more like a casting, not black stamped steel. what is the production date of your car?

04/09; #1114 (out of that particular plant).

[RadioZero]

Originally Posted by ggood

04/09; #1114 (out of that particular plant).

hmm, mine's 05/09 # 3219. wish i had taken pics of the rear of the unit.

[Lucky2beme]

Originally Posted by efusco

$250!! Thanks for the nice write up, but dang that's a lot of $$$ for something one can do with a simple switch and/or just use the voice feature.

The voice features are gravely inferior!!!
We make a game of trying to say various commands and laugh at what it comes back with.

Plus you can't search for places by name only near here! etc.

I would rather make Toyota admit they are not my Mother and they should not restrict my use of the system I paid for.

The only reason I bought the inferior GPS is because I wanted the solar roof! Any of my hand-held Garmins are much better than this one!

[windstrings]

It does seem a bit lacking... when the screen comes up warning you to keep your eyes on the road, pay attention, and be responsible "paraphrased" that should cover it all.

Fortunately, my cellphone (with text messaging, internet, movies, satellite weather etc etc), radio, CD player, Airconditioner controls, buttons and vent louvers, Heated seat button " works while moving", Headlight switch, buttons on the steering wheel, Cruise control levers, windshield wiper settings, lighted visor, interior light buttons, Solar roof controls, Coffee-drink holders, glove box, and of course.... my electronic nose picker doesnt lock me out while moving, so Im not sure what they are so afraid of.

All of which require my attention and eyes to be off the road momentarily to tend to.

God Forbid anyone would actually need to "navigate" while moving!

[Lucky2beme]

Thank you!

I agree, but remember, we are not just talking about the driver, here... My passenger can not use the Nav system while I am driving either!!!!!

Where is it a danger or illegal for a passenger to do anything (except drink!) while I am driving?!?

Originally Posted by windstrings

It does seem a bit lacking... when the screen comes up warning you to keep your eyes on the road, pay attention, and be responsible "paraphrased" that should cover it all.

Fortunately, my cellphone (with text messaging, internet, movies, satellite weather etc etc), radio, CD player, Airconditioner controls, buttons and vent louvers, Heated seat button " works while moving", Headlight switch, buttons on the steering wheel, Cruise control levers, windshield wiper settings, lighted visor, interior light buttons, Solar roof controls, Coffee-drink holders, glove box, and of course.... my electronic nose picker doesnt lock me out while moving, so Im not sure what they are so afraid of.

All of which require my attention and eyes to be off the road momentarily to tend to.

God Forbid anyone would actually need to "navigate" while moving!

[HondaConvert]

I'm seriously considering this. The price seems fair to me, and I think I can handle the installation. The only reason I haven't bought it already is I don't like the thought of a sticky-taped switch jerry-rigged on my new 2010 dashboard. Seems like they could easily get a very standard Prius-shaped switch to mount in that same place where you stuck your switch.

Anyone have ideas on that?

Also, I don't have the DVD system installed, so I'm really just interested in the NAV lockout override, so having a round bulbous switch with TV on it, just feels kludgy.

I want my shiny new Prius to still look shiny and new when I'm done hacking it.

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by Lucky2beme

The voice features are gravely inferior!!!
We make a game of trying to say various commands and laugh at what it comes back with.

Plus you can't search for places by name only near here! etc.

I would rather make Toyota admit they are not my Mother and they should not restrict my use of the system I paid for.

The only reason I bought the inferior GPS is because I wanted the solar roof! Any of my hand-held Garmins are much better than this one!

I do this on our Lexus - it infuriates her - but is amusing to find what random command comes up