2010 Prius Navigation System is really horrible

[TempusFugit]

I picked up my 2010 Prius today and am Very disappointed in its navigation system. I traded in a 2006 Prius whose navigation had much better acuity. 1) This new one places my house, by address, in the middle of a field a quarter mile from my house. 2) I drove from Moscow, Idaho to Lewiston, Id today, where I live - Nav system said I had 33 miles (pretty close to correct) and it was going to take 1hr 5min. It actually takes less then a half hour. I tried to figure this out and I think it believes the road I traveled on was a rural road so it gave it a 35 mile average speed. It is a major highway and is 4 lanes at least 60% of the way! 3) When I had it "take me home" it wanted me to take a right turn several streets past where I wanted to. 4) The dealer and customer service say it is the most recent release and that updates are released in the fall.

I own 2 garmins with the 2010 map update and they are 100 times better - the older 2008 maps were also much more accurate; as was my older Prius system(it had none of the problems I mentioned). The navigation system truly really does Suck. I'm so darn disappointed, a $1800 upgrade, and I am going to have to mount a Garmin on my dash.

Sorry to ramble but I haven't quite settled down yet...

[NoMoShocks]

Haven't tried mine out realy, but I always liked the Garmin better than 2007 Toyota NAV. First thing I would try is see it there are any user accessible calibration settings.

[fuzzy1]

...2) I drove from Moscow, Idaho to Lewiston, Id today, where I live - Nav system said I had 33 miles (pretty close to correct) and it was going to take 1hr 5min. It actually takes less then a half hour. I tried to figure this out and I think it believes the road I traveled on was a rural road so it gave it a 35 mile average speed. It is a major highway and is 4 lanes at least 60% of the way! ...

Did you look at the mapped route, and make sure it matched the new US95, not the old Lewiston Grade or Thorn Creek / Sprenger / Leon side roads? Are the route settings correct?

The other-brand mapping software on my PC has several route choices - quickest, shortest, or preferred roads, and 'shortest' picks a different route that saves a few miles but costs many minutes. Some newer software may also have a choice for least fuel use. Make sure your Nav is set as you want.

[TempusFugit]

Originally Posted by NoMoShocks

Haven't tried mine out realy, but I always liked the Garmin better than 2007 Toyota NAV. First thing I would try is see it there are any user accessible calibration settings.

Thanks for the input. I used the calibration to move my house to where it belongs as soon as I saw it was incorrect. I'm hoping to be able to fine tune it some more. The garmins even tell me which side of the street my house is on - the 2010 garmin update is very nice.

[sluday]

Originally Posted by TempusFugit

Thanks for the input. I used the calibration to move my house to where it belongs as soon as I saw it was incorrect. I'm hoping to be able to fine tune it some more. The garmins even tell me which side of the street my house is on - the 2010 garmin update is very nice.

I find this thread very interesting and could save me $1800 for the nav. Does anyone else have problems or dislikes about their 2010 nav system ?

[TempusFugit]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

Did you look at the mapped route, and make sure it matched the new US95, not the old Lewiston Grade or Thorn Creek / Sprenger / Leon side roads? Are the route settings correct?

The other-brand mapping software on my PC has several route choices - quickest, shortest, or preferred roads, and 'shortest' picks a different route that saves a few miles but costs many minutes. Some newer software may also have a choice for least fuel use. Make sure your Nav is set as you want.

Yeah, 95 has changed a couple times. No old Lewiston grade for 30 years - since renovation, still there but only used for sightseers, great for motorcycles, and the occasional scenic drive. The extra lanes have been built over the last few years. The IV doesn't have the least fuel option. I checked the three route choices and chose the best one. BTW, there is a shortcut through Moscow which my other GPS's pickup but not the 2010 Prius. I worked on the Nav system and read the booklet for a few hours today and will spend much more time (I read that Navteq may offer a disc for it - I'd jump on it - the navteq online store wasn't loading today). In my humble opinion, the native 2010 for the Prius just doesn't work as well as the other GPS's I've owned. I love new technology so was really looking forward to it.

I really like the car otherwise, at least for the short time I've had it. Have owned 5 other toyotas, among other cars, over the past 40 years and have always loved them. They have all been very maintenance and trouble free for me.

Winter Gray, Prius IV with sunroof package.

[jeremiah256]

Originally Posted by TempusFugit

In my humble opinion, the native 2010 for the Prius just doesn't work as well as the other GPS's I've owned. I love new technology so was really looking forward to it.

That sucks. I'm planning on moving to California in a few years and having an integrated, dependable Navigation system is important to me. BTW, is this a software (loaded CD problem) or is the equipment sub par? I ask because I've been using my iPhone when I travel and use rentals. If a phone can be as accurate as I've found mine to be, I'm really surprised that a dedicated navigation system can be so aweful.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by sluday

I find this thread very interesting and could save me $1800 for the nav. Does anyone else have problems or dislikes about their 2010 nav system ?

Hang around long enough and someone will come along and tell you a 1986 Geo is a better car than a Prius, that might save you $24,000 ...







... in the short term.

[Midpack]

Originally Posted by TempusFugit

I picked up my 2010 Prius today and am Very disappointed in its navigation system. I traded in a 2006 Prius whose navigation had much better acuity.

That's a surprise. The factory Nav in my wife's 07 TCH has been wonderful from day one - wonder what changed with the new system in the 2010 Prius? Hopefully a fixable glitch.

[equake]

Nav systems are notorious for being less accurate in the rural and non metro areas. This is both a function of the maps as well as the geo-synced satellites. Most metro cities will have no problem with the Navs. Garmins and aftermarkets have the advantage that they can be updated readily and at a reduced cost. Their disadvantage is their smaller screen size and theft worthiness.