Navigation Package or not?

[Ren]

I just ordered a Prius V in Blizzard Pearl, but I am not sure to take the Nav package or not. The dealer need my answer in few days. Could you give me any advice?

The integrated screen on the console looks awesome. Actually, I love the reverse camera more than GPS Navigation, because I had one on my previous car. And as I knew, backup sensors are not standard equipments on 2010 Prius. Thus I think the reverse camera would be very useful.

However, my friend's integrated GPS system has been stolen at a mall's parking lot, thus I am also afraid that the integrated GPS system may be very attractive to the thefts. (I live in Pittsburgh.)

I think I will drive this car for more than five years, so the decision is very important for me. Should I pay extra $1800 plus tax to get the navigation package?

Thanks very much.

[Indyking]

Originally Posted by Ren

I just ordered a Prius V in Blizzard Pearl, but I am not sure to take the Nav package or not. The dealer need my answer in few days. Could you give me any advice?

The integrated screen on the console looks awesome. Actually, I love the reverse camera more than GPS Navigation, because I had one on my previous car. And as I knew, backup sensors are not standard equipments on 2010 Prius. Thus I think the reverse camera would be very useful.

However, my friend's integrated GPS system has been stolen at a mall's parking lot, thus I am also afraid that the integrated GPS system may be very attractive to the thefts. (I live in Pittsburgh.)

I think I will drive this car for more than five years, so the decision is very important for me. Should I pay extra $1800 plus tax to get the navigation package?

Thanks very much.

Many others here, if you make a detailed search to find out, are disapointed with the quality of the nav system. Issues reported so far is less of accuracy, inadequate voice prompts, poor screen resolution, slow processing, among others. The fact is that many people also reported that the overall quality is better than the previous generation, so it all depends what your standards of quality and taste are.

[stream]

Originally Posted by Ren

I just ordered a Prius V in Blizzard Pearl, but I am not sure to take the Nav package or not. The dealer need my answer in few days. Could you give me any advice?

The integrated screen on the console looks awesome. Actually, I love the reverse camera more than GPS Navigation, because I had one on my previous car. And as I knew, backup sensors are not standard equipments on 2010 Prius. Thus I think the reverse camera would be very useful.

However, my friend's integrated GPS system has been stolen at a mall's parking lot, thus I am also afraid that the integrated GPS system may be very attractive to the thefts. (I live in Pittsburgh.)

I think I will drive this car for more than five years, so the decision is very important for me. Should I pay extra $1800 plus tax to get the navigation package?

Thanks very much.

I got the nav package for a few reasons:
--nav (not leading edge, but perfectly fine for the limited amount I use it)
--the large screen allows for much easier navigation of audio, such as folders/files on CDs, and--come September--the USB / iPod adapter
--back up camera (the rear view is very restricted through the rear windows)
--voice recognition (can select CD, FM, phone, etc.)

BTW--I don't know how an integrated nav system is attractive to thieves. They'd have to rip apart the dash to get it, and the resale market is pretty limited.

[dc202]

After a couple of weeks of use, I highly recommend getting the NAV. Very accurate and up to date, at least in the Seattle/Tacoma area. The backup camera is awesome and is something I have grown to love in my Honda CR-V (saved me from hitting a child). All in all, I believe the NAV package is money very well spent.

[web1b]

Originally Posted by stream

I got the nav package for a few reasons:
--nav (not leading edge, but perfectly fine for the limited amount I use it)
--the large screen allows for much easier navigation of audio, such as folders/files on CDs, and--come September--the USB / iPod adapter
--back up camera (the rear view is very restricted through the rear windows)
--voice recognition (can select CD, FM, phone, etc.)

BTW--I don't know how an integrated nav system is attractive to thieves. They'd have to rip apart the dash to get it, and the resale market is pretty limited.

Probably was an aftermarket integrated Nav like one of the Pioneer sound systems with nav.

On the other hand, the $265 map DVD in the Prius is priced higher than many portable navs and I read here that someone had their Prius broken into and the the DVD disc stolen.

[priuslaw]

Get the navigation!! I was pleasantly surprised when i used it for the first time. Look out for my review on my blog coming soon.

[Indyking]

By the way, the cost of the nav is not limited to the absurd charge of 1,8k. Map updates cost on average over 100 bucks yearly! I paid $100 for lifetime updates in my Garmin, with up to 4 updates per year. Also if you have an iPhone 3g or 3gs, soon you can have access to what is supposed to be the best navigator ever, featuring Tomtom!

[WalterParker]

Originally Posted by Indyking

Many others here, if you make a detailed search to find out, are disapointed with the quality of the nav system. Issues reported so far is less of accuracy, inadequate voice prompts, poor screen resolution, slow processing, among others. The fact is that many people also reported that the overall quality is better than the previous generation, so it all depends what your standards of quality and taste are.

That's because on this message board, as on most, the minority that have issues rant on about it, but the majority that are satisfied never bother to post.

The integrated NAV is a great feature. Yes, it is pricey, but the "always there" factor and the convenience of not having to deal with mounts and cords is well worth it to me.

The OP said he heard of an integrated NAV getting stolen - the chances of that are much less than a smash and grab of a Garmin.

[WalterParker]

Originally Posted by Indyking

By the way, the cost of the nav is not limited to the absurd charge of 1,8k. Map updates cost on average over 100 bucks yearly! I paid $100 for lifetime updates in my Garmin, with up to 4 updates per year. Also if you have an iPhone 3g or 3gs, soon you can have access to what is supposed to be the best navigator ever, featuring Tomtom!

Why would anyone even consider yearly updates? For each update probably about 99.99999% of the data is the same. The only things that change are the new construction that has occurred in the last 2-3 years and even those are slow to appear in updates.

[Midpack]

We have the Toyota NAV in my wife's 2007 Camry Hybrid so I am very familiar with it's capability, it does not have the backup camera function. It is very nice when we're going somewhere we haven't been before, but that's not all that often (once or twice a month or so).

I have a $250 Garmin NAV in my car.

The $1800 NAV system is slick, but no where near worth it IMO. You can buy one heck of a top of the line Garmin NAV (or another brand) for use when needed and put it away when not in use (so it won't be stolen). It's not like you need NAV for most driving when you're local anyway unless you travel for a living.

I have read about concerns with glare and update costs here for the Toyota NAV.

Easy decision to me. YMMV.