Navigation decision

[stephenb]

Hi...ordered 2010 prius III yesterday in Blizzard Pear with Misty Grey. I also went for the dealer tint for $300 and JB Audio upgrade.

Question: I'm on a budget and I am rethinking the $300 tint and $200 color upgrade and getting a silver III with Nav. Does anyone have a strong feeling about the Navigation reviews? I do have a portable Tom Tom to use, but I thought I would ask you Prius experts.

Thanks...very excited...car coming in 6 weeks.

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Hi...ordered 2010 prius III yesterday in Blizzard Pear with Misty Grey. I also went for the dealer tint for $300 and JB Audio upgrade.

Question: I'm on a budget and I am rethinking the $300 tint and $200 color upgrade and getting a silver III with Nav. Does anyone have a strong feeling about the Navigation reviews? I do have a portable Tom Tom to use, but I thought I would ask you Prius experts.

Thanks...very excited...car coming in 6 weeks.

I like my NAV a lot. It has it's drawbacks, as many people have noted in other threads; but the integration is nice and the built-in backup camera is very cool. You can save some money by using your TomTom and adding an aftermarket camera (if you want one), but for me at least, the tidiness of having them properly built in is a better use of the money than tint and paint. As always, personal decision and YMMV.

[donkitchen]

I agree that, for me, having everything all integrated is just nicer. The one drawback to the navigation that Toyota does is that you can't do certain things while the car is moving.

In our Honda, they don't care as much about safety (ha) and your passenger can do anything they want with the Navigation

[mgb4tim]

I like it built in. I've used portables to some extent, but I like the built-in properties. I'll enjoy finding the hack for my passenger to update items on the go. I get tired of cords and things lying around.

but, if you have the Tom-tom, and are budget minded to drop the $300 tint (which you can find a local shop to do for much less) adn the paint option,then the addition of Nav shouldn't be considered either.

I just like it. but, if you don't get it now, you'll have plenty of options to add built-in later with the aftermarket head units available when you have greater discretionary cash.

[donkitchen]

Originally Posted by mgb4tim

I like it built in. I've used portables to some extent, but I like the built-in properties. I'll enjoy finding the hack for my passenger to update items on the go. I get tired of cords and things lying around.

but, if you have the Tom-tom, and are budget minded to drop the $300 tint (which you can find a local shop to do for much less) adn the paint option,then the addition of Nav shouldn't be considered either.

I just like it. but, if you don't get it now, you'll have plenty of options to add built-in later with the aftermarket head units available when you have greater discretionary cash.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, the hack to do this on the 3rd Gens has not yet been discovered, right?

[LoraJ]

I love the built in NAV. Sure it isn't as good as our Garmin, but it does the job and it is always there when we need it. Since the Garmin was portable, it was usually at home somewhere since I did not leaving it in the car. I think it make the car look better too.

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by donkitchen

And, correct me if I'm wrong, the hack to do this on the 3rd Gens has not yet been discovered, right?

Correct. For now at least, if you want to input while moving, you have to either use the voice commands or use a different NAV unit. The hack will happen eventually (there are some hardware solutions that work now, but are not plug-n-play yet), but there is no easy software hack like there was before that has yet been discovered.

[Bobsprius]

I love the built in NAV. Sure as many state there are some drawback but for the most part the system is very usable and user friendly. If you need to access something while driving there is a range of voice commands that work quite well. One thing I love about it, is compared to my Honda, I don't have to hit the "Talk" button for each command it does that for you. I think the integration with other features it offers is nice as well.

I also hate the WIRES look, and connecting after market devices and the cords running around here and there. Not to mention that when you have the portables, it's best to remove anytime your parked or stopped as they are a "enticement" for someone else to steal. That's a big plus for me, having better piece of mind and less in and out of a portable unit.

That's my opinion...but I would Opt for it if you like the clean look.

Best of luck in your decision.

[qbee42]

I'm a big fan of integrated navigation, but if you are on a budget, the OEM Nav system is overpriced. If you need to save money, stick with the portable system.

Tom

[radioprius1]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Hi...ordered 2010 prius III yesterday in Blizzard Pear with Misty Grey. I also went for the dealer tint for $300 and JB Audio upgrade.

Question: I'm on a budget and I am rethinking the $300 tint and $200 color upgrade and getting a silver III with Nav. Does anyone have a strong feeling about the Navigation reviews? I do have a portable Tom Tom to use, but I thought I would ask you Prius experts.

Thanks...very excited...car coming in 6 weeks.

I would re-think the tint. Tint doesn't cost $300. You're overpaying $100-$150.