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Satellite Navigation for Prius V ZVW40R

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by Anita Gleeson, Aug 29, 2014.

  1. Anita Gleeson

    Anita Gleeson New Member

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    I have just purchased a 2013 Prius V ZVW40R (not the i-tech).
    I was told by the dealer that it came with Sat/Nav but have now been informed that it is not an option on the model I purchased and that it isn't even possible to retrofit the satellite navigation card because it could mess up all the other display options eg fuel economy reporting etc.

    I am wondering if anyone has knowledge on this topic or whether anyone has successfully installed Sat/Nav in a similar model?

    I am really keen to avoid having a windscreen mounted Tom Tom style GPS as I hate the cords and clutter so would really appreciate a work around.

    With thanks
    Anita
     
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    It sounds like a little deception was involved in your purchase. I am sorry you are having to deal with this.

    It would be difficult/costly to my understanding, to retrofit a Nav into a non-Nav vehicle because there are a lot of connections to the unit. As mentioned to you it is also not a Toyota accessory to be installed and hence has no direct Toyota instructions on how one might do so.

    There have been complaints against the factory navigation system. If you haven't experienced using one, it might be good to go test drive a model with it and see what you think, and go from there. There are two different navigation systems available....
     
  3. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)Easy fix, consider a aftermarket system that would provide satellite radio, navigation, and Bluetooth. Check with a local audio shops for approximate cost. The only real issue with aftermarket navigation is finding and tapping into the speed sensor wire.
     
  4. Anita Gleeson

    Anita Gleeson New Member

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    Thank you for your replies jzchen & Don.

    Jzchen, I think it was a genuine error on the salesman's behalf (he was new and inexperienced) his boss called me to explain the error and to accept full responsibility for the miscommunication. They have offered to buy the vehicle back including all costs or to give us a $700 discount. He further explained that in theory Toyota could do the job but as you explained it was a massive job to remove the dash and replace heaps of components but his biggest concern was that it would void the warranty so he was not prepared to offer that option.

    As I absolutely love the car, I do not want to return it so looked into retrofitting as suggested by Don. The problem with this option is that I am located in Australia so the after market guys could only get their hands on a left hand drive kit (eg the plastic frames were back to front) so they said it was possible and had been done before but it looked unsightly.

    I think that my best option may be to just go with a dash mounted, hard wired Tom Tom or Garmin (as upsetting as it will be to look at the redundant factory Sat/Nav button that is in top position on the Prius consul).

    Jzchen, from your message, it sounds like you don't think that the factory GPS is a very good system, I wonder if you could explain more?

    Thanks again for your replies.
    Anita
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You could go with a new Garmin 7" GPS with lithium battery and bean bag mount. No wires, better graphics, and free map updates you don't get with toyota. Then put it in a rental car or other vehicle when on vacation without the car.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! factory nav is not intuitive, and you can read a lot more complaints here than praise. i would keep searching for a replacement unit while using a portable. all the best!(y)
     
  7. tanasit

    tanasit Member

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    I have been using the factory NAV in my 2012 Prius V 5 and found it to be fine with no major issues. One time whenever I come near my house, I will hear the ding-dong bell which I finally figured out that you can attach the audio prompt to any destination to remind you that the destination is nearby (like your favorite restaurants or gas stations).
    My friend found it other use by programming those to his sister car that he borrowed! Just to annoy her. :p

    Anyway, a few months ago I decided to update my map and I did not want to buy the CD from ebay because I read that I'd need other accessory to do the job. So I ordered the CD with my dealer. However a week later, they told me that they received the part so I brought my car in only to find out after an hour wait that my 2012 model has NO update CD but requires the USB dongle. The technician told me that they have the USB dongles but 35 of them, so they didn't know which one is for my car. And since they have never done this NAV update before, the decided to call the other dealer who did it. An hour later, I got my car back with newer version NAV and with no charges simply because they told me that they made me wait too long to be a guinea pig.:LOL:

    If your dealer can get the same car with NAV, you should exchange it, but you may have to wait a little.
    When I ordered mind, they had to get it from a dealer in different state and charged me extra.:(
     
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Funny, I was just typing on Tapatalk on my son's iPad a lengthy response and it crashed on me! (But the gist as it's my son's birthday and he'll wake up soon...)

    There have been less complaints against the higher end navigation system than the more basic one. One big issue, which is not specific to the Toyota brand or either version, has been the cost of updating the maps. It is akin to buying a new paper map as roads and stuff change over time. It cost me over $300 to do it on my own. I would have saved if I had just gone straight to the dealer. This is beyond difficulty in trying to use it. Personally I studied in the computer related field so I am actually biased in favor of any technology such as navigation systems. (I also don't really complain about the cost having tried to write computer code in the past, although it is definitely cost prohibitive.)

    I believe someone recommended you take the dealer's offer to return the car. Since this seems to be an honest mistake I would have to 2nd that notion. There have been issues with both systems, and it would be wise to have one that has the warranty protection provided in a Toyota built car. There are big challenges involved in installing one. (Having removed the nav from the dash in ours to install the factory alarm, removing the old and putting in the new is probably the least of your worries. It is more the harness and running all the wires where they need to go and connecting them properly.) Then there are the bugs in the system that have been reported, which Toyota seems to be addressing. You'd really want a warranty to help whenever you have these issues, ie. unit doesn't show your correct location or stops telling directions...

    Many things for these systems come on USB. Here is the company/site that sells them in the United States:

    Welcome to Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC Toyota

    In the upper left hand corner there is a search box. Type in "USB" and change the pull down from "Tool Number" to "Tool Name". Click "GO" and you'll find a list of USB dongles that update the systems. Even dealers seem confused at times.......

    It will be cheaper, if they do return all your money, to buy the car optioned exactly as you want it, than to buy a base model and retrofit.

    Jesse
     
    #8 jzchen, Sep 1, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2014
  9. Offline

    Offline Active Member

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    While I appreciate the integration of the in-dash navigation systems in our Prius v and Sienna van, our inexpensive two year old Garmin sat nav units are easier to use -- excellent voice recognition and hands-free phone; lifetime free updates and traffic monitor with rerouting.

    The attached photos show the iOttie Easy View mount that my wife normally uses to hold her iPhone in her Prius v. The Easy View mount series has a 17mm ball that is compatible with Garmin. Remove the phone holder from the Easy View, press on the Garmin holder and you are set to go unless you want to hide the Garmin's power cord/traffic receiver in the dash. An attached photo shows the type of socket adapter (cost about $5) I have used when hardwiring a Garmin to a vehicle's accessory circuit so that the Garmin powers on and off with the ignition. I have found that recent model Garmin traffic receivers work fine even when hidden deeply in a dash.

    iOttie Easy View - 640x480.jpg iOttie Easy View with Garmin - 640x480.jpg Socket adapter.jpg

    Of course you could instead affix a 3M adhesive disc to your dash and then attach a portable sat nav suction cup to it. The coolest feature of iOttie holders is that their sticky suction discs will adhere well to even a textured dash on their own, are easy to remove and do not leave a residue: iOttie Series_EasyView An iOttie would allow you to experiment with the best mounting position. A 3M adhesive disc can only be used only one time and can leave a residue when removed.

    Since your car salesman made a mistake, perhaps they would hardwire a portable sat nav for you. With their knowledge of your vehicle, it should take them only a few minutes.

    Or if you do not need sat nav very often, maybe you could use a navigation application on a smartphone.
     
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  10. Anita Gleeson

    Anita Gleeson New Member

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    Thank you again to everyone for your well thought out responses.

    I think we can all agree after reading the above comments that retrofitting the in dash system is probably not a good idea.

    My only options then are to return the car & buy the more expensive model or use a Garmin or similar as suggested by Offline or RJPacker

    Unfortunately in Australia (I am not sure about the US options) there are only 2 models of the PriusV on offer The ZVW40R (the base model that I have) or the Prius V i-Tech which has the Sat/Nav option amongst other things. The difference in the price is around $10k so I think at that price I might just have to compromise with the Garmin style unit.

    Thanks again to everyone,
    Happy driving :)
    Anita
     
  11. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I don't know how well the Nav unit works in Australia but in the US I prefer the $140 TomTom from 5 years ago with 4 year old maps to the basic navigation I purchased for lots lots more in my 2012 v3. Interestingly, I stopped by the dealers just 15 minutes ago to discuss my issues and the service tech said he had the same issues with his. The car goes in tomorrow nite for them to look at doing any updates though I'll wait till December to get the map update that is supposed to come out in November. But maybe a basic software update will change its behavior (knowing the route but failing to give any guidance until just past the turn causing you to need to slow and make a "U" turn. This is worse than no advance warning so you can get in the correct lane, it is no verbal instructions at all though the turns are indicated on the map. Can't read the map and drive safely now can we.)
     
  12. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I'm afraid I wasn't aware that there were only two models in Australia, and such a large difference in pricing. There are many models to choose from here. If you can get the VIN of an I-Tech v then you can get part numbers for the navigation through EPC/Techstream. I wouldn't be surprised if there were an Australian equivalent to Techstream. Again, my apologies for being ignorant to the situation there!


    iPad ?
     
  13. Anita Gleeson

    Anita Gleeson New Member

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    Ha, no worries Jesse,

    We can only dream of the options you guys have in the US.... We are such a tiny market for most car manufacturers (or any other manufacturer for that matter) that we only get the cars that they deem us worthy to have :)

    I believe you guys have a Plug In Prius V option... We were really hoping that Toyota would bring it to Oz so that we could plug it into the 36 solar panels on our home's roof during the day. They produce way more electricity than we use so it would have been a really great use of excess energy.

    Please excuse my ignorance, what is Techstream? Are they the company that provide the Sat/Nav for the Prius V?

    Out of interest, what do you guys pay for a basic model Prius V. The recommended new price drive away is AUD$38,000 here (approx USD$35,500)

    Cheers, Anita
     
  14. SmellyTofu

    SmellyTofu Average punter

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    The base v is primarily based off the Euro spec hence the dead Nav button. It only works for Euro where an additional module goes in that contains the navi circuitry.

    A possible location to put the tomtom is on the dash in front of the digital dials on the far left side.

    If you are thinking of replacing the centre console, just be aware most aftermarket units are designed for left hand drive with the volume on the left rather than the right as an example.
     
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  15. Dirtnapper

    Dirtnapper Member

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    Get a Garmin, I use the 2707LMT; also read my post in here about my experience with the nav system from Toyota and how Toyota Care doesn't take care of you. Can not beat a Garmin, I also have a Montana 600 for hiking/geocaching and have had several nuvis over the years!
     
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  16. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Techstream is Toyota's technical information system here. It is what dealers use to diagnose, maintain, and repair the cars here. You had mentioned that the aftermarket places there could only get a hold of left hand drive Navigation parts, so I have suggested a way to actually find the correct parts for your right hand drive car. I would think updates/fixes would be available at a place similar to the website link I posted, so that retrofitting is a plausible solution...

    I tried to do a rough calculation of the cost of a base Prius v here based off MSRP and that was around $29,157. I got our Prius v Five with Advanced Tech Package for $33,600, a fully loaded one, searching around for the best price. But this price was before taxes, license, and registration fees.

    The plug-in Prius here is not considered a "v" (lowercase v). It is the midsize Prius. There are three sizes to choose from here. (I think I should really find the Aussie website and do some research there to see what is going on....)
     
    #16 jzchen, Sep 4, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2014
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  17. Anita Gleeson

    Anita Gleeson New Member

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    Ok, for those of you who are interested, I have discovered the following by speaking to an tech expert in an unrelated Toyota dealership....
    I was told by the original dealer that it is an enormous job that wold involve complete removal of the dash and multiple parts and that it would void the warranty of all the other bits connected to the unit.
    Apparently this is not the case it is possible to replace the existing unit with a genuine Toyota Sat/Nav unit by simply pulling out the old one and putting in the new one (although the dash still does have to come off, it isn't a big job), but more importantly it does not void the warranty. Obviously the main problem, (I now realise) was that the dealer was unhappy with the price at around AUD$4,000.

    However, upon further discussions I have decided not to go through with this upgrade for the following reasons.
    The Australian maps are provided by "Sensis - Where Is". I have come to the conclusion that the software isn't as comprehensive as Garmin & Tom Tom, lacking things such as red light and speed camera alerts. I have also found that the recommended courses for this system can sometimes be less than optimal. Adding to that the fact that the updates are around $400 (vs free upgrades for Tom Tom etc) I realise that I am better off buying a dash mounted unit and getting over my OCD about the redundant Map Nav button on the dash.

    I hope this helps anyone who encounters a similar problem in the future. Also thank you to everyone who has taken the time to offer suggestions and information. Jesse, I am also going to Google all the US options for Prius as I am fascinated that you have different size options in addition to all of your extra features! Very jealous :)

    Cheers,
    Anita
     
  18. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    (I have been busy with family issues. I am sorry if I haven't been able to work on this thread much because of this.) I just took a peek at the Australian Toyota website. You have 3 sizes as well, Prius, Prius c, and Prius v. I noted that the Prius v there has 7 seats. (I would love to have a 7 seat Prius v! Ours only has 5!) I was trying to check the pricing and it asked for a postal code, so I had to search the format up, (in Canada its numbers and letters as I understand,) found an example on Wikipedia, and used that, "2148." The price between the two choices is huge! The difference between a base model Two MSRP at $26,750 and highest $37,265 model Five with Advanced Technology Package, is about the same, but there is a Three at $27,515, which includes a Navigation system.

    I still have the instructions for installing the alarm and remote start somewhere. For sure for one of them I had to remove the Navigation head unit from the dash. Toyota instructions for the installation are so detailed/wonderful, if removing and putting in another one is all you needed to do then I'm pretty confident almost anyone could do it. The cost for the unit is another issue, and $4000 seems like a huge amount. Here in the US one can shop around and find discount stores, to possibly get a better deal, but maybe the best is 20% off.

    I'm glad you did the research on maps and cost of updating over there. It is very costly. I am not sure of road conditions where you live, but in large cities like New York I tried a portable unit and it just didn't like all the tall buildings around, (no good sight of the sky. One needs 3 satellites signals to pinpoint a location.) If you are in the open most of the time this is not an issue to a portable unit. Built in units supposedly have dead reckoning to help by calculating vehicle speed, braking, and directional data, when satellite data is not completely available.

    I'm glad we could be of some help to you, and welcome to the forums! :)