Is The NAV System Worth $1800???

I am buying a Prius IV this week. Is the NAV worth paying $1800 or should I just use a portable Garmin, as some people have suggested.
I know that the NAV in the previous generation Prius had problems and was not easy to use.
Any one have experience with the NAV system in the 2010 Prius?
Thanks for your help.

I do not have the NAV....I use a Garmin. I wish I had spring for the NAV, only because I can not see what is behind me when backing up. The backup camera would be worth $500 to me...

From the discussion on other threads it seems like it comes down to whether you need the bigger screen. For myself, I have a nav system on my Blackberry Storm that I like, so I skipped the built-in option. I simply affixed two small plastic brackets above the CD slot on my trim II, and my Storm sits on those and plugs into the power outlet right below it. Very simple, does the job well, and saved me a ton of money.

thank you for your help.

I can't see the appeal of the factory NAV at $1800. Unless you are going somewhere you haven't been before, you don't need navigation. I use mine about 5% of the time. I have an inexpensive Garmin (you can spend more for more features) that does everything I need. I can use it in any car (used it traveling in a rental car two weeks ago). And when not in use, it is stored out of site so no one is tempted to break in and steal it. And with the story I saw last week, I wouldn't take the factory NAV for free.

Around here if you use a windshield mount and have your GPS stored out of site, you can still get broken into thanks to the nice little ring that is left behind on the windshield. I currently have a Garmin Nuvi which we mostly use on trips in rental cars. We use a friction mount on the dashboard to avoid getting the windshield ring. However there have been times when we have been caught in traffic on a normal route and want to detour but the Garmin is back home. I think it will b nice to have the NAV just to have a handy map in situations like that. Not to mention the backup camera and voice commands for the phone.

I regret not getting the nav just a little bit. (mainly because of the backup camera) The $1800 doesn't seem like so much now. However I added an aftermarket backup camera that displays in the rear view mirror and overall I am happy with it.

I paid $80 from Amazon but it appears the price has gone up:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-RVMPKG4-Rear-Mirror-Package/dp/B000WE82B8/"]Amazon.com: Audiovox Car RVMPKG4 Rear View Mirror Package 4: Electronics[/ame]

G

I have the nav system and totally think its worth it. I have a 1 year old son and am terrified of backing into him, any extra security, sign me up. So really I got the nav solely so I could have the back up camera.

That said, due to the lockout on the nav (which i didn't have on my last car) It's a pain in the buttocks to be lost somewhere, say in an undesireable neighborhood, and have to pull over and stop to access the nav system. GRRR. I'm keeping my eye out for a good fix.

One thing I don't like about the nav, is that it always switches back to map screen. Sometimes I just want to look at the radio station and what song is playing. Is there a way to keep it from always returning to the map???

There's a menu setting to turn off the auto-return to the map screen. Try setup, navi, and see if it's there. That's the first thing I found to change, from my previous Toyota NAV experience.

I think the nav system is nice to have but it does come at a steep (and unnecessary) premium. (Much better value when bought on a used vehicle.) We use it when traveling and regularly around where we live.

The Toyota software is not as versatile as what is on our Garmin Nuvi -- and is frustratingly inconsistent between what features are useable while driving (even by a passenger) and those that are not. I like its location in the dash than mounting the Garmin on the top of the dash or from the window. And it is very expensive to update maps for the Toyota system. But in remote areas our Prius has never lost signal like the Garmin. The on-board system would also seem to not be attractive to a thief because the software and receiver are mounted below the driver's seat while the screen is embedded in the dash. And hey, you can't take the Prius geocaching, so I still like having a portable Garmin for that.

jec,

Alter your parking habits. Don't park with the nose of the car in, that way when you leave it's always moving forward. Of course there is the part about backing in, but you will be able to see the parking area prior to backing in so it may help.

Given the choice, I'd not get it, but only because the Toyota 6th gen NAV has crappy resolution and colors (at least in the 2010) compared to others. I'm an exception though because I've been spoiled by the much superior Lexus 5th gen NAV.

The back-up camera is very useful though.

I wanted the Nav for all the other features, not the Nav system. I skipped it.

Hey folks,

I've had the nav. system on my 2007 Camry Hybrid and now 2010 Prius. I will say that I liked the Camry one better than the current Prius one, but I still would not have made any other decision. The $1800 is worth it. First, it's more than navigation for me. It's basically a computer and does more.....keeping all of my car maintenance information on it....plus, when paired with other features, it keeps my entire cell phone's address book. I also like the added features that it brings to the stereo system. With the added subscriptions for XM and Nav Traffic, it's awesome.....I love pulling out of my driveway and hearing my car tell me if traffic on the local highway is slow or backed-up, of if there's an accident.

There are definitely things I like about Garmin, including how you can set the voice (you can't for the Toyotas), but there's not enough about Garmin for me that tops the Toyota systems.

What I don't like: I agree, the auto lockouts while driving are maddening and have hatted it since I bought the Camry. They haven't completely changed it with the 2010 Prius....though they have made some things operable by screen, more than with the Camry. However, what I will say is this.....the 2010 Prius voice activation system is MUCH MUCH easier to use than the one on the Camry. So, while I was always frustrated while driving the Camry and having to pull-over to reset the nav.....because the voice activated system was hard to use. Now, some functions still work while moving, and even if they don't the voice activated system is awesome....clear instructions, simple use, etc. The pitfalls are that the 2010 Prius system is slower in response than the 2007 Camry. it takes another second or two to recalculate upcoming exits, which can sometimes be enough time to either miss the exit or nearly miss it. Also, when typing-in an address, it can type an added couple of seconds to give a response after pressing a button......it's like going from a Quad Core computer to a Pentium III computer....just slower.

I'm skipping the NAV option and will continue to use my little TomTom when I need it. The $1800 I save will pay for 2 vacations in the Prius! I would like to have the backup cam though...Toyota should offer it as a stand alone option on the rear view mirror, GM does!

Something else to be aware of...I read recently that the GPS satellites could start failing as soon as next year and might not get replaced right away. Don't throw your paper maps away just yet!

For me, well worth it. I use it several times a week. Guess some people only venture where they know how to get there and back. I am not one of them. I enjoy going to new places and seeing new things, and sometimes the work I do compels it.

I use a thing called google maps...only fails you 10% of the time.

Google maps is an option for me about 10 percent of the time. It's all about your lifestyle and your choices.

I think the system will be fine, there are plans to put up new satellites as needed:
GPS satellites not 'falling out of the sky': Air Force

But I still won't throw away my paper maps, I like them to use with the GPS they give me a better feel for where I am, easier to get the "big picture". Besides that it's taken me years to develop the fine art of reading a map while driving at 75 MPH.

I keep a small microfiber cloth in my car and wipe the ring when I use my Nuvi. I like it much better than the Toyota in car system I had with my Avalon. Also, as noted, Toyota charges over $200 for updates while Garmin has a one time fee of $120. That said for Nuvi users: I purchased it last week and had a download glitch with Windows Vista. I tried calling Garmin for help and as previously experienced, had a 25 minute wait time and then they could not help after we were on the phone another 20 minutes. I had to un-freeze my computer and then remove all cookies from Explorer myself and then re-load as it thought it was done. Two hours later after loaded, it was like why bother (after 2 years) since it did not know where the Toyota dealer was in Lewiston ID where I picked up my car. I asked for a refund and not only did they refuse, did not offer to refund the extra $30 I paid to have it "now" instead of ordering from an after market seller who would have mailed it the next day. Next time another brand.