Navigation lock override options?

I am very much interested in getting the Navigation lock override on my prius v, but i am very scared to do anything on my own. I have read through the forums for various options and found two which seem to be done by people in these forums. I checked with a couple of local audio shops if they offer any such navigation lock overrides and i think both of them searched on the internet and came up with option 2.

1) The one from priuschat shop, the cheaper option, but involves cutting wires and putting a separate switch for the lock override. Thanks to anewhouse for an excellent write up which makes it easy, but i am still very scared to do a job like that on my own.

2) The one from Prestigious society which is a plug and play and still needs the head unit to be removed, but does not need an extra switch and can be incorporated through the volume buttons on the steering wheel. I checked with a couple of local audio shops if they offer any such navigation lock overrides and they suggested this same option from the internet and the cheapest was $390 for the product + installation (including taxes).

Personally i am inclined towards option 2 since there is no cutting wires, no extra switch which has better chances of not voiding the warranty and it looks neat.
But i need your advise on if $390 is too much to pay for this option? I need to know how much folks paid for the option 2?

Thanks in advance.

I did the priuschat shop option, took an hour to do the install and that is a slow pace. The switch just fits into an empty slot so it looks fine.

You need to feel comfortable with your choice so just go with the $390 option.

Thanks for your reply. I also have the same five level trim without ATP. Where did you fit the switch on your car? Can you please post some photos of it and did you do it yourself?

If the sole purpose of the override is to allow you to enter destination addresses while driving, why not just use the voice command method at no cost?

Yes. I have tried that. but i need other functions that cannot be operated by voice command. Thanks

prestigious society navigation lock override

An interesting "plug & play" option.

However I have some concern about the requirement to disable the override in order to use the gps and map. It's also strange that they don't allow you to see the installation instructions prior to purchase. They don't describe how to use the steering wheel controls.

I wonder if they actually have US support that is knowledgeable or is it just imported from Japan with no technical depth in the US? Often these software oriented systems require updates.

i might give them a call. they say they have a 30 day return policy, and refund 100% if the package is unopened. maybe the hard cover instructions are not sealed inside. maybe worth a call.

I have the one available from priuschat shop...I'm very happy with it and I have the switch installed near the interior light dimmer controls

Do either the Priuschat version or the Prestigious Society version of the navigation speed lock override affect anything other than the navigation? For instance, would the speed lock override allow me to look things up on Bing while driving?

I put the switch to the left of the steering wheel, I don't have any pictures. I followed the directions from anewhouse and referenced the original ones from CPLAUDIO. The existing cabling is plenty to do the routing from the cig lighter to the head unit and then to the button location left of the steering wheel. I just had to pop off the dash piece on the left and the switch was right there to mount and then just run along back under the steering wheel

I know the Priuschat version works on enabling BING while driving. You can get the upgraded versions which also allow watching DVDs on the unit while driving, I have no experience with that one since I don't have ATP.

Of course I would say yes!

Seriously, since you asked, a four-fold price increase seems awfully steep. Do you know anyone who has worked on car stereos before? The actual cutting of the wires (technically only cutting one wire, and tapping into two more) is really not that bad. For reference, I've installed probably 4 car stereos in my lifetime, and have only basic electrical (mostly home wiring) knowledge. (Just saying I'm by no means a professional mechanic or installer, so anyone with basic skills like this should be able to do install the PC shop switch.) The risk of real damage from "messing up" is very low - even if you cut the wrong wire, or decide to undo the whole thing, you can just splice or crimp the wires back together, and it's practically back to new. As long as you don't forcefully pull wires out of a harness, you'll be fine. In my opinion, the greatest risk you run by doing this installation is scratching one of the dash panels while you're removing it. For instance, the worst damage as a result of my installation is this little ding, and that's only because I wasn't being particularly careful:



Anyway, if you know anyone who's done any basic car stereo work, you could offer them $100 to install this override, and after parts + labor you'd still be at HALF the price of the Prestigious.

On the other hand, IF you're simply not comfortable with the installation, and IF you don't trust "some guy" to take apart your car (can't blame you), and IF you have the cash, go with your gut and get the Prestigious and have it professionally installed. At that point, it's not really a decision we can help you with...

Good luck!
Andy

Thanks Andy..The problem is i really dont know anyone with a car stereo work experience. But i have sent emails to the two local guys whom i have found through internet and waiting for their reply. I was hesitant before because i was not sure about where to install the switch since i have heated seats, but there are two empty switch slots on the left hand side of the steering wheel which seem to be the best place to put it. I will wait and see if any of them responds back. Thanks for ur suggestions.

They were very fast to respond when I inquired awhile back. That was before I figured out how to voice etc. You will be using the volume buttons on the steering wheel touched twice I believe to turn on and off. No external switches. Totally hidden. I believe they are in CA but the device is from Japan. Same as Priuschat top of the line enables all greyed out and the premium can play DVD on the move.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

I read that when you enable the device from Prestigious society, the GPS stops functioning. Is that how the Priuschat version operates as well?

Yes, you need to trick the car into thinking it is not or slowly moving.

Ok..One of the guys responded back that he can setup the one from priuschat shop. Ordered V1 today. Once it arrives, i will take it and get it done. Now that this will be visible (hoping to get the switch on one of the vacant spots adjacent to the fog lights switch), does that void my warranty. Got 8 years/100k miles warranty already.

NOPE. Look up the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. Unless the modification itself directly causes a problem, your warranty is fine. Doesn't mean they won't give you a hard time about it... But unless a problem seems related, nobody should care.

Andy

The override has been confirmed to work with the Prius v. The bypass allow you to enter address, enable Bing search, and everything that a parked car can do.
As for the cost, anything you add to the car gets absorbed into the car value. You can spend $500 on tinted window, $1,000 on new super LRR tires but that only raise the car value a fraction of the modification cost. Same with speed lock bypass. It might help you sell faster but that's about it. Do you wanna spend $80 that you won't get back or $310. As for labor, you'll never get that back.
If you have any doubts or got money to burn, please order the Prestigious society. It might help you sleep better at night. I'm just offering you a cheaper alternative.
The installation is really not that hard. tvromero watched me install it in a 2010 Prius.

Thanks guys..i am convinced now. Also as i mentioned, a local car audio electronics guy confirmed that he can do that install for me. So i ordered V1 from the priuschat shop. Once i get it, i will take the car for installation.

Got V1 on thursday and got it installed today at a car audio shop for $100. Except for a sporadic issue with the gps location point jumping all over the place on the map screen, it is working fine so far. I posted about the issue in another thread.