where to install nagivation system cheaper

Nagivation? No thank you, I get way too much of that already.

 

You can install any brand you want. Just take it. to a high end car audio store and they can do the work. Are you in Norcal or Socal?

 

That's a much better response. Sorry, I couldn't resist having fun with the typo.

 

Hi. I'll tell you what I did.

After I got my Prius II in December I took it to a local car audio place and decided to get all the goodies that I was lacking (NAV, DVD playback, Ipod interface, Bluetooth, & backup camera) in an aftermarket unit.

I got this Alpine NAV unit:

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

It has all the above mentioned features and looks very nice in the Prius, especially when you select the GREEN display color. The steering wheel controls even work on it! It was a little over $1200 installed (including tax!) and now is probably even cheaper.

Just one example of what you can get that is way cheaper than a Toyota factory NAV unit.

 

I live on the other side of the country, but this should provide you with some places to call:

orange county, ca auto sound installers - Google Search

Good luck!

 

I would love to see a picture of this installed in your prius. Would you mind?? Pahleese!!!

 

These pics don't show everything but here you go:

 

Just found this handy section and joined. I purchased 2010 Prius with no package. I'm still having trouble backing up. Need to get the rear backup camera and nagivation system installed but not at costly dealer. Not a do it myselfer. Live in Baltimore, MD. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
This site is great. I've learned alot in one afternoon. Thanks!

 

WOW, that looks REALLY nice!!! I've been on the fence between the Prius Two and Three, just because I wanted NAV and the JBL.

Just watched the videos on the Alpine... and it answered just about every question I was going to ask about it.

Thanks for posting pictures!

Did you get any other audio upgrades, like speakers... or did you keep those stock?

 

Re: Alpine navi unit . . .

I just kept the stock speakers which sound fine to me. Actually they are very nice, maybe the JBLs are better. I don't know.

The videos show how quickly the Alpine unit boots up and responds for setting destination & searching your iPhone.

I don't use it much, but the unit also plays DVDs and can be set up for separate zones if you had a rear-seat screen installed for the kids so they could watch a cartoon (with headphones) while mom & dad listened to the iPod in the front. It also has a wireless remote so that the backseat passengers could use that.



I did not add any of Alpine's other upgrades to the system (which sound interesting):

• Sirius/XM
• HD radio
• Alpine "Imprint" system (like Denon Audessey or Pioneer's MCACC which calibrates the volume, delay and equalization of all the speakers for your car's interior.

It is the fastest unit in startup and music search of any others that I've tried (Pioneer, Kenwood and Sony).

 

Best Buy has the Alpine system W-99BT advertised. Has anyone had Best Buy or any company like Best Buy install the navigation and rear camera system?

 

You should order a "Rosen" unit and get it install at a local audio/alarm shop. Labor shouldn't run more then 2 hours. The Rosen unit has nice reviews here in Prius Chat and has the OEM look/feel to it. Check out the aduio section here. I would caution one thing though, if you have problems down the line with the Prius, dealers would look to void your warranty with these aftermarket stuff. It has happen to Gen II folks.