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Final decision for aftermarket radio

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by savegas52, Dec 5, 2011.

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  1. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    ONTARIO CA
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    2011 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I have finally decided to purchase an aftermarket gps radio from a forum I saw on toyotanation.com


    Newest model 2010+ prius gps units - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums.


    Reasons for going with this unit
    - affordable pricing
    -previous reviews on here...appears this is the ottonavi unit
    -not sure who makes it exactly? i think ottonavi might be the maker itself
    -one year warranty
    -usa sellers, (we need to spend more money in the usa, instead of spending it in other countries)
    -unit " COMES with everything" it says ...maps antenna blue-tooth
    -ppretty much im going to see what exactly $650 is worth hahh

    what im scared of?

    -sound quality...I have non JBL so its pretty basic in my car

    - perfect fit and color match?

    -gps navigation...is it reliable?



    I saw alot of units but most of the ones around this price range was from China. I don't really trust China, I mean what happens if my unit goes bad and they decide to leave me hanging? How do I go to China....(saw an earlier post on China units)

    Rossen was to expensive. I think this does the same thing.

    I will let you know if i actually proceed with this and dont chicken out...keep you updated and wish me luck
     
    #1 savegas52, Dec 5, 2011
  2. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Looks great! You've thoroughly analyzed it... go for it!
     
    #2 mainemanx, Dec 5, 2011
  3. dehhh

    dehhh Junior Member

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    why couldn't the vendor post the sale of the unit here and not just at toyotanation.

    it seems like a few members here are interested in the unit and perhaps get a group buy going.
     
    #3 dehhh, Dec 5, 2011
  4. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    is this one better than the flyaudio ?
     
    #4 ucsmfu, Dec 6, 2011
  5. prius2010II

    prius2010II Member

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    The vendor is a sponsor (advertiser) on Toyota Nation. Reputable companies don't violate internet forum rules and attempt to use the forums to promote their companies.

    Roadrover made at least some of the Ottonavi units.



     
    #5 prius2010II, Dec 6, 2011
  6. glennhl

    glennhl Member

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    Looks like the new Ottonavi unit I just got. Good unit, you will like it. Had trouble with my JBL amp, finally works with Scosche adapter. You should be fine with the stock non-JBL system. Only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to put phone numbers into the contacts list.
     
    #6 glennhl, Dec 6, 2011
  7. prius2010II

    prius2010II Member

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    Given your problems it's wrong for Otto to still tell customers the unit works fine with a JBL amp.

    Ottonavi and alfaottoparts are different websites but both show the same phone number.
     
    #7 prius2010II, Dec 7, 2011
  8. glennhl

    glennhl Member

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    They claim that some work fine with JBL. I think you are right, Ottonavi & Alfaotto appears to be the same company. I have to give them credit, they have bent over backwards to fix my problem even refunding me the $75 for the Scosche adapter and giving me a free backup camera. Very nice people.
     
    #8 glennhl, Dec 7, 2011
  9. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    ----USA----

    Refunded you 75 ? Partial refund? Wow. I got my unit...now waiting on installing it. Debating if I should do it myself or if you could maybe help me out? Wish you took pictures glen wheny ou were installing it. How long did it take if you did it yourself? and how much is it to install if you got it installed?
     
    #9 savegas52, Dec 13, 2011
  10. glennhl

    glennhl Member

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    No, it was not a partial refund, they gave me $75 to cover the cost of the Scosche Adapter. I did not return my unit, I am using it in my car. I really like it.

    If you come to Phoenix I'll gladly help you install it. There are some photos with instructions that I used from another Ottonavi thread. Just search Ottonavi, it will pop up. Really very easy, I've had the unit in and out a few times.

    1) Remove shifter panel (using plastic pry bar and put blue tape on the shift knob so you don't scratch it). Unplug 2 connectors
    2) Remove the ashtray panel
    3) Remove panel around radio, unplug one connector
    4) Remove start button panel, let it hang down. Note, all these panels just pop off, no screws.
    5) Unbolt radio (4 bolts)
    6) Remove radio
    7) Note: I taped up the A/C panel to keep from scratching it.
    8) Take off brackets on side of old radio and bolt onto side of Ottonavi unit
    9) Put in new radio, plug in all the connections except the blue Sirius connector from the car
    10) You'll need to find a spot for the GPS antenna and the bluetooth mike.
    11) Reinstall the panels
    12) Search for GPS unit in menu of Ottonavi head unit
    That's pretty much it.
     
    #10 glennhl, Dec 13, 2011
  11. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    i contacted the vendor from toyota nation...i guess there working on being a vendor here too? not sure anyways i was anxious to buy it before christmas...seems that i just spend money before i realzie its gone so might as well invest in something. I actually contacted them and they said if I was able to spark a group buy they would partial refund me...not sure the exact amount but yeah check it out
     
    #11 savegas52, Dec 13, 2011
  12. mickaphely

    mickaphely Senior Member

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    I am down for a group buy if you can get one going ....
    Also, savegas52, can you post pictures of your when you get it installed ? i wanna know if the light colors on the buttons match the rest of the dash at night.
    do you know if you could do Bluetooth streaming audio ?

    Thanks
     
    #12 mickaphely, Dec 14, 2011
  13. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    Thanks...i have non jbl so i dont need to worry...haha
     
    #13 savegas52, Dec 16, 2011
  14. dehhh

    dehhh Junior Member

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    head over to toyotanation prius forum for a group buy :)
     
    #14 dehhh, Dec 16, 2011
  15. mickaphely

    mickaphely Senior Member

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    I just did, we'll see if anyone else wants to go in on that group buy.

    I am pretty much ready to purchase it before the Christmas holiday is over.
     
    #15 mickaphely, Dec 17, 2011
  16. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    ----USA----
    Hey guys. Sorry it took so long to get back. Been busy Christmas shopping and what not. Anyways finally got the Prius unit installed before my Christmas trip to Washington. Anyways so far so good. Installation Glen was not as easy as you said haha. It wasn't hard or anything but I was just extra careful not to break anything or lose anything. Now to the review on OTTONAVI

    The GOOD and BAD.....

    1. They shipped my order same day. I called in and placed order paypal and was given tracking number in less then 10 minutes. They shipped it FED EX. Although, they shipped it quite quickly I didn't know they require direct signature. I guess this is a benefit given the fact that they care enough to insure the package and put direct signature but when your working its kind of hard to predict when FED EX comes to your house. Missed them twice, caught them on the third try. Found out after three tries you have to go pick it up at FED EX. What a bummer. I got lucky oh well.
    2. The unit matches the interior of the car almost perfectly. You have to be very very observant to see any difference. No fitment issue, read reviews about how its not sitting perfectly I got mine to work with some double sided tape...
    3. The unit has many wonderful applications like its blue-tooth. Found out that my entire contact history can be stored onto the unit. When you leave the car the contacts are removed so someone else can use it. My girlfriend loves this. Music streams from phone to the car perfectly.
    4. Unit responds fairly quickly. Touch screen is accurate. Not as many glitches as I expected. Im always a little weary when purchasing from an online company.
    5. Comes with free map of North America, GPS antenna and I LOOOVE the remote control. Its quite nifty and handy when you have passengers or kids in the back and they want to control the radio. Maps are not TMC, they are like GARMIN or IGO. Would be sweet if it had GOOGLE MAPS.
    6. I can actually really upload pictures and set it as my wallpaper. Wasn't sure if the SD card reader would have problems picking up the SD CARD.
    7. It has internet icon on it but I guess its not programmed, or they didn't want to add this. No biggie, but then again having internet in the car on your radio would be only one of a kind. Hopefully, in the future they fix this problem.
    8. Doesn't really work with JBL, a friend of mine was going to get it but he needs to purchase scroggie adapter...Ill try and find the link from best buy if any JBL users wanna buy.
    9. I get one year warranty, and when I have questions they dont seem to be bothered to help. Although, I do have to talk to more than one guy usually...seems like they have quite a few workers but they all seem to know what there doing.
    10. So far not much to say I don't like.

    Overall, unit does what it says looks OEM and installation wasnt too much. For 650 not too shabby...By far WAY better than factory radio and even has aspects that make it better than normal OEM factory navigation. For instance, I can watch movies when I drive. Found out from Prius this is not the case with factory navigation as it is "against state DMV laws". Called the tech guys and they instructed me in my installaiton to get this working.

    OHHH If you do buy the unit MAKE SURE TO REMOVE THE TWO SCREWS FROM TOP....I installed the unit and it wouldnt take cd or dvd to find out that I have to remove these two screws. I was kinna pissed cus I had already installed the unit but then again once it started working (about 1 hrs 20 min installation process time) it was all good...
     
    #16 savegas52, Dec 19, 2011
  17. phatlilpanda

    phatlilpanda New Member

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    does the green illumination from the HU match the others around it? brightness wise? i remember someone else who installed the HU saying the brightness of the HU units buttons were a lot dimmer then the original buttons
     
    #17 phatlilpanda, Dec 20, 2011
  18. teiresias

    teiresias Junior Member

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    What did you do with double-sided tape to remedy any fitment issues you had? I can't really picture this.

    Are you able to voice dial. Not through the head unit itself but using voice dialing supported on the phone?
     
    #18 teiresias, Dec 20, 2011
  19. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    They are dimmer but I mean it really doesn't bother me too much...
     
    #19 savegas52, Dec 20, 2011
  20. savegas52

    savegas52 Junior Member

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    ----USA----
    What do you mean voice dial...my phone i can say call home and then on the radio it will call home...
     
    #20 savegas52, Dec 20, 2011
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