Thoughts on the navigation system

Warning for buyers | PriusChat

Read that thread, ask question then make your decision

 

Having owned a couple of Garmin units for the last few years I found the built in unit disappointing (in my case it's the larger, DVD based one that came with the JBL stereo in 2011).
There is an advantage in that a built in eliminates the clutter and hassle of hiding a portable unit when you park. I wouldn't willingly pay more than $400 for it, given the choice.

 

When I use the GPS Nav, it is usually for navigation to a known address. While some have different Nav uses and opinions, I prefer the Gen 3 Prius Nav system over Garmin for NAV to a known address.

 

No, the 2011 Prius Three does not come w/nav standard. It's optional on the '11. See Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota for the 2010-2011 trim level and option matrix. Ignore the prices, since they're old.

MY11 Prius | PriusChat discusses the 2011 model year changes (almost none) but Toyota went from Roman numerals to spelling out the words.

The optional nav system on the 2010-2011 models is also totally different than the Display Audio nav system on the 2012+ Prius Three.

 

Ironically, I use GPS on a daily basis to places that I know how to get to, to take advantage of real-time traffic.
Again, the interface is slow and clunky. On my Garmin I press "Where to?" -> Recently Found -> [select the destination] -> Go.
In the Prius I have to push the destination button, then the disclaimer ok (that I'll not use it while moving) then the destination button again, then I have a preset button I can press for my work destination. After I select that I have to confirm that the place shown is where I want to go (optionally, I can move it) then I have to say OK again to seal the deal. This wouldn't be so bad if it were quick, but it takes a few seconds to think from step to step.

 

Okay, so if you went to a store like Best Buy, and there were 4 GPS Navigations available:
(I'd just like to see which you would put in your Prius)

Garmin NUVI speech recognition 2494 LMT
Tom Tom speech recognition go 2495
Toyota GPS system
Magellan road mate

Rate them assuming each was priced at $200
Then realize that the Toyota is more like $900 it is built though.

 

We used the nav today while put shopping to get from destination to destination. What was really awesome was it alerted us to traffic jams on our route and also an accident. I can only assume this was because I have my phone connected for the interwebs. I'm going to have to see if there is an option in the nave for when this happens to calculate an alternate route to bypass traffic issues.

 

I wouldn't buy anything from TomTom if used in the US due to the use of TeleAtlas maps (well, TomTom owns them now).

FWIW, even though I have two Garmin GPS units (one bought for a car I had w/no GPS and the other was free from my bank) and I have built in nav in my 06, usually the Garmin units stay at home and the nav in my 06 is used way more often. (The nav system in the '10-'11 Priuses is pretty similar to the one in the 04-09 Priuses. The Display Audio one on the '12+ Priuses is TOTALLY different.)

See my posts at Prius DVD Nav vs other Nav System | PriusChat and Please help me with a strategy | PriusChat for my thoughts.

That said, now PNDs w/voice recognition have gotten a lot cheaper and are more readily available. Toyota charges way too much for map updates (in this day and age) vs. cheap updates from PND makers or lifetime updates from PND makers that are WAY cheaper than a single update from Toyota. However, this isn't a Toyota only problem. It seems true of other automakers. And, there are plenty of free alternatives if one has a smartphone.

As I've posted before (and can't seem to find it anymore), I think the problem w/built-in car nav system pricing and pricing of updates is that the prices made some sense LONG ago (say 2001 or earlier). Back then, PNDs were big, bulky and expensive (esp. if you got one w/a color screen). Back then, some units didn't even let you have maps for the entire US. You'd only get a region or two and have to pay extra to unlock other regions. And, updates weren't cheap either.

Also, back in 01 or earlier, some cars were using CD based nav systems so they didn't even have the entire US on a CD (e.g. 2002 Nissan Maxima). You had buy other CDs for other regions. And some back then were using hard drives (we seem to have come full circle now).

StreetPilot Product Review is an example of a color PND from ~03 w/a street price of $850. It looks like you didn't get the entire US for that price.

Problem is, it seems OEM car nav systems haven't come down in price much.

 

I sometimes us the voice commands with my Prius navigation system. I hated waiting for the NAV system go through the list command menus until I discovered that you can speed things up by pushing the voice button on the steering wheel and speaking the appropriate command. This speeds-up the process considerably. You can always use 'go back' and listen to a menu if you forget the list of commands.

 

Brand new owner here. The nav system is one of my few dislikes. Curiously, they use the Navteq (Garmin) maps but there is a huge error. While sitting in my driveway the map correctly shows my position, but gives an address that does not even exist on my street! Putting in my home address, the map shows my house about 1.5 blocks away.

And, exactly how does one update the map files? I will continue to use my trusty handheld Garmin for anything critical.

 

All I can say is, your in a very long line of folks who have reverted back to Garmin. As for the Toyota NAV, you can spend hours reading how.....disappointed and robbed we feel too.
The Prius is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I've owned 4 runner, RAV4, Camery, Solaris, Accord, Corolla, Civic, Tacoma king cab, and yes the Prius is my favorite. The Freaking NAV really sucks though!

 

Don't pay for the Toyota Nav. If the car has Bluetooth connectivity then use the iPhone's Google Maps. It will give you turn by turn via the Prius speakers and you can put the iPhone in holder on the dash for the visual.

Google Maps/Nav is light years better than the Prius crude nav system.

 

FWIW, although I'm satisfied w/my 06's nav system other than the price of the updates, I really hope that Toyota plans some sort of focus group and/or solicits feedback from people who are critical of their current nav systems to understand where it's all coming from. I have insufficient experience w/the current offerings to be able to say if they're good/bad to me.

Too bad I can't seem to find rankings at 2012 U.S. Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study Results | J.D. Power but it does mention:

Right or wrong, Toyota didn't do well at Hate Your Navigation System? J.D. Power Says You're Not Alone | PriusChat (an older study).

I know some Toyota folks watch Priuschat and Doug (former Prius product manager) has even chimed in about nav at http://priuschat.com/threads/toyota-unveils-entune-app-ready-sync-fighter-at-ces.88347/#post-1239586.

Hopefully, lessons learned from the ones that supposedly did well along w/ constructive criticism via the above and their other channels can be used to improve future systems and existing ones via updates.

 

The only advantage to built in nav systems is that they are built in.

 

This post may be a bit late but I'll give you my 2 cents worth.
I use the Garmin 3790 LMT. It is probably at the high end cost range of portable, automotive GPS's but it is well worth the money. It gives me lifetime maps and traffic as well as all the bells and whistles you would expect from a unit that is this pricey. One of the great things about it is the voice recognition. I find it especially handy when I want to make a phone call while the car is underway. It pairs with the Toyota HU and you just tell it who you want to call and it connects through the factory radio via Bluetooth. The Garmin is very intuitive and outshines the factory GPS operating system.
For more information you might want to go to cNet.com and read the reviews

 

I have the nav system in my G3 (2010 IV). I like the hardware; the software is poor. In truth, I have not updated the software, and improvements may have been made. I have driven the Prius across the country 4 times. The nav system has performed flawlessly, but remember, it is a "dumb" instrument. If there is a dirt road that is shorter, it will direct you to get off the highway and take the dirt road. For that reason, we also carry a map book and have a general idea what roads we want to take, but the nav system is terrific in unfamiliar cities where it will provide information which lane to be in, and if there is a left exit approaching.

I have a free-standing Garmin (can't recall the model) and both have their advantages and dis-advantages. One tremendous plus for the Garmin is the occasional updates ..... free of charge. The Prius software update is unreasonably expensive.

 

The entune integration is good. You can open the entune application on your iphone and search within the Bing button for a business and save the destination. When you get in your car open the apps and sync the destinations and select it drops the address into the Navigation. Works great once you understand it.