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Electronics Options Ques... pls be gentle!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by grantb3, Nov 6, 2009.

  1. grantb3

    grantb3 Junior Member

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    My wife and I are looking at the new Prius and the only really iffy stuff is the factory electronics. Our last car was the Audi A3 and the factory Nav was crap, cost $200/year for updates, and did not integrate the iPod 5th gen classic we have nor did the bluetooth work. Plus it made using the AM/FM radio a nightmare. Worst. User Interface. Ever. We got one of the first A3's so maybe it's our own fault, but in any event once bitten, twice shy.

    I'm pretty convinced after that episode that I don't want to be tied to factory Nav ever again. So next on the list is the iPod. Am I correct in assuming that the iPod interface does not work with these older USB iPods? Are there aftermarket ones that do (and make use of the steering wheel buttons and/or stereo display)?

    Finally about the bluetooth. Again, does the factory bluetooth integrate at all with the steering wheel and/or the dash display? The reason I ask is that some of the GPS's have bluetooth built in, but I've not tried one like that yet. No point in spending $300 twice.
     
    #1 grantb3, Nov 6, 2009
  2. octavia

    octavia Active Member

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    1. I'm less impressed with my 2000 Nav than I was with my 200 garmin, although I would say it works and it is nice that it is built in and has voice activation.
    2. The ipod interface is not great, even to the point of causing me to use my ipod less than I otherwise might if it had an interface that was more usable. The scroll feature alone is enough to make a person give up. Each time you scroll to a new screen it starts playing the new song on the top of the screen and there is no way to scroll fast so, the more music you have the less user friendly it is.
    3. The bluetooth is great. The only real problem I've had with that is a 3 or so second delay in answering calls ( but not when I dial out) and a weird glitch that causes the blue tooth to think the line is busy when it's not. Turning my phone on and off solves that. I tried the bluetooth that came with my garmin and it didn't work at all. No one could hear me on the other end. I do get good reports on clarity using the bluetooth with my car. The bluetooth is one of my favorite features. It pairs with my phone automatically when I get in the car and with the exception of the weird glitch and delay, works great. :)

    If I could of gotten an aftermarket unit that included a decent ipod interface and more functional nav unit for the 2k I would have done it in a heartbeat.
     
    #2 octavia, Nov 6, 2009
  3. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    GPS/Nav come with DVD, Bluetooth etc. In addition, most can run the latest in GPS software from TomTom, iGO8, Navagon, even Garmin. These GPS' are very customizable for whatever you are looking for...
     
    #3 rrolff, Nov 7, 2009
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The factory options always take a back seat to the quality and list of features available through the aftermarket sector.....

    $1,500 can buy you a damn nice DVD/CD/NAV/USB/iPod/Bluetooth player from Kenwood or like brand. Add another $1,000 for amplifier, small subwoofer, new speakers etc. and you'll blow away anything offered by the manufacture.

    See this unit for example:
    Kenwood - DNX7140

    Kenwood DNX7140 - $1599.00
    [​IMG]
     
    #4 F8L, Nov 7, 2009
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you grab an iPod kit to work with the stock radio, then it should work with the steering wheel mounted controls. If you were to add an aftermarket headunit, it may not work at all (not just the iPod but also when changing radio stations or CD tracks).


    Updates are about $200/disc. You don't have to update every year. My TomTom that was bought in Nov 2006 has Jan 2007 maps (I got a free update) and I've left it since. It has worked in all the cities that I've used it for so I had no reason to update the maps. I don't plan on updating the Prius' nav unless there's been a major change in the road network. Also keep in mind that it takes a few years for new road to make it to the database (depending on how fast someone notifies them or they find out about the change in the road).

    So for those who are reading this and complaining about new roads or non-existent POIs etc etc, do a "Map Feedback" on TeleAtlas or Navteq's site. It can only help them and help us.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Nov 7, 2009
  6. grantb3

    grantb3 Junior Member

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    Thanks to all for the info so far. I'm not sure what you mean by "grab an iPod kit to work with the stock radio". You mean just shop around for one that advertises it works with the 2010 Prius radio? That MultiLinQ or whatever one of the guys is trying in one of the other threads looks interesting, but I haven't delved into it, other than he seems impressed by it.

    So the factory Bluetooth is OK with the stock II or III non-Nav radio I take it?

    I'm in no rush to get a state-of-the-art Nav. I really enjoyed the Dash Express GPS while it worked (when it worked). I would love to have Google or Yahoo 24/7 again. I guess the TomTom Go Live 740 is a bit of a disappointment. Looking forward to the CES show in January...
     
    #6 grantb3, Nov 7, 2009
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh I meant if you got something like a VAIS or a DICE iPod kit for the 2010 Prius, it'll work with the stock controls cause they plug to the back of the radio.

    Can't comment on the bluetooth.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Nov 8, 2009
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