Firmware upgrade to onboard computer?

While there are Navigation updates (new maps, etc. they are expensive and still 'crap' with a newer map.

If you have Entune, it's updates are free and still 'crap'

 

I learned very quickly that the onboard navigation is not the best in the world. Honestly, if you have to depend on a "unit" to assist you in directions, gas stations, and so forth you might consider investing in a Garmin Nuvi or something similar.

The Garmin Nuvi that I bought years ago has lifetime updates for the maps. It also finds POI such as gas stations, hospitals, restaurants and so forth.

The system that comes with the Prius is not the best in town, and the Entune service really lacks a lot in my opinion. I was real excited about it at first until I finally I got it all working on our 2013 Model Three. Not long after I found the problems that you describe and ended up just using the onboard nav system as a general helper. I depend on the Garmin more than anything, but nothing really beats a good up to date road map.

I have been mislead too many times by GPS units to shake a stick at. You have only yourself to blame if you misread a map, but if you are relying on a GPS (computer) to lead you sooner or later you will find yourself either at a dead end or not reaching your destination based on the guidance of said GPS.

No system is perfect. The best is to know your route before hand and be aware of any changes, construction, weather and what ever else might delay your arrival.

I wish I could tell you of a perfect computer (GPS system), but I really don't think there is such a thing.

 

Typical blue tooth problems.

Try turning off text messaging, data, and only allow it to connect for music. It might work better then. I gave up on the music thing a LONG time ago. Too many issues with the blue tooth in my opinion. YMMV

You might try loading your music up on a USB flash drive and plug that drive into the USB port. I tried that with some MP3's one time and I think it worked. Like I said though, I have pretty much given up on the music thing. I don't even listen to the radio much anymore. After my one year subscription ran out on the XM radio, I simply turned it off and did not renew.

 

No I use it a lot and like it, but it has not changed so if you think it is 'crap' now you would feel worse having spent money for more of the same.

(my first car was a 1962 Ford Falcon, they are all better than that it did not even have a PCV valve, it just vented fumes to the air, and the windshield wipers stopped while you were accelerating)

 

AM?
FM?
CDs?

 

Old school hippie here, burnt out so to say. Enjoy the quiet when I can. Besides the road noise and the wife jabbering I can't keep up with much of anything else any more.

 

Sounds like the tech packages were a great option. Only having a II with a simple radio I guess I am not missing much. Have an iPhone with google maps. Works well. Also have the atlas in the back seat pocket, just in case .

 

LOL, I was raised on 8 Track Tapes. Amazing how things have changed over the years. Dad even had one of those big
"AIWA" brand Reel to Reel tape deck along with a very nice turn table with a large collection of "classical" vinyl at home hooked up to his custom built amplifier. Back then it was all about "Stereo" sound. 4 Channel Quadraphonic came along a few years later.

Heck I even remember the day Neil Armstrong said "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Was it all a hoax? I hope not. Only NASA knows for sure...

How many here even remember "Jiffy Pop"?

 

With our non-MFD 2010 we run a cable from our phones' earphone jack to similar jack in the centre arm rest, control the music through our phones' Interface.

 

Reminds of a few years back, driving a family member's Sunfire to Costco for a flat repair, muttering: "this piece of junk has a tach, and a coolant temp gauge, and..."

 

There is (or at least i think there is). It should be in the center armrest next to the usb port. Unless you have a model that for some reason doesn't have this, but I thought all prius gen 3.5 models did...

The best audio solution I've used so far is a dedicated ipod classic (160 gig version) that is plugged into the usb port in the center armrest. It starts playing within seconds of turning on the car, remembers exactly where it was even mid song, and the browse features in the head unit work reasonably well.

 

Check inside the center console. My 2014 PiP has one.

 

I'm liking the idea of getting a 7" android tablet with 3G and a micro-sd card full of music, and mounting it where the display audio is.

 

I've entertained just about every idea for replacing the head unit with something better. Full out replacement android head units, tablets, home made pc computers, etc... In the end when I ask myself "to what end?" I realize it's just not worth it. The ipod works very well for music, and I don't think anything beats a garmin for gps. Plus phone integration and bluetooth already works pretty much flawlessly, and that's everything I need or care about. So I have never bothered as it's just not worth the trouble.

I've had my car 4 years now, and am glad I've never hacked in anything else for the head unit. It's all factory and looks great even if the headunit could have better features.