otpions? factory nav?

I recommend forgoing the nav and purchasing a 3rd party nav system. The Toyota system is expensive to install, update, and only pretty accurate. With a third party system you can bring it with you when you ride in another car.

 

One thing is ... you get more money off in incentives on Pkg #5 (nav) and Pkg #6 (add leather).

 

<_< Well... which package is a matter of preference. I have had two Prius, both with factory NAV systems. The biggest plus is the fact that the NAV system is completely integrated, uses the MFD (Multi-Function-Display), can't be stolen (but also can't be utilized in another car). The factory NAV also enables voice guidance and voice input for certain commands. It's difficult to extract the exact cost of the factory NAV since it's part of a 'package' and not priced individually. I find the NAV system accurate to about 50-60' as to exactly where I am at a given time. Another feature of the factory NAV it it's integration with "dead reckoning" so that when you temporarily lose satellite contact (like in a tunnel or parking garage) your position is maintained by speed and direction.

Here's a link to an online DVD of the Lexus NAV system - same system and the Prius the only difference being the dash buttons locations. This will give you a great deal of info. on the NAV system, how it works, etc. This DVD runs better if you have a fast internet connection.

http://www.lexus.com/lexus-share/demos/LS/.../Lexus_nav.html

Good Luck on your new Prius. Do keep in touch with PriusChat, it's a superb source for practical, helpful information. The Owner's Manual (though not easy reading) contains lots of good info. I used a highlighter to identify points which seemed important, and made my own supplemental "Index" on a blank page in the back.

 

When I wanted to get a Prius in 2005, I wanted to get one without a NAV system and get a third-party. Unfortunately in my neck of the woods only certain packages were available. Because of that I got one with the NAV. This is the first GPS system I've used and am happy with it (maybe it's because I have nothing to compare it with).

 

I look at it like this:

The stuff you get in the high-end packages (nav and bluetooth, mainly) can be had as aftermarket parts for less money. Figure $800 for a high-end navigation unit with bluetooth capability that will function just as well as the built-in unit.

*but*

The clean factory installation may be worth the money if you don't like wires. I've wired my GPS neatly behind the dash, but I do wish I had a better solution for the XM radio. A $50 Delphi Roady XT was the most economical way to do it but I now have one wire each hanging down for the antenna, DC power, and the audio cable. Avoiding that is what you're really paying for.

 

What options to get is a very personal matter. I recommend getting the safety features: VSC and the full complement of air bags all the way around.

Personally I hate leather. I wear shorts in summer and leather sticks to my skin. And the Prius cloth is very nice. I also prefer a seperate aftermarket GPS, in part because it frees up the MFD to show the energy and consumption screens, or, in my case, the CAN-View screens; and at the same time the aftermarket GPS puts the map right in front of me, where I can see it without taking my eye off the road. The MFD is off to the side and down, where I cannot easily use it to judge which road I need to turn onto. This last is important at complex intersections.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eterry2 @ May 7 2007, 10:34 AM) [snapback]436854[/snapback]</div>

I vote aftermarket. The other posters have all given good advice. Only you can determine which is better for you.

 

I like the factory NAV system. Garmin has a better user interface, you just can't beat them, but it's worth it to me to have the whole system integrated into the MFD. I have the factory system now, and my next Prius will have one too.

Tom