Second-hand (or shared) purchase of a 3rd-gen (not DVD) nav update?

I think the ones from that era with the 7 inch screen (folds down to insert CDs) have an internal hard drive and are updated using a USB stick, and the ones with a 6.1 inch screen (CD slot above) have you plug in an SD card.

As far as I know, for the ones updated from a USB stick, you don't need to buy the stick; dealers should have one locked in their parts cabinet. What you buy is an activation key that is based on your VIN and a code that your nav unit displays on its screen when you ask. You might be able to buy the USB stick, but that won't mean the nav unit will accept it, without the calculated key.

There might be somebody somewhere with alternative means of calculating the key.

I never looked as much into how the SD card updates work.

 

Toyota has a one time use strategy built into the usb update. So the best option is to call different dealers for a better price. You might want to check with a couple of online Toyota dealers like McGeorge. As far as I know the update is not designed for a user install but I have heard of almost no one getting it so I would ask about that as well.

You might consider a Garmin gps that also has traffic, radar and features like speed trap camera notifications.

 

The "USB dongle" is reusable. The Activation Card is one time use. Need access to Toyota TIS to generate installation code. USB is around $8x from Toyota Service Solutions + shipping, the Activation around $160? And TIS $60 for access....

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You have come to the wrong conclusion about that.......probably.

It does NOT need continuous cell data to perform the GPS function.
It needs that connection ONLY to load a new section of map data, which should not happen very often.

Sounds to me like you have poor reception on the GPS satellites.
Mounting your phone in a different spot might help.

AND that $500 figure might be an estimate to fix the problem. IF the GPS function in your head unit has failed, a fresh map might be a waste of time and money.

 

Some years ago I downloaded OsmAnd+ onto my phones, which uses OpenStreetMaps data and you can just download the vector maps of entire states onto the phone before starting a trip.

Around the same time, Google Maps added a feature where, after planning a route, you could tell it to prefetch all the map tiles along the route. Not as flexible as OSM if you have a detour or change of plan, but works well enough if you roughly stick to your route.

 

That's understandable. I didn't have the car nav in my Gen 1. I do have it in my Gen 3, and I tend to prefer it for exactly those reasons. I don't have a good phone mount, but even if I did, I think I would still find it more distracting to fuss with than the built-in nav.

It looks to me as if this thread has netted you the technical information you were looking for, in addition to some other related ideas. That seems to be pretty common on a public forum like PriusChat. You are the bow from which your threads like living arrows are sent forth. All the information in the thread, including your followups that further explain your own situation, make it a better thread for the people who will be reading it in years to come.

 

Sometimes folks don't ask the right question.

You have already been told what a simple map update should cost.....which really isn't THAT much......but it will be somewhat of a gamble if there is something else wrong.

People really are TRYING to help......and you should be open to the possibility that there might be a better plan that you haven't thought of yet.
It is called a "discussion".

Given your most recent reply, I certainly won't be trying to help anymore.........since it isn't appreciated.

 

How far are you from Los Angeles, CA, more specifically the Alhambra dealership? They were very reasonably priced last map update I had done. (I also ran the first one myself but had to buy the USB. Still have it but the maps on it are really old now).

EDIT-. Alhambra didn't charge me much more than the cost of buying the activation card...

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I have a '14 Scion iQ it also uses a Harmon unit. IF they somehow merged the USB to one SCIH to TOYH I would be more than happy to split the cost of a USB and TIS. My Prius v has the Denso unit which requires the TOYD USB and activation card. If you can use my USB I am more than happy to just lend it....

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Here's a question I have myself. I have a 2012 internal-HD unit on a shelf, with the idea of retrofitting it into my 2010. (Not trivial because of wire harness changes, but one day ...).

A thing I don't know: I think the activation card has to be purchased for a specific VIN, and then the key has to be generated from a code that gets displayed on the NAV screen. But I don't know if the VIN should be of the car the unit is transplanted into, or of the donor car.

Anybody transplanted one of these units to a different car and then found out which VIN is needed for an activation? I do have the VIN of the donor car, so that's not a problem. But the activation cards are pricey enough that I'd really rather not buy two in the name of science just to find out which way works.

 

Activation card is not VIN specific but VIN helps determine which system Denso or Harmon Kardon. The card is not the same part # if I recall correctly. That is dependent on which manufacturer D or H. You can try your VIN in TIS (I did not have to enter anything when I updated because TIS was not set up for the upgrade process so I'm not sure), or if not try the donor VIN. Wonder if there's an antitheft feature as you are transplanting from a different car which simulates theft...

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With the Prius? They won't lend you the USB. Please input your profile location it would help get location specific help...

moto g(7) power ?

 

Toyota Technical Information Service is the dealer level web site/service to access anything Toyota service related info:

https://techinfo.toyota.com

It has 3 levels of access with just $20 you get two days to access any repair info. With pdfcreator one who is quick to click can create pdf repair manuals...

moto g(7) power ?