Toyota SatNav unit

[Uteracer]

I'm interested in feedback regarding the Toyota optionally extra SatNav audio upgrade that is available for most Toyota's including all 4WD's. I'm looking at ordering this when I order a new HiluxSR5 soon. I know it's a few dollars (about $3k I think) but was wondering what it is like and is it the way to go? It seems to have a few more features on the audio side of things but I'm not really sure as I haven't really played with one before.

[prado4x4]

Assuming its the same as in a recent Aurion hire car I had........
- Covers metro city streets well, but nothing for the offroader. No tracks, and only major roads out of cities.
- It's toyota specific software, so all map updates must be bought from toyota, and only when they decide to release them.

Personally for 3K, I wouldn't bother at all. Get yourself a decent mapping GPS with relevant maps for under 1K easily enough. A replacement car stero is cheap enough these days if you want better music capabilities as well.

Just my opinion though.........

[Uteracer]

MMM... that's a bit of a shame. The Mapping DVD isnt generic Toyota - it's produced by Sensis and is available a various outlets for a similar price give or take a few dollars. I think the latest version is v13, but I could be wrong.

I was hoping it was a good idea as I'm about to trade the BAXR8ute with all the fruit for a HiluxSR5DualCabTD with a few options... as I'm used to dual zone climate ctrl, luxury, power and a few flash features but wreont miss the demerit points that the thing has incurred.

Has anyone else out there got anymore feedback...???

[VinVIn]

Kenwood make a dvd/screen which looks better then the toyota factory unit. Its also a dvd player, mp3, built in 6 stack dvd/cd and its completely touch screen ... you can get one of these for $1700, then, garmin make the navigation add-on component for it, which is totally controlled thru the kenwood unit, so no extra remotes and rubbish, just like the toyota nav, but the garmin one does 3d mapping, goes on and off-road, and other newer features the toyota one doesnt .. The Navigation is worth $999 .. so its cheaper then the toyota one, looks better and has HEAPS more features .. also available then are digital tv tuner, bluetooth handsfree adaptor and Ipod conections ...

Think about it ... you can see this at JB HIFI

[sava75]

very hard to upgrade the Toyota one.
Ask a dealer and they will give you the um...well...mm..ah....mm

[hillbilly123]

Last price I heard for V13 was $480 for the CD to upgrade from V3 in my bosses Sahara or so he said anyway

[Wilesy]

I thought of the same thing when I purchased my 100 series.....

My thoughts are that a genuine Toyota unit may look a little better being built in, though I personally think having a Navman is a better option.

Kim and I often swap it into the car we are driving and it has all of the features you could want in a GPS navigation unit, as it takes all of about 60 seconds to change over cars.

It even speaks to you in Ozzy Osbourns voice if you are so inclined to listen to....it also alerts you to all speed and red light Cameras which I think is worth it's weight in tickets....

Not sure if the Genuine Toyota give you that option but it didn't when I purchased my Landcruiser.

Another thing I found which I really needed was an accurate speed calculation on the screen telling me exactly what speed I was travelling at as I have upsized my tyres and I know that the speedo is out and with the Navman it tells me exactly the speed that I am doing.

I am sure that many others also do the same thing these days, probably even including the genuine article, though at the time it didn't hence my decision to go after market.

I flew to the Gold Coast last weekend and took my navman with me for the hire car we drove, I turned it on and within about 8 seconds, it had a bearing and away I went.

I think portable is the way to go.