[TOY2G]

I recently posted a thread about the Rosen NAV that looks OEM for the 5th gens.

I contacted 3 sources for the unit and all were unavail, and Rosen said they no longer make it.

I continued searching for options and decided to try the unit from Canada that is available on eBay... Seller here

This is the unit.



It shipped Wed, and I got it Friday from Canada. Remarkably fast shipping.
Here is a couple un-boxing pics.




First thoughts: looks well made, even the plastic feels and looks quality, no mold seepage, no bubbles, and as thick as the OEM. You can see in one picture the SD card slot on the right for the NAV and the SD slot on the left for media (supports up to 32gb)

So I had to run to the office at 2:00 AM so I thought why not just install the NAV. So I did and here are a couple "worth mentions" notes.

Side by side of the two units.
OEM


iGo




It is pretty well plug and play, with the exception of some of the extra features like additional inputs, and cameras.

There are three plugs that were not used with the basic install, I suspect 1 of them is for the In Console USB...(will confirm later) Here is the three plugs not used.



I am far from a stereo install master, and I can say with confidence, this was a very easy install. You have to remove your Flasher plug, OEM brackets, vents, black top filler, and a couple clips for your OEM setup to reuse, but that install of the NAV is 4 plugs + 2 antennas.

Here is what you reuse. Circled parts (arrows are just parts you remove)


There are other threads about how to remove your head unit so I won't mess with that part, or putting it back in. Install took less than an hour and so far so good. You do have to teach the nut your steering wheel controls (simple process where it learns the buttons you push) and you have to switch the KPH to MPH if you desire, but it comes ready to go.

Here are some installed pics..the fit was perfect...looks OEM and the button color is even a nearly exact match orange (a little cooler).













I guess I did not take a picture of it with the lights on, but I will add more later as well as some thoughts on the unit operation.

[TOY2G]

Reserved for further Pics

[bimrunner]

Looks really nice! Thanks for the rear pics! It is noticeably a larger display and looks good. Does it allow nav input while moving unlike the stock unit?

[TE!]

How is the sound quality compared to stock?

[Ghost.]

Yeah that always irked me.

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by bimrunner

Looks really nice! Thanks for the rear pics! It is noticeably a larger display and looks good. Does it allow nav input while moving unlike the stock unit?

Yes, I was messing with the NAV locations, setting, backgrounds all while driving it home. There seems to be no lockout, just a stupid warning screen every time you switch to NAV or DVD

Originally Posted by TE!

How is the sound quality compared to stock?

I'm not an audio guy, however my wife just used it for the first time to go get lunch and she says she cannot tell the difference. BUT, I put the presets back in and inside of my garage, one if the channels was a little fuzzy. I forgot to ask her if the old radio did the same, but I forgot and she is out and about again.

Originally Posted by Ghost.

Yeah that always irked me.

What's that?






Note:

I spent some more time with it this morning, so far I have only one big gripe. The USB plugs (OEM) no longer work. I assume it's one of the three discount tend wires. The unit did come with a plug in USB adapter, and it has 5 matching color wires to the small whit plug that I left unused. I suspect I will be able to simply wire that USB cable back into my stock plugs (when I install the backup camera ( on order)


I have not figured out how to change the startup picture yet, and the Camry knobs bother me a little, but not as bad as I thought it would.


I will ad more information as I learn new things, but feel free to ask question before you go and drop $900 on one for yourself, I will try to be accommodating.

If I end up liking this thing enough to recommend it, they seller said he would be willing to work a deal on a group buy of 5 or more. But that's putting the cart before the horse, time will tell.

[ATL4R]

I've actually been eying this unit for a few years. Thanks for your posts -- I think you're the first person to get one!

How are bluetooth calls on this thing? My stock radio / bluetooth calls are great. I don't care about phonebook storage, etc. Just the call quality itself... mainly if the other end of the call can hear you well. Does it use the factory microphone or are those 3 openeings on the lower left side a built in mic?


Thanks!

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by ATL4R

I've actually been eying this unit for a few years. Thanks for your posts -- I think you're the first person to get one!

How are bluetooth calls on this thing? My stock radio / bluetooth calls are great. I don't care about phonebook storage, etc. Just the call quality itself... mainly if the other end of the call can hear you well. Does it use the factory microphone or are those 3 openeings on the lower left side a built in mic?


Thanks!

That is the mic in the pic. I don't think the quality is as good as the factory hands free. My wife called me from the truck and I could hear her fine but she said I sounded quite. I will make a couple more calls to see how well it works.

[TOY2G]

Fist problem to report, two actually.

#1. Every time you do something like use NAV, use phone, or switch to backup camera, the system defaults back to the radio even if you were listening to your iPhone, it jumps back to radio. There may be a setting for this, I just have not found it yet

#2. The hands free volume and the music volume are not the same.. They are the same dial, but when you take a call it is much quieter, so you crank the volume to hear the call (witch seems to be working just fine BTW) but when you end the call, the music is ear shattering.

As mentioned above, I am not a car stereo guy, and there may be a solution to these issues, but so far I have not found one.

FWIW, everything else seems to be great, nave is good, hands free is good, steering wheel control is good, sound quality is good, and the reception is the same as before (confirmed with wife).

[phillyd2]

Sorry if I'm being dense here but what does this give you that the OEM JBL system does not?

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by phillyd2

Sorry if I'm being dense here but what does this give you that the OEM JBL system does not?

Touch screen, navigation, video output (for monitors in my headrest), backup camera, on screen Caller ID with redial (last 5 calls), AUX input, and an extra 13.4 MPG.....

Its not all fun and games...

-You loose the USB in the center console... I'm working on a fix
-You loose Party Mode
-Phone and NAV volume does not go through the amp, so you have to change the volume every time you take a call or use the NAV.
-Knobs look like they belong in a Camry not a T4R
-No way to change start-up screen to "TOYOTY" logo

[TE!]

Where did you mount the GPS antenna? Would you swap it out if you had to do it all over again?

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by TE!

Where did you mount the GPS antenna? Would you swap it out if you had to do it all over again?

The GPS antenna was the easy part. There is a tiny dash plug in the very center if your dash near the windshield. The antenna cord fishes down to the head unit and the antenna sits in the center of the dash against the windshield, it's not even really noticeable, inside or out.

All things said and done.... Yea I would do it again. Here is why:
Pros.
-it's affordable
-it is truly plug and play (about an hour install)
-the Quality and fit is high
-user interface is pretty simple
-the software used has been used for many years
-it looks nicer (IMO)
-you keep steering wheel control
-it sounds great
-you gain two inputs (AUX & Micro SD)

Cons.
-you loose party mode
-you loose your USB outlet (the unit comes with one)
-you loose voice command
-you cannot play DVDs on the main screen
-the knobs do not match the HVAC
-the phone and NAV volume is not as loud as the music

[sandcrawler]

Originally Posted by TOY2G

The GPS antenna was the easy part. There is a tiny dash plug in the very center if your dash near the windshield. The antenna cord fishes down to the head unit and the antenna sits in the center of the dash against the windshield, it's not even really noticeable, inside or out.

All things said and done.... Yea I would do it again. Here is why:
Pros.
-it's affordable
-it is truly plug and play (about an hour install)
-the Quality and fit is high
-user interface is pretty simple
-the software used has been used for many years
-it looks nicer (IMO)
-you keep steering wheel control
-it sounds great
-you gain two inputs (AUX & Micro SD)

Cons.
-you loose party mode
-you loose your USB outlet (the unit comes with one)
-you loose voice command
-you cannot play DVDs on the main screen
-the knobs do not match the HVAC
-the phone and NAV volume is not as loud as the music

i'd add another...

Con
-UI is even more dated than OEM unit.

in fact, this UI basically apes the Nav in the 4th Gen 4Runner (Toyota Gen 5 Navigation). hat tip to @J.A. for the fuzzy photo á la @Antman

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by sandcrawler

i'd add another...

Con
-UI is even more dated than OEM unit.

in fact, this UI basically apes the Nav in the 4th Gen 4Runner (Toyota Gen 5 Navigation). hat tip to @J.A. for the fuzzy photo á la @Antman

I'm not sure i can agree with you on this one, the software and majority of the hardware is the OE for several manufactures including Chrystler. That said all i have to base it against in my Pioneer AVIC-N3 from my sequoia and the AVIC-D3 from my tacoma. this Canadian unit is far better than the Pioneer (I do know that the pioneer models I mentioned are a couple years old).. i can tell you it looks nothing like the pic above, with the silly clip art logos and numeric touch pad.

i will take some video and post it up ASAP, because I am not a good judge of the all things car audio. and I want everyone to have as much information as i can possibly provide.