I just received my 04 Limited, after 7 months of waiting. I am now sorry I didn't order the NAV and/or the in-dash CD Changer, not sure if these could have been ordered together. Are those available from Toyota after the fact, or would it make more sense to go with say a Garmin 2610, and an aftermarket in-dash CD changer? TIA!
Aftermarket NAV & CD Changer?
- Thread starter jlfletc
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bryancos
New member
For the price, the aftermarket Garmin 2610 is the way to go... of course you won't be able to play movies on your nav screen, like this: http://www.navtv.com/
...but that's what aftermarket car stereos w/ DVD are for anyhow..
BTW, someone is selling a 4runner nav system on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38653&item=2449997238
...but that's what aftermarket car stereos w/ DVD are for anyhow..
BTW, someone is selling a 4runner nav system on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38653&item=2449997238
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Thanks for the reply. I'm not really interested in watching DVDs in my car, but I would like the larger screen size of the built-in Nav. Not sure it's worth $1750, plus installation, though.
Regarding the Changer, I've been reading about the PhatNoise product. Pretty cool idea. Any other alternatives to having a CD changer going on out there, or is the 6 disc in-dash changer the way to go?
Regarding the Changer, I've been reading about the PhatNoise product. Pretty cool idea. Any other alternatives to having a CD changer going on out there, or is the 6 disc in-dash changer the way to go?
Just got done with a 1000mi roadtrip in my 03 sr5 and Garmin 2610. For $800, it is extremely hard to beat. The feature list on it is fantastic, and no issues or gripes so far. The screen size is fine. Since it is portable, i can use in my other 2 cars. The bean bag mount works very well sitting on the dash.
Only issue is that i have to stowe it when i park, so it doesn't walk off.
Great unit.
www.gpscity.com
I would have thought hard about the Toy Nav, but couldn't find one on the sr5 in my area.
Only issue is that i have to stowe it when i park, so it doesn't walk off.
Great unit.
www.gpscity.com
I would have thought hard about the Toy Nav, but couldn't find one on the sr5 in my area.
Magellan is nice in that it has a built in speaker and is a little thinner.
Mag500 is limited to 100mb file size, has proprietary compact flash. You can send in your CF, and they'll format it for ~$50.These 2 things killed it for me, but otherwise a really nice looking unit.
Mag 700 with the built in 10gb drive is going to fail at some point as the drive dies, and was too exp. So if you buy this, just get an ext warranty and you'll be fine.
Flip up antenna.
Do not buy something like the Mag 750 (older model). that is utter crap. I rented one from Hertz. I returned 4 days later and demanded my money back. The UI was unusable.
The Garmin is open CF, so you can stuff a 2gb microdrive or Flash in there and have the whole NA maps if you wished. FYI, CA is already ~110mb. West of Mississippi is ~600mb. Also has great built in antenna (not visible externally), works in the front seat, or inside my house.
Once you are familiar with the UI, it is near perfect UI for what it does.
I'm rarely this happy with a product, thus the high praise.
Garmin ~$750
Mag500 ~$850
mag700 ~$1050
Mag500 is limited to 100mb file size, has proprietary compact flash. You can send in your CF, and they'll format it for ~$50.These 2 things killed it for me, but otherwise a really nice looking unit.
Mag 700 with the built in 10gb drive is going to fail at some point as the drive dies, and was too exp. So if you buy this, just get an ext warranty and you'll be fine.
Flip up antenna.
Do not buy something like the Mag 750 (older model). that is utter crap. I rented one from Hertz. I returned 4 days later and demanded my money back. The UI was unusable.
The Garmin is open CF, so you can stuff a 2gb microdrive or Flash in there and have the whole NA maps if you wished. FYI, CA is already ~110mb. West of Mississippi is ~600mb. Also has great built in antenna (not visible externally), works in the front seat, or inside my house.
Once you are familiar with the UI, it is near perfect UI for what it does.
I'm rarely this happy with a product, thus the high praise.
Garmin ~$750
Mag500 ~$850
mag700 ~$1050
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Thanks, Rensho -- good thoughts.
I'm now leaning toward the Garmin 2610, too. The 1GB CF card is on sale for about $165 after rebate on buy.com (rebate ends 12/31/2003) and it's far cheaper than a microdrive or 2GB card. 1GB would get most of the US, and certainly all the points you should want to see in a single trip.
Then, when the price of 2GB cards comes down, you can upgrade and have everything.
BTW, I saw that Hitachi makes a 4GB microdrive now, too.
Just so you're aware, it appears that there is a couple of new software updates on the Garmin site. You may want to check them out: http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?product=010-00273-00
I'm now leaning toward the Garmin 2610, too. The 1GB CF card is on sale for about $165 after rebate on buy.com (rebate ends 12/31/2003) and it's far cheaper than a microdrive or 2GB card. 1GB would get most of the US, and certainly all the points you should want to see in a single trip.
Then, when the price of 2GB cards comes down, you can upgrade and have everything.
BTW, I saw that Hitachi makes a 4GB microdrive now, too.
Just so you're aware, it appears that there is a couple of new software updates on the Garmin site. You may want to check them out: http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?product=010-00273-00
Thanks for the tip on the sw updates.
I just looked on ebay and ebay stores are selling 2.2gb microdrives for $185. Tempting.
If i were to buy a GPS, i wouldn't run out and upgrade the cf just yet. 128mb gets you pretty far, unless you had to plan a pretty lengthy trip.
Play around with it first and let the cf prices drop some more; unless you're made of money, then nevermind. ;-)
I just looked on ebay and ebay stores are selling 2.2gb microdrives for $185. Tempting.
If i were to buy a GPS, i wouldn't run out and upgrade the cf just yet. 128mb gets you pretty far, unless you had to plan a pretty lengthy trip.
Play around with it first and let the cf prices drop some more; unless you're made of money, then nevermind. ;-)
Careful -- the 2GB drives on eBay are Microstore drives, and the Garmin web site says they are not compatible with the 2610/2650. The IBM and Hitachi are compatible.rensho said:
http://www.garmin.com/products/faq.jsp?product=010-00273-00
Thai
Elite Member
Please see this thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1942
Take a look at the Magellan RoadMate 700.
It is about $1299 from BESTBUY. It has a 10 GB harddrive to store up the maps of US and most of Canada. NOTHING TO DOWNLOAD! No compact flash card. In addition, you apparently can route coast to coast.
It is also very small with color screen and TOUCHSCREEN controls!
I am gonna buy it this weekend! I will give you guys a review.
http://www.magellangps.com/en/produ....asp?PRODID=955
Here's the manual:
http://www.magellangps.com/assets/m...dMateSeries.pdf
Hope this helps.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1942
Take a look at the Magellan RoadMate 700.
It is about $1299 from BESTBUY. It has a 10 GB harddrive to store up the maps of US and most of Canada. NOTHING TO DOWNLOAD! No compact flash card. In addition, you apparently can route coast to coast.
It is also very small with color screen and TOUCHSCREEN controls!
I am gonna buy it this weekend! I will give you guys a review.
http://www.magellangps.com/en/produ....asp?PRODID=955
Here's the manual:
http://www.magellangps.com/assets/m...dMateSeries.pdf
Hope this helps.
Thai, they're only $1070 on ebay.
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=magellan+700
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=magellan+700
Well, it appears that the topic of Garmin 2610 vs. Magellan RoadMate 500/700 is as emotional as 4Runner V6 vs. V8!! http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=71
Looks like both are great units.
Looks like both are great units.
After reading those threads, i'm even more glad i bought the Garmin.
You do want to go play with all the units as much as possible before buying though. I was lucky in that friends had both the 2610 and the 700. I got limited time with the 700, and a few days here and there with the 2610, never on a real trip.
Strange that the UI was stated as cumbersome. I admit it takes about 1hr of actual use to fully remember what menus are what, and the logic behind the layout. After 1 road trip, i don't have a single confusion on what's what, and what's where on the UI. It is really fantastic.
Also, it has never frozen, or computer glitched in any way.
Slow reroute. Haven't seen this at all. There are 4 settings for routing, Fast to Best. The 30 sec routes some folks were mentioning must be full reroutes for a 1000mi+ trip, on Best mode.
goto:
http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/3229.1.8496150402218804366/template.html
watch the 3 little movies. They give you an idea what the UI is like.
Additionally, i've found that using the remote is the way to go. You don't have to reach for the unit, and there are more keys, as well as dedicated zoom keys.
You do want to go play with all the units as much as possible before buying though. I was lucky in that friends had both the 2610 and the 700. I got limited time with the 700, and a few days here and there with the 2610, never on a real trip.
Strange that the UI was stated as cumbersome. I admit it takes about 1hr of actual use to fully remember what menus are what, and the logic behind the layout. After 1 road trip, i don't have a single confusion on what's what, and what's where on the UI. It is really fantastic.
Also, it has never frozen, or computer glitched in any way.
Slow reroute. Haven't seen this at all. There are 4 settings for routing, Fast to Best. The 30 sec routes some folks were mentioning must be full reroutes for a 1000mi+ trip, on Best mode.
goto:
http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/3229.1.8496150402218804366/template.html
watch the 3 little movies. They give you an idea what the UI is like.
Additionally, i've found that using the remote is the way to go. You don't have to reach for the unit, and there are more keys, as well as dedicated zoom keys.
Oddly enough, WAAS is likely not to work in a big city. It needs line of site to the 2 sats over the equator, likely blocked by tall buildings etc.
I often get 13ft accuracy with a clear sky. fully cloudy is about ~20ft. Thick trees above have caused a lost of sat sig.
i found this about WAAS.
http://gpsinformation.net/waasgps.htm
"How much improvement in accuracy can I expect when WAAS corrections are working properly?
Answer: This is difficult to say with any certainty. We have observed that MOST OF THE TIME WAAS appears to improve averaged accuracy at a fixed location for maybe 5 minutes averaging from about 7 meters to perhaps 3 meters. Sometimes there has been no improvement and a few times (when WAAS signals were not of good quality or when we were far from a WAAS correction station) the measurements have actually had more error with WAAS than without.
The upshot of this is: WAAS is a tool for casual GPS users. It is not guaranteed to work, it is not guaranteed to increase accuracy, it is not really able to tell you when it will improve accuracy, when it will have no effect, or when it will make for less accuracy than the normal GPS signal. Under good conditions when YOU ARE OUT IN THE CLEAR AND RECEIVING A GOOD SIGNAL FROM THE WAAS SATELLITE, you should get both improved accuracy and improved position stability. YOU must insure that you have the proper conditions so as to experience the improvement at YOUR location.
This is just the way it is and remember: If you do not like the current limitations of WAAS there is a very simple option -Turn it off. "
I often get 13ft accuracy with a clear sky. fully cloudy is about ~20ft. Thick trees above have caused a lost of sat sig.
i found this about WAAS.
http://gpsinformation.net/waasgps.htm
"How much improvement in accuracy can I expect when WAAS corrections are working properly?
Answer: This is difficult to say with any certainty. We have observed that MOST OF THE TIME WAAS appears to improve averaged accuracy at a fixed location for maybe 5 minutes averaging from about 7 meters to perhaps 3 meters. Sometimes there has been no improvement and a few times (when WAAS signals were not of good quality or when we were far from a WAAS correction station) the measurements have actually had more error with WAAS than without.
The upshot of this is: WAAS is a tool for casual GPS users. It is not guaranteed to work, it is not guaranteed to increase accuracy, it is not really able to tell you when it will improve accuracy, when it will have no effect, or when it will make for less accuracy than the normal GPS signal. Under good conditions when YOU ARE OUT IN THE CLEAR AND RECEIVING A GOOD SIGNAL FROM THE WAAS SATELLITE, you should get both improved accuracy and improved position stability. YOU must insure that you have the proper conditions so as to experience the improvement at YOUR location.
This is just the way it is and remember: If you do not like the current limitations of WAAS there is a very simple option -Turn it off. "
