minimalist
New member
i can't afford a 4Runner with navi at the price range I'm looking at right now. Down the line is consider adding navi but do you guys recommend that or just wait until I can get Toyota navi?
Do you recommend aftermarket navigation?
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LandCruiser
New member
I head they have these things called "smart phones" with The Google Maps that might help with that...
ccapman670
New member
Fixed it for you.
DannyLlama
Elite Member
OEM navigation will always get outdated within a few years unless its pure software reliant, which means they can just push updates.
It does add $1500 - 3000 to a total price, but you also get some of that back when you sell the car, so you aren't loosing it all.
Aftermarket is 700-1500 depending on what you get and it usually has a ton, i mean a TON more features.. But from what I have seen, the pur navigation aspect of it is usually more robost with toyota OEM navs.
I have an 2010 LE with nav, I will be replacing it with a avic 8100nex as soon as funds become available.
Good luck!
Excellent input, please stick around and give us more of your wisdom.
I usually make it a point not to get the factory navigation because of the cost and the fact that I have more than one vehicle. A portable unit like a Garmin or cell phone works better for me as I can move it from vehicle to vehicle. Having said that my truck was in dealer stock and already had the nav system in it so I didn't have much choice. It's a nice system and works fairly well.
ccapman670
New member
I don't know that the 2015 comes without it. I bought mine stock and it came with Navigation. Dealership told me all the 2015's do for the 30th anniversary Toyota added it in.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
:iagree:
GPS still works when there is no cell data. I use Google maps and save my trip area as an off line map. Then it`s available when out on a remote trail (no cell service). Just remember to refresh the off line map every 30 days. If you have a tablet, you get a nice big view, but a phone will work.
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radicalwillie
New member
Same here, only $400 more on my Trail Edition. For $400, it's a no-brainer. but there is no way I would pay $1500 for it. As stated, use your smart phone or go aftermarket. However, one feature that does come with the Nav package that I really do enjoy, is the HD Radio tuner. There is a ton of extra stations, with no commercials, and its free.
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LandCruiser
New member
Toyota Navigation doesn't really work in the middle of nowhere on the trails, either.
My phone will still navigate with no cell signal as long as there's GPS.
bloodninja
New member
Personally, I would never get an in-dash navigation system if it was an option not to these days. Initial cost aside, if you want the latest updated maps, you're looking at several hundred dollars extra each time you want them updated.
Orrrr you could just buy a Garmin with lifetime maps and traffic and call it a day.
Orrrr you could just buy a Garmin with lifetime maps and traffic and call it a day.
minimalist
New member
I want something that's a little more convenient while driving. I use my phone right now and don't like it. I'm constantly looking down rather than ahead. I'm going to be having a child soon and looking down at my phone while driving doesn't sit well with me. Thanks though.
minimalist
New member
I'm buying used and everyone I see with navi goes for about 37-40k over here. I want to spend 30k
R Burgundy
New member
How do you mount said phone so you dont look like an idiot holding it constantly (also illegal in just about every state) or like a 65 yr old with a screw mount in your dash? The window mounts suck for everyday use as well.
I dont need most of the features an aftermarket navi has, and searching locations on my phone is 10x easier, but I do like the looks and convenience of a nice navigation system.
20DYNAMITE07
New member
I like our OEM system in our TE.
But if you're going to do a lot of offloading you will likely use a tablet, or smartphone with software, or some other device for navigation.
But if you're going to do a lot of offloading you will likely use a tablet, or smartphone with software, or some other device for navigation.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
I use a tablet for a larger view, with Google maps I place save stars at points along the trail. When I`m driving, my son is the navigator, when my son drives, I navigate, watch the scenery and trigger the GoPro on the front grill.
nglayton
Senior Member
Garmin and TomTom make nice units. If you can't afford factory Nav, it's not a total loss. I have a Factory Nav, a Garmin and a Smart phone with google maps. The last time I was out of cell range, trying to use it for NAV the so called GPS smart phone turned into a boat anchor. Useless with out cell tower or WiFi. (3am in the middle of freaking nowhere, NOT GOOD)
When I travel and rent a car, the Garmin goes with...works great except all of the rentals have different mount points and its a challenge to get it just in the right place for the best view. I did have to get one with Blue tooth so I could talk hands free, but he good news is when I leave cell areas, The GPS just keeps on working fine.
The factory Nav is great, it is reliable and I just update the maps about every other year for $15. But I can't take it in the rental car or lend it to the wife and kid. I don't have to worry about it getting jacked by the valet, etc.
End the end I can justify all 3 devices for their own specific uses.
When I travel and rent a car, the Garmin goes with...works great except all of the rentals have different mount points and its a challenge to get it just in the right place for the best view. I did have to get one with Blue tooth so I could talk hands free, but he good news is when I leave cell areas, The GPS just keeps on working fine.
The factory Nav is great, it is reliable and I just update the maps about every other year for $15. But I can't take it in the rental car or lend it to the wife and kid. I don't have to worry about it getting jacked by the valet, etc.
End the end I can justify all 3 devices for their own specific uses.
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Shawk00
New member
Aftermarket for sure... I have nav and but I like my Garmin much more. Your passenger can also adjust your aftermarket destinations while driving which you can't do on any of the factory nav systems I've had.
btw... I do love my phone GPS as well, but it'll definitely lose connection when you're traveling in the sticks when my Garmin rarely does... Phones are nice but I wouldn't trust them on those long trips or places you've never been.
Btw... you're not that horribly far from brand new with your budget... be sure to at least get pricing.
Best wishes!
btw... I do love my phone GPS as well, but it'll definitely lose connection when you're traveling in the sticks when my Garmin rarely does... Phones are nice but I wouldn't trust them on those long trips or places you've never been.
Btw... you're not that horribly far from brand new with your budget... be sure to at least get pricing.
Best wishes!
LandCruiser
New member
20 dollar suction cup mount to the windshield, just like the kind that you get for your Garmin.
You lick it with your yazak to make it stick.
I drive from AL to CO with my phone as a navi. Take calls on speaker.
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I've been using GPS navigation systems in cars for years now, and I hate the factory entune navigation system more than my 8 year old Mio Digiwalker, or any other nav system I've used in a car. Did I say hate? I mean despise...
I just came from a 6000 mile cross country trip. I was using both the factory nav, and Waze. The factory nav crashed a couple of times, it was slow, the way it presents information can be confusing etc etc. One of the most annoying things, is that it doesn't use the compass to orient your car on the map...you have to be moving for it to do that. So, let's say you're in my situation, you've spent the night in a hotel, you've entered a new destination, but as you're driving out of the parking lot the GPS hasn't updated the direction you're going so it's still in "large scale" mode and you don't know if you have to turn right, or left.
Waze, if you're not familiar with it, is owned by Google, so it uses Google map data but also, users themselves can edit maps so they're pretty darn accurate. When off roading in Utah, every trail I went on, was on the Waze map. It also updates traffic conditions live. It was funny being the only person on a trail and it using my own speed to update the average speed on the live map. Users can also report things like speed traps, or hazards on the road. I was driving through Chicago, a report of a hazard on the road came up...and right in the middle of the highway, was the front bumper off a car that had JUST crashed a few minutes earlier. This could literally save your life. I actually chatted with someone when I was in gridlock traffic and helped them avoid the traffic that I reported. It also uses the compass, so even just sitting there, you rotate the phone the arrow changes direction. It's the little things that matter.
Forget using via points or something like that in Toyota nav to avoid say, the city of Detroit. There is a way to add an area to avoid that's a real pain in the @$$ to do...but in Google maps, all you have to do is drag the route to avoid an area. Simplicity.
You can buy a decent older model (but still new) Samsung tablet for $150. Google maps or Waze is free. There's no financial advantage anymore to buying a stand alone Garmin unit. My truck came with Nav built in...but using both that and Waze when I followed Waze when they differed I never regretted it. A few times when I followed the Toyota nav, it put me on roads that had been closed off, roads that were barely roads, or just some illogical route.
Anyway...sorry for the rant...I hope some of it helped. I had foot surgery today and I took a few Vicodin :hello:
I just came from a 6000 mile cross country trip. I was using both the factory nav, and Waze. The factory nav crashed a couple of times, it was slow, the way it presents information can be confusing etc etc. One of the most annoying things, is that it doesn't use the compass to orient your car on the map...you have to be moving for it to do that. So, let's say you're in my situation, you've spent the night in a hotel, you've entered a new destination, but as you're driving out of the parking lot the GPS hasn't updated the direction you're going so it's still in "large scale" mode and you don't know if you have to turn right, or left.
Waze, if you're not familiar with it, is owned by Google, so it uses Google map data but also, users themselves can edit maps so they're pretty darn accurate. When off roading in Utah, every trail I went on, was on the Waze map. It also updates traffic conditions live. It was funny being the only person on a trail and it using my own speed to update the average speed on the live map. Users can also report things like speed traps, or hazards on the road. I was driving through Chicago, a report of a hazard on the road came up...and right in the middle of the highway, was the front bumper off a car that had JUST crashed a few minutes earlier. This could literally save your life. I actually chatted with someone when I was in gridlock traffic and helped them avoid the traffic that I reported. It also uses the compass, so even just sitting there, you rotate the phone the arrow changes direction. It's the little things that matter.
Forget using via points or something like that in Toyota nav to avoid say, the city of Detroit. There is a way to add an area to avoid that's a real pain in the @$$ to do...but in Google maps, all you have to do is drag the route to avoid an area. Simplicity.
You can buy a decent older model (but still new) Samsung tablet for $150. Google maps or Waze is free. There's no financial advantage anymore to buying a stand alone Garmin unit. My truck came with Nav built in...but using both that and Waze when I followed Waze when they differed I never regretted it. A few times when I followed the Toyota nav, it put me on roads that had been closed off, roads that were barely roads, or just some illogical route.
Anyway...sorry for the rant...I hope some of it helped. I had foot surgery today and I took a few Vicodin :hello:
