Factory Navigation package - Regrets?

[Dispense]

As I get closer to locating my TE, I wonder if I should bother getting the factory Navigation package ($2420 MSRP) or use that money to go aftermarket. If I were to go aftermarket; I'd replace the speakers, add an amp and probably get the new Kenwood HU.

For the money, I think I'd have a better quality sound and navigation set-up by going aftermarket.

Anyone pay for the factory Navigation package and regret it? Wished they just would of gone aftermarket from the start? Any downsides to doing this?

Just looking for opinions to push me one way or the other. Thanks!

 

[TOYSTRY]

I like mine but I'm sure if I had more of a choice, I wouldn't have gone with it (Limited are stuck with it and I wanted a Limited).

Aftermarket systems are always better IMO..........then again I'm a bit bias as I use to install aftermarket systems for a good portion of my youth.

I'd say save your money if you have the cash (don't charge this stuff) and go aftermarket.

 

[fraggy]

I am also interested in this input. The moment someone starts modifying your vehicle, your reliable risk increases. There are also warranty considerations since you can get finger pointing if there is an electrical issue in the future.

Functionally, what are the significant differences between the current factory NAV and the after market? I am particularly interested in the importing of POI lists. Many folks who have the NAV claim to me they really rarely use it.

 

[glocke12]

I have the factory nav in my 2011 TE. I have previously used both the tomtom go 720, and also my iphone4 for navigating.


To be honest I am very, very happy with the factory nav system and have no regrets. It has built in POI's that in my area at least, are very accurate, and you can also add your own.

I really cant think of anything that I wish it had.

Other the other units I mentioned, I cant really compare it to an aftermarket unit, although I did go to best buy to look at the ones they had on display and I wasnt really that blown away.

Also, the best part about the factory nav system is that you dont have to take you new $35,000.00 vehicle and leave it with someone who may, or may not get the install correct.

 

[harper7]

I bought the OEM JBL Nav in my Limited and I regretted it.

I upgraded to the Pioneer Z120BT after 5-6 months of frustration with the JBL Nav and couldn't be happier. It's not so much the Nav that made me upgrade, as it is Tomtom software, same as my Pioneer, but the music interface was 10 years behind aftermarket Navs. I have an 160gb Ipod classic with all my music in my glovebox hooked to the Z120BT all at my fingertips with the same touch interface as my iPhone. Not to mention ,No video interface and $300 to hack the JBL to use it while your moving.

To be honest, I personally would NOT buy it again and it was only a $1450 upgrade I believe on the Limited,not $2400.

I would suggest bringing your music/phone and go to a dealership and play with it yourself though as I am pretty picky about my electronics and music.

 

[Yakman]

I'm happy with the OME navigation system. To be honest, I think we get too wrapped up in which system is better than the other. They all basically work well with slightly different tweaks. The voice activation system works great on my system. I'm not a fan of aftermarket sound systems as they are great magnets to thiefs.

 

[NYRunner]

Limited are stuck with it and I wanted a Limited

Actually, I have a LTD without the nav, and yes it's a 4wd... so they make em.

What I was looking for originally and couldnt find in NY was a TE w/ KDSS but not the nav.... I would have had to buy in Colorado to get that configuration.

 

[Dispense]

I appreciate all of the input, I didn't notice the Limited Nav option is $1400 vs. the Trail Nav option is listed as $2420. Hmm...

I am kind of leaning towards getting the factory options. No voiding of warranty, no strangers ripping apart my vehicle... And lets face it, my current BeATeR is a 2000 Cavalier. A factory JBL system and Navigation will probably blow my mind, the Cavy doesn't even have power windows..

Maybe focus on the HIDs and Shrockworks first.. =)

 

[TTown]

I got the nav and love it.

When I was shopping I originally didn't want to get the nav. I have had two previous cars with factory nav, but had been using my phone for nav. I have had PDAs and smart phones since 2000 and was a tester for Tom Tom before they launched in the US.

Since I bought the Limited, I took the factory nav. Since then, I am glad I did. Like others have stated, it gets you where you want to go with relative ease. The routes are accurate and the computer doesn't lead you astray. I live in SoCal and enjoy the traffic updates. The traffic update is a tad slower than google maps, but nothing to worry about.

A big sell to the factory nav is everything is functional and if I have a problem Toyota has nobody to blame. Additionally, I don't worry about prying eyes wanting to steal my nav. In my younger days I would have probably said go aftermarket, but nowadays prefer to focus my time, energy and funds on my home theater.

On a side note, I did install an xmp3 player since I like to have the ability to pause and record the XM music and programs when I want. My car is my office.

 

[ciaz]

it's the worst nav i've ever used.

 

[bigsp]

I liked it at first. But, not being able to use it while driving sucks bigtime. I didn't like the screen it has to be touched too hard and using the Ipod along with it is terrible so, is trying to find contacts from your phone. I just switched to the Pioneer Avic z120bt. I think I will like it once I figure it out. The one thing I don't like is all my controls don't work ie. backup camera (which will get fixed). Answering phone calls from the steering wheel doesn't work either that doesn't bother me too much.

I guess had I known then what I know now I would have tried to get a limited without Nav and just added it. I guess I didn't know that was an option.

 

[kingpin748]

It's the best factory NAV I've ever had but ultimately I ended up replacing it. Unfortunately at the time it was either take the one with the NAV or wait 3-4 months.

 

[WFO_Racer]

I have a TE and when I bought mine Sat Nav was not offered in this model in this region.

But we also have a 09 Rav4 Limited AWD and if 2010/ 2011 is any comparison it is a POS. Unless you mod or hack you cannot add a new destination unless you are stopped even if you have a passenger riding shotgun. What a F'en PITA.

My wife's S class Benz not only allows this but lets the passenger watch a DVD or TV and let's me see the Nav using the same display. Got pulled over by a cop who rode next to my wife and saw the movie and wanted to cite me. I told him that he needs to educate himself and he would not believe me until I let him drive the car a few feet to see for himself.

I don't expect this type of tech from a lowly Toyota but what they offer is crap. At least it should offer speech recognition like other makes. More cost cutting from Toyo it seems.

 

[glocke12]

I have a TE and when I bought mine Sat Nav was not offered in this model in this region.

But we also have a 09 Rav4 Limited AWD and if 2010/ 2011 is any comparison it is a POS. Unless you mod or hack you cannot add a new destination unless you are stopped even if you have a passenger riding shotgun. What a F'en PITA.

Sounds like it might be different. I think in mine I can at least put a waypoint in if I am passing a POI I want to input, than when stopped later can enter the details. In any case, I never enter anything or use the touch screen much while driving, just seems like an accident waiting to happen.

I don't expect this type of tech from a lowly Toyota but what they offer is crap. At least it should offer speech recognition like other makes. More cost cutting from Toyo it seems.

Mine also offers speech recognition. I can use speech recognition to give it an address while I am moving, and I think I can also have it search for POI's.

 

[glocke12]

I appreciate all of the input, I didn't notice the Limited Nav option is $1400 vs. the Trail Nav option is listed as $2420. Hmm...

I am kind of leaning towards getting the factory options. No voiding of warranty, no strangers ripping apart my vehicle... And lets face it, my current BeATeR is a 2000 Cavalier. A factory JBL system and Navigation will probably blow my mind, the Cavy doesn't even have power windows..

Maybe focus on the HIDs and Shrockworks first.. =)

The biggest advantage is you dont have someone ripping your car apart. Ive sen stories on other boards where people took their brand new car to have a NAV system installed, and it completely and utterly destroyed the electrical system.

Damn..I never realized the TE nav option is so much more than the limited. I wonder why that is.

 

[aspade]

The nav on the TE is bundled with the JBL audio upgrade. The Limited already has that so you're just paying for the nav.

 

[rschmiege]

Actually. there are several Trail models with KDSS a lot closer than Colorado. Rick Hendrick in Fayetteville, North Carolina had 7 of them last week when I bought mine from them. I had been looking all over the east coast area when I found him.

 

[harper7]

The nav on the TE is bundled with the JBL audio upgrade. The Limited already has that so you're just paying for the nav.

Not sure where you heard or read that? Dealer probably told you that!
The JBL only comes with the Nav and is an upgrade on the Limited ,the exact same as the TE.I've seen them in both. They don't make a JBL non nav. And without the JBL upgrade they are the same for the TE and Limited , Denso HU's with 8 speakers I believe.Which is an upgraded model from the basic SR5.

 

[fxoffroad]

I'm happy with the OME navigation system... The voice activation system works great on my system. I'm not a fan of aftermarket sound systems as they are great magnets to thiefs.

Totally agree... factory nav is excellent and voice activation is very good. Whereas I get the desire to manually use the system while moving, I prefer being limited to using the voice commands than not watching the road.

 

[fraggy]

Is the user manual for the 4-runner NAV available online? I have a 2011 on order, and would like to get up to speed on the NAV before I get the truck.