Just bought 07 SR5 - Looking for Recommendations on Nav

J

jorgego

New member
Hi Everyone,

Just bought my SR5 and want to install an in-dash navigation system with Sirius, Bluetooth and Rear view camera.

Reading the board, it seems like the Eclipse 6610 is the favorite, but I've called a couple of installers in my area and they've put it down and have suggested other models like the Alpine W205 w/Blackbird II or the Pioneer Avic-D2. I really want the Eclipse because it's the OEM manufacturer of the Toyota nav systems and I prefer the factory installed look instead of aftermarket.

Also, I'm thinking of replacing the current standard seats with leather power seats. Does anyone know a place where I can buy new power seats that match the 4Runner?

Thanks for all your help.
 
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Welcome to the site!

Eclipse and Alpine are both great! Pioneer is a popular option too.

Eclipse does make most of Toyota's stereos, but Pioneer does make the Scion stereos.

Alpine makes the units for Honda.

The Blackbird II docks into the w205. You can take it out and use it as a portable unit as well. If that is something you'd like, then I'd say look into it.
 
I just bought a pioneer Avic Z2 for my 4runner - did a ton of research and really liked the features, and I found one for $1339 after much searching on the internet. I'm having it installed tomorrow, so I can't give my personal experience with it yet, but I liked everything this unit had to offer, including the built-in hard drive, voice activation, works with XM Traffic and gives audible street names at turns.
 
horseexpo said:
I just bought a pioneer Avic Z2 for my 4runner - did a ton of research and really liked the features, and I found one for $1339 after much searching on the internet. I'm having it installed tomorrow, so I can't give my personal experience with it yet, but I liked everything this unit had to offer, including the built-in hard drive, voice activation, works with XM Traffic and gives audible street names at turns.
Click to expand...

horseexpo, can you keep us updated on how you like the Avic Z2? I haven't made up my mind yet between the Eclipse 6610 & Pioneer AVIC-Z2, but I'm leaning towards the Z2 since it has an aux input & XM+Sirius radio. If you don't mind me asking, where did you end up buying your unit online? If you don't feel comfortable posting the info, pm me. Thanx.

P.S. - Has anyone ever wonder how long these harddrive based NAV system will last? The harddrives will eventually overheat or failed after 3-5 years. I'm thinking the DVD based NAV systems will have less problems down the road other than the lens getting dirty or failing, but I think it will outlast the HD. I just thought of this a few days ago and since I'm an IT guy, I've seen a good number of HDs going bad. I'm also wondering if the HD-based unit can be updated with the latest map info and how it would be done? If anyone has any info or comment, I'd like to hear it, thanx!
 
Hank said:
horseexpo, can you keep us updated on how you like the Avic Z2? I haven't made up my mind yet between the Eclipse 6610 & Pioneer AVIC-Z2, but I'm leaning towards the Z2 since it has an aux input & XM+Sirius radio. If you don't mind me asking, where did you end up buying your unit online? If you don't feel comfortable posting the info, pm me. Thanx.

P.S. - Has anyone ever wonder how long these harddrive based NAV system will last? The harddrives will eventually overheat or failed after 3-5 years. I'm thinking the DVD based NAV systems will have less problems down the road other than the lens getting dirty or failing, but I think it will outlast the HD. I just thought of this a few days ago and since I'm an IT guy, I've seen a good number of HDs going bad. I'm also wondering if the HD-based unit can be updated with the latest map info and how it would be done? If anyone has any info or comment, I'd like to hear it, thanx!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry to much about the HD. if you had to replace in the future I can't see it being that much. almost the same as paying for a DVD Nav. if it had to be replace. overall I think the Z1/Z2 is the best on the market but thats just me. good luck on ur pick
 
I got my Z2 from www.thecameraprofessionals.com

I wasn't able to get their website shopping cart to work, so ended up calling in to get the unit, the salesman was helpful and I paid the advertised price of $1339 new in box. I did buy the extended warranty - but they gave me a "one day only" deal - 4 years for the price of 2 - I'm sure they give everyone that deal if they think they are on the fence in buying the warranty - it was $299 but includes an annual cleaning and checkup by any authorized Pioneer service center. I'm in MD, placed the order around 2pm and got the unit next day with UPS ground!

I got a call from my installer today, it'll be up and running and ready to pick up tomorrow - can't wait! I'm totally directionally challenged and the Nav is a godsend.

As soon as I get it home and play with it, I'll report back.
 
horseexpo said:
I got my Z2 from www.thecameraprofessionals.com

I wasn't able to get their website shopping cart to work, so ended up calling in to get the unit, the salesman was helpful and I paid the advertised price of $1339 new in box. I did buy the extended warranty - but they gave me a "one day only" deal - 4 years for the price of 2 - I'm sure they give everyone that deal if they think they are on the fence in buying the warranty - it was $299 but includes an annual cleaning and checkup by any authorized Pioneer service center. I'm in MD, placed the order around 2pm and got the unit next day with UPS ground!

I got a call from my installer today, it'll be up and running and ready to pick up tomorrow - can't wait! I'm totally directionally challenged and the Nav is a godsend.

As soon as I get it home and play with it, I'll report back.
Click to expand...

i've been on the fence as to WHERE to buy a navi system -- a long-running, reputable company like Crutchfield (and pay alot more), or a smaller, lesser-known place. I remember buying an excellent Kenwood eXcelon deck off ebay in my last car, and it lasted less than 2 years and i was a**ed-out. If one of these navi's go out, even with the extended warranty, will the smaller companies still be around to replace it??? I'm hesitant to buy right now (plus i'm low on cash after getting wheels and a color-coded grille :D)
 
You know, for the extra that you'd pay Crutchfield (who doesn't directly warranty the product anyway - it's still only got the mfg warranty), you can buy an aftermarket warranty, buy from a smaller company and still come out ahead. I was very concerned about buying from where I did, but used my credit card in case the deal went sour - the fact that they delivered the very next day is still amazing me.

I purchased an aftermarket warranty a while back for one of my HD TV's and it's been 4 years and it's still in effect, and the company is still doing business. The deal with the warranties, is that they are not owned by the company you are buying the product from, they are usually third party - so you can research their reputation separately from the company that's actually selling you the unit.
 
horseexpo said:
You know, for the extra that you'd pay Crutchfield (who doesn't directly warranty the product anyway - it's still only got the mfg warranty), you can buy an aftermarket warranty, buy from a smaller company and still come out ahead. I was very concerned about buying from where I did, but used my credit card in case the deal went sour - the fact that they delivered the very next day is still amazing me.

I purchased an aftermarket warranty a while back for one of my HD TV's and it's been 4 years and it's still in effect, and the company is still doing business. The deal with the warranties, is that they are not owned by the company you are buying the product from, they are usually third party - so you can research their reputation separately from the company that's actually selling you the unit.
Click to expand...
cool! Thanks for the info!
 
horseexpo said:
The deal with the warranties, is that they are not owned by the company you are buying the product from, they are usually third party - so you can research their reputation separately from the company that's actually selling you the unit.
Click to expand...

by the way, how do you find out who the 3rd-party warranty provider of a reseller is?
 
Well, I have Repair Master on my TV, they also offer warranties for aftermarket radios. I've used them for a repair on my TV without a problem, and they've been around for a while. When you decide on which radio you're going to get, figure out where you're going to get it, and then find out who's warranty they sell - you should be able to research it from there. I know there is some warranty company working with Ebay - but I haven't researched it to see how reliable they are.
 
Avic Z2

Just got back from picking up my 4runner and it's new Avic Z2 - so far so great. I played around with it some this evening and also tested the Nav on it. The sound quality using my factory speakers (the JBL 10-speaker system) is much better than it was with my factory radio - and it still goes through the factory amp. The installer was able to locate a wiring harness that worked with my factory system so he didn't have to bypass the factory amp. I also had him pre-wire it for the bypass operation - I still need to load the software upgrade - but once I do this I should be able to modify the navigation while in motion - factory settings require you be stopped to program the Nav. I also played with the XM - it's working great. I purchased the bluetooth accessory but haven't programed it to work with my phone yet. It also accepts voice commands - haven't played with that yet either.

So far, the only complaint I have is that it doesn't announce the names of all of the streets when there's a turn, only some of them. And the factory system in my new Ford F450 over rides the music volume so you can here the navigation commands over the radio - the Z2 isn't doing that, but I need to see if maybe there is a setting in there to control that.

Overall, this unit does a lot more than the factory system in my F450 - things like 18 presets for XM stations, bluetooth, preset volume enhancers for things like theatre sound vs band sound sorta stuff. I also bought the Ipod module that will allow me to play music or dvd's through the Ipod. One really cool feature is an auto memory of my CD's - play them once, and they're automatically loaded onto the hard drive for future use.
 
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