First of all I would like to say hello. I posed an intro post in the newbe forum about a week ago but will be my first major post. I have spent the past 3 months lurking and finally signed up the day I closed the deal on my 4Runner.
On a side note, I've wondered one of the two previous owners wasn't a member here or on another popular forum based on the modifications i've found so far that have been done to it(weathertechs, silverstar lights, spacer lift, undercoating, side step removal, USA Spec 15 ipod connection) and the great condition that the car is in. So if anyone thinks they might know the previous owner, let me know! Most recent owner was in the Kansas City area. :cheers:
I thought about making separate threads to address the various questions but since they are somewhat interrelated, I am going to make one big post. Let me know if I really need to break these up into separate threads
1. USA Spec/VAIS Questions
I have the USA spec 15 unit installed(prev owner) in my 4Runner with factory navi. I am just starting to figure it out and enjoy it. However I am thinking about replacing it with the VAIS SL2Vi unit or lockpick so that I can have the same features as the USA Spec unit but with the unlock/unblock benefits relating to the navigation along with the ability to play video.
a. Is there a market for a second hand USA spec unit and what would be a fair price to ask if i choose to make the switch?
b. What the major differences between lockpick and VIAS for our factory navi on a 2005? Does one allow dvd's to be played using the navi dvd player?
2. Navi DVD Questions
My 4Runner came with an updated DVD navigation disk(version 06) and the original navi disk(version 04). I was messing with the unit and ended up dropping the navi DVD disk on the floor, bounced out the door and onto the parking lot. Now its scratched and won't work. I tried to save it using one of those disk scratch removal tools but no such luck. So right now I'm back to using the original disk which is extremely outdated for some of the areas I drive in. I am a college student though and can't afford the $200+ that my dealer wants(seriously!?!?!?!...I can buy an brand new GPS with new maps for less than $100
).
a. Does anyone have a cheaper source than my dealer to get an updated map disk? I would take an 06 but I figure that if its not too much extra, I'll just get one that's more recent. PM me if you prefer. I've also heard that there may be some sources to get copied Navi DVD's but since the forum rules I've read say we can't discuss them, I won't ask about them out here in the open. I am a bit confused though because there is at least one or two threads on the first few pages that discuss this subject on other types of Navigation systems.
b. I was reading that the newer disks don't allow you to do the override feature(L-up, L-down, L-up ,L-down, hold override) for the navi that the old ones allowed but that you can burn the new map info with a firmware file from the old one with DL DVD burner. However, I don't have a DL burner. If anyone might have a way to help me without me having to buy a DL burner, I would be VERY appreciative. Again, you can pm me if you would rather discuss it that way.
Thanks for any info, opinions, or help you might be able to give me! I look forward to learning more about my new 4Runner and contributing to this community. If anyone would like any references before sharing information, let me know. I've been over at AR15.com under the same name as here since 2006 and are also on clublexas, g35driver and BOTL.org under various screen names. :cheers:
On a side note, I've wondered one of the two previous owners wasn't a member here or on another popular forum based on the modifications i've found so far that have been done to it(weathertechs, silverstar lights, spacer lift, undercoating, side step removal, USA Spec 15 ipod connection) and the great condition that the car is in. So if anyone thinks they might know the previous owner, let me know! Most recent owner was in the Kansas City area. :cheers:
I thought about making separate threads to address the various questions but since they are somewhat interrelated, I am going to make one big post. Let me know if I really need to break these up into separate threads
1. USA Spec/VAIS Questions
I have the USA spec 15 unit installed(prev owner) in my 4Runner with factory navi. I am just starting to figure it out and enjoy it. However I am thinking about replacing it with the VAIS SL2Vi unit or lockpick so that I can have the same features as the USA Spec unit but with the unlock/unblock benefits relating to the navigation along with the ability to play video.
a. Is there a market for a second hand USA spec unit and what would be a fair price to ask if i choose to make the switch?
b. What the major differences between lockpick and VIAS for our factory navi on a 2005? Does one allow dvd's to be played using the navi dvd player?
2. Navi DVD Questions
My 4Runner came with an updated DVD navigation disk(version 06) and the original navi disk(version 04). I was messing with the unit and ended up dropping the navi DVD disk on the floor, bounced out the door and onto the parking lot. Now its scratched and won't work. I tried to save it using one of those disk scratch removal tools but no such luck. So right now I'm back to using the original disk which is extremely outdated for some of the areas I drive in. I am a college student though and can't afford the $200+ that my dealer wants(seriously!?!?!?!...I can buy an brand new GPS with new maps for less than $100
).a. Does anyone have a cheaper source than my dealer to get an updated map disk? I would take an 06 but I figure that if its not too much extra, I'll just get one that's more recent. PM me if you prefer. I've also heard that there may be some sources to get copied Navi DVD's but since the forum rules I've read say we can't discuss them, I won't ask about them out here in the open. I am a bit confused though because there is at least one or two threads on the first few pages that discuss this subject on other types of Navigation systems.
b. I was reading that the newer disks don't allow you to do the override feature(L-up, L-down, L-up ,L-down, hold override) for the navi that the old ones allowed but that you can burn the new map info with a firmware file from the old one with DL DVD burner. However, I don't have a DL burner. If anyone might have a way to help me without me having to buy a DL burner, I would be VERY appreciative. Again, you can pm me if you would rather discuss it that way.
Thanks for any info, opinions, or help you might be able to give me! I look forward to learning more about my new 4Runner and contributing to this community. If anyone would like any references before sharing information, let me know. I've been over at AR15.com under the same name as here since 2006 and are also on clublexas, g35driver and BOTL.org under various screen names. :cheers:
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