Navigation suggestions

[jrc_bar]

Hi guys, hope every one is doing well.
I wanted to visit with you about getting a navigation unit for my Runner.
I currently own a 06 sport edition 4runner. At the moment my runner has only the basic Cd player with mp3 compatibility. I also have a windshield mounted tom-tom 720 gps navigation unit. It is pretty old compared to the newer thinner smaller ones sold today, and it is basically obsolete as my battery no longer holds charge and it takes it for ever to start up. Having said that, it is time to get an upgrade.
I was wondering if any of you guys had any recommendations.
I don

 

[icantsee]

Eclipse AVN6620

 

[jrc_bar]

Eclipse AVN6620

I think I read in some post here in the forum, the Eclipse is very similar to the OEM Navigation. Is that right?

 

[Uneek]

Correct the map interface of the OEM Toyota nav is the same as the Eclipse. Fujitsu Ten is the parent company of Eclipse. Fujitsu Ten is either a subsidary of Toyota, a partnership with Toyota or Toyota owns a controlling stake--one of those which I don't remember. Thus the Eclipse is a complete plug and play with Toyotas that do not have the JBL option. The steering wheel controls work exactly as do OEM and don't require another interface.

 

[jrc_bar]

Correct the map interface of the OEM Toyota nav is the same as the Eclipse. Fujitsu Ten is the parent company of Eclipse. Fujitsu Ten is either a subsidary of Toyota, a partnership with Toyota or Toyota owns a controlling stake--one of those which I don't remember. Thus the Eclipse is a complete plug and play with Toyotas that do not have the JBL option. The steering wheel controls work exactly as do OEM and don't require another interface.

That is interesting. So basically if I install this Eclipse Unit, the radio controls that my Runner currently has, will work with it(volume, track and source).
Do you know if the unit has an off road gps function, or a cookie crum trail? I thing this is not a must, but it's nice if I could use it when I get off to a trail.

 

[<<<<]

This is what I have, and it cost me only $270 (Nuvi-750). I can use it in all of my cars, I can use it in airport to locate my car in parking lot and software is upgradable trough USB port. The best thing is - this things are flat now and fit anywhere.

 

[mattrpav]

Pioneer AVIC-Z3

I recently installed the Pioneer AVIC-Z3. It might be a bit of an overkill for what you are looking for, but add the iPod adapter, bluetooth module and back-up camera and you have a tech'd out ride. Been really happy with the unit and recommend it highly. Installation was pretty easy too.

The unit supports ripping 10Gb of CDs and automatically tags them, so its really easy to load a decent sized music library to the unit.

 

[Uneek]

That is interesting. So basically if I install this Eclipse Unit, the radio controls that my Runner currently has, will work with it(volume, track and source).
Do you know if the unit has an off road gps function, or a cookie crum trail? I thing this is not a must, but it's nice if I could use it when I get off to a trail.

From what I've read by other members, the steering wheel controls work exactly the same as stock with an Eclipse unit.

I don't know about the bread crumbs feature. I can say the OEM nav system has it, which would lead me to think the Eclipse system should have as well.

 

[icantsee]

That is interesting. So basically if I install this Eclipse Unit, the radio controls that my Runner currently has, will work with it(volume, track and source).
Do you know if the unit has an off road gps function, or a cookie crum trail? I thing this is not a must, but it's nice if I could use it when I get off to a trail.

Yes...the Source, Track & Volume on the steering wheel will work exactly the same as Stock.

I've seen Uneek's Stock Navi, and I've seen a friend's Eclipse AVN5510, and they are nearly identical.

Only differences...

 

[icantsee]

Lane Assistant

 

[Uneek]

Lane Assistant

The OEM nav lane assistance is not quite as graphical. For off-ramps it will indicate the number of lanes available on the ramp, so on certain ramps being in the far right lane is not necessary.

The above pic looks more like a Navigon map. For sure, buildings and speed limit are not on the OEM nav.

 

[pickerdd]

The speed limit indicator pictured in the unit above is something that I wish was on the OEM Toyota Nav. The Garmin Nuvi 760 we own has a speed limit sign displayed for most roads and i have found that little feature to be very useful...

 

[icantsee]

The speed limit indicator pictured in the unit above is something that I wish was on the OEM Toyota Nav. The Garmin Nuvi 760 we own has a speed limit sign displayed for most roads and i have found that little feature to be very useful...

I just saw my friend's Garmin Nuvi 760, saw the speed limit sign & was like WOW!!

That I like very much & I love the black bezel, very sexy!!

 

[benormous]

how is the screen on the eclipse? I was looking on crutchfield and most of the reviews pan the screen. is it really sub-par?