Seriously...a 6.1" screen?

[Lewis&Clark]

I'm just about ready to buy my 2012 4Runner. I went in to the dealer to do the negotiations and noticed the nav system has only a 6.1" screen :dammit: -- no matter which trim level you buy. Buying nav on the Limited only adds voice activated controls according to the dealer.

Is this true? Is it really only 6.1" if you want a FACTORY nav system?

Navigation is one of if not the most important feature for me in terms of interior functionality. It's crucial. 40,000 miles per year on my car; having a system cleanly integrated with the car is really important to me--as is having a large screen.

My 09 Camry Hybrid Ltd. has a screen that's much larger; same size as the 2011 4Runner's it seems.

Is there no option for a larger screen on the 12's? I like the entune apps, but the screen size is much, much more important to me.

If not, what after-market nav systems are folks here recommending? Can after-market systems be integrated with Toyota's steering wheel audio controls and backup camera? I can lose the voice activated features if necessary, but I don't want to let go of the steering wheel controls for audio, etc.

I'm probably going to end up settling on a SR5 or Trail 4x4. But the Limited isn't completely off the table yet if I can get the right balance of the functionality I need and good pricing (having a hard time negotiating on the Trail).


dt

 

[Antman]

Navigation is one of if not the most important feature for me in terms of interior functionality. It's crucial. 40,000 miles per year on my car; having a system cleanly integrated with the car is really important to me--as is having a large screen...

If this is a crucial factor for you, you probably should be looking into another vehicle.

Most people on this forum purchase their 4Runner with other important (to them) factors in mind. Off road ability, towing ability, cargo space, room for the family, etc.

Good luck in your search.

 

[gray street]

You can get the 7" on the limited, but 2x what antman said. If you really care about navi get an aftermarket one anyway.

 

[kmiller8821]

I'm just about ready to buy my 2012 4Runner. I went in to the dealer to do the negotiations and noticed the nav system has only a 6.1" screen :dammit: -- no matter which trim level you buy. Buying nav on the Limited only adds voice activated controls according to the dealer.

Is this true? Is it really only 6.1" if you want a FACTORY nav system?

Navigation is one of if not the most important feature for me in terms of interior functionality. It's crucial. 40,000 miles per year on my car; having a system cleanly integrated with the car is really important to me--as is having a large screen.

My 09 Camry Hybrid Ltd. has a screen that's much larger; same size as the 2011 4Runner's it seems.

Is there no option for a larger screen on the 12's? I like the entune apps, but the screen size is much, much more important to me.

If not, what after-market nav systems are folks here recommending? Can after-market systems be integrated with Toyota's steering wheel audio controls and backup camera? I can lose the voice activated features if necessary, but I don't want to let go of the steering wheel controls for audio, etc.

I'm probably going to end up settling on a SR5 or Trail 4x4. But the Limited isn't completely off the table yet if I can get the right balance of the functionality I need and good pricing (having a hard time negotiating on the Trail).


dt

I find that the screen size is more than sufficient. It's a sport utility vehicle. If you're looking for a jumbotron in your dash, you will probably want to go aftermarket.

 

[1engineer]

Nav is a simple swap. Heck you can mount a 12" aftermarket setup in there if you want. If I were you I would not assume anything with the 4Runner. If you drive 40K/yr you had better test drive it a lot before buying and use every feature during that test. The 4Runner is not for everyone. Don't buy it just to be cool. Also educate yourself of the different suspensions that the different models have. You think nav will piss you off, wait until you go around a curve and think you are going to tip over. Here they are:
Limited - XREAS
Trail - KDSS
SR5 - Stock
You also might want to check out stock tires and see what everyone says about them.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

Never said it was the only thing important to me. I said it was one. The most crucial INTERIOR factors. Of course towing (about 4,500 lbs in my case), off road skill, etc. are important to me. I was only referring to the interior options. There's absolutely no reason why these should be mutually exclusive.

So that said...

There's a 7" option on the limited from Toyota? My dealer said there isn't. He's wrong?


And why suggest I should only consider aftermarket if nav is important to me? What's wrong with Toyota's system?

 

[phillyd2]

And why suggest I should only consider aftermarket if nav is important to me? What's wrong with Toyota's system?

I hear the screens are too small for some.

 

[gamerc]

The '11 nav had a larger screen, but the entune seems to have a smaller one - genetics, I guess? I kid. But in all reality, an after market will definitely beat out the installed stock nav IMO. Integration, no problem. Flexibility, no problem. The stock nav is painful at best. Changing mine out was the best mod I've done to date.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

Nav is a simple swap. Heck you can mount a 12" aftermarket setup in there if you want. If I were you I would not assume anything with the 4Runner. If you drive 40K/yr you had better test drive it a lot before buying and use every feature during that test. The 4Runner is not for everyone. Don't buy it just to be cool. Also educate yourself of the different suspensions that the different models have. You think nav will piss you off, wait until you go around a curve and think you are going to tip over. Here they are:
Limited - XREAS
Trail - KDSS
SR5 - Stock
You also might want to check out stock tires and see what everyone says about them.

Fair points. And I'm not buying it for any status reason. I'm moving from a Nissan Pathfinder that has served me well for 220k miles. I've researched and test driven a ton--with the amount of driving I do, it's imperative to do so. I have not test driven the KDSS/Trail since no one around here has any in stock, but the others I've driven extensively.

I'm settled in a 4runner, just surprised that when it came down to it, there were only 6.1" screens available. But a I said, I'm settled on the 4Runner, just trying to decide how best to get nav in the car before buying.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

The '11 nav had a larger screen, but the entune seems to have a smaller one - genetics, I guess? I kid. But in all reality, an after market will definitely beat out the installed stock nav IMO. Integration, no problem. Flexibility, no problem. The stock nav is painful at best. Changing mine out was the best mod I've done to date.

Your Kenwood DNX 6960 is a 6.1", no? So what was painful about the factory nav? What did you get after market that you couldn't get on the Toyota nav system?

 

[1engineer]

Your Kenwood DNX 6960 is a 6.1", no? So what was painful about the factory nav? What did you get after market that you couldn't get on the Toyota nav system?

I did not even consider a Toyota Nav because it could not be changed or accessed while moving or even at a stoplight. Is it safer? Sure it is. So is a vehicle with a 5 point seat belt.

 

[Jaker]

I purchased my 2012 4Runner Limited without Entune. If it's that important of a factor, try and find one/order one without Entune. There are Limiteds without Entune which still have navigation out there.

 

[nashman69g]

So that said...

There's a 7" option on the limited from Toyota? My dealer said there isn't. He's wrong?

He's not telling you the full truth...maybe in that region they don't have the JBL nav option. Toyota does make a 7" option. It doesn't have the Entune system. Try looking at other dealers for the JBL nav w/15 speakers option.

 

[JohnJerk]

I am sympathetic to the OP's concern. I have an '11 with the 7-in screen. Any smaller would be unacceptable. These new screens on the entune equipped system are just too small. GX460 has a huge screen is you want to swing some big bucks (used can be had for $50K). I don't like going aftermarket as some issue inevitably shows up and only factory looks factory.

Get an '11 or see if in fact there is a non entune version for '12.

 

[Johnny Utah]

if you were going to get an SR5 you could put in a Pioneer z140BH It has a 7 inch screen. You would need to find a bracket that would fit that though and some other accessories that you would need to get. AVIC-Z140BH - <b>NEW!</b> - Flagship In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver with 7" WVGA Touchscreen Display, Built-In Bluetooth®, HD Radio™ Tuner, and Advanced App Mode for iPhone® 4/4S | Pioneer Electronics USA

The list price is $1499, but, i know you could get it cheaper. I have the z130bt, which is last years model. And i paid around $1,000 for mine when list price was $1499. Or you could buy a z130bt for cheaper since we know it will work!

One of the coolest things about this is i have mine "unlocked" so i can change the GPS destination while the car is moving, i can play dvds while moving. Etc.

Here is a pic of mine, i painted the bracket matte black though(following harper7's build threads) The rearview camera still feeds into my rear view mirror, i still need to get together with gamerc to figure that out, but, anyway.


Before:

after:

 

[JohnJerk]

As a point of reference, here's the small screen:

And the larger screen:

 

[Antman]

That looks great black JU!

 

[gamerc]

Your Kenwood DNX 6960 is a 6.1", no? So what was painful about the factory nav? What did you get after market that you couldn't get on the Toyota nav system?

Yeah, I think it is. The factory nav is restrictive to the point it becomes a point of frustration instead of a tool. My aftermarket head unit work allows me to put in whatever head unit I want and gives me features that aren't available with the factory nav. Also, Siri doesn't work with the Toyota nav (in my 11 it seemed there was a lag that was just enough to make it a pain) IME, so having the phone control things by voice was also a no go. Navigation was restricted to a stop. Dialing via touch restricted to stops, etc... I tried to like it, I just couldn't.

At the moment, I am waiting for a head unit that allows for app use over a bluetooth link (pandora, google maps, email, etc) while providing a solid track record of usefulness. The Kenwood is a temporary solution that meets most of those needs. I was somewhat married to Kenwood because of the XM subscription (external XM unit), but as technology and the market demand more phone integration/app control, I will likely replace this stereo for something else. The thing is that I can do it whenever while enjoying the features that matter to me now. This head unit was one that I had in my SR5, but I'm not totally in love with it. I just like it better than the factory nav.

And, I have the Seinfeld mod. It allows for DVDs to be played (for passenger use only). It was dubbed the Seinfeld mod because I have the complete Seinfeld collection in my 4runner for just such necessities. Although with the hot weather coming, I'll have to move them inside so they don't warp in the heat.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[harper7]

I'm just about ready to buy my 2012 4Runner. I went in to the dealer to do the negotiations and noticed the nav system has only a 6.1" screen :dammit: -- no matter which trim level you buy. Buying nav on the Limited only adds voice activated controls according to the dealer.

Is this true? Is it really only 6.1" if you want a FACTORY nav system?

Navigation is one of if not the most important feature for me in terms of interior functionality. It's crucial. 40,000 miles per year on my car; having a system cleanly integrated with the car is really important to me--as is having a large screen.

My 09 Camry Hybrid Ltd. has a screen that's much larger; same size as the 2011 4Runner's it seems.

Is there no option for a larger screen on the 12's? I like the entune apps, but the screen size is much, much more important to me.

If not, what after-market nav systems are folks here recommending? Can after-market systems be integrated with Toyota's steering wheel audio controls and backup camera? I can lose the voice activated features if necessary, but I don't want to let go of the steering wheel controls for audio, etc.

I'm probably going to end up settling on a SR5 or Trail 4x4. But the Limited isn't completely off the table yet if I can get the right balance of the functionality I need and good pricing (having a hard time negotiating on the Trail).


dt

What were you previously using for Nav.??
2012 Limited's with JBL 15 speaker systems still have the 7 inch screen as an option.I would check it out in detail though before buying as I didn't like mine although alot of people are happy with it.Music interface was prehistoric from what I was used to.


For Aftermarket........Kenwood's teams up with Garmin in their 7 inch Nav and is the one I would consider if navigation was high on my priority list.......Kenwood - DNX7190HD

I have a Pioneer Nav as it's music and Ipod interface is better IMO and I use my old Garmin Nuvi 670 stuck on the windshield on long trips.Pioneer uses Tomtom software that I'm not a big fan of,same as the oem JBL nav.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

What were you previously using for Nav.??
2012 Limited's with JBL 15 speaker systems still have the 7 inch screen as an option.I would check it out in detail though before buying as I didn't like mine although alot of people are happy with it.Music interface was prehistoric from what I was used to.


For Aftermarket........Kenwood's teams up with Garmin in their 7 inch Nav and is the one I would consider if navigation was high on my priority list.......Kenwood - DNX7190HD

I have a Pioneer Nav as it's music and Ipod interface is better IMO and I use my old Garmin Nuvi 670 stuck on the windshield on long trips.Pioneer uses Tomtom software that I'm not a big fan of,same as the oem JBL nav.

I'm coming from a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. Around 2006 or so, I replaced its original stereo with a Panasonic Strada nav system, which I loved. It got short fused in an unexpected storm a couple years ago though, so it was replaced in mid 2010 with a new Clarion NX 700. I've grown to hate most of Clarion HU (my review as to why is here) But it's what I have, and it got the job done. But there's no way I'll move it over to the 4R when I get it.

7" is about what I'm hoping for, but I just can't justify the extra $8000 or so for a Limited w/ the 7" system just for that. The Limited is really nice, but I'd be much happier if I could get that 7" in an SR5 or Trail. Guess I have no choice but to go aftermarket. I don't really like the aftermarket "look" (all that blank empty space on the panel sides where the factory knobs used to be looks weird, IMHO--no offense to anyone intended), but looks are less important than the functionality right now.

The OEM is based on Tomtom? Ooooohhhh...can't say I'm a fan either. That does actually drop it down a bit even further.