Trying to decide on 206 stereo/NAV

[smokingun]

All -

I'm about to purchase a 2006 LE and am trying to decide on whether to get NAV or not. For an extra $150 ($640 instead of $499, the upgraded JBL with 10 speakers seems like a no-brainer - correct me if I'm wrong).

But, as far as the NAV, I'm wondering if there are better after-market installs for less than the $1300 difference ($649 to $1950 invoice).

I want GPS, bluetooth, voice operation and feedback, XM, Mp3. Portability would be a plus, but I doubt I'll get all that and portability, too.

In general, if you have the NAV, are you happy with it?

Also, specifically, how often do you have to change map discs (ie, how much area do they cover? Can you leave a map disk in and still have room for CD's"?

Does the unit actually take voice instructions as well as give voice navigation commands?

Does the stereo automute when you get a phone call? Does it work with the Treo 650?

Does it get you where you are going with good routing?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[j0mama]

I would go for it, installing it after with the Rear camera, and finding a unit that does everything will cost you more the $1300.00

I installed a E7007, (Sienna 2006 Nav) and love it...

New Nav DVD's come out once a year (it seems), and the coverage is better then Pioneers, or Alpines.

The DVD map is one slot. The other slot will hold 4 CD's

The voice navigation works OK, I would put it up against the best of the aftermarket, I find it easier just hitting the buttons...

Not to sure about the Treo... I have a blackberry 8700r and everything works except the phonebook transfer.... (but works great with my Motorola V3)

Never had a problem with routing!


j0.

All -

I'm about to purchase a 2006 LE and am trying to decide on whether to get NAV or not. For an extra $150 ($640 instead of $499, the upgraded JBL with 10 speakers seems like a no-brainer - correct me if I'm wrong).

But, as far as the NAV, I'm wondering if there are better after-market installs for less than the $1300 difference ($649 to $1950 invoice).

I want GPS, bluetooth, voice operation and feedback, XM, Mp3. Portability would be a plus, but I doubt I'll get all that and portability, too.

In general, if you have the NAV, are you happy with it?

Also, specifically, how often do you have to change map discs (ie, how much area do they cover? Can you leave a map disk in and still have room for CD's"?

Does the unit actually take voice instructions as well as give voice navigation commands?

Does the stereo automute when you get a phone call? Does it work with the Treo 650?

Does it get you where you are going with good routing?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[ATL Newbie]

Get the Nav...

I just bought an '06 LE with the JBL system, but only because the dealer was giving me a great price, and there was not going to be a 4Runner meeting my specs with the Nav available for several weeks.

I'm satisfied because of the price I got, but I really wish I had waited and gotten the factory nav system. Here are a few points:

1. The JBL synthesis system does not sound all that great, and its very difficult to do any upgrade beyond changing out the speakers. To get good sound in the 4 Runner, your best option is to go with the lower grade sound system and upgrade to whatever you want.

2. If you get the JBL synthesis system, there are very few after-market Nav systems compatible with the JBL amplifier. The JBL amplifier accepts a digital input, and most Nav head units are analog. The only after-market system I found available was a Kenwood in-dash DVD system with the add-on Nav system. The DVD system had a digital out...but even with this system the installer was still going to keep the radio in the car because the JBL amplifier requires a unique "on" signal to be sent to the amp. So the installer was going to stick the radio in the back of the truck near the amp, and wire the DVD system to the radio, and then the radio to the amp. Long story short...it was a cool system but was going to costs over $2800 installed.

There might be other after-market systems compatible with the JBL system, but I couldn't find it.

So, if you know you're interested in navigation, you probably shouldn't even consider the JBL system. You should either get the factory nav, or else get just the base radio and then get a new nav and a whole new sound system to go with it.

I cannot speak to how the '06 factory nav operates, as I never got to try it out, but I bet you would be hard-pressed to find a comparable after-market, in-dash system for less than $1450 (difference between base radio and factory Nav). You can still upgrade the amp and speakers later.

As for my 4Runner, I got the JBL system and then replaced the HU with an '06 Solara Nav unit as described elsewhere on this message board. The help I got here was great, but the total cost of this replacement was around $2,000, and the dashboard lights on the nav system are green instead of 4Runner-amber. I'm happy with it, but I think I would have preferred to just get the factory nav up front.

 

[smokingun]

Thanks for the help!

I was gonna get the JBL primarily for the 10-speakers, then replace the stereo with a pioneer unit that will be coming out in March, '06.

From what you're saying, maybe having 10 speakers doesn't matter so much if I can replace the four low end speakers AND the low end radio with a whole new set. I'd always thought the JBL speakers were okay, just the JBL set was underpowered.

I had never really expected to keep the JBL head and amp, but at only $150 more, it was really the speakers I was after.

 

[OffRoadFanatic]

Factory Nav Unit

I purchased a new 05 in October. I have really enjoyed the Nav unit. I had to wait to get it. All the 4Runners on the dealers lot did not have it. Plus I wanted one with a moonroof and at the time it was a difficult combination to find. I am glad I did it. It only uses one disk for all of North America. It is DVD based. The CD is a one disk unit in addition to the DVD slot. I understand the 06 CD is a 4 disk changer. I have not used a portable Nav system so could not tell you if they are better. The factory unit has a wealth of information on it such as points of interests, restuarants, hotels, hospitals and such. I have been very happy with it. I thought the rear view camera that comes with it was a gimmick. But I have found I use it constantly in parking lots and driveways to make sure there are no obstructions behind me. It also works very well in the dark with the backup lights.