What's your take on the Nav/Audio System?
- Thread starter VT4runnin
- Start date
Metra 4Runner dash kit...... Metra Electronics 99-8227S Dash Kits - Audio/Video Accessories at Onlinecarstereo.com
They are in design stage and are supposed to be out any time now ,according to them.
At least a few of us have one on order.You will need one too if you are going aftermarket because the stock one is specific to the JBL nav,as in the cutouts for the buttons/knobs are specific to OEM Nav.
I too regret opting for the JBL/Nav system. Here are a few reasons why:
1. In a lot of cases the route mapping is terrible. It's been worse lately, so my settings may have been screwed up. Oftentimes I am routed well out of my way to get where I am going. I received advice from my Uncle (finance manager at the dealership I bought from) who recommended I call the service department to see if they have a software upgrade - has anybody tried calling already?
2. Let me kick this dead horse...the iPod interface flat out sucks. It takes at least two minutes if I want to play a song by an artist who's name begins from the second half of the alphabet.
3. I have significant issues with the microphone while making hands-free calls. A lot of people have told me that is is difficult to understand me at least half of the time. I have a HTC TP2 that gives me similar problems even when using the handset itself...has anybody else experienced similar issues?
I cannot think of a single feature that I was pleasantly surprised with that isn't included in a reasonably priced aftermarket system. If the previous posts haven't dissuaded anybody from opting for the system, hopefully mine will.
1. In a lot of cases the route mapping is terrible. It's been worse lately, so my settings may have been screwed up. Oftentimes I am routed well out of my way to get where I am going. I received advice from my Uncle (finance manager at the dealership I bought from) who recommended I call the service department to see if they have a software upgrade - has anybody tried calling already?
2. Let me kick this dead horse...the iPod interface flat out sucks. It takes at least two minutes if I want to play a song by an artist who's name begins from the second half of the alphabet.
3. I have significant issues with the microphone while making hands-free calls. A lot of people have told me that is is difficult to understand me at least half of the time. I have a HTC TP2 that gives me similar problems even when using the handset itself...has anybody else experienced similar issues?
I cannot think of a single feature that I was pleasantly surprised with that isn't included in a reasonably priced aftermarket system. If the previous posts haven't dissuaded anybody from opting for the system, hopefully mine will.
fxoffroad
New member
I must speak very clearly (though I'm often told I'm a mumbler), cuz my voice recognition has yet to ask me to repeat a command. I have a Lexus w/ stock nav and its pretty much the same.
Personally I love the stock nav system. I don't want to watch DVDs while driving and I really don't need/want the distraction of using a touch screen while in motion. Plus the voice command system works great for me.
If I could of gotten the NAV in an SR5, I probably would of gotten one. I've had dash/windshield mounted units and I think they suck. Plus I hate having wires/cords coming down from the dash.
Guess it all comes down to personal taste.
The calls are weird though... some people say I sound great (even when the sun roof is open) - while others think I'm in a tunnel. Haven't figured that one out.
Personally I love the stock nav system. I don't want to watch DVDs while driving and I really don't need/want the distraction of using a touch screen while in motion. Plus the voice command system works great for me.
If I could of gotten the NAV in an SR5, I probably would of gotten one. I've had dash/windshield mounted units and I think they suck. Plus I hate having wires/cords coming down from the dash.
Guess it all comes down to personal taste.
The calls are weird though... some people say I sound great (even when the sun roof is open) - while others think I'm in a tunnel. Haven't figured that one out.
Ryan F.
New member
...a couple of thoughts...
First, I have never known a stock audio/nav system to completely kick the aftermarket's ass in anything ever based on the forums I have been on.
Second, this is the first nav system that I have ever owned, and it works just perfectly for me. Okay, I get that my standards are not the same as the other guys who have background in this area, but I'm not an idot, and if it works for me, it probably works for many.
First, I have never known a stock audio/nav system to completely kick the aftermarket's ass in anything ever based on the forums I have been on.
Second, this is the first nav system that I have ever owned, and it works just perfectly for me. Okay, I get that my standards are not the same as the other guys who have background in this area, but I'm not an idot, and if it works for me, it probably works for many.
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Hmmm, mine has been flawless. Every command is picked up with out a problem. Now you want to talk about sucking, my Range Rover voice recognition was beyond horrible "sorry" "sorry" "sorry" "command not recognized" all in a wonderful british accent EVERY SINGLE TIME, and Im not kidding either. A F**king joke for a 60 plus vehicle, I swear that thing laughed at me everytime I gave it a voice command!
I'm struggling with it
I haven't even tried the ipod interface yet, but I am having a hard time understanding why the voice recognition only lists 3 entries when searching for a destination... so you have 3 results, and the rest of realestate on that beautiful 7" screen is left blank.
Unless you live in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - you are going to have more like 30 valid destinations, not 3.
I haven't found out how to scroll through more than 3 entries. Which means I have to "cancel" and wait until i'm 2 blocks away from the destination - which defeats the purpose of even having the nav in the first place.
it's really, really frustrating.
Does anyone know of a firmware update or software update that can be applied, or if there are any mods for the nav interface? There has to be some programmers out there that drive 4Runners - right?
I haven't even tried the ipod interface yet, but I am having a hard time understanding why the voice recognition only lists 3 entries when searching for a destination... so you have 3 results, and the rest of realestate on that beautiful 7" screen is left blank.
Unless you live in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - you are going to have more like 30 valid destinations, not 3.
I haven't found out how to scroll through more than 3 entries. Which means I have to "cancel" and wait until i'm 2 blocks away from the destination - which defeats the purpose of even having the nav in the first place.
it's really, really frustrating.
Does anyone know of a firmware update or software update that can be applied, or if there are any mods for the nav interface? There has to be some programmers out there that drive 4Runners - right?
TOPDECK
New member
Crazy thing understands all the Spanish names for streets and cities here in Southern California. It even pronounces them right, and spells them right. I was floored. The voice recognition in my Mom's 2009 Land Cruiser is not even close to being as good.
coldtoes
New member
I assume you're referring to the JBL Nav system, and I am pretty confinent there will be no programmers changing that as getting the access to the source code would be extremely difficult with a limited payback.
I just bought a 2012 LE with Entune and have to say that it's 10 times that JBL Nav system. I played around with the JBL system a lot at the dealers and hated it. The Entune system is not as nice as a the top-of-the-line Kenwoods, but it's still pretty slick. Wireless bluetooth music streaming is awesome, just picks up automatically where you left off. It reminds me of the first gen iPhone, there is a TON of possibilities just waiting for Toyota to (hopefully) release them. For example, you know all those Customizeable features in the back of your manual? In my Entune manual it shows all of those being turned on and off through the touch screen under setup. No more trip to the dealer!
I know a lot of people complain about the sound quality of the JBL system, personally I thought it was pretty decent (not incredible, but decent), unfortunately the standard system that comes with the Entune, is pretty crappy. It's hollow and lacking in sound definition.
In case anyone reading this thread is in the market for a new T4R, I highly recommend the Entune for function, but not sound quality... a speaker upgrade will be coming.
I just bought a 2012 LE with Entune and have to say that it's 10 times that JBL Nav system. I played around with the JBL system a lot at the dealers and hated it. The Entune system is not as nice as a the top-of-the-line Kenwoods, but it's still pretty slick. Wireless bluetooth music streaming is awesome, just picks up automatically where you left off. It reminds me of the first gen iPhone, there is a TON of possibilities just waiting for Toyota to (hopefully) release them. For example, you know all those Customizeable features in the back of your manual? In my Entune manual it shows all of those being turned on and off through the touch screen under setup. No more trip to the dealer!
I know a lot of people complain about the sound quality of the JBL system, personally I thought it was pretty decent (not incredible, but decent), unfortunately the standard system that comes with the Entune, is pretty crappy. It's hollow and lacking in sound definition.
In case anyone reading this thread is in the market for a new T4R, I highly recommend the Entune for function, but not sound quality... a speaker upgrade will be coming.
one complaint I definitely don't have on the JBL system is the sound quality. The 15 speaker system sounds excellent. Not sure if I'll use "party mode" or not, but this is the best sounding factory system I've heard. And it should be since it was a $1200 option over the entune. The other difference is the amplifier is located in the rear-right corner of the vehicle next to the sub. I'm not sure if that's the case with the standard or entune systems.
I'm still toying with the idea of pulling out the JBL system and puting it on ebay or something... and installing my kenwood DNX NAV which is currently in my subaru - i'm still going to give the factory system a good trial run before I make that decision though.
I'm not sure how much luck you will have if you just replace the speakers in your LE - those systems are usually designed with tight specs. the speaker impedence is matched specifically to each amplifier channel. If you pull out a factory 2 ohm speaker and put in an aftermarket 4 ohm or 8 ohm - you probably will not be very happy with the results.
Replacing the head unit and leaving the factory speakers would be a better route for sound quality. At least you would have more power, x-over and eq options..
I'm still toying with the idea of pulling out the JBL system and puting it on ebay or something... and installing my kenwood DNX NAV which is currently in my subaru - i'm still going to give the factory system a good trial run before I make that decision though.
I'm not sure how much luck you will have if you just replace the speakers in your LE - those systems are usually designed with tight specs. the speaker impedence is matched specifically to each amplifier channel. If you pull out a factory 2 ohm speaker and put in an aftermarket 4 ohm or 8 ohm - you probably will not be very happy with the results.
Replacing the head unit and leaving the factory speakers would be a better route for sound quality. At least you would have more power, x-over and eq options..
Victor_inox
New member
i gave up on bluetooth to ipod featurejust using aux instead. display just shows bt player not found and only works if i do setup again.
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