GPS installed in 2008 Toyota Prius

 

Has more shortcomings than I care to list. The worst is that it will not give directions in certain areas. Any suggestions on how to update or replace the installed
unit?

Downside

Unfortunately, that's the downside of OEM navi. Updating seems to be just an opportunity to get you into the dealer's clutches again. I understand from other posts about factory-installed systems, that you can update them by means of a CD or DVD, but each auto manufacturer probably has its own system for those kinds of things. And of course, for a price. sad

If all else fails, you could go with a portable GPS and rely on it rather than on the OEM system. I realize that defeats the purpose of having the OEM system, but hey, it all boils down to whether you want accuracy or an uncluttered dashboard, imo. Plus, you can take it with you when you trade vehicles.

--
"The true measure of persons is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good." - Samuel Johnson

Ask Toyota.....???

southga wrote:

Any suggestions on how to update or replace the installed unit?

They might actually be able to fix it for you.
It IS still under warranty, isn't it ??

--
Magellan Maestro 4250// MIO C310X

I call Toyota and they said

I call Toyota and they said that was the way it was designed. I purchased a Nuvi 260W and use it instead of the installed unit.

If you are looking for ford

If you are looking for ford cars than check out ford lincoln mercury dealers. They are really best and are best ford motors providers.

southga wrote: Has more

southga wrote:

Has more shortcomings than I care to list. The worst is that it will not give directions in certain areas. Any suggestions on how to update or replace the installed
unit?

I really dislike the OEM units. I did a comparison of a rather old Garmin StreetPilot to the Toyota system, and the Toyota system didn't compare favorably:
http://homepage.mac.com/scott_r/nav.htm
(it says it's for a 2006 Prius, but I now have a 2008, and it's no better).

I've never found any way to fix any of the shortcomings (aside from the Coastal Tech hack, which just addresses the unit not being usable while moving).

Good to Know

It is interesting that you pay a lot extra for OEM indash units and they don't perform as well as the over the counter.

--
260, 295W, 1490T,2455LMT

Competition

kkkelleher wrote:

It is interesting that you pay a lot extra for OEM indash units and they don't perform as well as the over the counter.

Well, there's no competition. If you want an in-dash unit, you're basically limited to the Denso system (Toyota's OEM). What incentive do they have to make it better? I've had in-depth use of units from cars two model years apart, and the Nav systems were essentially identical--not a single improvement.

And for most people who've never used a GPS system it's pretty neat--if you don't know how good it *can* be, then something that basically works, albeit badly, seems amazing.

I've debated updating that page--prettifying it as well as replacing the 2620 shots with those from my nuvi 350, but what's the point?

I even sent a printout to both Toyota and Denso.

Replace

Another option is to replace the whole unit with an aftermarket unit. Have a look at Crutchfield.com which has double DIN units with CD/DVD/Sirius-XM and navigation. You will need to input your details into the "outfit my car" section to see if any of the units will fit your vehicle.

I was toying with the idea of installing an in-dash unit in my Kia. And there is a Kenwood unit that fits my car and has upgradeable maps from Garmin. What the map update timetable for in-dash is unknown, but I certainly think it would be cheaper than going to the dealership for an upgrade if that's even possible.

Just some food for thought.

--
"Life is a journey - enjoy the ride!" Garmin nuvi 255

Interesting

I would be curious to know how your install goes if you move forward with an after marketing, in-dash GPS. I am pretty disappointed with mine as well. It's nice because it's relatively easy and can't be easily stolen, but the function is definitely lacking compared even the most basic handheld units.

True replacement?

The OEM units tie into the powertrain, giving dead-reckoning when you're out of a signal (e.g., in a tunnel or under a tree canopy); I believe it also has accelerometers to help factor in turns more quickly/accurately. Won't you lose that with a replacement?

Updating Toyota Prius GPS

I'm about to buy a used 2008 Toyota Prius. It comes with an in-dash OEM GPS navigation system, although I plan on continuing to use my Garmin Nuvi 780.

Does anyone know how to update the maps in the Prius via Toyota and about how much it costs?

Toyota maps

The maps are updated by replacing a DVD located in a player under the driver's seat.

The price is insane: last I checked, something like $200-$250 just for the map DVD. Unless you live or drive through areas with a lot of recent road-building, I don't think it's worth the investment.

Some units use your cars speed sensor

Vanderdecker wrote:

The OEM units tie into the powertrain, giving dead-reckoning when you're out of a signal (e.g., in a tunnel or under a tree canopy); I believe it also has accelerometers to help factor in turns more quickly/accurately. Won't you lose that with a replacement?

A small number of aftermarket HUs, including SONY, have a wire which connects to the variable speed sensor(vss) wire of your car. It gives you that functionality.

Otherwise accept the fact that you'll lose GPS location while you're in a tunnel.

The real issue is in cities with skyscrapers (NYC). You may lose location. Unlike a tunnel you might need to make a turn before you get a good signal.

Mounting your antenna in an optimum spot will reduce the issue.

edited to add--Some of the Pioneer units also let you connect to your vehicles VSS

it costs about 200 bucks for

it costs about 200 bucks for the new dvd.

In my 2010 prius you just

In my 2010 prius you just push a button and the screen rotates and bingo there is the dvd slot. In order to get the back up camera as a factory option you have to get the nav package.

Not Worth It

I have a 2008 Prius with nav, and the UI is so lame especially with the lockout while you're moving. I never use the built-in nav and instead rely on my Nuvi on the top left side of my dashboard.

I wonder if any of the car manufacturer will develop a nav UI that has any of the features the portable nav systems have been using for the past 10 years. Definitely not worth the extra bucks for the car manufacturer nav systems.

No way

DiQuest wrote:

I wonder if any of the car manufacturer will develop a nav UI that has any of the features the portable nav systems have been using for the past 10 years. Definitely not worth the extra bucks for the car manufacturer nav systems.

Why would they bother? It's not like there's any competition--very few people will base a car purchase on the Nav system, and once you've committed to that company, it's either buy it or not (and a lot of people won't know how poor they are compared to the stand-alones).

With the stand-alones, on the other hand, Garmin and TomTom and Magellan, and others, are aways trying to one-up each other, because there the choice basically *is* a direct comparison.

I wonder at the stupidity of it, though. Why did Toyota (Denso, actually) go for a DVD-based system? That adds space and weight, is slow, and adds more mechanical parts that can break down. A flash-memory based system would have been a fiftieth the size and could be updated more easily, not to mention accessed far quicker.

I found that not to be true from my experience

kkkelleher wrote:

It is interesting that you pay a lot extra for OEM indash units and they don't perform as well as the over the counter.

I found that not to be true from my experience. I have a built in GM nav in my Vette and find it a lot more convenient, sophisticated and capable than any of the many Garmins and Droid X with Google maps that I own. Haven't used my Garmin since I got the GM unit.

The built in adds so many additional features but the one I like the most is the integration of nav display into my windshield heads-up display. Gives me coming turn direction, street name and distance to turn without ever taking my eyes off the road and also the audio prompts are still there. Huge safety upside from my experience and that alone is worth the expense of the unit.

The other thing that I really like is the convenience and security of not having to mount the Garmin when I needed to use it and then unmounting it and hiding it away every time I stop.

TnPapa wrote:

it costs about 200 bucks for the new dvd.

The latest 2012 map DVD update cost me a net of $25 after selling the 2011 map DVD's on eBay.

--
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

The factory supplied units

The factory supplied units only get major upgrades when the car is up for a model change. That's why some are still DVD (and maybe even hard drive) based. Factory units do tie into the cars electronics and can give you other advantages.

Units from Kenwwod, JVC etc offer most of the same options stand alone GPS units offer.

affordability

My dad has Nav system (with backup camera and RES as a package) when he bought his 2005 toyota sienna as new.
It was a good system then, and, as I joke to him, it shows he could afford a in-dash unit with all due upgrade less updated map DVD which was quoted $350 at dealership.

We had a trip to NYC during spring break. I brought my Garmin 1490T with. At exit from Lincoln Tunnel, I noticed 1490 was able to prompt us make right turn almost at same time the OEM one did.