Toyota uses electronics from Fujitsu-Ten. I wouldn't say they're as
good as the aftermarket audio or nav outfits. But for OEM should be
nearly half way decent.
A GPS leader in the US is the Garmin with NavTeq map. Tele Atlas is
improving in the US but their strength is in Europe. I use an older,
portable Nuvi 350 unit when it was twice the cost. But still very good
unit. I would prefer the combo of Alpine audio unit and Garmin GPS.
I have an 02 LS430 with Navi and my wifes 00 ES300 has an aftermarket
Garmin Nuvi 680. It, by far, is superior to the my OEM navi system.
It has a LOT more features than the indash system, is consderably
cheaper than the indash option and updates are less than half.
When the day comes that I trade in my 02 for a new model, whether the
car has built in navigation or not won't be a deciding factor in
purchasing the car since aftermarket navigation systems have come a
LONG way in features, cost and user friendliness.
>Toyota uses electronics from Fujitsu-Ten. I wouldn't say they're as
>good as the aftermarket audio or nav outfits. But for OEM should be
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>
>> Bud H
johngdole@hotmail.com - 16 Mar 2008 08:02 GMT
Yeah, Garmin is best-in-class and is the OEM for BMW's nav system.
If your wife bought the Garmin near a new map's release date Garmin
will even give you a free map update. So be sure to register the
product. And keep the Nuvi's software up to date with free downloads
form their website.
A Toyota courtesy driver told me the OEM nav unit in the Sienna
stinks. I believed him.
> I have an 02 LS430 with Navi and my wifes 00 ES300 has an aftermarket
> Garmin Nuvi 680. It, by far, is superior to the my OEM navi system.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> purchasing the car since aftermarket navigation systems have come a
> LONG way in features, cost and user friendliness.
Max - 16 Mar 2008 13:28 GMT
Thanks for the heads up. Yes, we registered it right after receiving
it earlier this summer. My wife loves it.
>Yeah, Garmin is best-in-class and is the OEM for BMW's nav system.
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>> purchasing the car since aftermarket navigation systems have come a
>> LONG way in features, cost and user friendliness.
johngdole@hotmail.com - 18 Mar 2008 03:43 GMT
BTW, just to mention that the Garmin free map update was by request (I
actually don't know if the CD is automatically mailed, but I requested
it and got the confirmation).
http://www.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp
The 2009 map CD is available starting next month (April)!
> Thanks for the heads up. Yes, we registered it right after receiving
> it earlier this summer. My wife loves it.
ackerberg - 24 Mar 2008 19:46 GMT
> I have an 02 LS430 with Navi and my wifes 00 ES300 has an aftermarket
> Garmin Nuvi 680. It, by far, is superior to the my OEM navi system.
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>>>
>>> Bud H
I have a 2003 RX 300 with a Navi system, which works fine. I know that
there are better non-built in systems out there and I have 2 of them.
However it is a pain in the butt to remove those systems from your dash
everytime you park your car. I am willing to accept a system like the
one built in rather than worrying about having the better one stolen
from my car and the possibility of a broken window or door used to
remove it.