In-dash GPS systems?

[Jeeebus]

So we're likely buying an 08 Toyota Highlander thanks to that tree that decided to pancake our car (I digress), and was wondering about aftermarket in-dash GPS systems.

Wife wants one, but doesn't like that the GPS system on the Highlander does not say street names (she wants one that says "turn right on XYZ street").

Has anyone had an in-dash system installed after the fact? Does it look as "nice" as the one from the factory? Where the hell do I get one installed?

yada yada yada.

 

[TruePaige]

I use a portable GPS, has the suction cup mount etc..but I just sit it in the cupholder.

In dash looks nicer, but it's good to be able to take it from vehicle to vehicle.

They are cheaper too.

Not to derail you, just giving some options. =)

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Jeeebus
So we're likely buying an 08 Toyota Highlander thanks to that tree that decided to pancake our car (I digress), and was wondering about aftermarket in-dash GPS systems.

Wife wants one, but doesn't like that the GPS system on the Highlander does not say street names (she wants one that says "turn right on XYZ street").

Has anyone had an in-dash system installed after the fact? Does it look as "nice" as the one from the factory? Where the hell do I get one installed?

yada yada yada.

The in dash GPS systems are usually $2K+ through the dealer. My buddy got an after market in dash gps unit in his car and everything including installation ran him about $1K. I would just spend $300-$500 and get a top of the line portable unit.

Another thing to mention is that I wanted a GPS unit that actually said street names when I was in the market for a GPS unit. I ended up getting a cheaper model that only said "turn right" and It's great.

 

[E equals MC2]

What you're looking for is TTS (Text-to-speech). My navigon 2100 that I got last black friday for $99 has full TTS. They don't have to be expensive.

"At two hundred feet, take a sharp right onto Glenwood avenue."

Love it.

 

[Jeeebus]

If it was my choice, it would be portable all the way. But she's already made up her mind, and thus it's the in-dash option.

 

[Synomenon]

I'd stay away from the in-dash GPS systems offered by the car manufacturers / companies. They very rarely, if ever, provide map updates and / or system updates to improve / fix things.

Go with an aftermarket in-dash GPS system if you want an in-dash system. JVC, Alpine, Pioneer all have some nice, new models that have just been released or are going to be released.

I'd personally go with a portable unit that you can take with you and use in any car. Costco is having a sale on the Garmin Nuvi 760.

 

[Carbo]

A friend of mine just picked up one of these and he is raving about it.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

what about indash portable tomtom?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-u...Main.aspx?i=099AVN2210

 

[Jeeebus]

next question: assuming I buy an aftermarket in-dash system, where the hell do I take it to be installed (assuming I don't want to fiddle with the car's dash/electronics)?

I'm guessing Circuit City/Best Buy could do it (shudders), but I'd assume I'm better off in some auto specialty place?

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Jeeebus
next question: assuming I buy an aftermarket in-dash system, where the hell do I take it to be installed (assuming I don't want to fiddle with the car's dash/electronics)?

I'm guessing Circuit City/Best Buy could do it (shudders), but I'd assume I'm better off in some auto specialty place?

Crutchfield is a good place to go for that, but Best Buy and Circuit City can usually do it without F'ing up too bad.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

what kind of car do you drive?

 

[jtvang125]

I have the Kenwood DNX8120. It's a 7" lcd indash unit. The nav maps and software are based on Garmin and stored on a SD card which can be removed and updated online. It has text to speech so it'll pronounce all street names, business names/locations. The unit was $1300 but does a bunch of other things besides just nav.

 

[Spineshank]

My friend has an in dash one he bought with his 07 Civic and its not as good as my Magellan 3100. Maps are outdated, etc.

 

[Jeeebus]

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
what kind of car do you drive?

will likely be an 08 Toyota Highlander

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: Carbo
A friend of mine just picked up one of these and he is raving about it.

Doesnt the tomtom go series do all that for much less?

 

[Sketcher]

WARNING:
Toyota GPS systems: I don't know if the one you're looking at is DVD based but it's good to know the difference.

DVD based systems are limited to the data that is published at the time of the DVD release. New roads and data are not updated. An updated DVD from Toyota costs approx. $915 +tax.

A MAJOR problem that I had with my 2006 XLE AWD Sienna's GPS system is that around approx. 17k miles the GPS accuracy started drifting. Sometimes the system would re-track and would be ok for a few hundred miles but it would eventually show me in different cities. Took it to the dealer and even though I'd bought every extended warranty (including the electronics FUBAR warranty) this particular issue wasn't covered. Simply buying an updated DVD (which includes updated GPS firmware) wouldn't fix the problem either according to their lead mechanic. Was looking at over $1200 in repair costs to completely replace the electronics console dash (gps, audio, etc.) and it had to be special ordered from Canada.

In a pissed off rage to find out if other people have experienced the issue I found some posts in siennaclub.org (toyota sienna forum) and a user had posted instructions on how to manually enter the Toyota GPS service mode and reset the satellite detection. Worked flawlessly; re-detected 12 satellites and haven't had to reset it since. I walked into the Toyota dealer and asked them why their staff couldn't do what I did. He said they are limited to the manuals that they have and the service code that my sienna displayed actually stated that that the head unit had to be replaced by the manufacturer. He said even if their techs knew of the fix that I performed they would not have been authorized to do it.

Took me about a half-hour of internet searching to find the exact instructions to do what should have been bread and butter to the Toyota techs. I don't fault the tech's specifically because they only know what they're trained and authorized to service. But get friggin' realistic; they were going to charge me $1200 to fix what I took care of with a few logical steps. Thing has been perfect since (currently over 60k miles).

I wonder how many people have forked over that cash to fix the problem.
Reminds me that I need to write a letter to Toyota HQ with my service ticket # and ask them what's up.

(Having a GPS system wasn't a 'need to have' when we bought the Sienna; it happened to be part of the package for the AWD XLE. Now that I've used it I won't intentionally do without one be it portable or built-in). I just wish the one in the Sienna would take real-time traffic and delay updates like some other systems do...

Sketcher

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

installation shouldn't be too hard, crutchfield gives out very good instructions, but if you are totally against doing it yourself, bestbuy does a decent job, i had a friend that worked there and he did great work.

anohter downside of a built in unit would be theft. it might be a good idea to work on convincing the wife that a portable one is a better idea.

Good luck, let us know which one you choose and how you like it.

 

[ThePresence]

I have an in dash GPS in my Acura TL.
It's a dvd system, updated maps come out every year and cost $185.

I'm so used to it, driving without it feels weird.
The only downside is that when you rent a car or something you can't take it with you.

 

[KentState]

I would go with a portable one also.

First, you will loose any integration that your current stereo has with the rest of the car, including steering wheel controls, security controlled by the ECU, and so on.

Second, are you sure that a new head unit can be installed? A lot of newer vehicles have a radio and dashed designed to work together. Looking at the interior pictures of the Highlander, the factory unit is not going to be pretty to replace. Basically, it will look like crap, if it's even possible.

Third, the cost of a stand-alone is so much cheaper and can be used in any vehicle. When you travel and rent a car, you have one to bring with you. It also can be used in your second vehicle.

I only see two options for you. Buy the factory on or get something portable.

 

[Black88GTA]

I have the Pioneer AVIC-N3. I've had it installed for a little over a year now. It's a single-DIN installation with a flip out screen and an auxiliary box with most of the inputs / outputs on it (I mounted this in the trunk). I had to go this route because that's all the space I had to work with, unless I wanted to relocate the trip computer.

The system works pretty good, although it doesn't say the street names, and some of the features can be a bit confusing to access (i will admit, I only skimmed the owner's manual). It's very accurate, and has a "dead reckoning" system built into the unit via the car's built in VSS - so if satellite signal is lost (through a long tunnel, for example) the unit will read the car speed and keep the tracking going based on that.

I paid a little over $1200 for the unit, and installed it myself. They have an updated model out now (the AVIC N-4) which looks a bit nicer than mine.

 

[Fox5]

Meh, in dash ones kind of suck. They're usually overpriced and behind technologically compared to the add ins.
You should get an add in one that's decent. Try to get one with traffic reporting if you think you'd need that feature.
Then go to http://www.proclipusa.com/ and buy a clip for your model car that mounts directly onto the dash. Much better than using a suction cup.

 

[Shawn]

Definitely go with a Pioneer deck and get a double din display if your vehicle will fit it.

 

[Synomenon]

If you're really set on an in-dash model, look at the Pioneer AVIC-F900BT.

 

[Kelemvor]

I too would just get a normal portable kind. Flexibility to use it in multiple cars, take it with you, etc. Plus they are cheaper, can be hacked many times, can be upgraded easily, etc.

 

[Matilda]

the portable GPS units are the way to go. easy to upgrade, you can switch cars, they're constantly getting new features, can be much cheaper, etc... the tomtom 130S and 330S are affordable, and both have text-to-speech for saying street names and the like.