Anyone recommend a non-factory NAV system?

If you have a PDA with a compact flash or SD slot then order a GPS card for about $125 (check ebay).
Then get talking GPS software for about $100 ( Mapopolis is my favorite).
Stick a piece of velcro on your dash in front of the steering wheel and voi la you have a GPS.
Add an small FM transmitter (Belkin works OK $30) and you can hear the voice commands through your radio.

 

We have the Garmin StreetPilot 2620 and are extremely happy with it. It's portable, has all the bells and whistles we wanted and I have updated the sortware twice ( freebie) via my PC. I paid approx $1200 (US) for it about 6 months ago.
They are also making a Streetpilot c330 which is a new product and is somewhat less expensive than the 2620. You might check these out at www.garmin.com.

 

You'll be happy either way. The integration of the GPS and odo/turn sensors/MFD is cool and practical. The aftermarket units, giving up a slight bit of accuracy under some conditions, are very convenient if you (a) want to use it on multiple cars and (B) if you want up-to-date databases without spending $$$ at Toyota.

 

I got a Magellan RoadMate 700. It is about $1300 bucks. It is the same Hertz Neverlost system in a form factor similar to a Sony PSP (except thicker). I like the RoadMate interface a lot better than Toyota's. You can find a RoadMate online cheaper.

The only thing I like the Garmin 2620 better is that it has a gyroscope. So losing signal is a concern on the Roadmate, but usually does not happen too often... unless driving in a forest or downtown of a big city.

 

I really like the Garmin Quest. Very small. Useful for hiking or doing other non road based GPS stuff. And upgradeable.

 

KTPhil,
Just out of curiosity what are the conditions under which the aftermarket GPS units might be less accurate than the Toyota version?.

 

I just started using a Garmin Quest device. It is superb. Functions just like a OEM nav system, but you're able to move it from car to car.

It only holds 115MB which you download from your computer. But SF bay area all the way down to San Diego only took 50 MB.

About $470 at costco.com

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paul16451\";p=\"87564)</div>

I'd suggest the RoadMate 500 or 700 - I've had a 500 for almost 2 years and it's a great device. Trivial to learn, especially if you've ever used a Hertz Neverlost.

The Garmin series is good too, but tends to be a bit more complicated than the average driver needs.

 

I use a Garmin 2610, it is great and can be easily transferred to another car. It uses compact flash memory cards so you can store as much as 1gb, which would cover the entire US.

 

Mark,
That's a great model and was my original choice but needed one that had the Canadian data in it at the time which the 2610 didn't have. Now in the 2620 I was able to find my son's address in a little town of Courtenay, BC in a recent new subdivision. The reason I like Garmin is because of my experience with the Garmin aeronautical
GPS units like the 530/430 which are excellent.

 

Photo of Garmin C330 in Prius General Photos

]PriusChat General Photos

I also have the package #5 and wanted the NAV. I looked at MANY different models and got the new Garmin C330 (just out this spring). It has a touch screen, built in antenna, all the bells and voice, search for fuel, food, attractions, ect., but best of all, it looks like it came with the car! A perfect match for the Prius dash mounted just beside the MFD. Just Google "Garmin" and go to the C330 to check out the specs. It is about $1,000. on the internet but you can get it from "The GPS Store" for about $800. www.thegpsstore.com or 1-888-477-2611 and ask for Eric or Scott. Tell them that you are a Prius owner. They are very knowledgeable. I would not trade mine for anything I have seen to date!

There is a Flash Demo of the unit at this link:

Garmin C330

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(twdusa\";p=\"87655)</div>

It does look like it came with the car - how is it mounted?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck\";p=\"87614)</div>

You didn't ask me, but the primary difference will be that the integrated NAV system will have "dead reckoning", which allows the system to calculate position even if the sat signal is lost (urban canyon, heavy cloud cover, etc.) and the integrated wheel sensors will provide slightly more accurate calculations (though for driving, you won't notice the difference).

The dead reckoning could be quite valuable if you do a lot of city driving though ...

 

Follow this link to the C330 Owners Manual:

Garmin C330 Manual

Follow this link for the Setup Guide:

Setup Guide

Setup shows mounting to the inside of the windshield.......just turn the bracket around to mount on the dash with the unit extended forward as shown in my photo. The mount is hardly visible at all! The chrome and dark gray exterior of the unit really match the Prius interior like it was part of the car!

 

Thanks, jfh3, that would be important if we live in a city with multi-story buildings or in areas where the signal might be lost. Somehow I didn't think the additional cost of that was worth it. Kinda' know about those things 'cause we had a SATNAV ( early version of GPS) in our sailboat in the 80's and in heavy weather the unit could not keep up with the acceleration of the mast antenna which gave us a ground (sea) speed in excess of the units capability.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck\";p=\"87642)</div>

Gary,
I believe that is a sotware issue and not related to a particular unit. I have had two free software updates since getting my GPS. From what I read here Toyota charges for upgrades to their software.

This is my 4th GPS and my second Garmin and I agree that they beat the other units that I have used.

The price was attractive too, under $400 on eBay.

 

Seasalsa,
I think there is some confusion between the Garmin program software and the mapping software. Mine came with Ver 3.80 program software and I updated it first to 3.90 and now to ver 4.30 on 6 Apr. The mapping software is ver 6.0 which added the whole of Canada to that of the the US and Puerto Rico from the previous version as I understand it but you can probably correct me on this.

 

I use a Garmin iQue 3600. It's both a full featured GPS and PDA. With the auto mounting kit its a breeze to use. Enjoy the ability to keep up on current events while the wife is shopping! Easy to slip in your shirt pocket when you leave the vehicle. Now that 1GB SD memory cards are down to $70.00 map storage is cheap.

M. Kaliski