Toyota Avalon Navigation System
My 04 navigation unit started coding check DVD and error; I took it to my dealer who advised that the Unit is defective and is causing a ridge to form on the control disk. Dealer advised to call the Toyota 800 number due to my 36K warranty is gone. Called toyota and they referred me back to my dealer who is giving me the stall.anyone with similar problem or possible solution thanks.
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They set all the switches to default on the display screen and the night mode came back along with the toggle to keep the bright screen at night. End of story!
Does anyone have any info on a later DVD version? If so, is there any
way to find out changes from previous revision?
PDR99
I also have a Garmin 2610 which we use if we fly and rent a car. This is also functional while driving.
Both the Garmin and the Honda unit (made by Alpine) have the usual "pay attention while underway blah blah blah", so I think that Toyota is being just a bit over zealous in their attempt to nanny us. :P
Toyota is too far behind. Wish I had tested the nav before buying it. Would have bought a garmin hand-held instead. Dealers seem unable to cope with customer requests on this one.
Ted
Bob
fhs
Thanks,
Sharkmama :confuse:
I can't locate your reference. Can you provide a URL? I have a new Av Limited and want to add the BU camera. Which one did you choose and how did it go in?
Dandydon
I'm not familiar with Honda's nav, but I have used the Lexus system for the past two years and now have one in my new Limited. There have been a lot of complaints in this forum about the Avalon nav; most saying that it is not friendly to use. It's been my experience that you must spend a considerable amount of time learning to use any of these systems, regardless who makes them.
I'm guessing that most of the Avalon complaints come from those who have never had one of any kind before. Lexus uses a touch screen and Avalon uses a button-joystick method. Believe me, both have their drawbacks and advantages. Others complain that the database doesn't include their local street even though the street has been in existence for several years. Blame the people who develop and update the software. It's a continuing process and will always be less than perfect.
For those who opt to skip the factory nav and buy an after market variety, maybe it's the right choice for them, but I wouldn't care to stick one on top of my dashboard and have to squint at a tiny screen, plus see wires laying out in the open - not in a new car I just paid big bucks for. Nice to have choices, but mine goes for the factory version.
Dandydon
The Honda (Alpine) unit would also let you enter a destination and do searches while the car is in motion. All nav units that I have used give the generic warning at start-up, but the Toyota is the only one that has refused to let me (or a passneger) do a search or set a destination while under way. I could almost go along with a passenger interlock which would only allow operation if a passenger was on board.
In summary, I don't fault Toyota for the poor database in the nav unit, I fault them for CHOOSING the nav system that uses that poor database.
I think that my frustration is greater for having had other nav units. I'm guessing that others who haven't merely assume that these deficiencies are merely common to all nav systems. I and others know better.
That is where I am leaning (or towards an Acura TL)....as I too have an Odyssey w/NAV that I like. Not sure if I really want an external unit, and the wires, etc.........
However the new Garmin unit not only works great for Navigation, but also includes Bluetooth - an option I desperatley want that is not available in the Midwest. Yes, Bluetooth is offered in the SE by Southeast Toyota (SET), but not in the Midwest.
http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2820/
Thanks
The nav system is undoubtedly the biggest disappointment in terms of the features of the car. I just wish that a major manufacturer such as Toyota would have opted for a better featured nav system. I also wish that Toyota had given us an option for a factory installed XM/Sirius radio system. I was told by the saleman that the car was "XM-ready." I (mistakenly--and I'll accept blame for this) thought that this meant that a simple add-on of a satellite antenna for ~$50-$100 would provide me with the XM reception. Of course, we all know it's not as simple as that!! And don't get me started on the cheesy way the antenna is mounted...
That being said, I really like the overall quality of construction as well as some of the "toys" found on the Limited. I especially like the keyless starting system and the laser cruise control. The automatic wiper system is also quite cool.
So to answer your question, had I known about the absolute deficiency in the nav system, I probably would have looked into either an Acura or Lexus. It may have overcome the major reason I didn't stay with Honda, which is that I didn't like the fact you had to jump to their flagship line (Acura) in order to get something a little bigger in size than the Accord.
John Hagen
I still wish one could program it while driving and not have to come to a full stop though, -and the joystick method of entering data is still a pain and prone to mistaken-entries. However, I just wanted to say the system served us well.
-P
Glad you're finding more to like about your Avi nav system, but you should be happy that the design will not let you program it while under way. That feature may very well save your life one day - or that of another motorist.
Here's why: The National Highway Traffic Safety Assn. reports that "In-car technology like cell phones, mobile Internet access devices, road guidance and navigation systems (emphasis mine) are dangerous driver distractions that cause accidents. In practicality, anything that compels the driver to take his hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road can be a dangerous distraction."
Another authority in this area, David J. Hanson, Ph.D., states that "Using a cell phone while driving is at least as dangerous as driving while intoxicated." And if A=B and B=C, then A=C, ergo, nav systems can be just as dangerous as cells.
Some argue that a front seat passenger would be able to work the nav system safely if allowed, but it would be practically impossible to prevent a driver from also getting into the act in a system designed that way.
On the positive side, here are a couple of tips you might find useful for your next trip: Go to the DESTINATION screen and note the 6 switches at the bottom. The left one is for getting you Home, but the other 5 can be handy, too. We'll be meeting some friends for a short vacation in Portland in a few weeks. We have decided to visit several restaurants and points of interest while there, but I don't know the town very well so I've programmed 4 of the 5 buttons with the addresses of my POIs. The sixth one I set with our hotel's address, so I can always find my way back to the starting point.
Hope some of this helps.
Dandydon
Allowing the passenger to program the nav while under way would remain a safety issue for the simple reason that there is no practical way to prevent a driver from also getting into the act.
It's too late for both of us, since we already own the factory nav systems, but there is an excellent alternative for others. It's a system sold by VCom for under $1,000 and it operates entirely by voice input, so you or the driver can use it while driving. You can ask for a gas station, or a specific address, without ever having to touch buttons or look at a screen. The unit is portable and can be hidden under the dash or seat.
Go to http://tinyurl.com/kp2py and click on "Video Demonstration". They claim it's the world's only navigation system with no screen or buttons. Their ad states: "It uses advanced voice recognition software that actually works. Once VCom knows where you want to go, simply drive and listen to VCom give you super detailed, turn by turn instructions until you reach your destination. Includes millions of Points of Interests and a voice interactive game of Black Jack."
VCom is very similar to the new OnStar Turn-by-turn screenless nav system. I think that both are the wave of the future for car navigation.
Dandydon
So...Toyota, if you ever read any of the owner's comments here and there, I think this is a good one for you to consider!
-P
This is my biggest (and just about only) gripe about this car. Everything else is near-perfection but the NAV controller drives me nuts. The NAV is great once the data has been entered but the cheesy controller design is awful.
I live in Houston and have set my home address in the memory. Recently while downtown I programmed it to take me home. This is a 20 mile trip on loop 610 and then highway 290. Basically a straight shot with no exits from the freeway. This goofy system has me exit at every 290 exit ramp, go south, then north on the next road, then back under the freeway and back on at the next entrance ramp. Then immediately get off at the next exit ramp and repeat the process. I have noticed it also does not have many roads in my area on it that were built or extended over three years ago. Those should be on the current software.
Was recently on a vacation the western US. On the trip back I set it to take me home. I asked it for the quickest and the shortest route. It told me both were the same route. This was a 1600 mile trip from Salt Lake to Houston. I make the trip I was on yearly so knew what it was telling me was not quickest or shortest. There was no way to change it.
The route it wanted me to take was over 200 miles out of the way. It did refigure every time I varied from the route it calculated but as far as being an efficient gps worth 2000 dollars it is not.
I would suggest that if you are buying a new Avalon you forego the gps system that is an option. Buy something aftermarket that works.
I read a column detailing the electronics on the Avalon and specifically the gps problems at www.gadgetguru.com. It is dead on to what I have experienced.
I was wondering was is there any way to install the avic z1, which again is a in-dash navigation system, into the avalon 06? Many tell me it may not be able to be done, so was just wondering is it possible?
i tried downloading the installation manual but was waiting for eons. maybe they need to reboot their server and it will be faster later today.
you can email their support:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/contact/us/0,,2076_310069585,00.html-
or call them:
800 421 1404
but, a couple questions....how will you control the air, etc if you put that in over what you have there?
I mean the new system will control the audio, nav, bluetooth, but how will you control the other funtions that the screen you already have displays, like air, etc.?
Crutchfield has good information on the z1 too Crutchfield Avic z1
http://avic411.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7957#7957
use this link to see if it fits...
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8ArU2JBHadL/cgi-bin/autoinfo/AutoInfo.asp?vb=Y&s=0&- - cc=01&vehicleid=0&lp=%2FS-8ArU2JBHadL%2Fcgi%2Dbin%2Fsuperprodgroup%2Easp%3Fg%3D2- - 66150%26cc%3D01%26wm%3Dtn%26cm%5Fre%5Fo%3DfB5EzM%2A5yBpFwEAN%2Al5TjnxxvDi
Bob