Has anyone heard of a website called http://www.oemvalue.com/request/toyotanav.htm selling after market oem nav systems for solara's? I want to add GPS but couldn't get it when I bought the car last year this site has in dash toyota gps systems. Any help would be appreciated
well, aftermarket and oem are contradictory terms, really ... or, i guess, in a way...
Anyway, these are supposedly OEM systems being sold via a 3rd party. If it comes with everything you need and a full warranty, I guess its ok. But how difficult is the installation? Are the cars prewired for it?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
gps usually replaces the existing radio so the radio wires should just plug in but, you probably need to run the wire for the gps antenna to sit on your roof. that could potentially be a pain. hope this helps. -phil
Thanks for your informative post. A couple of questions: how is your 2610 typically mounted and is that satisfactory in terms of moving the unit from car to car? Also, did you cross-shop the TomTom Go/Go+, and if so, what led you to the Garmin unit?
I can answer this although I haven't used mine in Wash. DC. I use the "bean bag" style mount that comes with the unit to sit it on the dashboard. I've used it in several different cars, rental and mine, and have never had a problem with it sliding even in extreme braking and cornering situations. The unit also comes with a smaller mount, and 1 each of a temporary or permanent adhesive pad to stick the unit to the dash. They sell additional mounts and sticky pads also. The speaker/power plugs into the power point/lighter.
I'll second this answer. I've used it up in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as in the NY Tri-State area, in various vehicles. I always use the bean bag and have had no problems. At the time of purchase I was cross-shopping Magellan units, as well as Garmin's IQue since I do not have a lap top.
Yes, I use the included bean bag mount like those that posted above. It keeps it in place pretty good, though spirited driving came make it move around a bit, depending on how well it's situated on the dash. Some rentals I've had have a really steep dash. It still works, but you have to adjust the angle then (there is an angle adjustment).
I heavily weighed my previous good experiences with Garmin products in my decision to buy the 2610.
I had planned on getting a built in NAV on my next vehicle, but now I'm planning on just using the 2610. It works plenty good enough for me, plus I save the $2000 Honda gets for their unit!
someone has installed a modified connector that automatically replies "Accept" Do a search on that thread.
As far as getting as fully loaded Garmin 2610 a good place is GPSdiscount.com for $633.14 shipped(or factory overhauled with 1 yr warranty $533 )StreetPilot® 2610 receiver with: built-in antenna MapSource City Navigator Alphanumeric remote control External speaker with 12/24-volt adapter cable PC/USB interface cable A/C power adapter Integrated dash mount Bean Bag mount Americas Autoroute basemap MapSource® City Navigator North America CD with full coverage and full unlock 128 MB CompactFlash memory card
The Garmin 2620 has dead reconning ,but is not portable.$799 The 2650 is a more enhanced 2620.
The two leaders in GPS are Garmin and Magellan. If you want an all combined unit with MP3 stereo, etc, I would check out the reviews carefully as to the quality and accuracy of the GPS portion.
Good Luck.
MidCow
NOTE: Earlier someone complained about the Navigation system in an Oddessy. Most navigation systems will not give street details in small towns. If that is what there person was trying to do theire navigation, then there are no navigation/GPS systems that will work. Otherwise the Honda/Acura system is probably the best. Toyota/Lexus is second. And the luxury car makers: Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti come in a distant third.
What it means is that if you temporarily lose your satellite signal,example going through tall buildings downtown, the GPS will still figure where you are and where you are going based on your last heading and last speed of travel. Then when the satellite signal does come back there is no recalculation or map change.
I think you have some confusion on the Garmin models. Unless I am totally mistaken, the 2620 is just an updated 2610 with a hard drive instead of a memory card and some other enhancements. It is totally portable and does NOT have ded reckoning. (The original spelling in aviation where the term originated based on deductive reckoning which uses computations to deduce the proper track based on the last known location and subsequent speed and direction.)
The models which have dead reckoning are the 2650 and 2660 which are more expensive but are still totally portable although the dead reckoning feature requires a cable between the speedometer and the unit for the dead reckoning to work. The unit can be disconnected and used in any vehicle, but the dead reckoning won't work unless you have that cable installed in each car. Less portable, perhaps, but still portable.
I checked and you are right. I bought a 2610 about two years ago and they were referring to the 2620 , at least I thought, as the speedometer connected dead reckoning. At that time the 2650 and 2660 didn't exist. But thanks for the correction.
Anyway bottom line, the Garmin is very useful and accurate and can be updated about every 18 months at around $155.
One other suggestion for the Garmin: pick up a 1GB compact flash card. It will prove to be very beneficial, and it will hold a good portion of the US. They are relatively inexpensive as well- I blelieve you can get one from $75 and up.
Does anyone out there know if the Eclispse AVN2454 has an additional video input? I would like to be able to input a signal from my overhead DVD system.
If so, do I need a special adapter or is it just a standard RCA input. Once plugged in, how do I switch modes on the player. Thanks for the help.
Hi. I just got a used 04 Toyota Highlander w/ Navigation system. The system's great but I have a few questions.
- how are updates applied? A DVD came with the car but the car didn't come equipped with a DVD player. Unless the CD changer can read this disk. The manual doesn't say anything about this; I guess they assume you'll go to a dealer to install updates.
- how do I find out if there is a later version available (aside from checking with a dealer)?
- is there a site where I can submit corrections to the data? One example I noticed is that a business named McDonalds Something is incorrectly marked on the map as a McDonalds fast food restaurant. Yet just a 1/2 mile away, a McDonalds that has been in the same location for 20 years isn't listed.
If you can answer these questions or point me to another suitable forum I'd be grateful.
Concerning errors in the map info- that seems to happen to all manufacturers. See if Toyota has a website for their NAV software - there is usually a report you can fill out for erroneous information.
I had assumed that the DVD was just a disk for upgrading the system, not something used full time. So you're saying that in the nav system somewhere there is a dvd player? I guess that would make sense.
I think the DVD I have may be the original one. In my web searches I learned that there was a free DVD upgrade so probably the previous owner got the newer one installed. The version in the system is 4.2 which I believe is the later one. I did notice something marked "Navigation" under the drivers seat. Maybe that's the spot. I just sort of assumed it had something to do with the GPS.
I recently got a job in DC (my first job!) and am about to buy my first car. Because I'll be in an unfamiliar area, I've decided my car must have navigation in it(preferably built in) however I'm not sure which car to go w/. To be quite blunt, I'm a recent grad so I'm pretty much looking to buy the cheapest car w/a built in navigation system...any suggestions????
p.s. I don't have a preference as to which kind of system it is (voice activated, touch screen, toggle etc) just as long as it works! Thanks!!!
You may have a big dissapointment ahead. As far as I can tell, none of them operate like a windowing environment. They are going to distract you until you become more bored with them than intrigued. That distraction can cause a wreck, I KNOW!
Get a streets and routing program for your computer and plan a lot of routing there beforehand and don't neglect maps. They will still be more convenient many, many times.
I have operated two different navigation systems on two brands and I cannot vouch that any one is better than another. One possible exception is that a late model system that takes voice commands MIGHT be quicker and more convenient, because you never want to more than glance at it, never changing anything while you are driving.
I have a 2002 camry with a nav system that came with the Desno Corp DVD version 1. I'm trying to update the DVD but no one seems to be able to tell me what DVD I need. I don't want to pay the dealer $250. There is a version 4.1 out but I don't know if it will work with my nav system. Please help.
I own a 2002 Lexus ES300 with Nav system. The CD in the unit is "Toyota 01, Ver. 1" I want to upgrade the CD. Q: Does anyone have any helpful tips? Dealer wants about $500 for the CD (!!) - are there any reliable sites where these can be found cheaper? I "think" I can use Toyota or Lexus CD interchangeably...does anyone know? Will appreciate any info you can provide.
I love my nav system, and if you get one that gives voice instructions, you can concentrate on the road and just let it tell you where to go. I don't know what the least expensive car with a nav system is. I know the Acura TSX has a really good system, but that's a $25,000+ car. Check out Honda, b/c they make the nav system. Maybe you can get it in a civic?
Some added advice: make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost.
How do you clean a nav screen? I don't have food or spillage on mine - it's just the smudges. Do you think a cloth made to clean eyeglasses would work?
that's exactly what i use on my laptop screen and widescreen TV. Works great. Just remember: NO windex. You can get eyeglass cleaner to go with that cloth.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Can anyone help me..I have a Factury Navigation System in my Toyota but I can't seem to get the Voice responce to work correctly. I have it turned on in the setup. I get the prompt to proceed to the route I have selected. I get the voice prompt that I have arrived at my destiation, but get no prompt while in route. The system also does not re-route when I drive a different way.
Thanks for responding...I have a 2005 Camry Navigation System which I installed myself. The book shows me how to turn on the voice, which I have. I get a voice prompt when I enter a course saying to proceed to the starting point and I get a voice saying I have arrived at the destination but nothing in-be-tween. I also have re-route turned on but never get re-routed when I stray off course. I have the speed sensor connected and everything else seems to work great.
ljwalters1 wrote: "...make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost. "
Woe is me! I just bought a 2005 Toyota Highlander a week ago with Nav and although I played with the system during the test drive it happened to always be while stopped! Two days later I find out that you can hardly do anything while the vehicle is moving! I've owned two other Nav systems (one in a 2004 Honda Accord and another after market install into a Trailblazer) neither had any such restrictions.
I've been searching the web for days trying to find a workaround or hack to re-enable the functionality. I found one possible solution at Coastaletech, but he's reserving it for Prius owners (would it even work on a Highlander Nav system?)
Did you ever find a update for you Nav system? I was wondering about the same information, I just bought a used 2002 and the DVD is dated back to 2001.
Check in your owners manual if there is an over-ride for that. I beleive most units have the default that you must be stopped befroe entering info, but most units have an over ride where you have to click the screen indicating you are doing this voluntarily.
I hate to throw cold water here, but I'm glad Toyota (so far) doesn't let you program the system while driving 75mph down the freeway in heavy traffic.
I can see it now: A guy with a cell phone on his shoulder, a double Whopper in his left hand, tuning XM radio with his right hand, and oh by the way, I think I'll play with the Navigation system while I'm at it. At least he isn't putting on his makeup (we hope) when his spouse might well be.
Is it a wonder we have people killed everyday on the highway? I don't think so.
This is the second worst idea I've heard recently. The worst was the thought of allowing 300 people on an airplane to talk on their cell phones (all at the same time) for the entire flight. That sounds like fun....
All that said, I'm for technology and if there was some way to allow a passenger (only) to program the NAV system, then I'd be all for it. I'm just not sure how that could work.
But until then, I don't want my spouse or children being killed because someone was trying to find Burger King and was too lazy to pull over. And when that happens and your insurance company finds out you have overridden the Toyota NAV "I AGREE" feature, I wonder if they will pay for all the damage and loss of life? I also hope the Prius guy selling these has a good lawyer, because I guarantee you he will be blamed if someone is injured or killed -- in spite of his disclaimer. It's just the world we live in.
Okay, stepping off of soap box now....I do like my Nav system.
We're all responsible for our on actions, regardless of the "temptations." Remember, requiring drivers to pull to the side of the road on a highway in order to enter Nav info is not safe either. Much safer to allow responsible drivers to enter info while waiting for a light to turn green, or let them pull over without shifting into park.
Now that so many nav systems are incorporating voice recognition, we can do more and more w/o taking our eyes off the road.
I've been using a microfiber cloth made for cleaning laptop screens with good results lately (mine's by Kensington). It did so well on my smudges I used it on the CRT screens too.
I have a wife and new baby, and I certainly don't want them killed because of some idiot talking on his cell phone or using his nav system or any of 100 other things that can distract drivers (I saw a guy reading the newspaper while driving on the freeway the other day!). On that point we agree.
However I believe strongly in personal responsibility. I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I don't eat while driving, and I always wear my seat belt. Can you honestly say you've never used your nav system while driving? Even the ones that don't allow you to change the destination still allow you enough options to divert your attention from the road long enough for an accident to happen.
I don't think its up to the manufacturers of cell phones and cars and the owners of drive-thrus to enforce those behaviors on the public. Following your logic logic we should close all the drive thrus since we can't guarantee that only the passengers will eat while the car is in motion and the auto makers should all install cell phone jammers in their cars and cars shouldn't be able to be driven if everyone isn't wearing their seat belt.
I've had two other nav systems and when you know the system it usually takes no more attention than the radio (maybe should we disable changing radio stations while moving too?). It certainly takes less attention that dealing with an atlas or huge folding map while driving ... which is the option people are left with when their nav systems prevent them from using it. By the way, when I'm driving its my wife who looks at the map and vice-versa, we should be allowed a similar arrangement with the nav system.
Just because something can be enforced doesn't mean that it should be enforced...particularly when its not illegal (yet).
As for the insurance question. I think it would be perfectly fair if the insurance companies didn't cover drivers in such situations, but unfortunately I don't expect it would stop anyone from engaging in those activities.
You missed the point. The point was that we ALREADY have enough distractions in our vehicles without adding one more. And most of those distractions we already have don't require you to reach over, look away from the road, and try to enter a lengthy address.
And, yes, I can honestly say I have never used the NAV while driving. On the Toyota Camry 2004 model, the only icons that you can even push while driving are for HOSPITAL, POLICE or a TOYOTA dealership. That's it. You can't enter other information.
If we used your idea of "personal responsibility" drivers would want to drive 90 after 5 beers because they are themselves certainly "personally responsible". It's just the other guys that aren't. Ah, if it were only that easy. We, unfortunately, can't depend on personal responsibility when people are driving 2-ton SUVS at 70 mph, and that's why safety laws are passed.
Would it deeply trouble me if a law was passed prohibiting you from eating a 16 inch pizza while driving in your car? No, not that much. When you get in the driver's seat of a car you have a "personal responsibility" to yourself, your family, and all other drivers to try to keep them alive. Everything else from eating, to cell phones, to Navigation systems miss the point. But until a law is passed, I guess you are free to do whatever you want. Being "personally responsible" of course.
When a congressman's spouse or child is killed, then something might be done to eliminate some of these distractions. By the way, you cannot drive in New York state with a hand-held cell phone. You must use a hands-free unit and more states are considering enacting similar laws.
I agree that the solution will be voice-activated NAV systems that are already coming on line. I believe the latest Toyota system in the Avalon has this and probably Lexus, too.. Now if we could just fix the 16 inch pizza problem.
Ok here's what I have. I have an '02 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the RB1 Navigation radio I put in last week. I have the newest DVD 05064033AC. Heres the problem, at slower speeds (residential) my location on the map is ALMOST dead on. At highway speeds I can be well past an exit by a few hundred feet but on the map on the screen it shows me coming up to the exit when Im already well past it. Seems to lag a bit. Also I know these units arent meant for real time but close. The map jumps rather than a smooth even flow. Is this normal? Am I expecting too much? Chuck
"On the Toyota Camry 2004 model, the only icons that you can even push while driving are for HOSPITAL, POLICE or a TOYOTA dealership. That's it. You can't enter other information."
I understand - only emergency situations, like in case of injury or the sudden need to find that Toyota dealership ASAP!!!"
I am not familiar with your system, but is there a way to add an external atenaee to boost the signal? I know on the Streetpilot w/o an antenaee the accuracy is say 30' to 60'; with the add on it gets down to about 9' accuracy. That helps in knowing about a turn before you pass it
Hey, I'm just telling you what icons are available. Don't blame the messenger. I didn't design the darn thing. Someone indicated a person could do a lot of other things while moving. They were wrong. You can't.
Sorry, Solara. I was joking around. Guess you can't always tell in writing (and, for that matter, I can't be sure if you're joking back or are really bothered ). I understand why you're able to be directed to Toyota dealerships while moving. On my Acura, you can ask the nav to display things like post-offices, ATM, etc. Once they're up, you can also ask the system to remove them. But for some reason, the system will always display Honda and Acura dealerships!!! It's just funny, is all.
Comments
xnappo, "Ford Freestyle" #2033, 16 Jan 2005 10:03 am
Steve, Host
selling after market oem nav systems for solara's? I want to add GPS but couldn't get it when I bought the car last year this site has in dash toyota gps systems. Any help would be appreciated
Anyway, these are supposedly OEM systems being sold via a 3rd party. If it comes with everything you need and a full warranty, I guess its ok. But how difficult is the installation? Are the cars prewired for it?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I use the "bean bag" style mount that comes with the unit to sit it on the dashboard. I've used it in several different cars, rental and mine, and have never had a problem with it sliding even in extreme braking and cornering situations. The unit also comes with a smaller mount, and 1 each of a temporary or permanent adhesive pad to stick the unit to the dash. They sell additional mounts and sticky pads also. The speaker/power plugs into the power point/lighter.
I heavily weighed my previous good experiences with Garmin products in my decision to buy the 2610.
I had planned on getting a built in NAV on my next vehicle, but now I'm planning on just using the 2610. It works plenty good enough for me, plus I save the $2000 Honda gets for their unit!
As far as getting as fully loaded Garmin 2610 a good place is GPSdiscount.com for $633.14 shipped(or factory overhauled with 1 yr warranty $533 )StreetPilot® 2610 receiver with:
built-in antenna
MapSource City Navigator
Alphanumeric remote control
External speaker with 12/24-volt adapter cable
PC/USB interface cable
A/C power adapter
Integrated dash mount
Bean Bag mount
Americas Autoroute basemap
MapSource® City Navigator North America CD with full coverage and full unlock
128 MB CompactFlash memory card
The Garmin 2620 has dead reconning ,but is not portable.$799 The 2650 is a more enhanced 2620.
The two leaders in GPS are Garmin and Magellan. If you want an all combined unit with MP3 stereo, etc, I would check out the reviews carefully as to the quality and accuracy of the GPS portion.
Good Luck.
MidCow
NOTE: Earlier someone complained about the Navigation system in an Oddessy. Most navigation systems will not give street details in small towns. If that is what there person was trying to do theire navigation, then there are no navigation/GPS systems that will work. Otherwise the Honda/Acura system is probably the best. Toyota/Lexus is second. And the luxury car makers: Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti come in a distant third.
thanks.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
What it means is that if you temporarily lose your satellite signal,example going through tall buildings downtown, the GPS will still figure where you are and where you are going based on your last heading and last speed of travel. Then when the satellite signal does come back there is no recalculation or map change.
Thanks,
MidCow
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The models which have dead reckoning are the 2650 and 2660 which are more expensive but are still totally portable although the dead reckoning feature requires a cable between the speedometer and the unit for the dead reckoning to work. The unit can be disconnected and used in any vehicle, but the dead reckoning won't work unless you have that cable installed in each car. Less portable, perhaps, but still portable.
I checked and you are right. I bought a 2610 about two years ago and they were referring to the 2620 , at least I thought, as the speedometer connected dead reckoning. At that time the 2650 and 2660 didn't exist. But thanks for the correction.
Anyway bottom line, the Garmin is very useful and accurate and can be updated about every 18 months at around $155.
YMMV,
MidCow
Mark
If so, do I need a special adapter or is it just a standard RCA input. Once plugged in, how do I switch modes on the player. Thanks for the help.
- how are updates applied? A DVD came with the car but the car didn't come equipped with a DVD player. Unless the CD changer can read this disk. The manual doesn't say anything about this; I guess they assume you'll go to a dealer to install updates.
- how do I find out if there is a later version available (aside from checking with a dealer)?
- is there a site where I can submit corrections to the data? One example I noticed is that a business named McDonalds Something is incorrectly marked on the map as a McDonalds fast food restaurant. Yet just a 1/2 mile away, a McDonalds that has been in the same location for 20 years isn't listed.
If you can answer these questions or point me to another suitable forum I'd be grateful.
Thank you.
Have you searched the car for a DVD player? Under the seat? in a panel somewhere in the back?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I think the DVD I have may be the original one. In my web searches I learned that there was a free DVD upgrade so probably the previous owner got the newer one installed. The version in the system is 4.2 which I believe is the later one. I did notice something marked "Navigation" under the drivers seat. Maybe that's the spot. I just sort of assumed it had something to do with the GPS.
Thanks.
p.s. I don't have a preference as to which kind of system it is (voice activated, touch screen, toggle etc) just as long as it works! Thanks!!!
Get a streets and routing program for your computer and plan a lot of routing there beforehand and don't neglect maps. They will still be more convenient many, many times.
I have operated two different navigation systems on two brands and I cannot vouch that any one is better than another. One possible exception is that a late model system that takes voice commands MIGHT be quicker and more convenient, because you never want to more than glance at it, never changing anything while you are driving.
I wish you the best.
Some added advice: make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Any suggestions????
Thanks
"...make sure you can enter info while moving, or at least without the car in park. That way, you won't need to pull over when you realize you're lost. "
Woe is me! I just bought a 2005 Toyota Highlander a week ago with Nav and although I played with the system during the test drive it happened to always be while stopped! Two days later I find out that you can hardly do anything while the vehicle is moving! I've owned two other Nav systems (one in a 2004 Honda Accord and another after market install into a Trailblazer) neither had any such restrictions.
I've been searching the web for days trying to find a workaround or hack to re-enable the functionality. I found one possible solution at Coastaletech, but he's reserving it for Prius owners (would it even work on a Highlander Nav system?)
Anyone know of another solution?
And where did you get the quote for $250?
Thanks in advance!!!
I can see it now: A guy with a cell phone on his shoulder, a double Whopper in his left hand, tuning XM radio with his right hand, and oh by the way, I think I'll play with the Navigation system while I'm at it. At least he isn't putting on his makeup (we hope) when his spouse might well be.
Is it a wonder we have people killed everyday on the highway? I don't think so.
This is the second worst idea I've heard recently. The worst was the thought of allowing 300 people on an airplane to talk on their cell phones (all at the same time) for the entire flight. That sounds like fun....
All that said, I'm for technology and if there was some way to allow a passenger (only) to program the NAV system, then I'd be all for it. I'm just not sure how that could work.
But until then, I don't want my spouse or children being killed because someone was trying to find Burger King and was too lazy to pull over. And when that happens and your insurance company finds out you have overridden the Toyota NAV "I AGREE" feature, I wonder if they will pay for all the damage and loss of life? I also hope the Prius guy selling these has a good lawyer, because I guarantee you he will be blamed if someone is injured or killed -- in spite of his disclaimer. It's just the world we live in.
Okay, stepping off of soap box now....I do like my Nav system.
Now that so many nav systems are incorporating voice recognition, we can do more and more w/o taking our eyes off the road.
Presumably one has one's eyes on the road while making that maneuver.
tidester, host
Steve, Host
However I believe strongly in personal responsibility. I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I don't eat while driving, and I always wear my seat belt. Can you honestly say you've never used your nav system while driving? Even the ones that don't allow you to change the destination still allow you enough options to divert your attention from the road long enough for an accident to happen.
I don't think its up to the manufacturers of cell phones and cars and the owners of drive-thrus to enforce those behaviors on the public. Following your logic logic we should close all the drive thrus since we can't guarantee that only the passengers will eat while the car is in motion and the auto makers should all install cell phone jammers in their cars and cars shouldn't be able to be driven if everyone isn't wearing their seat belt.
I've had two other nav systems and when you know the system it usually takes no more attention than the radio (maybe should we disable changing radio stations while moving too?). It certainly takes less attention that dealing with an atlas or huge folding map while driving ... which is the option people are left with when their nav systems prevent them from using it. By the way, when I'm driving its my wife who looks at the map and vice-versa, we should be allowed a similar arrangement with the nav system.
Just because something can be enforced doesn't mean that it should be enforced...particularly when its not illegal (yet).
As for the insurance question. I think it would be perfectly fair if the insurance companies didn't cover drivers in such situations, but unfortunately I don't expect it would stop anyone from engaging in those activities.
And, yes, I can honestly say I have never used the NAV while driving. On the Toyota Camry 2004 model, the only icons that you can even push while driving are for HOSPITAL, POLICE or a TOYOTA dealership. That's it. You can't enter other information.
If we used your idea of "personal responsibility" drivers would want to drive 90 after 5 beers because they are themselves certainly "personally responsible". It's just the other guys that aren't. Ah, if it were only that easy. We, unfortunately, can't depend on personal responsibility when people are driving 2-ton SUVS at 70 mph, and that's why safety laws are passed.
Would it deeply trouble me if a law was passed prohibiting you from eating a 16 inch pizza while driving in your car? No, not that much. When you get in the driver's seat of a car you have a "personal responsibility" to yourself, your family, and all other drivers to try to keep them alive. Everything else from eating, to cell phones, to Navigation systems miss the point. But until a law is passed, I guess you are free to do whatever you want. Being "personally responsible" of course.
When a congressman's spouse or child is killed, then something might be done to eliminate some of these distractions. By the way, you cannot drive in New York state with a hand-held cell phone. You must use a hands-free unit and more states are considering enacting similar laws.
I agree that the solution will be voice-activated NAV systems that are already coming on line. I believe the latest Toyota system in the Avalon has this and probably Lexus, too.. Now if we could just fix the 16 inch pizza problem.
I understand - only emergency situations, like in case of injury or the sudden need to find that Toyota dealership ASAP!!!"
I am not familiar with your system, but is there a way to add an external atenaee to boost the signal? I know on the Streetpilot w/o an antenaee the accuracy is say 30' to 60'; with the add on it gets down to about 9' accuracy. That helps in knowing about a turn before you pass it
Mark