So we got my daughter a Tom Tom for her LS for Christmas. She went to program it to find an address and it didn't recognize the street. Come to find out this unit not only needs the street but the city/ZIP also. At least with the LS system, as long as I have the correct region programmed, all I need is the number and street. It will find the city for me. MUCH easier, IMHO, than having to know the entire address. The graphics are snazzier!
"Infierority" of the stock NAV system
- Thread starter LS4me
- Start date
Shredicus
Dedicated LVC Member
Honestly the LS nav interface is excellent. The approaching turn indicator/PIP is really handy. I have a 250$ Magellan that is roughly on par with it and 7 years newer. The only complaint I have about the nav is the aesthetics and maps are a bit dated and I'm not shelling out 200$ for a new navtech disk. If I can get my hands on a dual layer DVD though I'll try and bootleg one
Krakabeast
Well-Known LVC Member
I love the presentation of the map and oncoming directions, but the stock nav is crap in my area because of the dated maps. Used it on a 2.5 hour trip the other day, and it only led to headaches. Never again.
Used Google Maps on my phone to get back home without worrying about longer routes and toll roads. I have a Tom Tom that performs better than stock nav also, but it likes to play "lets fall off the windshield".
What is absolutely awesome about the stock nav though, is that you can scan for codes through it. Hold top and bottom buttons for 5 seconds, for those that didn't know. When I switch to aftermarket, I'll regret not being able to still do this, even though I have a separate scan tool.
Used Google Maps on my phone to get back home without worrying about longer routes and toll roads. I have a Tom Tom that performs better than stock nav also, but it likes to play "lets fall off the windshield".
What is absolutely awesome about the stock nav though, is that you can scan for codes through it. Hold top and bottom buttons for 5 seconds, for those that didn't know. When I switch to aftermarket, I'll regret not being able to still do this, even though I have a separate scan tool.
StarPower
Active LVC Member
The nav in the LS is a lot easier to program than what I had in my last car (2004 CL55 AMG). The CL didn't have a touch screen, so I'd have to cycle through the letters with the left and right buttons, which took forever. I also like how the LS starts with the street address instead of requiring you to start with the state/city.
I would, however, like the screen in the LS to be brighter. Even on it's brightest setting, it's nearly impossible to see in bright sunlight.
I would, however, like the screen in the LS to be brighter. Even on it's brightest setting, it's nearly impossible to see in bright sunlight.
Are you wearing polarized sunglasses? I find Ray-Bans wash out the screen A LOT. My Tifosi's not so much. Have you adjusted the brightness/contrast? A "feature" is in cold weather it takes the screen a while to warm up and reach full brightness.
Yea, but you get the whole USA and Canada. I purchased a new disc a couple of years ago and my plan was an every other year purchase. Then I started looking at the updates. I will only buy a new disc when the updates will actually help me. Adding roads in Wisconsin isn't worth it to me. Last I checked (and it's been a long while) Acura required a separate disc per region, at ~$50 per. There were something like 8 regions.
Want some fun? Try to program a trip to Hawai'i!
edit
Looking at the new update I just may need to purchase it. I'm a little tired of gas stations not being where they are supposed to be
Upstairs Chris
Dedicated LVC Member
I had one for work, and it was pretty terrible, the only thing it was good for was loading Jeremy Clarkson's voice onto it. 911 calls come in sometimes and I am like "Where in holy hell is *insert stupid street name here* and tom tom would look at me like a retarded dog.
However, google maps has this new feature where you can zoom out (in this particular instance, the entire region of the state where I work) and save that map section as a hard copy on your phone. You can then bring it up and zoom in and out, search, and find stuff very quickly without waiting on your network to stream the data. It's very handy.
Just be sure to be on some quality wifi when you download it.
Garmin...
Try other GPS brands and you will be amazed at how good they are.
The navigation on my phone is very nice and costs $10 a year. The software was free. It can interface with kenwood headunits and be operated from the touchscreen. The LS nav was good in 2003, not anymore.
The navigation on my phone is very nice and costs $10 a year. The software was free. It can interface with kenwood headunits and be operated from the touchscreen. The LS nav was good in 2003, not anymore.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
There are still a few advantages to the factory nav.
1. It knows what direction you are pointed in when you start up (and any other time for that matter). Portable nav units don't know until you have moved for a short distance. They also don't pick up when you have turned as quickly.
2. The factory nav can and will dead-reckon when you lose the sat signal, such as when going through tunnels.
3. You don't have to detach and hide it every time you stop to avoid having it stolen.
4. You don't have to invest in a cell phone with a data plan.
5. You don't have to buy the new disc (I won't be as the updates don't interest me at this time) unless you want to.
I have never liked factory navigation in any vehicle that has come equipped with it. Especially considering you get charged $2-3000 when ordering it. Getting it in a used vehicle is a whole different story though
I love the stock nav, Its more than enough for what I need it.
I do like how my phone's google maps gives me how much traffic the freeways have. Sometimes I do not get signal and I need to input something asap and it becomes a hassle. It also doesn't like to work very well in the downtown LA area with all the building, it will give you slow directions, tell you to turn left when you passed that left 3 blocks prior.
Plus, the stock nav looks so sexy in there, can't beat the oem look.
I refuse to buy a portable gps to put above my dash, not stealthy at all. Maybe in the future I will upgrade to a new double din with gps and the works, but most look too "aftermarket' for my taste.
I do like how my phone's google maps gives me how much traffic the freeways have. Sometimes I do not get signal and I need to input something asap and it becomes a hassle. It also doesn't like to work very well in the downtown LA area with all the building, it will give you slow directions, tell you to turn left when you passed that left 3 blocks prior.
Plus, the stock nav looks so sexy in there, can't beat the oem look.
I refuse to buy a portable gps to put above my dash, not stealthy at all. Maybe in the future I will upgrade to a new double din with gps and the works, but most look too "aftermarket' for my taste.
This is how my Nav looks... On top of the nav, I can listen to XM, Pandora, Ipod, USB, AHA, HD radio, or stream blu tooth off my phone.. Factory Nav doesn't come close to a nicer aftermarket double din..
I can watch movies too
First Nav Screen
It also has route avoidance, which is extremely handy when you are trying to avoid the ghettos, like in St. Louis..
The green lines are roads I have driven on.. it keeps track for you, if you wish..
Did someone say backup cam? I can run split screen nav/backup cam while driving as well..
Drag and Drop Customizable menu screen
Can go thru phone contacts, texts, recent calls, etc...
XM/Sirius
Keeps track of fuel costs and mileage..
Custom routes..
And then there's movies.....
I also have lifetime traffic updates.. Not useful in Montana, but it will send me an alert if there is a traffic jam/ accident and give me the option to reroute around it..
I can watch movies too
First Nav Screen
It also has route avoidance, which is extremely handy when you are trying to avoid the ghettos, like in St. Louis..
The green lines are roads I have driven on.. it keeps track for you, if you wish..
Did someone say backup cam? I can run split screen nav/backup cam while driving as well..
Drag and Drop Customizable menu screen
Can go thru phone contacts, texts, recent calls, etc...
XM/Sirius
Keeps track of fuel costs and mileage..
Custom routes..
And then there's movies.....
I also have lifetime traffic updates.. Not useful in Montana, but it will send me an alert if there is a traffic jam/ accident and give me the option to reroute around it..
Krakabeast
Well-Known LVC Member
Looks cool. What's the model number? I'm looking at the Pioneer avh-p4400bh, but I'm still not sure on what I'll be buying.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
A big complaint that I have with aftermarket in-dash is the start-up time. How long from engine start to useable (useable being - change media selection, enter destination - or begin navigation)?
Backup Cam is instant.. System is completely up and running in under 10 seconds.. It's something that they really worked on lately.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
That's good. That's a lot better than the 30 seconds + for the AVIC in my 04.
Screw that!!!