Navigation Units

Hello all! I am new to the board and the search function has been quite helpful but I am still left with more opinionated questions...

If you were to put a Navigational HU in your Tacoma...what would you get and why?

Thanks!

 

Depends on my overall goals, and budget.

For nav - Kenwood, hands down.

For iPod interface, Pioneer or Alpine.

For price, probably pioneer - I would find a NOS or used z110 or 120BT and do the software upgrades - for the record, this is what I have.

Audio wise - it will soon be running to a Audison Bit1.one, so all I care about is a decently clean full range output. The rest will be handled.

With that said, I am quite impressed with the built in audio features of the Pioneer units.

 

I am also looking. I would think that Sony or Kenwood would be best with their name brand nav but if you look on crutchfields, neither one has very good reviews.

 

EXACTLY my thoughts. the kenwoods get bad reviews because their interface could use some work and there supposedbly slow to start up. but they are the only ones who use garmin for their nav which makes them the hands down nav leader. sonys are just crap they break after about a month

 

Kenwood for the Garmin nav. If you update the system it's not that bad. Not as fast as Pioneer or Alpine but we're talking about maybe a second or two and on user interface it's touch then about a 1/2 second response time. I've got a Kenwood DNX 9960 and a Pioneer Avic in the other car. For navigation and audio controls, the DNX 9960 is great.

 

for nav, go Kenwood
for sound quality, user interface and ipod go Alpine

I have an alpine iva-w505 and i'm pleased with the nav on it, i'm getting the new updated nav software very soon so we'll see how that has improved. One thing i don't like about the nav is there is no quickest route option, it's just highway, local or shortest distance. Shortest distance is i believe "how the crow flies" so it takes you in a couple zig zags, not neccessarily the shortest timed route. They are suppost to have cleared this up with the new software i am told

 

Having just got out of an Alpine w205. Used the same nav unit, and a similar UI - I thought the nav was good until I used the Kenwood and Pioneer. It was pretty dismal.

The iPod interface was much better on the 505, but having used it (for both DVD and iPod) as well as the 205, I much prefer the newer interface on the w900 and w910, and the pioneer is just as good.

SQ wise, while I have always been an Alpine fan, the Pioneer is equal, if not better, in most respects, in my experience. At the very least you get the 4v preouts in all the Pioneers. Very dissapointed with the newer Alpine stuff compared to Pioneer.

 

There is one big difference between the 205 and the 505 in terms of SQ. That is Alpine Imprint. If you've ever had imprint you will be sold and never go back. I install these units, i haven't come across anything that can hold a candle to an alpine with imprint. The imprint will also give you the 4v preouts

 

You can run the stand alone imprint (H660 is the current version) with any unit, and its not too expensive either. I was able to hook about 20 guys up over on DIYMA with the H650 for under $100 bucks.

A good feature, but I am not sold on it. I also sold both of mine to go back to a full stand alone processor. Opted to get rid of the MS8 as well.

 

Got the Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT and I'm happy with it. The NAV system is decent although the maps could be better. I haven't upgraded speakers yet but the sound is already improved over the stock head unit.

 

Thanks guys! Seems like all these systems will be able to use the steering wheel controls as well??? I am leaning towards Kenwood based on all the answers...what about Eclipse???

 

Eclipse is great, i haven't used them for nav but they are very high quality. Unfortunately, i would stay away from them since fugitsu ten (who makes eclipse) has pulled out of us markets, and parts and service will be pretty much obsolete

PAC makes a stearing wheel control interface. The Pac SWI-JACK works for jvc, alpine, clarion and kenwood

 

If I were to get a unit mentioned above, would I lose my bluetooth? If I do not, could I use the stock speakers, steering controls and talk piece?

 

Most the models mentioned have bluetooth built it

 

http://rosendealercentral.com/nav/2009-11%20TOYOTA%20TACOMA%20FLYER%20WITH%20PRIMO%2008.01.11.pdf

 

there are two on ebay right now, although not sure if they are the rosen ones.

 

Me too, crutchfield carries rosen units, I was thinking of sending them an email to see if they will be selling that unit too

 

The ones on ebay, they are bunch of them now listed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-1...c6QQitemZ150646924486QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

 

yeah, I wish it would come in black though although I wouldn't mind changing my black pieces to silver.