Is the Entune Navigation system worth the upgrade?

at least you have the option. no entune but NAV, which isnt bad i would have got the JBL option if it was available but for whatever reason it is not available in the 14 DCSB 6M configuration. Up here the packages are different. i have the TRD Sport Premium package, id have to go automatic to get the JBL, but then be stuck with Chrome'd out pieces. i cant wait til i get the stealthbox installed because i am missing some punch.

 

I'll just second what people have already said. I went with Nav and JBL and they're both decent/good. I'm sure there are better ways I could have spent my money, but I'm not upset. The voice recognition works most of the time and the JBL sounded better than stock.

The truck was also my 45th birthday present, so I decided to splurge a bit.

 

If all one gets for their $1,200, that is indeed pricey. I have been considering an vehicle upgrade appropriate for a multi-month cross country trip and Nav is one option I'm considering. I have an Android Smart phone and an old-ish Garmin portable unit. Both have their up and downsides. It would be nice to not have to clutter up the dash, and to run off installed maps, rather than require cell service like Android/Google Maps does.

Looking at the responses, it seems those that have splurged for Nav, are generally happy, though those that didn't... are as well.

Interesting call OP, have you decided yet?

 

Agreed, plus with a unit such as Garmin, you can buy lifetime maps and even load custom routes. A stand alone unit is the very best option IMHO. Plus you can move it from vehicle to vehicle easily.

I have factory nav in all 4 of my vehicles but never use them. My trusty Garmin is all I use.

 

I love it. I didn't want the Nav but the dealer gave me a really good deal since they didn't want to order a taco from the factory and the one on the lot had the nav.

I don't think it's accurate for addresses and rarely use it for that, relying on my phone and Google maps for turn by turn directions; mostly because it's easier to voice search a business name on google maps and then just set it to navigate. Programming destinations on the truck is a pain in the ass compared to the phone.

It's nice on long trips to see mileage to destination, the weather map is very nice in the winter, providing you're somewhere with HD radio reception.

I really, really love the nav for finding alternate routes around traffic in the city though. Through the HD Radio the nav gets traffic data that's overlayed over roads. I can easily zoom out and see if my route is backed up. When I'm on the side roads and traffic hits I can easily navigate alternate routes that I pick (I wouldn't program them into the unit I mean) and frequently find connections through neighborhood roads to get around problem intersections. This alone is worth it's cost to me and I didn't expect to like the Nav unit so much; again I don't use it for turn by turn directions though.

 

I would not get it again. I got the entune premium, which was a $1265 option on my 2014, and, like a previous poster said, it was nice to finance it with the rest of the truck, i hardly use the navigation. I have found that I much prefer the WAZE app, as it is much better at predicting and accounting for traffic. Its also kinda a pain to enter the addresses in the entune navigation, unless it is a real clear address and you can speak it. I like the bluetooth calling features, but the deck does try to do to much. When it was brand new, I tried to use it to find the nearest gas, and it tried to take me way out of the way.

Also, if you are planning on using an ipod with the deck, I have had nothing but trouble when trying to use the deck to play the ipod and do navigation, simultaneously. In fact, usually, once per drive, I have to unplug and plug the ipod back in. I am not the only one with this problem.

Also, what stinks, is I would like to upgrade the sound system, but seems like its a real pain to try to build a new system around the existing deck.

In retrospect, I would have preferred to get a base stereo, and build it up with other, better technology.

Hope that helps.

 

I have a '12 with entune/nav and like it. I utilize every function it offers and would recommend it.

 

I'll have to get you to teach me how to talk to mine. It never understands what I say and i wind up screaming at the fool thing. I don't use any apps, too old to even want to try, but would like to get my grandson to teach me the nav thing.

 

You can buy mine, then you'll have two.

 

You can just get base system and purchase the premium entune navi unit from fltrucks on here for 450.

Is it worth it? Maybe it's just neat to have if you want to spend the time using it

 

I have an Entune Audio Plus if you want to trade...just a though. Hopefully your grandson is helpful and you will learn how to enjoy the premium features.

 

I've been going back and forth with this for months now. I have an Entune plus and really want the Nav. I also am not really a fan of the actual head unit. In my opinion, it's small and seems very cheap. My wife's Highlander came with the Premium unit and it's a lot better. Her nobs are much bigger (gigity) and has more screen space. When you are bouncing around, it's difficult to push a small icon on the screen because your finger will bounce to another icon.

What's keeping from upgrading is that the unit with the Nav, is the same unit without. Same nobs, same screen size so there really isn't enough for me to justify the extra money. For now, my phone is bluetoothed into the unit and if I need a Nav, I run it through Google Map and pick the Bluetooth icon. The directions come through the speakers and if I place my phone on the dash in front of the speedometer, I can see it.

 

Your current headunit forum price is worth 250-350, eBay price who knows. But fltrucks units with navi is 450 shipped. Might be a cheap upgrade depending how you look at it

 

Don't know every aspect of just the entune radio but I love mine. Its the 2013 nav jbl premium entune. Navigation I don't use that often(its a pain to use). Pandora and the HD radio part of it are awesome. Actually its hard to drive a car with a crappy sounding radio now. I drive to work most of the time in a Nissan leaf S and the radio in that thing blows.

 

If you like it and the cost doesn't bother you then its worth it to you.

Personally, I wouldn't pay $1 extra for entune. The sound coming out of the Tacoma, with entune or not, still sounds like absolute ass and the cost of buying aftermarket setups are not that expensive these days.

 

I'll stick with the free Nav from my phone and spend that money elsewhere.

 

Nothing on the market compares to http://www.pixen.net/toyota.html
For the tacoma, you need the universal version at this point till there is enough demand to make a 100% oem replacement for it

Android DVD Full Specifications
1) FreeScale Chipset( iMx5)/ARM CORTEX A8 CPU with Frequency Speed of up to 1.2GHz
2) Advanced DSP Built-in(NXP7741), Digital X-Over, Multi Band Digital EQ and Digital Time Delay (for units equipped with DSP)
3) Advance 3D Hardware Acceleration/ 512MB DDR RAM
4) Advance Android 2.3.4 OS
5) HD 1024x600 LCD with Capacitive Touch Panel except for LCD of 6.95" which is 800x480 , Support 1080P Movie format
6) Allows Software Upgrades of Through SD Card
7) Supports CAN BUS, Displaying CAN BUS Information on TFT Screen
8) Car Grade Standard Materials, Passed -30 to +80 degrees temperature testing
9) Programmable Steering Control's Functions For Most Cars
10) iPhone Connectivity Through Cable for Music playback only
11) 3G and WiFi Connectivity Enable
12) Support External Hard Disk up to 1 Tera Byte
http://www.pixen.net/productspec.html

This is not a pitch but simply exactly what some one would need

Run ur nav,
run your OBD2 data
REar cam and Front cam capability
Then the sleek Audio related tuneability and control is = To some of the Best after market DSPs

 

I have the 2013 Entune with Nav, but I just use my phone with google maps so much faster and easier especially from Yelp.

 

Android 2.3...yikes. Many apps dont support such an old OS.

 

I believe there is a solution to this, Its full custom firmware and used for its stability with the given hardware.

My associate just installed the Torque app on it and runs obd2 data No problems at all. I was told that new apps work just fine on it. don't ask me how, I'm not a programmer but that is what i was told. Ill try gather more evidence of this