Navigation System for 2012

My boyfriend's birthday is coming up and he drives a lot all over the country. I'd like to surprise him with a navigation system that has bluetooth and sirius - in other words, the works. Any suggestions and where to buy?

 

Your boyfriend has got it good!

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TtWXDBMvdR6

 

Thanks for the info. It will be a great surprise for him. He loves that truck and he'll have it for at least 10 years. It may outlast me...we'll see

 

GPS is largely a matter of personal preference. I prefer function over form for tools, which describes the GPS for me. I think that Garmin makes the best navigation software and maps for the USA market. There are others. TomTom sells in North America, but their primary market is in Europe. There are many other smaller companies. I would avoid them.

For the hardware, I think that the portable GPS units are the best value. Competition in this market keeps the prices down. The big manufacturers put their best and newest technology into the portable units. The in-dash systems lag behind the portables in features and upgradeability.

For use in the USA, I think that the Garmin portables are the most useful, with frequent map updates and a larger feature set than the in-dash units using Garmin's maps and software. They also cost less about 75% less than an equivalent in-dash unit. Kenwood makes high-quality in-dash systems using Garmin's software. Many vendors (look on eBay) sell low-quality in-dash entertainment/navigation units based on a Windows CE system, at prices in the $600 range. I put these in the same class as a Palm Pilot for usefulness and currency. When was the last time you saw one of those in use? I see very few user reviews that are not filled with complaints. In this arena, you mostly get what you pay for.

You can get Sirius/XM reception in a variety of ways. Most of Toyota's factory radios can be upgraded with a satellite receiver, and can control it through the standard radio interface. I would lean strongly toward this method if you are not replacing the factory radio with an in-dash entertainment/navigation system.

My personal GPS is a Garmin nüvi 3597LMTHD. It is about $350 from Amazon.com, and comes with free lifetime map updates and traffic routing. It connects to my Android smartphone via bluetooth, and enables hands-free phone use through a free software app provided by Garmin.

Mike

 

Try *********.com you could even install it yourself, there are plenty of videos on there showing how to do it step by step.

 

Thank you. I really wanted to avoid the loose wires and just have an in dash system. My head did turn over the Garmin 3957lmthd. I just hate that it's portable - although very nice to grab and go when you have to get on a plane, as he does as well.

 

Nothing wrong with having more than one. We have the factory in-dash system in my wife's Prius, and I choose between two different portables depending on whether or not I need topographical data. When we travel and rent cars, one of the portables always accompanies us.

Mike

 

Not sure if it would work in a 2012 but I put a factory Scion navigation unit in my 2005, it was plug and play after found a double din bezel

 

The Toyota navigation system is grossly inferior to the Garmin system, as well as more expensive to purchase and keep current. I have the 2011 version in my Prius. Crap!

Mike