Retrofit Satnav To 2006 Prius

[Joseph D]

I have a 2006 PriusT-Spirit that does not have the Nav box installed, but has the screen and steering wheel controls. The chap I bought the Prius off, said all I need to do was "buy the box that goes under the seat and plug it in."

Is it as easy as that? And is £600 a reasonable price for said box.

Also does anyone know the model number of the TNS fitted to the 2006 Prius?

Thanks.

[Chris Dance]

As far as I know the 2006 Prius T Spirit came with fully fitted Sat/Nav. I cannot see why the "box" under the seat should have been removed. The car is not complete in its current state. Check with your nearest Toyota dealer on the cost of a replacement it could be expensive especially if it does not work. I hope you can get it sorted. I would be suspicious of what the guy who sold you the car told you!!!

[Joseph D]

As far as I know the 2006 Prius T Spirit came with fully fitted Sat/Nav. I cannot see why the "box" under the seat should have been removed. ... I would be suspicious of what the guy who sold you the car told you!!!

Hi Chris,

It didn't occur to me that the car might have been originally supplied complete with the nav. I assumed it was an option that was not taken. I'll do some investigation and see what turns up.

As far as the dealer I bought it off, he appears to be genuine, so don't think it was him that removed it, if it has been removed.

Thanks for you thoughts.

Cheers,

[timberwolf]

I have a 2006 PriusT-Spirit that does not have the Nav box installed, but has the screen and steering wheel controls. The chap I bought the Prius off, said all I need to do was "buy the box that goes under the seat and plug it in."

Is it as easy as that? And is £600 a reasonable price for said box.

Also does anyone know the model number of the TNS fitted to the 2006 Prius?

Thanks.

I can't recall anyone here posting about installing a factory Sat-Nav in the last 3 years. If it was an option in 2006, I guess it would also depend on whether the GPS aerial and wiring was pre-installed at the factory. You'd also have to buy the correct DVD for the navigation unit.

I assume by reasonable, you are asking if it is a fair price compared with the trade of similar second-hand sat-nav units? I don't know, I believe they are very expensive as a part from Toyota.

If you were asking is it a reasonable price compared with the features of a portable sat-nav unit such as Garmin or Tom Tom then probably on balance it is not, but there would be a range of opinions on that subject and depends on much you value the a built-in system with a poorer interface and out of date maps with the physical inconvenience (theft, wires, etc) of a portable unit with an easier user interface and the potential for more up to date maps.

[Chris Dance]

Surely a 2006 T Spirit Prius came with a fully fitted Sat/Nav. I cannot see Toyota putting out a car without the CD or DVD box.

[Joseph D]

<snip> I assume by reasonable, you are asking if it is a fair price compared with the trade of similar second-hand sat-nav units? I don't know, I believe they are very expensive as a part from Toyota.

If you were asking is it a reasonable price compared with the features of a portable sat-nav unit such as Garmin or Tom Tom then probably on balance it is not, but there would be a range of opinions on that subject and depends on much you value the a built-in system with a poorer interface and out of date maps with the physical inconvenience (theft, wires, etc) of a portable unit with an easier user interface and the potential for more up to date maps.

Yes I was asking if it was a fair price for a used genuine Toyota part.

I have read a lot of opinion on the Toyota (and for that matter other makers' in-car units) vs stand alone Garmin/Tom Tom/Mio units. In short no in-car sat navs, so it would seem, can match the Garmin/Tom Tom/Mio units.

I also have not used sat nav at all personally except for a 4500 km road trip with a fairly basic 3.5" Gamin unit. The three things I didn't like with a stand alone unit were i) having to remove or hide it; ii) having loose wires dangling in view and iii) finding a place on the windscreen that is not "in the way." To get rid of these, I'd be prepared to pay a small premium.

Two things that I have picked up about the Toyota sat nav, are i) the difficulty of obtaining (not so up-to-date) updates and ii) the exorbitant cost of the updates. Any owners with real world experience of the truth or fiction of what is claimed re the functionality would be most welcome.

[Jan&tone]

<snip> I assume by reasonable, you are asking if it is a fair price compared with the trade of similar second-hand sat-nav units? I don't know, I believe they are very expensive as a part from Toyota.

If you were asking is it a reasonable price compared with the features of a portable sat-nav unit such as Garmin or Tom Tom then probably on balance it is not, but there would be a range of opinions on that subject and depends on much you value the a built-in system with a poorer interface and out of date maps with the physical inconvenience (theft, wires, etc) of a portable unit with an easier user interface and the potential for more up to date maps.

Yes I was asking if it was a fair price for a used genuine Toyota part.

I have read a lot of opinion on the Toyota (and for that matter other makers' in-car units) vs stand alone Garmin/Tom Tom/Mio units. In short no in-car sat navs, so it would seem, can match the Garmin/Tom Tom/Mio units.

I also have not used sat nav at all personally except for a 4500 km road trip with a fairly basic 3.5" Gamin unit. The three things I didn't like with a stand alone unit were i) having to remove or hide it; ii) having loose wires dangling in view and iii) finding a place on the windscreen that is not "in the way." To get rid of these, I'd be prepared to pay a small premium.

Two things that I have picked up about the Toyota sat nav, are i) the difficulty of obtaining (not so up-to-date) updates and ii) the exorbitant cost of the updates. Any owners with real world experience of the truth or fiction of what is claimed re the functionality would be most welcome.

I don't know whether or not the 2006 t-s came with a satnav or not! My 2008 T-S did, so I'd be surprised if it didn't although equally surprised if someone actually took it out!

As to the functionality of it there has been many discussions on here as to the pro's and con's and I can only recount my own experiences.

First, yes it, like all satnavs are out of date pretty much as soon as they are released and the Toyota one is no exception.

Second, yes, the updates are expensive and I suspect most of us won't bother if we only keep the car for 3 years, it would be for the prospective new owner to negotiate with the dealer the update as part of the purchase negotiations.

However, roads don't move very often and when they do or new ones are opened they are well signposted.

satnavs should be a guidance only, not to be slavishly obeyed like the horror stories we have all read before and no doubt will continue to read.

I have had Toyota satnavs in my last 5 Toyotas, the one in my gen3 is the best, inasmuch as I can use the full postcode search.

It is easy to use and has a very clear display. There is pretty much nothing to steal unlike a tomtom or garmin or suchlike which generally finish up in the glovebox or under the seat.

Where I live the telltale ring on the windscreen is an open invitation to the local scroats to break in to find the unit!

Basically the choice is yours, but given the choice I would always go for a fitted rather than a removable unit despite the updating problems/costs.

[Joseph D]

I don't know whether or not the 2006 t-s came with a satnav or not! My 2008 T-S did, so I'd be surprised if it didn't although equally surprised if someone actually took it out!

As to the functionality of it there has been many discussions on here as to the pro's and con's and I can only recount my own experiences.

First, yes it, like all satnavs are out of date pretty much as soon as they are released and the Toyota one is no exception.

Second, yes, the updates are expensive and I suspect most of us won't bother if we only keep the car for 3 years, it would be for the prospective new owner to negotiate with the dealer the update as part of the purchase negotiations.

However, roads don't move very often and when they do or new ones are opened they are well signposted.

satnavs should be a guidance only, not to be slavishly obeyed like the horror stories we have all read before and no doubt will continue to read.

I have had Toyota satnavs in my last 5 Toyotas, the one in my gen3 is the best, inasmuch as I can use the full postcode search.

It is easy to use and has a very clear display. There is pretty much nothing to steal unlike a tomtom or garmin or suchlike which generally finish up in the glovebox or under the seat.

Where I live the telltale ring on the windscreen is an open invitation to the local scroats to break in to find the unit!

Basically the choice is yours, but given the choice I would always go for a fitted rather than a removable unit despite the updating problems/costs.

Thanks Tony for this reply, this is most helpful.

It is interesting, as the car has all the other T-S features, rear camera, parking assist, bluetooth phone integration, nav controls on the screen and steering wheel, etc.

When I press any nav related buttons a message on the multi-info display pops up saying "The external system is not connected".

[Jan&tone]

I don't know whether or not the 2006 t-s came with a satnav or not! My 2008 T-S did, so I'd be surprised if it didn't although equally surprised if someone actually took it out!

As to the functionality of it there has been many discussions on here as to the pro's and con's and I can only recount my own experiences.

First, yes it, like all satnavs are out of date pretty much as soon as they are released and the Toyota one is no exception.

Second, yes, the updates are expensive and I suspect most of us won't bother if we only keep the car for 3 years, it would be for the prospective new owner to negotiate with the dealer the update as part of the purchase negotiations.

However, roads don't move very often and when they do or new ones are opened they are well signposted.

satnavs should be a guidance only, not to be slavishly obeyed like the horror stories we have all read before and no doubt will continue to read.

I have had Toyota satnavs in my last 5 Toyotas, the one in my gen3 is the best, inasmuch as I can use the full postcode search.

It is easy to use and has a very clear display. There is pretty much nothing to steal unlike a tomtom or garmin or suchlike which generally finish up in the glovebox or under the seat.

Where I live the telltale ring on the windscreen is an open invitation to the local scroats to break in to find the unit!

Basically the choice is yours, but given the choice I would always go for a fitted rather than a removable unit despite the updating problems/costs.

Thanks Tony for this reply, this is most helpful.

It is interesting, as the car has all the other T-S features, rear camera, parking assist, bluetooth phone integration, nav controls on the screen and steering wheel, etc.

When I press any nav related buttons a message on the multi-info display pops up saying "The external system is not connected".

Is it actually missing or just a loose connection? Check with the dealer you bought it from perhaps?

[GreenJuice]

Any owners with real world experience of the truth or fiction of what is claimed re the functionality would be most welcome.

You've got a good understanding of the comparison between built-in and bolt-on units. You'll probably also be aware that there are strong opinions out there! Personally, I've been hooked on Sat-navs for well over a decade since early models and even ask for them on hire cars. When not in a car, I use them on my phone! IMHO none are perfect, all are better than before. If your expectations are not set too high, you won't be disappointed. In real world usage, I would say the Gen 2 T-S one is pretty good and does it's job we'll enough for me not to get out my phone!

I am also suspicious as to why yours is missing. What's under your front passenger seat? If you decide on going for an integrated unit, make sure you get the main benefits of steering wheel & voice control and speaker integration.

[Joseph D]

<snip> What's under your front passenger seat? <snip>.

I had a quick look, and I can't believe I didn't physically look sooner, in the hope that the box was there, but unplugged, but no such. There is an obvious space where the box should be, and 4 plugs - 3 smallish and one large. These are all situated to plug into the front facing panel.

[timberwolf]

Any owners with real world experience of the truth or fiction of what is claimed re the functionality would be most welcome.

You've got a good understanding of the comparison between built-in and bolt-on units. You'll probably also be aware that there are strong opinions out there! Personally, I've been hooked on Sat-navs for well over a decade since early models and even ask for them on hire cars. When not in a car, I use them on my phone! IMHO none are perfect, all are better than before. If your expectations are not set too high, you won't be disappointed. In real world usage, I would say the Gen 2 T-S one is pretty good and does it's job we'll enough for me not to get out my phone!

I am also suspicious as to why yours is missing. What's under your front passenger seat? If you decide on going for an integrated unit, make sure you get the main benefits of steering wheel & voice control and speaker integration.

I'm of the opposite opinion. I have both the built-in sat-nav on my 2008 and a Garmin Nuvi. I know which unit I prefer for longer journeys, and which in my humble opinion finds the better routes. I would class the built-in sat-nav as adequate but I don't rate it to find routes any better than Microsoft's early AutoRoute program. My built- in sat-nav still thinks going via the M42 to get to the M1 is the best/fastest route.

[Chris Dance]

I think the Sat/Nav is very good at finding streets in cities etc but is only a guide for getting the best route to a destination. I always get an AA route as well as using the Prius built in Sat/Nav.

Joseph D with regard to your Sat/Nav issue; from what you have said I think the box has been removed as it was probably faulty. I would definitely take the issue up with the person who sold you the car. I wonder if under the sales of goods act you could say the car is not fit for purpose as it is not complete.??????

[cootuk]

Was this advertiswed anywhere before sale?

If the advert stated sat nav, then I would go back and ask where the unit is.

[Joseph D]

<snip> I think the box has been removed as it was probably faulty. I would definitely take the issue up with the person who sold you the car. I wonder if under the sales of goods act you could say the car is not fit for purpose as it is not complete.??????

Was this advertised anywhere before sale? If the advert stated sat nav, then I would go back and ask where the unit is.

Hi Chris and cootuk, thanks for your thoughts. I don't want to mislead anyone, so I'll just state that the car was not advertised as having sat nav, so there is no issue of misrepresentation on the part of the seller. Also like to make it clear the car was not bought from a Toyota dealer as, basically, this car is too old for them to have on their lots.

Essentially my thoughts were, if all the infrastructure is already fitted and I can get a nav unit at a good price I'd be keen to bring the car back up to full T-S spec.

I'd also like to find out, if I can, if there was a reason the nav unit was taken out, just in case there is some fault elsewhere in the system. I wouldn't like to find that out the hard way.

[sjrainsford]

Well as far as I'm aware it should have had one if it is a T Spirit. Does it have the reversing camera when you put the car in reverse? If not then perhaps it isn't actually a T Spirit? The cars without sat nav and camera had a lower resolution screen as the higher resolution wasn't needed.

[Joseph D]

Well as far as I'm aware it should have had one if it is a T Spirit. Does it have the reversing camera when you put the car in reverse? If not then perhaps it isn't actually a T Spirit? The cars without sat nav and camera had a lower resolution screen as the higher resolution wasn't needed.

<snip> It is interesting, as the car has all the other T-S features, rear camera, parking assist, bluetooth phone integration, nav controls on the screen and steering wheel, etc.

When I press any nav related buttons a message on the multi-info display pops up saying "The external system is not connected".

[Joseph D]

.

[sjrainsford]

Oh well, with that in mind it does look like you've got a T Spirit!

I'd keep a close eye on the bay of E for a replacement DVD drive then. It sits underneath the passenger seat on mine.

[cootuk]

Being under the seat they do sometimes get water damaged, but would need to be in a flood, wading a ford, or someone dropping a drink onto it.

Maybe if it wasn't needed for other functions and they used a separate satnav, then the previous owner could just have sold it on to gain an extra few hundred pounds.

[Joseph D]

I thought I would do a follow-up post to let you all know how things turned out.

For reasons already outlined I decided to go ahead and restore the car back to full spec by getting the under-seat nav unit as it seemed there once was one there and had been removed for whatever reason.

After trolling the "bay of E" I found a dismantler with a screen and nav unit for sale. As I didn't need the screen, I offered a price for just the nav unit, which was accepted. So the deal was done and a few days later the unit turned up.

After inspection it all seemed ok and I remember thinking it was smaller than I imagined it would be, but it was complete and had both brackets and enough bolts. I gathered a few tools together and in no time had it bolted down and plugged in. It all fitted with no drama. BTW the maps were 2005-2006, so not that up-to-date! Now the moment of truth, so I start the car and press the "Map" button on the MFD. And voila the agree to be a good driver screen. :D I press "I agree".

This was good timing as we were just about to set off for a trip around the south of England starting in Kent and going around to Cornwall. A good opportunity to test the SatNav.

As you will remember (or maybe not) I have only used a SatNav once before - a fairly basic Garmin unit - with which I was not overly impressed. So, what are my impressions of the "new" SatNav? I have to say, I was not expecting too much after my research, but this SatNav has actually impressed me and more than just a little bit. I can see that is not the bee's knees, but in all fairness it does a decent job. Given that the maps are 7 years old, I found that there were not that many "errors". A few new roundabouts and one roundabout removed and replaced with lights, so not too bad. As Jan&tone says, it is a tool to assist, not an oracle to be blindly obeyed. And to put the maps into perspective, in the old days you would buy a road map book which would last you 20 or more years before being replaced if at all. Nobody batted an eye lid when it got out of date - and we all coped! We didn't feel the need to rush out and buy updated maps every 6 months.

There are things I don't like so much to do with programming a route, but on balance the positives tend to cancel out the negatives, at least for me.

So horses for courses, each to their own, but my verdict is nice job and no regrets.

[don21]

I would certainly try the following.

eBay.

247spares

1stchoice car spares.

Google will help with the last two.

Put in you reg number and as much info as you can and you will get email replies from any suppliers that have them

Make sure you get the included dvd and if not I am sure a helpful member can supply you with a copy.

One tip do not sign up for ant expensive text alerts just read the small print.

I am in the trade and have used both these sites to good effect.

[timberwolf]

Joseph, thanks for the follow-up post. I'm glad it worked out for you, and that it was worth your effort.

I can remember the days with only paper maps and written directions, I used to get lost a lot, and then there was the aimless driving around after I got lost, or trying to find someone to ask directions. I still get lost even with sat-nav, but the sat-nav can then plot a new route for me.

[kithmo]

I can remember the days with only paper maps and written directions, I used to get lost a lot, and then there was the aimless driving around after I got lost, or trying to find someone to ask directions. I still get lost even with sat-nav, but the sat-nav can then plot a new route for me.

Don't forget the In between years where new technology offered us "Autoroute".

Fire up the old 486 PC and run the Autoroute program. Enter the start position and destination and hey presto the PC brings up 3 routes on a map and a list of turn offs and distances for each one. Select the route you want and print the map or list (or both) out.

No redirection if you got lost, no updated maps, but hey it was technology.

I find the most useful feature of the NAV is its ability to keep me on track if I get diverted or decide to go another route (providing you ignore the "do a U-turn instructions for a short while) and the link with the radio that diverts you around traffic problems and accidents.

[timberwolf]

Yes, I remember Autoroute. I had a similar one, I think it may have been called Personal Navigator, which included OS maps and claimed to have the full Royal Mail postcode database.

I also had GPS units before car sat-nav, which could be "programmed" with a small number of waypoints and routes . I think both my Psion S3a and S5 had map programs, apps to convert between various co-ordinate systems, and apps to upload waypoints and routes to the Garmin GPS and download the "breadcrumb" trails.