LC200 GPS system

I have the Denso system in another vehicle (Lexus RX350) and it is very limited in its scope. Its primary function is navigation in cities. In our BT Tow vehicle (Lexus LX470) I have a Garmin Nuvi 660.

If you are looking for more flexibility, then the Garmin 7200 or even the latest version of the 660 will provide it and you can keep over $2K in your pocket!

For instance for about 20 bucks you can get a POI file of the coordinates of all the camping spots in the Camps 4 Guide to load in a Garmin. You can't do that on the Toyota (Denso) system.

Another issue is the upgrades. The latest DVD upgrade to the Denso system costs $395. The same upgrade in terms of mapping capability for the Garmin is half the price. Garmin also regularly releases software upgrades which are available form their web site.

For my money, go Garmin. More functionality, better support and a lot cheaper.

I would not consider an in-vehicle system unless you want the ability to route a rear camera through it (and save dashboard clutter). Many GPS' have a built-in bluetooth for your phone, but this is also often available as an option on the car sound system (and is cetainly an option on many portable GPS units). This is a technology that keeps getting better and cheaper every 6 months, and today's "gee whiz" is going to look very outdated in just a couple of years.

It is also quite expensive to get maps updated, and I suspect that getting this done through a car dealer will be especially so - inquire about what the cost of upates will be before making your decision.

It is almost better to simply budget on buying a new portable GPS with new maps every few years.

If you look at portable GPS, look at the following features:
1) How much memory does it have for map storage (you want to be able to load a full set of detailed Australian maps, and have spare memory left over, as updated maps will become larger)
2) What do updated maps cost - some GPS' units are being sold with a free update of the yet-to-be relased 2008 maps
3) Does it have bluetooth, and is this important to you anyway?
4) Ask salesman to demonstrate functions like "Go to" and "tracking". There is quite a differecne in ease-of-use between different brands. Ask to see unit working in outside light, to check clarity of display.
5) How easy is it for you to update maps yourself - like many others, I have a Garmin, but the update procedure is a real pain, and I would not buy one again.

The Garmin 7200 has a connection for a reversing camera. I find it to be quite adequate and more practical than the navigator using a laptop. I wanted it out of my windscreen vision so custom made a bracket attaching to a ready made hole below the vent on passenger side. Check in my pictures. I have added a brace since those pics so as to minimise shake. The 'Ram' adjustable arm is the centre piece. I found on last years trip that almost every outback track was in its memory. The only down side was the need to zoom in to close-up. An outside antenna is wise too. cheers.

If you want to go an expensive route and avoid dashboard clutter you could look at the Pioneer AVIC HD3. It fits in the double DIN spot that Toyota's use for their radios. It has bluetooth built in and can have an IPOD adapter. It has a split screen so that you can connect it to the rear view camera on the BT and have the rear view and the map showing at once. Voice guidence is through the car speakers.

It uses the Whereis database V14 as used by many portables. When not driving you can watch a DVD and it makes a huge difference to the sound you get from the standard Toyota speakers.

You can get it for about $3,300 + installation.

It is certainly an expensive solution but it looks like it is factory fitted, no cables and is a great bit of kit. Certainly better than 4k for the factory unit which is vastly inferior. We still use a Garmin portable in other vehicles, hire cars etc.

Regards,
Tony

Thank you one and all for your responses,
Much appreciated.

Sounds like a 'Street Pilot' (Tom Tom or similiar) rather than a true moving map GPS.

I use a HP rx 5965 PDA. I have OziExplorer loaded and have the whole of Oz 1/250,000 Natmap premium maps loaded. Full colour moving maps.

I can also roam the internet, run all MS Office programmes - email etc. Use it as an iPod, look at stored photo's and play the car phone through it.

$650 from Harvey Norman with a three year warranty. Had it for 9 months and cannot fault it. It also has Tom Tom loaded for city navigation.

John

From the post by Wherrol on the Members Only Forum . A good gadget that handles all the off road maps .

www.telstat.com.au/vms4x4navigation.htm