Toyota Prius: GPS in a Prius

I've used a lot of Garmins over the years and they work very well.

However, they all are a pain to set up and remove because someone may want
it and not care what damage is done to your car to get it. I've had that
happen on my old Ford. Damage was more than the unit they stole.

Now I've gotten them built-in. It's always there an running if you need it.
Convenience is a big plus. Less theft to worry about as well as unplugging,
removing (that dash in the Prius is deep!) and setting up the thing
everytime you get in the car. Since then, I'll never own another car
without it being built-in. It integrates to well into the vehicle's
sound/phone system and you can talk to it whereas the portables aren't there
yet.

My two cents.

B~

In article
<gRwvi.420139$ops.worldnet.att.net>,
"B. Peg" <att.net> wrote:
 

....spending $2000 every three years for the privilege.

Shawn Hirn wrote: 


Any of the PocketPC/GSM Phone/GPS units works fine, if you can live without
the Mac sync business (or maybe it is possible, but I have no need).

News <com> wrote in
news:net:
 

We have a 2007 Prius with the navigation systemm, and a portable Garmin
for our other cars. The Toyota system is very well integrated into the
car and uses the display that is also used for climate control, audio,
energy monitoring, etc. The only problem we've found is that the system
will not let you (or more accurately, your passenger) set or modify any
destination (or even serach for restaurants, etc.) while the car is
moving. That turned out to be a REALLY big irritation.

The Garmin works well, has slightly more complete coverage of some areas
of Canada, and is easy to mount. Moreover, unlike the Toyota built-in,
an occupant in the car can program in a destination while underway.
Unfortunately, any way we've tried to mount it is very intrusive and,
well, ugly. It has to be close to some glass area in order to maintain
consistent communication with the satellites, so it's hard to hide it.
Just plugging it in loose and sitting it in the center console or some
such is just not workable. It comes with a suction cup windshield mount
that is very effective if you don't mind visibility being seriously
compromised by a large chunky thing stuck in your field of vision.

I have no idea about MAC compatibilty.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

> .... It comes with a suction cup windshield mount 

Also, Garmin mentions that in some states it's illegal to stick suction cups
devices on the windshield. I know CA is one. They make abean bag weighted
unit for some of their units to get around that issue.

B~

Harry Smith wrote: 

You can disable this safety feature, I believe, although I've never
tried it myself. I think it's in the FAQ on priuschat.com.

Paul

In article <150.105.47>,
Harry Smith <com> wrote:
 

Someone on priusonline.com claims that his works perfectly well mounted
down under the radio, in front of the cupholders.

Unfortunately for me, that's where my XM radio is....

On Aug 13, 6:50 am, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <com>
wrote: 

I don't have a Prius yet but I do have a Garmin C340 and I love it. I
ordered an inexpensive tiny antenna with a long cable on it and can
mount it anywhere in my car. I can also use my PC, no idea about OSX,
to program it and put custom points of interest or way points in. For
example, I have all of the radio stations by categories such as talk,
jazz, news, etc. I can just touch that item on the screen and it
gives distances and directions as well as frequencies. If I want to
listen to NPR on a trip I can use my GPS to stay tuned to those
stations. I love the flexibility of the Garmin. See http://www.poi-factory.com/
for tons of custom way points that you can download and install on
your unit. I have experienced the built in GPS and would vote for the
portable one. In my PT Cruiser it is not that obtrusive mounted on the
windshield but the Prius has a slightly different configuration. With
the antenna extension you can put it anywhere.