I'm not a fan of luxury, so I wanted the lowest version of Camry Hybrid: cloth seats, no moon roof, etc. However, I used a portable navigation unit in my 2000 Camry, and wanted the built-in navigation unit. As you all know, navigation is locked together with leather, heated seats, and moon roof, so I reluctantly ponied up the ~3000 extra bucks just to get the navigation (and leather, moon roof, and heated seats).

I am starting to regret the decision.

The navigation unit is about 50% as capable as my $150 MIO portable navigation unit.

1) It won't provide voice guidance on all the streets in it's database. I can see the streets, the streets are named, but the pretty lady announces "Due to lack of data in this area, turn-by-turn guidance is not available" What??? My cheapo portable unit will route me by voice to my front door (and get the house number right!). My $1200 built-in unit will route me to the freeway about 2 miles away from my door and give up. There are 3 routable roads (light blue in color) in my entire town of 25,000.

2) It can't even search it's entire database at once. It forces you to pick which area of the country you can use. I would hate to live on a boundary of two of the areas.

3) Its data is out of date and incomplete. Even though it uses 7 GB of data on the DVD, it's POI database seems to be vintage 2001 or so. This is the 6.1 version of the DVD. Again, my $150 unit has much more up to date information, all in 1GB of memory!

4) You can't use some functions while in motion. While I would not use the portable one while driving, many times my wife would take it and search for the nearest fast food, or gas station, or an address we're heading to. With this unit, you have to stop before you can do that. (I know there's a hack for this, and I'm working on implementing it)

These above limitation have given the Navigation unit a very low WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor!) "What? Can't find either of the two Hobby Lobby stores within 30 miles of each other?"


The CD player has limitations:
1- I can't find a way to randomly play across folders. This means I'm going to have to re-burn all my MP3 CD's to be all in the same folder. Also, next time I power on, the setting is lost.
2- When random is selected, pushing up or down does not go to the next random pick, but merely to the next physical file.
3- I can't find a way to fast forward in a track. Up will go to the next song, holding up will change to the next CD!
4- The 6 CD changer on cars without navigation is replaced with a 4 cd changer. Not a huge deal. admittedly.

I do like the energy consumption and power distribution screens, and I like the file name display.

Now maybe a lot of these problems are due to operator error, or a new driver unfamiliar with the features, or a setting that needs to be changed. If so, please correct me, and maybe I'll fall in love with the nav all over again.

I know it's my fault for not checking more carefully and making sure the navigation unit met my requirements before purchasing, but I got caught up in the hype of wanting the hybrid. I did try one out, but did not encounter the lack of guidance on non-major roads in my test drive.

I don't want Toyota to give me a refund. I don't want to return the car and get one without Nav. I just wanted to share my experiences with the group, and let you know that if you're expecting Garmin or Tom-Tom, do a detailed check-out before you decide.

Snedecor